Heat Transfer Vinyl

You must always cut the Flex Film on the adhesive side (the dull side). The clear carrier sheet (the glossy side) remains untouched.
Yes, you must always mirror the design in your cutting software. Since you are cutting the back/adhesive side, mirroring ensures that the design reads correctly when finally pressed onto the textile.

To remove the excess film (weeding), use a specialized weeding tool. Whether you prefer tweezers (like the MagiCut Tweedy) or a tool with a hook or point (like the convenient MagiCut LED Weeding Tool) is a matter of personal preference, but a dedicated tool makes precise removal easy.

The main differences lie in carrier tackiness and the peeling method:

1. MagiCut 123Flex: Has a lightly tacky carrier and is Hot Peel (remove the carrier sheet immediately). Ideal for super-fast production, but less suited for extremely small, detailed designs.
2. MagiCut 123 Premium: Has a (strongly) tacky carrier and requires a Cold Peel (wait until cool before peeling). Excellent for small and detailed designs.
3. MagiCut 123 Premium Ultra: Features the strongest tacky carrier and is designed for Hot Peel. Also ideal for highly detailed designs.1.
All variants allow you to choose between low and high press temperatures for flexible processing.

Dye Migration occurs when color pigments from colored polyester fabric bleed into the white or light-colored HTV due to heat. The best solutions are:

1. Use an HTV that can be applied at a low temperature (e.g., MagiCut 123Flex or 123Premium) to minimize heat activation.
2. For thicker polyester fabrics like Softshell, choose HTV types with a ‘BlockOut’ layer (e.g., MagiCut 123Premium BlockOut) for extra protection against color absorption.

No, caution is advised. Layering is not possible with all film types. This is generally not possible with Flock and most effect films. Always check the product details on the specific Flex Film product page to confirm if it is suitable for multi-layer applications.

Yes, a heat press is strongly recommended. A household iron cannot provide the consistent pressure and temperature required to guarantee a durable, washable result. For small designs, the TheMagicTouch HTP123 Mini is an excellent alternative, as it maintains a higher and more uniform temperature than a standard iron.

A cutting mat is not necessary for cutting Flex Film because the film already has its own carrier sheet. However, a mat can be useful for cutting smaller pieces of film or to ensure better precision (it is recommended for the Cameo Pro models).

Removing incorrectly pressed film can be difficult. A Transfer & Flex Remover spray can help by dissolving the adhesive layer. Always test the spray on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first, as the chemical reaction can vary greatly depending on the textile type.