The Cricut infusible ink has two products: markers and transfer sheets. The pens and markers are regular Cricut pens, but you can’t draw directly on your project. You need to draw it on a sheet of paper and then apply a heat press to transfer the ink from the paper onto your project. The transfer sheets are identical to the sheet of heat vinyl that you used to cut the mirrored design and then apply a heat press to transfer the ink from the sheet on your project. Let’s see how to use Cricut infusible ink transfer sheets.
What Does It Mean By Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets?
These are pre-printed sheets of material having infusible ink that works with your Cricut machine. You need to load it in your Cricut machine like other materials, and the Cricut machine will cut your design. While applying the heat press, the ink pulls out from the transfer sheet and gets permanently infused onto your project. The infusible ink transfer sheets are available in many solid colors and printed patterns to give you plenty of choices regarding your project design.
What Is The Mechanism Of Work Of Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets?
The mechanism of work is based on science. The colored ink on the paper is in a solid state. However, infusible ink is slightly different as it goes through a chemical transformation and is converted into gas. During this point, the ink pulls out from the transfer sheet and gets infused directly onto your project. And when the heat is removed, the project gets cool, and the ink returns to the solid state on your project and is permanently infused.
You should know that it works on limited materials. The infusible ink sticks best to poly-based materials such as polyester fabric or poly-coated ceramic coasters. You can now use infusible ink on T-shirts and tote bags.
How To Make A Project With Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets?
You need to collect some accessories to start a project with the infusible ink transfer sheets.
Here is what you need:
- Cricut cutting machine
- Cricut Heat Guide or Heat app
- Standard Grip machine mat
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Cricut EasyPress
- Cricut apparel blank
- Cardstock
- Lint roller
- Scissors
- Tweezers
Let’s start making a project with your Cricut cutting machine and infusible ink transfer sheets.
Cutting
First, fix the infusible ink transfer sheets onto the Standard Drip mat.
Select the size and design to fit your apparel blank in the design space. The mirror option is already enabled in the Cricut Joy app while selecting a heat-transfer material.
Then, choose your infusible ink transfer sheet from the list. In the case of the Cricut Explore machine, first, change the Smart set dial to Custom.
Now, load the mat and blade into the machine and press and Go.
Weeding
First, remove the cut design from the mat and the sheet’s unused area.
Then, carefully roll the cut design, so the lines are separate. This method makes it easy to remove the extra paper from the design.
Then using your fingers or tweezers, carefully remove the unwanted pieces in and out of your design.
Next, trim clear lines so it doesn’t go beyond the Cricut EasyPress heat plate.
Get ready with the Cricut blank
First, place the apparel blank on the top of the Cricut Easy Press Mat.
Then, place the cardstock inside the apparel to keep your mat and project safe.
After that, use a fresh adhesive lint roller on the entire surface, as minor debris or fibers can form problems in the final transfer.
Then, cover the apparel with butcher paper.
Pre-heat
Pre-heat the area from where you want to remove moisture and wrinkles that may cause unwanted results. Use the Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app to set the time and temperature settings. Also, use even and light pressure.
Next, remove the butcher paper and let the apparel cool.
Apply heat
To apply the heat, place your cut design on the apparel face down and the liner on top. Then, cover your design with butcher paper larger than the Cricut EasyPress heat plate. To set the correct time and temperature for your project, take help from the Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app. Lift your press when the beep sounds. Avoid moving the stack with butcher paper. Enjoy your design and try to do another project.
Leave your project to cool. When it cools, gently remove butcher paper and slowly remove the liner with the design.
How To Care For Projects Made With Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets?
In the case of fabric projects such as shirts and tote bags, you should wash them inside with mild detergent and cold water. And then hang them to dry. Avoid using fabric softener, dryer sheets, or bleach. You can also iron or steam your fabric projects. Ensure to use low temperatures.
Wash the transferable sheets with warm water and glass cleaner. Avoid using colored cleansing agents as the color may transfer, and use harsh scrubby things such as steel, wool, or scrubbing pads. We hope you enjoyed going through this article on Cricut infusible ink transfer sheets and now you know how to use them. Good luck Cricutting!
