How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink Sheets

For those who love sublimation but don’t have the specific printer needed, Cricut infusible ink sheets are a great alternative. In this tutorial, you will learn how to use Cricut Infusible ink with ready-to-cut sheets. You can use any blank that has a sublimated coating such as keyrings, mugs or polyester t-shirts.

How does Cricut Infusible Ink Work?

The specialized ink found in the sheets and pens of Cricut Infusible ink activates with heat. Using the correct amount of heat and pressure, the ink turns into a gas and then binds with the blank. This means the print won’t fade or come off as it has literally bonded with the fibers or makeup of your blank.

When using sheets, the colors might look dull. Once the heat activates the ink, you will see just how vibrant the colors are, making them perfect for your Cricut crafts.

Crystal created a video discussing all you need to know about Infusible Ink sheets and how long they last.

Do I need a Cutting Machine and Mug Press?

For sheets, you do need a cutting machine like a Cricut Maker to cut out the design or mug wrap template. You can use any mug/tumbler press that you have, including the Cricut Mug Press.

Infusible ink sheets include a carrier, much like HTV. The carrier protects from ink bleeding out where the gas heats up and escapes. This can cause blurred edges, ghosting or leave residue on your machine that can damage future projects. You can use a piece of copy paper to cover the design just in case you are uncertain.

Materials and Equipment Needed

Cricut Cutting Machine - You can use a Cricut Explore, Maker or Joy.

Mug Press

Cricut Design Space - we are using the app on the iPad

Infusible ink sheet design - Sarcastic SVG Bundle - Sassy Funny Quotes for Coffee Mugs

Mug template - Design Bundles has a great selection of mug templates to choose from. In this tutorial, we will be using the template found on Cricut Design Space.

Infusible ink sheets - you can use any color you want, but we are using the Blue Paint Splash that came with the mug press.

You can use the Cricut Joy Infusible ink sheets with your Maker or Explorer. Larger sheets can be used with the Cricut Joy, they just need to be cut down to size.

Sublimation mug - this can also be the Cricut mugs

Brayer, Lint Roller, Heat-Resistant tape

You don’t actually need heat resistant tape when working with the sheets. But this can be useful if you run into an issue where the carrier sheet has cut right through. Read on to find out more.

Step 1 - Setup the Mug Template

If you are using a purchased mug template design, upload the SVG to Design Space. Then, tap on the button at the bottom right to add to the canvas.

If you want to use the Cricut Design Space mug template, on the homepage, type the following in the Search bar: Mug Design Setup. You should see the design pop up first, as shown in the image below. Tap on this to open the options.

Select your mug size from the drop-down menu and you will be given a set of instructions that you can browse through. Once you are ready, tap on Customize so that you can add your design to the template.

You will now see the template on your screen. The green/blue area is where you will place your design. The mug guides seen at the top in pink tell you where to accurately place your design. You can place it on the right, middle or left side of the mug.

The clear area, or flaps, seen on either side of the green oblong, will be cut along with the design. These areas will be removed after the design has been cut, and then used to adhere the template to the mug.

Step 2 - Create or Add your Design

Upload your SVG file to the canvas. Position your design however you choose on the mug template. We added the design on both sides so that it can be viewed by someone who is either left-handed or right-handed.

Once you have placed your design, tap on the Layers menu button at the bottom of the screen. In the Layers panel that opens on the right, tap on the eye icon next to the Design Guide for Mug layer. This will hide the layer so it does not cut.

We will need to attach everything before going to cut. Select the entire design including the template, then at the bottom of the screen, tap Actions > Attach. Everything will then cut exactly as you see it on the screen.

Alternatively, you can use the Slice Tool to cut out the design so you won't need to Attach it.

Tap on Make It at the top right corner of the screen to go to the mat selection page.

Step 3 - Select Material and Cut the Design

Select your mat size from the menu option and make sure your chosen machine is connected. Then, under the mat selected on the left side, make sure to activate the slider to Mirror your design. You need to do this for Infusible ink as well as for Iron-on HTV. Tap on Next for the material settings.

Cricut Design Space already has a pre-installed selection of materials. Choose your material by going to All Materials, then type in Infusible in the search box. Tap on Infusible-ink Transfer Sheets. It's as simple as that.

Before you remove the protective packaging around the sheets, make sure your hands are clean and oil-free. You want to avoid touching the sheets as much as possible so that you don't transfer any oils that can interfere with the process.

Using a brayer, place one sheet on the cutting mat in the same direction as shown on the screen. You need to place the sheet design or colorful side facing up.

Follow the instructions on the next page to begin cutting your design. Cricut Design Space will actively remind you to mirror your design in case you forget. We left the pressure setting as Default.

Step 4 - Heat Set with your Mug Press

After cutting is complete, you need to weed out the letters inside the design. These are the letters you would normally keep when working with HTV. Also, remove the flaps on either side of the template (that appear as clear on the screen).

A light source beneath the design, such as a lamp, can help a great deal when it comes to weeding the design.

Use the lint roller on your mug to remove any possible fluff or debris. You can also use a lint-free cloth to clean any possible fingerprints. Place the mug so the handle is facing you and use this as a guide. Start from the middle of the mug and wrap the template around it with the colorful side facing the mug.

Line up both sides then press the one side down on the mug. Gently pull on the other side so that it’s fairly tight (but be careful not to move it out of position) and press down that side on the mug. You don’t want any gaps to appear. If need be, you can still reposition it.

Now, if you had an issue when cutting where one or more areas were cut right through the carrier, this is where the heat tape comes in handy. Smooth out the area on the mug and make sure it’s flat. Place a piece of heat-resistant tape over this area so it’s covered.

Get your mug press ready by turning it on to heat up. We are using a Cricut Mug Press in this tutorial. If you are using another type of mug press, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

When the mug press pings, insert the mug handle side out and be careful not to burn yourself. Close the mug press lid and let the machine do its thing. When done, open the lid and carefully lift the mug out and then place on a heat resistant surface.

There’s no need to set pressure, time or heat. The Cricut Mug Press does it all for you!

Allow to cool completely. This is essential to getting a good result as the process is still working while the mug is hot. If the paper is removed during this time, you can end up with blurry areas or ghosting. You could also end up burning yourself while the mug is hot!

Grab something cold or hot to drink as you wait for the epic magic to happen.

Once the mug has cooled down, remove the carrier sheet and check out your beautiful mug.

See how quick and easy it was to create a stunning mug? Be warned, because your awesome creation is going to be a hit! So stock up on mugs, Cricut Infusible ink sheets and this hilarious collection of Mug SVG quotes.

Don’t forget to check out the FREE Design Resources section where you can find tons of motivational, sarcastic and funny quotes for your mug projects.