Create Faux Rhinestone Designs with POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER

Learn how POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER creates a faux-rhinestone look, with guidance on design, cutting, weeding, garment compatibility, and heat-transfer application for decorated apparel.

By Fred DeLuca, Owner of Great Lakes Graphic Supply

POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER can create the sparkling appearance of rhinestones without attaching individual stones to a garment. Instead of positioning hundreds of separate rhinestones, the entire design is cut from glitter heat transfer vinyl and applied in one piece.

The result provides strong sparkle with a flatter, more comfortable finish than traditional rhinestones. POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER is available in standard, specialty and neon colors for shirts, team apparel, dancewear, spirit wear and personalized garments.

Why Use POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER for Faux Rhinestone Designs?

A faux-rhinestone design uses small circles or other repeating shapes to imitate the appearance of individual rhinestones.

POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER is well suited to these designs because it contains a high concentration of glitter particles while still allowing precise cutting and weeding. The glitter particles are embedded in the film, helping prevent loose glitter and residue during normal use and washing.

Benefits include:

• No individual rhinestones to position
• The entire design can be aligned and pressed at one time
• A flatter finish with nothing projecting from the garment
• Strong glitter and sparkle
• Suitable for fine details
• Easy cutting and weeding
• Designs can include circles, stars, hearts, clovers and other shapes
• Available in numerous standard and neon colors

Creating a Faux Rhinestone Design

Create the design using circles or another repeating shape. Use the downloadable Faux Rhinestone Design Sizing Chart below as a reference for selecting circle sizes and spacing.

Before cutting:

• Mirror the complete design
• Confirm that the carrier side is positioned correctly
• Perform a small test cut
• Adjust the blade and cutting pressure for glitter HTV
• Check that the material cuts cleanly without cutting through the carrier

After cutting, weed away the unwanted material carefully. Designs with many small circles can contain numerous individual cutouts, so inspect the complete design before placing it on the garment.

Compatible Garments

POLI-TAPE lists POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER for use on:

• Cotton
• Polyester
• Cotton-polyester blends
• Polyester-acrylic blends

Always test the material before production when working with an unfamiliar garment. Coated fabrics, water-resistant garments and sublimated polyester may require a different heat transfer product.

Confirm that the garment can safely tolerate the required application temperature before pressing.

POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER Application Instructions

The current POLI-TAPE application specifications for POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER are:

• Temperature: 320°F
• Pressing time: 15 seconds
• Pressure: Medium
• Peel: Warm

Use even pressure across the entire design. Seams, collars, zippers and pockets can prevent part of the transfer from receiving adequate pressure, so position the garment carefully or use an appropriate pressing pad.

Always verify the current manufacturer instructions before production because specifications can change.

Washing and Care

Wait at least 24 hours after application before washing the garment.

For the longest-lasting result:

• Turn the garment inside out before washing
• Wash according to the garment and HTV care instructions
• POLI-TAPE rates PEARL GLITTER for washing temperatures up to 140°F
• Use a mild detergent
• Follow the manufacturer’s dryer instructions
• Do not iron directly over the design

Proper time, temperature and pressure during application are essential for wash durability.

Siser Glitter Sheets

For information about Siser glitter sheets, call Great Lakes Graphic Supply at 1-800-477-6275 to confirm colors, sheet sizes and current availability.

The Bottom Line

POLI-FLEX PEARL GLITTER provides an efficient way to create sparkling faux-rhinestone designs without the labor of positioning individual stones. Its intense glitter finish, detailed cutting ability and broad color selection make it suitable for everything from simple names to complex team and dancewear designs.

Great Lakes Graphic Supply stocks POLI-TAPE heat transfer films and can help select the correct product for a particular garment or application.

Call 1-800-477-6275 for current colors, sizes and availability.