What are Spangles?
Hotfix Spangles are the latest, and best, trend in bling for apparel. Hotfix Spangles are flat, lightweight, circles that lay flat to the surface of material (unlike a raised rhinestones, rhinestuds, or nailheads). These weightless Spangles are perfect for most apparel and work especially well for flowy, trendy material.
Holographic Spangles sparkle and have a brilliant, shimmery, shine like a rhinestone but without the weight of a rhinestone, which makes them perfect for material that needs to move (cheer and dance). When light hits the Holographic Spangles, every move of the material changes the colors of sparkle. Spangles are the best, most brilliant bling you will find.
Glossy Spangles have the mirror look with less sparkle, but a perfect shine.
Matte Spangles don’t have the sparkle and shine, but create an amazing contrast for designs and even work well on their own for men’s/boy’s clothing.
Spangles are the dot matrix of apparel printing!
Spangles are 100% lead free which makes them safe for children’s wear, even baby’s onesie. They are soft when you run your hand over them and they don’t catch and fall off.
There are no holes in a Spangle. Sequins on the other hand are designed to be sewn on, so there is a hole in the middle for threading. The introduction of Hotfix sequin transfers did away with thread, but still left a hole in the middle to show fabric through the circle and the design. Solid, flat Spangles take up more “real estate” on the material which gives of so much more brilliant sparkle.
Spangle transfers are “Hotfix,” meaning they have heat activated adhesive on every one, just like hotfix rhinestones, so no sewing or embroidery is necessary. They apply similar to a rhinestone transfer. For best results, Spangles should be applied with a commercial heat press (see below for application instructions).
Because there are no threads, there’s nothing to cut or tear when worn or in the wash. The Hotfix adhesive binds to the fabric giving your designs many years of life if properly taken care of.
We provide Spangle sizes 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm, sometimes combining sizes, for our designs.
I saw a design on your site that I really like. Can I get it in another color?
Yes! For most of our designs, we can change the colors. Let us know the design name and number and what color you would like by using the Contact Us form.
Do you sell Spangle Transfers only, or Spangles applied to shirts and other things?
We sell both! We offer Spangle Transfers in our online shop for now while we build our site and we can add a design to a shirt by request. Visit our Apparel page to find the shirt you like and let us know by using the Contact Us page. We will work out the details and give you an estimate before proceeding with the order. We will require the payment (instructions will be sent) before we begin making the design and shirt (just as if you were ordering from the online shop).
Do you offer custom Spangle designs?
Yes! We can customize a design with text, saying, image, logos, etc. To get started, please use the Contact Us page to request a customized design. We will get back to you within one to two business days to collect needed information, such as image, description of desired design, size of design, quantity, colors requested, etc.
Keep in mind that there are restraints with the Spangle sizes for the detail of an image and intricate detail may be lost.
Turnaround time for custom designs is typically 1-4 days before shipping/delivery. The custom design time may vary depending on artwork, design size, order size etc., and will be communicated with the estimate.
Are there any Artwork Fees for Custom designs?
Artwork fees are $35.00 per hour with a one hour minimum and 3 hour maximum. NOTE: Artwork fees do not apply to name drop requests or existing design color changes.
The minimum $35.00, non-refundable artwork fee is required on all custom Spangle designs.
We will send an estimated cost of the custom design and artwork time, and once approved we will invoice for the fee. Once the artwork fee has been paid, the design will be created, a mock digital design will be sent with the final costs noted. An invoice will be sent and a 50% deposit will be required to proceed with the project.
Estimates are quick quoted costs for a project. The more information given, the more accurate the estimate and invoice will be.
Artwork can be in JPG, PNG, BMP, or vector. Some formats may take longer to convert and may result in additional artwork fees.
Do you sell wholesale?
We do not have separate prices for our wholesale customers. However, we offer additional discounts for volume orders. Please use the Contact Us page to let us know that you will be ordering in volume BEFORE you place your order so that we can make the adjustment to the total. Volume discounts apply only to orders of the same pattern and same color. Volume discounts do not apply to mix and match patterns and/or colors. The following shows our volume discount:
Quantity Discount
10-24 10%
25+ 20%
How is a Spangle transfer applied?
Spangles are hotfix, meaning they have heat activated glue on the back and are applied as a heat transfer with a commercial heat press.
- Set the heat-press to 288 degrees Fahrenheit (285-290 degree range).
- Set the timer to 12 seconds.
- Place a Nomex heat pad on the bottom platform of your heat-press or use a lower platen Teflon cover; depending on your brand and style of heat press.
- Adjust the upper platform so the pressure is high, but still able to lock down. (If your machine measures 0-9 pressure, it should be set to 7.)
- Pre-press your garment to flatten out any wrinkles, and then allow it to cool. It is also a good idea to use a lint tape roller to remove any fuzz or debris from the garment.
- Cut away any excess transfer paper that serves no purpose.
- Place spangle design on the garment.
- Lower heat-press for 12 seconds. Once finished, remove garment and lay out flat, design downward, on your work table.
- Rub the design to assist in cooling. (Recommended to use a shirt or cloth to protect hand from heat)
- Warm peel (Not HOT or COLD) transfer paper off in whichever motion works best for that design.
- If you feel any spangles are not 100% secured after peeling, press a second time for just a few seconds
If any spangles come off during this peel, you can cut out the transfer paper that holds the spangle dot(s) and replace it where it belongs. Your cut out does not have to be too precise as to hold just the one little dot(s), it should be of a workable size. Reheat the whole design for just 5-6 seconds. Press the dot(s) firmly. Be careful not to move any of the others spangles since they will be vulnerable to movement. Allow the ‘dot’ to cool then carefully peel off the transfer paper cut out. This second pressing will serve as the second press for the whole design.
Different brands of heat presses may need adjustments in time, pressure, etc. Pressure is the key to a good Spangle press.
Can I press the Spangle transfer with a home iron?
Yes, and no! The commercial heat press is preferred for properly adhering Spangles to garments. However, we have had success adding Spangles to other types of items (backpack, canvas tote, shoes) with a home iron with good pressure. Be sure to use a cover cloth to keep from scorching the item.
What garments/items work best with Spangle Designs?
Since Spangles are heat applied, so your item needs to be heat safe. If the care tag in the garment says “Do Not Iron” it is not recommended to use heat applied transfers. The item may melt or scorch during the high heat temperatures and get ruined. A heat press can also leave permanent press marks on the item. Cotton blends work well when choosing a heat applied graphic such as Spangle, Rhinestones, Glitter, Hologram, and HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl) transfers. Spangles can be applied to fabric and fabric ribbon (like cheer bows). Spangles will not adhere to vinyl.
How do I care for my Spangles?
Taking extra care with decorated garments will help them last for years.
- Turn the garment inside out before washing.
- Do not launder with rough items in the same washer load.
- Use the Gentle Cycle and Cold water temperature.
- Hang dry (best) or use Low Heat in the dryer.
What colors do Spangles come in?
Check out our Spangle color chart.
What about my Privacy?
Your information is never shared with any one else. We do not sell your information and we will not share you information with any other company.
I haven’t received my order yet, what should I do?
Risk of loss and title for all orders pass to you, the customer, upon our delivery to the shipping carrier. During the checkout process, we offer different methods of shipping. Please understand we have no control over shipping carriers, therefore we cannot be responsible for any delays or losses by the shipping carrier. An email with tracking information, if those options are selected, will be mailed to you as soon as your package is handed over to the shipping carrier you selected. If you do not receive this information, please send us an email and we will reply with the tracking information. Please follow up directly with the shipping carrier to get detailed status of the delivery of your package.