Supplies Needed:
- T-shirt (cotton, polyester, or cotton/poly blend)
- Iron-on vinyl
Supplies Provided:
- Cricut Design Space
- Cricut machine – Explore Air 2
- Cricut mats
- Weeding tools
- Heat Press
Appointment:
Call 330-725-0588 x5017 to schedule an appointment with the Cricut & Heat Press
Before You Begin…
- Double check that you have all the materials you need.
- Measure the area in which you’d like your design to fit on your T-shirt. This will provide reference for you as you design your project. If you are creating multiple shirts, be mindful of how different sizes of shirts may impact the size of your designs.
- Note that the Cricut machine cuts out and draws on material. It does *not* print images like an ink printer. If you are interested in having an image printed for heat pressing, ask a staff member about our Sublimation Printer.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Press the Power button on the Cricut machine. Press the Open button to unfold the doors of the machine.
- Open the Cricut Design Space application on the computer attached to the Cricut machine. Sign in to your personal Design Space account or ask a staff member to log in to the Makerspace account.
- From the Design Space homepage, click “New Project” in the upper right hand corner.
- Using the toolbar along the right side of the canvas, add text, shapes, or images to create your design. Be sure to keep all designs within 12” x 12”, as the Design Space canvas does not indicate boundary lines.
- When your design(s) are complete, click Select All in the toolbar above the canvas before selecting Attach > Make It in the upper right hand corner.
- Review the preview of your design, ensuring it fits on the 12”x12” space and all elements of your design are visible. Click Continue.
- Click the Mirror option in the left hand column.
- Ensure the Material knob on the Cricut is set to Iron-On.
- Grab a Cricut mat and attach your Iron-On material shiny side down, doing your best to align the material within the mat’s 12”x12” square.
- Load the mat into the Cricut. Place the top edge of the mat against the rollers inside the machine. Hold the mat in place as you press the ↕ button until it pulls the mat in place.
- When the C button starts to flash, simply press that button to begin.
- Once the Cricut has finished cutting your design, press them ↕ button to unload the mat from the tray.
- Leaving your material on the mat, weed any negative space from your material. Negative space is any space that you would like to be empty/not included in your design. There will be a layer of clear plastic left behind when you weed.
- Refer to the heat guide on your Iron-On material to determine the temperature, length of time, and recommended removal (warm or cool peel).
- Flip the red switch on the upper right side of the heat press.
- Press the SET button to adjust the temperature and timer for your project. Use the arrows on the Heat Press to make these adjustments, pressing SET once you are finished with each setting to move on to the next. Allow the Heat Press to pre-heat to your desired temperature before starting.
- Rotate the top half of the Heat Press so the hot plate is to the right or left of the lower plate. Using the handle on the lower plate, pull out the plate for easier placement of your T-shirt.
- Arrange T-shirt on top of the pads on the lower plate in accordance to where you’d like the design. Place your weeded Cricut design on top of the T-shirt, shiny-side up. Place thin canvas mat atop your T-shirt and design.
- Push the lower plate back into place and rotate the top half of the Press back over the lower plate. Using the handle on the top half, close the Press and press the ▼ arrow to start the timer.
- When the timer beeps, press the ▼ arrow to stop the alarm and immediately lift the handle of the top plate. Rotate the top plate so it is safer and easier to remove your T-shirt.
- Slowly peel the plastic layer off the T-shirt, starting at a corner. Watch carefully as you peel to ensure that the Iron-On has adhered to the T-shirt. If the vinyl comes up with the plastic, stop peeling, smooth the vinyl back down on the shirt, and repeat Steps 18-21.