How to Use Iron-On Vinyl on Wood & MDF

Want to learn how to use iron-on vinyl on wood or MDF? We’ve got you covered with a step-by-step tutorial that will teach you how! Plus, download the cute “Home Sweet Home” cut file to make a wood + iron-on sign of your own!

Did you know that iron-on vinyl (also known as heat transfer vinyl) isn’t just for fabric and clothing? Using iron-on on metal, wood, and other unconventional surfaces are some of my favorite things to do! The thinness of the iron-on material combined with the strong and durable bond works great for home decor projects!

How to Use Iron-On Vinyl on MDF

What We Used:

10″ MDF Hexagon
White Acrylic Paint
Iron-On Vinyl (HTV) in Navy Blue, Mint, and Pink
“Home Sweet Home” SVG File (below)
Cricut Maker (can also use Cricut Explore or another machine that will cut SVG files)
Cricut EasyPress (or iron)

I started by using my Cricut Maker machine to cut out the “Home Sweet Home” SVG file from navy, mint, and pink iron-on vinyl and weeding the excess. At first, I thought I might leave the hexagon the unfinished MDF color, but I ended up painting it with two coats of white acrylic paint to really help the colors pop against the background.

I set my Cricut EasyPress to the recommended settings for wood – 300 degrees for 40 seconds – and then pressed the surface twice (allowing it to cool between pressings) before peeling off the plastic backing. If you don’t have an EasyPress yet, I’m telling you, it is a total GAME CHANGER when it comes to iron-on projects (and also for ironing large items like tablecloths ha!)! The EasyPress has a 9″ square flat heating surface that heats with even temperature across the entire surface, so you can be assured that your entire design is getting the same amount of heat and pressure with each pass. The EasyPress combines the strength and power of a heat press with the ease and flexibility of a lightweight iron!

Look at how incredibly thin that iron-on is on the wood! There’s hardly any discernable edges, so it gives the piece a look that is similar to a hand-painted design! I’m telling you, I really can’t get enough of iron-on on wood (or pressed wood, in this case!)!

To hang the sign, you can use 3m Command Strips on the back side of the piece, or you can opt to attach a ribbon hanger. I chose the ribbon option because I’m a sucker for gingham!

Simply create a loop with the ribbon and use hot glue to secure it in place on the back of the sign. You could also create a bow hanger like I did with my metal + iron-on sign!