Cheer Bow Instructions

Supplies Needed:

30 inches of 3 inch grosgrain ribbon
4 inches of 3/8 inch Glitter Velvet Ribbon
Elastic Pony Tail Holder
Hot Glue Gun
Scissors
Wood Burner
Cheer Bow Template Mat
Double Sided Disks
Zip Tie
Stiffening Spray
Iron

Step 1: 
Cut your ribbon to 30 inches long. You can adjust this length to add longer tails or bigger loops. Usually, you will not need more than 32 inches of ribbon. Fold your ribbon in half to leave a visible crease as the center or make a small mark.

Step 3:

Fold both tails of the cheer bow ribbon down following the outline on the mat. If using a ruler, fold down crossing in the center starting at 3 inches from the end middle point. Cross the ribbon in the middle making the top of the cross just under the back piece of ribbon.

Step 4:

I like to place an adhesive disk at the center point and between the crossed ribbon. This helps hold the shape. If you're not using it, just hold the ribbon firmly in the center and slide the back ribbon down on the crossed ribbon. Line up the top of the crossed ribbon with the top of the back ribbon.

Step 5:

Keeping a firm grasp on the center, work the middle back and forth a few times to create mountains and valleys in the ribbon.

Step 6:

While holding the center crease, place the plastic zip tie around the center and close it half way. Make sure you close it far enough to hold the crease you just created, but not so much that you can't make adjustments. Check your loops and tails and make sure it all looks even. You can still make minor adjustments. If you mess up, clip the zip tie and start over at step 2.

Step 7:

Align the closure at the back of the cheer bow. Pull the zip tie closed as tight as you can. Trim the extra length of zip tie.

Step 8:

Hot glue the elastic pony tail holder to the back of the cheer bow.

Step 9:

Glue the 4 inch long piece of 3/8 inch glitter velvet ribbon to the center of the bow. Wrap the side pieces of the center ribbon to the back and trim any extra. Leave enough to wrap around and glue around the pony tail holder.

Step 10:

Trim your tails by folding the ribbon end in half and cut on an angle. Lightly run a wood burner on the cut ends to prevent them from fraying.

Want to add some extras? See our YouTube Channel

*ALL Vinyl, Fabric, Rhinestone, Spangle, Sublimation and custom/special order products are NOT returnable.  Due to the nature of our template mats, they are also a non-return able product.  Even though we cannot accept returns of made to order/non-returnable items, if you are having a problem with one of our products, please let us know.  We may be able to help you out or offer some suggestions.

If you received an incorrect item that is not on your packing slip or are missing an item from your order please contact us immediately. This situation is handled differently than our normal return policy. We will send out the correct or missing item right away and instruct you on how to return items sent in error.

Returns Terms and Conditions:

• The returned items must be in their original condition and packaging.
• Shipping costs are not refundable. If our original shipping costs exceeded the original shipping amount you paid to us, this will be subtracted from your refund.
• For example, orders that qualify for free shipping will have our shipping costs subtracted from your refund.
• Credit for returned items will be refunded to the original form of payment or store credit.
• We do not process exchanges.
• You are responsible for all return shipping costs.
• You cannot return part of a pack of multiple items. For example, if you purchased a pack of 50 headbands you cannot return 10 of them that you did not use.
• Please make sure you use a reliable, trackable shipping method and insure your return if necessary. We cannot be responsible for lost returns.
• Wholesale cases and bags that are returned will be subject to a 15% restocking fee. All other returns may be charged a 10% restocking fee.
• Special order items that are not regular stock of Cheer Bow Supply are not returnable.
• Vinyl, Fabric, Rhinestone, Sublimation, Custom, Template Mats and Spangle products are made to order and NOT returnable.

Once a return is received, we usually process it within 72 hours. If you requested store credit you will receive an email with the information to use your store credit. Refunds are issued when we process your return. Depending on your credit card, it can take 7-10 days before you see the refund on your statement. Returning an item does not guarantee that you will be issued credit. Your return will inspected upon receipt and if it does not meet our policy regarding returns it will not be processed. It can be returned to you at your expense or will be discarded.
The return address is:

Cheer Bow Supply

850 E. Lime St  # 1623 

Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

We have included a starting point for application of fabric, vinyl, spangles and rhinestones.  Because iron temperatures, hand pressure and ironing surfaces vary you may need to adjust your application method for your equipment.  Below are starting points.  Adjust as necessary.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN:

We carefully inspect all materials before leaving our warehouse, but there may be occasions when a piece of vinyl has been left unweeded, a rhinestone may be missing or shifted out of place or a spangle dot could be mis-cut.  Please inspect before applying to make sure that no adjustments are needed.  We have designed our strips so that if a spangle or rhinestone is out of place/missing you can easily adjust stones or spangles.  The transfer tape is sticky.  Just pick up a stone and press it down where you'd like on the tape (upside down).  Spangles can be adjusted with tweezers or a pin.

Spangles:

- Set the heat press to 280-290 degrees Fahrenheit or medium/high if using an iron.
- Set the timer to 10 seconds.
- Adjust the upper platform so the pressure is high, but still able to lock down.
- Pre-press your ribbon to flatten out any wrinkles, then allow it to cool a little bit.
- Remove white backing sheet from spangle design (all you should have is the clear plastic and the spangle design)  Place spangle design sticky side down aligned on your ribbon.  There is no need for a cover sheet, but you may use a non-stick cover sheet or pillow case if you choose to.
- Lower heat-press.  If you are using an iron, use a flat surface and firm pressure and press in sections (sligtly overlapping) until entire transfer is applied.
- Once finished, remove garment and lay out flat, design downward, on your work table.
- Rub the backside of the design to assist in cooling.
- Turn it over and rub design firmly with another garment or even the sleeve of this one.
- Once the design cools, peel off transfer paper in the direction that stretches the garment the least.
- Press a second time for half the original time frame. This helps to lock down the spangles.

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.

 Spangles should be applied to ribbon or smooth fabric only (such as regular mystique).  They will not permanently adhere on top of any type of vinyl (no glitter or holographic at all).  It will appear that the spangles are adhered, but they WILL eventually fall off if placed on top of glitter.

Rhinestones:

- Set the heat press to 335-350 degrees Fahrenheit or high/cotton/linen setting if using an iron.  Traditionally it is not recommended to press rhinestones on top of glitter vinyl for shirts.  However, since bows are not washed like garments are, you can apply rhinestone designs on top of the glitter vinyl successfully. Always test a small batch first.  Some designs with multiple sizes will require you to use a pressing pillow and or press the back and front of the design before removing the transfer tape.  You can also try to rub the design carefully as it cools.  It is trial and error to see what settings work for your press and materials.  There is not one single setting that works for everyone.

- Set the timer to 10 -15 seconds.  Designs with SS16 or larger stones will need to be pressed on a heat press only, heavy pressure and 20-30 seconds.  Please make sure all materials you are pressing are compatible with the pressing specs for proper rhinestone adhesion.  Not following these instructions will result in stone loss.
- Adjust the upper platform so the pressure is high, but still able to lock down.
- Pre-press your ribbon to flatten out any wrinkles, then allow it to cool a little bit.
- Remove white backing sheet from rhinestone design (all you should have is the clear plastic and the rhinestone design)  Place rhinestone design sticky side down aligned on your ribbon.  There is no need for a cover sheet, but you may use a non-stick cover sheet or pillow case if you choose to.
- Lower heat-press.  If you are using an iron, use a flat surface and very firm pressure and press in sections (slightly overlapping) until entire transfer is applied.
- Once finished, remove ribbon and lay out flat, design downward, on your work table.
- Once the design cools, peel off transfer paper in the direction that stretches the garment the least.  Some designs may require a warm peel. 
- If any rhinestones lift, place back down and press again.

If using both rhinestones AND spangles on the same ribbon, apply the spangles first and then adhere the rhinestones.  If you apply the rhinestones first, the dimension of the rhinestones will not allow enough pressure for spangles to adhere, too.

Heat Transfer Vinyl (Glitter, Holographic, Flock, Standard Finish, Metallic):

Our vinyl is cut with the carrier sheet intact.  This means that you can also cut it on your vinyl cutter if you choose to.  Just remember to cut a mirror image. 

Silhouette Settings:

Glitter Vinyl: Blade Setting 5; Speed 5; Thickness 10. 

To adhere to ribbon

- Set the heat press to 330-340 degrees Fahrenheit or high/cotton/linen setting if using an iron.
- Set the timer to 10 -15 seconds.
- Adjust the upper platform so the pressure is high, but still able to lock down.
- Pre-press your ribbon to flatten out any wrinkles, then allow it to cool a little bit.
- Place design aligned on your ribbon.  There is no need for a cover sheet, but you may use a non-stick cover sheet or pillow case if you choose to.
- Lower heat-press.  If you are using an iron, use a flat surface and very firm pressure and press in sections (sligtly overlapping) until entire transfer is applied.
- Once finished, remove ribbon and lay out flat, design downward, on your work table.
- Remove the clear carrier sheet from the vinyl.  Temperature is important -Glitter - warm peel; holographic - cold peel; Flock - cold peel; standard - warm or cold; metallic - cold peel.

Fabric Strips:

**Important - DO NOT OVERHEAT your fabric strips.  This will cause the glue to deactivate and they will not adhere properly.  More heat will not give you a better adhesion.  It is actually just the opposite.  Use a household iron only.  If you need to heat multiple times (to layer or add decals, spangles, etc., try to iron them onto the fabric strips BEFORE you remove the paper to avoid ruining the glue, if possible).  Or if adding something dimensional such as rhinestones, iron the fabric strip down with an extremely light initial press to "tack" the fabric strip down in place so it won't move on it's own, but is easily peeled off.  Then add your rhinestones on top and do a quick final press from the back.  This will help prevent overheating.

- Heat n bond is already applied to the back of your fabric strip.  We lightly apply just in case you need to do a multi-layer application requiring you to heat the fabric strip multiple times.  (adding spangles or rhinestones on top).  If the heat n bond is separating, just lightly iron the paper side of the fabric strip.  It will stick right back on.
- Peel off paper liner.
- Place material, adhesive side down, on top of your ribbon.  Press & hold iron (use household iron ONLY - we do not recommend a heat press) for 4-8 seconds on each section until entire entire piece is bonded.  

If you do happen to overheat and deactive your glue, don't worry.  You probably have not ruined the strip.  All that is needed is another layer of heat n bond on the back.  Since it is already cut to size, cut a piece of heat n bond material slightly bigger than the strip.  There is no need to be exact, you can use just scissors.  Iron the strip onto this piece from the back (paper side).  Allow to cool and peel the fabric off the heat n bond.  The glue will stick to only the fabric strip and you can start over.  It's okay!  It happens to everyone at some point.

Ready to press sublimation sheets:  YOU MUST HAVE A HEAT PRESS CAPABLE OF REACHING 400 DEGREES.  A HOUSEHOLD IRON WILL NOT WORK

On glitter HTV:  

• Quick-press your glitter htv onto your ribbon.  This means to just press for a few seconds onto your ribbon so you can remove the clear carrier sheet and it sticks to the ribbon, but is not fully adhered.  It should nto slide, but you should be able to easily peel it off the ribbon. 
• Cut apart the sheet so you are working with one strip at a time.  Lay the sublimation transfer to be pressed face down and tape face down onto your pressed glitter grosgrain ribbon.
• Apply a protective paper such as parchment paper onto the bottom of your press.  You can use regular copy paper in a pinch if needed.  Nothing waxed or printed. 
• Lay your prepared glitter ribbon with transfer attached to your ribbon and press with ribbon on bottom/sublimation transfer on top and lay another sheet of protective paper on top.
• Press at 400 degrees for 50 seconds.
• Open press, carefully remove paper off ribbon. 
• Repeat for other side of ribbon.

Directly on ribbon: (must be 100% polyester ribbon.

• Pre-press your ribbon.  
• Cut apart the sheet so you are working with one strip at a time.  Lay the sublimation transfer to be pressed face down and tape face down onto your grosgrain ribbon.
• Apply a protective paper such as parchment paper onto the bottom of your press.  You can use regular copy paper in a pinch if needed.  Nothing waxed or printed. 
• Lay your ribbon with transfer attached to your ribbon and press with ribbon on bottom/sublimation transfer on top and lay another sheet of protective paper on top.
• Press at 400 degrees for 50 seconds.
• Open press, carefully remove paper off ribbon. 
• Repeat for other side of ribbon.

Fabric:  (must be 100% polyester fabric)

• Pre-cut your fabric to desired width/length.  Do not apply adhesive first or you risk over heating it.
• Cut apart the sheet so you are working with one strip at a time.  Lay the sublimation transfer to be pressed face down and tape face down onto your fabric strip.
• Apply a protective paper such as parchment paper onto the bottom of your press.  You can use regular copy paper in a pinch if needed.  Nothing waxed or printed. 
• Lay your fabric with transfer attached to your ribbon and press with ribbon on bottom/sublimation transfer on top and lay another sheet of protective paper on top.
• Press at 400 degrees for 50 seconds.
• Open press, carefully remove paper off fabric. 
• Affix fabric strip to ribbon using your preferred adhesive.

TIPS:

If applying multi-layers - follow this order:

1.  Fabric strip or vinyl to ribbon

2.  Apply spangles to fabric

3.  Apply rhinestones

Sometimes, heating fabric multiple times for multi-layer applications can cause adhesion problems.  Heat and bond glue tends to soak too much into fabric or burn off if it is overheated and will start to separate.  If this happens, try these tips:

- apply spangle or rhinestone strips to fabric strip first before applying the fabric to the ribbon.  Just leave the paper back in place and press the spangles right on top using the above instructions.  Then, peel off the paper and apply the fabric with the spangles or rhinestones to the ribbon like normal.  This allows multiple heatings without the glue soaking into the ribbon AND fabric at the same time.  Keeping the paper intact seems to keep the glue from burning off/soaking in too much.

- when layering vinyl (especially cut out layers) do a half press to adhere the first layer and subsequent layers.  You want to pressed just enough so it sticks, but not a final press.  Once all layers are in place, do a final press for 5-6 seconds. 

-You should avoid layering glitter vinyl.  You can get away with it somewhat for cheer bows, but because of the texture, it will eventually separate.  You cannot layer anything over holographic vinyl.  It is too slick of a surface and anything will peel right off.

MPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RIBBON WIDTH AND YARDAGE: Ribbon widths may vary.  This is a normal part of the manufacturing process called variance.  This happens with ALL ribbon manufacturers, colors, widths, etc.  We work closely with our manufacturer to minimize this, but it can happen.  This can cause a 3" wide ribbon to be slightly less or slightly more than 3" wide (it actually happens with all widths, but is most noticable in wider widths).  We trim and size all our fabric, vinyl, spangles and rhinestones to fit 3" ribbon ALMOST every time.  Most widths are cut to 2.8" wide for vinyl, spangles and rhinestones and a full 3" for fabric.  There will be times when some modification will be necessary to achieve the desired look (such as removing some rhinestones, trimming an edge of fabric, centering the fabric on your ribbon without edge to edge coverage, etc.).  The only way to fully prevent this is to first measure the exact piece of ribbon you intend to use (for each bow because even in a continuous spool of ribbon, the width can vary) and then custom cut each piece for that one bow.  Please rest assured that the vast majority of our products work seemlessly together and can easily be worked with.

Ribbon spools greater than 5-yards long may not be continuous.  We avoid splices in the ribbon as much as possible, but it is a normal manufacturing expectation.