Do you want to learn how to print on fabric with Cricut? This is a great crafting project for anyone who wants to be able to create custom graphics.
In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of printing on fabric with a Cricut machine.
How To Print On Fabric With Cricut
Pros and Cons of Printing on Fabric With Cricut
Printing on fabric is a great way to add personalization and creativity to your projects.
There are several different ways to print on fabric, but one of the most popular methods is to use a Cricut cutting machine.
The Cricut machine will not give you intricate all-over designs on fabric unless you take the time to custom design, cut, and place the design all over the tee.
However, it’s perfect for placing quips, quotes, icons, graphic images, and team names on tee shirts without much hassle.
Read More: How to Cut Felt With the Cricut Explore Air 2. Cutting felt can be tricky (but fun) – here’s how!
What Do I Use To Print on Fabric With Cricut?
Can you do sublimation with Cricut EasyPress?
Yes, the only way to truly print on fabric with Cricut is to use sublimation ink.
Sublimation printing is the process that professional printers use to infuse fabric with a design or print.
When heat is applied to the ink it vaporizes and dyes the fibers it comes into contact with. This way the design is infused into the fabric rather than laying on top of it.
Cricut’s answer to sublimation ink is called Infusible Ink. It’s the same type of ink, but it’s on a transfer paper that is perfectly designed for use in your Cricut machine.
Infusible Ink sheets can be cut to your design and then heat transferred to the fabric.
Infusible Ink markers and pens clamp into your Cricut machine to draw onto the transfer paper for custom artwork.
Read More: How to Put Letters On a Shirt With a Cricut. Follow this step-by-step guide!
How To Print on Fabric With Cricut: Step-by-Step
There are two ways to print on fabric with Cricut using Infusible Ink.
You can simply cut your design from colored or patterned Infusible Ink sheets or you can create your own colored design with Infusible Ink pens and markers.
Read our related article on How to Make a Shirt With Cricut Infusible Ink! We share everything you need to know to get started.
Print on Fabric With Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
The easiest way to print on fabric is to use preprinted Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets.
These come in a wide array of colors and patterns that can be combined to create custom looks.
- Use Design Space to design your tee shirt graphic, quote, team name, or logo.
- Make sure your image is reversed so it will look right after it’s transferred to the material.
- Place the Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet on a cutting mat and load it into the machine.
- Press “Go” to let the Cricut cut your design.
- Weed the design.
- Use a lint roller to ensure your fabric is free of lint and hair.
- Place the design face down on the fabric and use a Cricut Easy Press to transfer the ink to the fabric.
- Allow the design to cool completely before lifting off the transfer paper.
Read our related article, Is Cricut Infusible Ink the Same as Sublimation? Here is the difference between the two and how they’re used!
Print on Fabric Using Infusible Ink Pens and Markers
You can use Infusible Ink pens and markers to create a custom sublimation ink transfer and place it anywhere you want.
Infusible Ink pens and markers clamp inside the Cricut where the blades go.
Design Space can tell your Cricut machine to draw instead of cut and it will prompt you through changing colors to create your design onto Infusible Ink transfer paper.
- You’ll need an Infusible Ink Apparel Blank which is transfer paper that’s compatible with the sublimation ink.
- Infusible Ink markers and pens
- The fabric you want to print onto
Inside Design Space you’ll find the option to set your line type to draw.
This tells your machine that you’re drawing, not cutting. Draw your design or choose from the Image Library.
Be sure to mirror the image so it looks correct once it’s transferred to the fabric.
Once your design is set, load the apparel blank onto a light grip mat and feed it into your Cricut machine.
Design Space will tell you which Infusible Ink pen to load first and guide you through changing them out as it develops your design on the transfer paper.
Once the project is done printing on the Cricut you can fill it in with the Infusible Ink markers until it looks exactly the way you want it to.
Use a lint roller to make sure your fabric is free from lint and hair before placing the inked design face-down on the fabric.
Use an Easy Press to infuse the ink into the fabric. Let it cool completely before removing the transfer sheet to reveal your custom fabric print.
Read our related article on How to Make a Shirt With Cricut Infusible Ink for more helpful tips and info!
Wrapping Up
Printing on fabric with Cricut cutting machines is a great way to personalize your projects.
Make your own company or team tee shirts, make personalized gifts, or start a graphic tee business.
Cricut Infusible Ink makes professional-quality fabric printing accessible to anyone with an imagination.
