Fabric
Children's clothing and pyjamas
Press the fabric that is actually in the garment, then respect the care label. Babywear and cool-iron polyester are not a normal cotton T-shirt.
Read the fibre and the care label first. A cotton school T-shirt can use the cotton HTV row when the label allows a hot press. A polyester football shirt or a printed pyjama top often will not.
| Film | Temperature | Time | Pressure | Peel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siser HI-5, textile up to 150 g/m² | 120°C (248°F) | 5 seconds | High (about 4–5 bar) | Hot or cold |
| Siser HI-5, heavier textile | 150°C (302°F) | 5 seconds | High (about 4–5 bar) | Hot or cold |
| Garment Films One Flex, cooler option | 120°C (248°F) | 15 seconds | Not listed on the chart | Hot, warm or cool |
| Siser EasyWeed EcoStretch | 120°C (250°F) | 10–15 seconds | Medium | Hot |
Siser’s heat-sensitive article says HI-5 is laboratory tested and certified for baby clothing, and the product is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I. That is a statement about the film, not a certificate for your finished pyjamas. EcoStretch is the low-temperature stretch film; it is listed for cotton, polyester and elastane, and the instruction sheet does not call it a babywear product.
Everyday EasyWeed at 150°C remains the cotton chart if the garment can take it. Say so on a test seam before you press a name across the chest. Keep plastic poppers, zips and existing prints off the platen. They melt or mark, and that is not a vinyl fault.
Sublimation only works on light polyester, at 190–205°C on the charts we cite. That is hot for a child’s top. Test a spare. DTF examples start around 140°C and go to 160°C. The cooler end is kinder, and it is still not a promise.
If a press leaves a shiny box, stop. The scorch page explains why pressing again hotter will not fix it.
Common questions
Can I put glitter on pyjamas?
The glitter charts on this site start at 160°C. That is a poor first test on polyester nightwear. These sources do not publish a children’s glitter temperature. Test a seam only if you are willing to scrap the top.
Does pressing a design change nightwear safety labels?
No. If you sell children’s nightwear in the UK, the Nightwear (Safety) Regulations 1985 and later product-safety guidance still apply, including labelling such as “KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE” where it is required. Business Companion summarises the current trading-standards position. This site is not legal advice.
Sources
- Siser HI-5 — 120°C or 150°C, 5 seconds, high pressure
- Siser, heat-sensitive textiles — HI-5 described as certified for baby clothing
- Garment Films application guidelines (PDF) — One Flex at 120°C for 15 seconds
- Business Companion, nightwear — UK nightwear labelling and flammability