How to Make Your Own Custom DIY Patches with Skip Davis

DIY Patches with HTV: Tips from STAHLS’ Ambassador Skip Davis!

Start making custom DIY patches using CAD-CUT® Soft Foam or CAD-CUT® Soft Flock HTV and UltraColor® MAX DTF transfers. Learn the step-by-step process with STAHLS’ Ambassador Skip Davis below!


As an apparel decorator, you’re always on the lookout for ways to offer your customers unique and high-quality products. Custom patches are a popular choice, but they can be expensive to produce and difficult to offer for smaller orders. Luckily, there’s a cost-effective solution that can help you create high-quality custom patches in smaller quantities: creating custom DIY patches with HTV and DTF transfers.

Step 1: Order Your DTF Transfers

Step 2: Cut Your HTV

  • Cut your CAD-CUT® Soft Foam or CAD-CUT® Soft Flock HTV into the desired shape and size using your vinyl cutter.
  • CAD-CUT® Soft Foam is a dimensional HTV that also comes in a textured option for the desired effect.
  • CAD-CUT® Soft Flock is a suede-like textured HTV with a variety of vibrant color options.

🔥 Pro Tip from Skip: Try using a 60° blade when cutting thicker materials like CAD-CUT® Soft Foam or CAD-CUT® Soft Flock. For cutting instructions, please see the user guide on the product page.

Step 3: Weed Your HTV and Remove From Carrier

  • Weed the excess HTV off the carrier using a weeding tool or tweezers.
  • Remove your cut HTV shape from the carrier.
  • Place adhesive side down on the lower platen of your heat press.

🔥 Pro Tip from Skip: Preheat the lower platen of your heat press and lay the cut HTV across to easily remove the cut HTV from the carrier.

Step 4: Layer your DTF transfer

  • Layer your UltraColor® MAX transfer on top of the HTV, making sure that the design lines up correctly.
  • Secure the transfer in place using Thermo-Tape™ over the corners of the UltraColor­­­­­® MAX carrier, avoiding overlap of the tape onto the HTV.
  • Tack down the UltraColor® MAX transfer for 2-3 seconds.

Step 5: Heat Apply Your Patch

  • After layering your UltraColor® MAX transfer on top of your HTV, you know have a custom, DIY patch that’s ready to heat apply to hats, apparel, bags, and more!
  • Please see the user guide on the product page of your HTV to see what fabrics are compatible.

Increase your decoration capabilities and start creating high-value, custom patches in smaller quantities. This process is cost-effective, versatile, and allows you to offer your customers a unique product that they’ll love. With a little bit of practice and experimentation, you can create patches in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs.

Sharing is caring!

2 thoughts on “DIY Patches with HTV: Tips from STAHLS’ Ambassador Skip Davis!”

  1. I am very interested in making my own patches like these..I haven’t gotten my machine yet, but I well. But I would like to know everything like these. Thanks in any way you can help me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *