How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink (DIY Shirt Tutorial)
Author: firstdayofhome.com
Learn how to use Cricut infusible ink by making a basic t-shirt. Get tips for transferring your design without smudges or ghosting, and find out which mistakes to avoid. See an easy reference guide with all the supplies you'll need for infusible ink projects.
Create and resize your design in Cricut Design Space to fit the shirt and your heat press dimensions. To prevent smudges, you will need to heat the design in one press rather than moving the heat press in sections.
Place the shiny side of the infusible ink transfer sheet onto the standard grip mat. (The pattern side should be facing up.) Use a brayer to flatten any bubbles in the transfer sheet. Be sure to mirror the design before sending it to the cutting machine.
After cutting the design, trim any excess and weed the design by gently bending the transfer sheet to release the edges (cracking method). Avoid using weeding tools to lift the edges, since this can damage the infusible ink design.
Heat Press Instructions
Use the Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat mobile app to input the correct settings on your heat press. For a shirt, the heat press should be set at 385ºF.
Place the shirt on the EasyPress mat, and insert cardstock inside to prevent bleedthrough. Then use a lint roller over the top of the shirt to remove any particles before placing butcher paper on top.
Preheat the shirt for 15 seconds as indicated in your heat guide or app.
Remove the butcher paper, and let the shirt cool before placing the infusible ink design face down on the shirt.
Cover the design with butcher paper and press the shirt for 40 seconds. Avoid moving the heat press during this time, since that can cause smudges. Once complete, carefully remove the butcher paper and peel away the infusible ink liner while warm. Take care that the surface of the shirt will be hot immediately after pressing.
The shirt will be set immediately and does not need time to cure. Wash the infusible ink shirt inside-out in cold water and tumble dry low.
Notes
Work in a well-ventilated area since infusible ink can release gasses that some may find irritating.Do not prewash the shirt before applying infusible ink.Always use a heat press with infusible ink (EasyPress 2, EasyPress 3, AutoPress or EasyPress Mini for small projects). A household iron will not give the same results due to the steam vents and smaller heating plate.For best results, use Cricut brand infusible ink blanks (shirts, tote bags, etc). If using other brands, make sure the blank is listed as "infusible ink compatible or sublimation compatible."