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Iron-On

Cricut Specialty Iron-On

Edited: May 27, 2025

Select a link below for instructions on using Cricut iron-on that has a specialty finish. 

Specialty composite.jpg

 

Video Tutorial

 

What you need

  • Cricut smart cutting machine
  • Cricut Design Space on computer or mobile device
  • Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app (for Cricut EasyPress 3 and Cricut Hat Press)
  • Standard Grip Machine Mat
  • Fine Point blade and housing that comes with the machine
  • Cricut Iron-On (Glitter, Glitter Mesh, Value Glitter, Glow-in-the-Dark, Holographic, Holographic Sparkle, Reflective, SportFlex)
  • Base material
  • Weeder
  • Cricut Autopress, Cricut EasyPress, Cricut EasyPress 2, Cricut EasyPress 3, Cricut EasyPress Mini, or Cricut Hat press
  • Cricut EasyPress Mat, Cricut Pressing Mat, or Cricut Hat Pressing Form 
  • Heat Resistant Tape or Strong Heat Resistant Tape (optional; use as instructed in Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app)
  • Heat-Resistant Pressing Sheet (optional)
  • Brayer (optional)

Preparation

  1. Pre-wash fabric base materials without fabric softener to pre-shrink and remove chemicals that may prohibit strong adhesion.
  2. Recommended: To verify cut setting, perform a test cut using a small basic shape.
  3. Recommended: To verify application setting, apply test cut in an inconspicuous area on the base material.
  4. Find your pressing surface. If it’s firm, flat, and around waist high, you’re golden. Be sure to avoid flimsy ironing boards.

Design, cut, and weed

Note: Specialty iron-on can be used in multi-layer designs, as a top layer only. It can be applied on top of Everyday Iron-On, but do no layer other iron-on over these types of iron-on. SportFlex Iron-On should only be layered with other SportFlex Iron-On to preserve the flexibility and stretchability of your design. Keep this is mind as you create your design.

  1. Customize your design in Design Space. 
  2. Be sure to Mirror your mats in Design Space before cutting.
  3. Select your material: Select Browse all materials, then search for your specific material.
    • If using a Cricut Explore Air 2 or older machine, turn dial to Custom first.
  4. Place material, shiny liner side down, onto Cricut Standard Grip machine mat.
    • If using Smart Iron-On with a compatible machine, it may be loaded into the machine without a mat.
  5. Follow prompts in Design Space to load mat/material and blade into the machine.
  6. Press Go.
  7. When the cut is complete, press unload.
  8. Use a weeder to remove excess iron-on from your design, leaving design on the liner. 

Apply

Note: For precise time and temperature settings for your project, always refer to the Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app (for Cricut EasyPress 3 and Cricut Hat Press). Depending on your base material, heat transfer material, and heat press choice, settings will be unique for every project.  

  1. Preheat base material as instructed in our Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app (for Cricut EasyPress 3 and Cricut Hat Press).
  2. Place the cut design on the base material with the shiny liner side up. Apply heat as instructed (see our Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app).
  3. Slowly peel liner away when cool to touch.

Note: If using a household iron, use the Cotton/Linen setting (generally the highest temperature setting). Make sure the steam setting is OFF. Preheat the application area of your base material for 10-15 seconds. Place the weeded image, liner side up, onto the preheated material. Apply medium pressure with the iron for 25-30 seconds. Flip the material over and apply medium pressure with the iron to the back of the material for an additional 25-30 seconds. Slowly remove liner when cool to touch.

 

Care

  • Allow 24 hours after application before washing
  • Wash and tumble dry inside-out
  • Do not bleach

 

Tips

Select a material for tips or FAQ about working with that specific material. 

Glitter Iron-On Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On Reflective Iron-On
Glitter Iron-On Mesh Holographic Iron-On SportFlex Iron-On

 

Glitter Iron-On

  • Glitter Iron-On is a little thicker than other types of iron-on, and the cut lines can be difficult to see when it's time to weed your design. Watch this video for some tips on how to weed Glitter Iron-On.



  • Value Glitter Iron comes in sheets and rolls that are 10 in (25.4 cm) wide (other Cricut Glitter Iron-On comes 12 in / 30.5 cm wide). Before you send your project to the machine, be sure to select the correct material size and position your images on the Design Space mat preview to correspond with how the material is positioned on the machine mat. 

 

Glitter Iron-On Mesh

Due to the mesh pattern of Glitter Iron-On Mesh we recommend cutting images at 3 in (7.6 cm) or larger. Intricate images should be avoided.

 

Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On

How long does it take to charge Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On?

Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On will begin to glow soon after exposure to light, but for brightest and longest glowing, allow it to charge under direct light for 30 minutes.

How long will Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On glow before it needs to be recharged?

Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On will glow for approximately 20-30 minutes before it needs to recharge.

How do I charge Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On?

Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On will charge under any type of light. For best results allow embellished item(s) to rest under direct lighting.

Note: While any type of light will work, it will charge faster under a UV light.

How many washes will it last? Are there any special care instructions to follow?

It has been tested to outlast multiple washes.

Care Instructions:

  • Wait 24 hours before washing embellished item.
  • For longest life, wash and dry the embellished item inside-out.
  • If areas of Iron-On material lift after washing, simply follow the complete application instructions to reapply.

Can I layer with Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On?

Yes, you can layer Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On over Everyday Iron-On. For multi-layer designs Glow-in-the-Dark Iron-On should be the top layer only.

 

Holographic Iron-On

Important: For a look that most closely matches its color prior to application, we recommend applying Holographic Iron-On to white materials. Holographic Iron-On colors may appear differently when applied to colored materials.

 

Reflective Iron-On

Can Reflective Iron-On be used for safety markings on clothing?

Reflective Iron-On is for decorative use only; it is not designed nor intended for safety applications such as high-visibility markings on garments.

How many washes will it last? Are there any special care instructions to follow?

This iron-on material has been tested to outlast multiple washes.

 

Care Instructions:

Wait 24 hours before washing embellished items

For longest life, wash and dry the embellished item inside-out

If areas of iron-on lift after washing, simply follow the complete application instructions to reapply.

Can I layer with Reflective Iron-On?

Yes, you can layer Reflective Iron-On over Everyday Iron-On. For multi-layer designs, Reflective Iron-On should only be the top layer.

My iron-on doesn’t look rainbow. How do I get it to show?

The rainbow hues will be most visible when bright light is shined towards the material with a flashlight or direct sunlight.

 

SportFlex Iron-On

Cricut SportFlex Iron-On is thin, lightweight, and made to stretch & flex on activewear. Recommended for tech fabrics like polyester and nylon. Will not adhere to high cotton-blend fabrics.

If creating a layered design, we recommend layering only with other SportFlex Iron-On to preserve the flexibility and stretchability of your design.

 

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