Adding Rhinestones To Your Design

In this How To we will go through the process of adding hot fix rhinestones to your design. Rhinestones are great to make your designs stand out from the rest and who doesn't like a little bling.

Bring the cutter file for the rhinestone template into your cutter software. In this case I am using the SVG file.

Set the template up onto the virtual mat so that it is ready for cutting. Your process for cutting might be different to mine depending on your software and machine.

I have used a piece of project board for the template. This board is a little light so a stiffer cardboard that doesn't flex all that easy will work well. Cardboard is a cheap alternative to using template material. Set your machine to cut the board at the appropriate force and speed.

Stick the cardboard to the cutting mat.

Insert the mat to the cutter and cut out the template.

After that is done remove the template from the mat.

Stick the template down to a hard surface with the painters tape.

Load the template with rhinestones.

Take a rhinestone transfer sheet and peel the backing off.

Place the sheet over the template with the rhinestones.

Rub a finger over the tops of the rhinestones.

Slowly peel the transfer sheet back ensuring that it picks up every rhinestone.

If it misses a few, simply place the sheet back down and rub the sheet onto the rhinestones again till it picks them up.

Once it has lifted all the rhinestones check the sheet from the underside to make sure the stones are well stuck and wont fall off. The green backing that you see on the stones is the heat activated glue.

Place the template over the design. There is only one way for the template to fit. You can always check the finished image of the design in the design folder to calm the nerves – I've done that a few times.

Now place the hard board under the design, inside the T shirt.

Place the Teflon sheet over the rhinestones.

Set your iron on medium to high but check the rhinestone manufacturers recommendations for temperature settings.

Some glues melt at lower temperatures.

Using firm pressure iron the rhinestones onto the T shirt.

Peel off the transfer sheet.

Your design is now all blinged up.