How to Customize a Graduation Cap with HTV
Graduation season is upon us. It is time to close one chapter and to open another. Whether it’s called graduation, school leaving or commencement, it is a time for celebration. Here’s how to customize a graduation cap with HTV.
Typical dress for a graduation ceremony may include a cap and gown with a sash. While the gown and sash may be a rental and specific to the school or institution’s colours, quite often students have a graduation cap to keep as a memento. I can’t think of a better way to honour the day than to customize a graduation cap with HTV.
Graduation caps are typically a fabric-covered piece of cardboard. Because it is fabric, you can easily apply HTV – but there are a few tips and tricks which I’m going to share with you which might be helpful.
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Supplies Needed to Customize a Graduation Cap with HTV
You just need a few basic supplies to apply HTV to a graduation cap.
things you need
- cutting machine – Cricut or Silhouette
- graphic to put on the graduation cap
- heat transfer vinyl (HTV) in the colour and style of your choice
- graduation cap
- something to apply the HTV with – I personally prefer the Cricut Easy Press or a household iron for this project (read on and I’ll tell you why)
Applying HTV to a graduation cap follows all the regular procedures when working with HTV.
Step by Step Directions on How to Customize a Graduation Cap with HTV
- Using your cutting machine, cut out your graphic in HTV. Don’t forget to mirror!
- Depending on your graphic, you may wish to cut it into sections to work around that centre button.
- Since the fabric is quite thin and since there is cardboard underneath, err on the side of caution and do short pressings with heat. I still use the recommended temperature from the HTV manufacturer, but I press in 5-7 second intervals.
- I personally prefer to use my Cricut Easy Press to do this project because of that centre button. It’s hard to get a good, even press using a heat press as that button gets in the way.
- Remember to use lots of pressure for those short bursts of heat. I put mine on the kitchen floor and use my full body weight on the Cricut Easy Press. Read all about why I love my Cricut Easy Press and what applications I use it for here.
Look how great this graduation cap turned out! This is a great way to add a meaningful quote and to personalize someone’s graduation cap. When they toss them in the air, you’ll also know which one was theirs.
I just used metallic HTV and kept it simple with this quote – but why not try some glitter or something else fancy? There are many options available.
Other HTV Projects
Chocolate bar marzipan jujubes jelly-o carrot cake caramels. Tootsie roll cookie jujubes powder icing lemon drops. Pastry brownie topping oat cake chocolate cake jelly candy gingerbread tart.
