What are Rhinestones?

Rhinestone decoration—also known as bling, hot-fix rhinestones, or rhinestone transfers—adds sparkle, shine, and standout style to apparel. These decorative stones come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, and are heat-pressed onto garments to create eye-catching designs.

Rhinestones are perfect for team gear, dance uniforms, spirit wear, fashion items, and promotional apparel. While costs may vary depending on the size and complexity of the design, they offer a high-impact, dazzling finish unlike any other decoration method.

Looking for a shimmer on a budget? Consider our metallic ink screen printing or glitter flake vinyl as alternative options.

How Rhinestone Application Works

We use a combination of vinyl cutters, templates, and commercial heat presses to apply rhinestones. Here's how the process works:

1. Design setup: We create a custom template using a vinyl cutter, based on your vector artwork. This template determines the placement of each rhinestone.
2. Stone placement: Rhinestones are brushed into the template and aligned by size and color.
3. Transfer setup: A clear heat transfer film is applied over the stones, lifting them from the template and holding them in position.
4. Application: The transfer is placed on the garment and heat pressed at high temperature and pressure to permanently bond the rhinestones to the fabric.
5. Final step: The transfer film is removed, leaving a sparkling, durable rhinestone design.

For large or complex orders, we may outsource transfers to trusted suppliers to keep your project cost-effective.

Artwork Requirements for Rhinestone Designs

We require vector-based artwork for rhinestone template creation. Acceptable file types include:

• Adobe Illustrator (.ai)
• CorelDRAW (.cdr)
• Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg)
• Encapsulated PostScript (.eps)
• High-quality .pdf files (vector-based only)

Important: Please avoid using raster files (e.g., Photoshop .eps) disguised as vector files. If you're unsure, our team can help convert raster artwork to vector for an additional fee.

Rhinestone Placement & Design Options

We can apply rhinestones to almost any flat, pressable area of a garment. Common placements include:

• Front chest
• Back center
• Sleeve
• Pants leg
• Hood or hat brim (when applicable)

Fabrics Compatible with Rhinestones

Rhinestones can be applied to many types of garments, including:

• 100% cotton
• Cotton/poly blends (50/50, 60/40, etc.)
• Tri-blend shirts
• 100% polyester

Note: Fabrics must be able to withstand the high heat and pressure of a commercial-grade heat press. We recommend using new, unwashed garments to ensure the best adhesion. If decorating worn apparel, wash it five times in water-only (no detergent) to eliminate any chemical residues.

Rhinestone Colors & Options

We stock the most popular rhinestone colors in multiple sizes, including:

• Clear (crystal)
• Black
• Light Siam (red)
• Orange
• Topaz (gold)
• Green
• Aqua
• Amethyst (purple)

Looking for a custom look? Additional rhinestone shapes, colors, and sizes can be ordered upon request.

Rhinestone Durability & Curing

When properly applied using professional equipment, rhinestone transfers can last for years. Our commercial-grade heat presses ensure each design is cured at the correct temperature and pressure for maximum adhesion.

Common issues like stones falling off typically occur when garments are decorated with low-quality stones or pressed using an iron or inexpensive heat press.

Garment Care Instructions for Rhinestone Apparel

To extend the life of your rhinestone-decorated clothing:

• Wash inside out in cold water
• Hang dry or tumble dry on fluff/no heat
• Never iron directly over the rhinestones
• Avoid harsh detergents or bleach

Following these care guidelines will help maintain the sparkle and structure of your rhinestone designs for as long as possible.

Ready to Add Some Sparkle?

Whether you’re decorating for a dance team, school spirit, or just want to shine a little brighter, our custom rhinestone printing services are here to help. Contact us today for a quote or design assistance!