Apparel, Bags, Pillow Covers

What you need

1. Sublimation printer with sublimation inks.
2. Cricut smart cutting machine — Print Then Cut compatible* — with Fine Point blade and housing, and StandardGrip machine mat.
3. Cricut Design Space on computer or mobile device.
4. Butcher paper (1) & Cardstock (80 lb.), white (color cardstock not recommended).
5. Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper.
6. Cricut heat press (Cricut EasyPress, Cricut EasyPress 2, Cricut EasyPress 3, Cricut EasyPress Mini, or Cricut Autopress).
7. Lint roller & Heat Resistant Tape.
8. Sublimation blank (Infusible Ink blanks are compatible).
9. Cricut EasyPress Mat or Cricut Pressing Mat.
10. Tweezers (optional).
11. Scissors.

*Print Then Cut compatible machines include Cricut Joy Xtra, all Cricut Explore machines, all Cricut Maker machines, and Cricut Venture. Cricut Joy can Cut and Draw, but is not capable of Print then Cut.

 

Preparation

• Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper has one printable side, which is white. The pink side is the back.
  • Check your sublimation printer’s instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
• Ensure your blank is clean and dry.
• Locate the application settings (time, temperature, and pressure) provided by the sublimation ink you are using.

 

Tips before you begin

• Before handling sublimation prints, be sure that your hands are dry and free of any oils or lotions.
• When you begin to prep your blank for application, it's a good time to turn on your Cricut heat press and set the recommended time and temperatures for your project – refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings. 
• Baby bodysuit blanks: When applying designs to baby bodysuit blanks, place small Cricut EasyPress Mat covered with cardstock inside the bodysuit. This elevates the application area above the seams so the heat plate can evenly distribute heat to your design. If Cricut EasyPress Mat used inside your blank (i.e. totes, baby bodysuits) is smaller than the heat plate, we recommend using an additional mat under the blank to protect your work surface.
• Pillow Covers, wine bags, and cosmetic bags: Given the seam allowance inside these blanks, we do not recommend pressing a design that comes right up to the seam or edge. Even if you place cardstock on top of the seam allowance inside the cover, it can still cause enough unevenness to affect the transfer. Make sure to size your design with this in mind.
• Never reuse butcher paper for another project - it is there to protect your products by capturing stray transfer, which could transfer to another blank, heat plate, or pressing mat if you reuse it for another project.
• Projects using Cricut EasyPress Mini should be secured to your blank using Heat Resistant Tape. For projects with Cricut Hat Press, use Strong Heat Resistant Tape.

 

Instructions

Step 1: Design and Print Then Cut

Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper can be used independently of Design Space and your Cricut smart cutting machine. Just load it into your sublimation printer so that it will print on the white side. Make sure to ‘mirror’ your design before printing, then print your design from the desired application.

To use Design Space and Print Then Cut with your Cricut smart cutting machine:

1. Customize your printable design in Design Space, then select Make It. To learn how to create a printable design, visit How to Print Then Cut in Design Space.
2. Be sure to Mirror your design. Design Space will automatically mirror your design on the next screen when you select a material setting that requires mirroring, just ensure that designs for which orientation is important are mirrored before you send it to the printer.
3. Following the instructions in Design Space, print your design on your sublimation printer.
4. Allow ink to dry (approximately 1 minute).
5. Place printed sublimation paper on Standard Grip machine mat and load it into the machine for cutting. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
6. Select “Browse All Materials,” then select the Sublimation Printer Paper setting.
7. Select Go. The machine will scan the cut sensor markings printed on the page, then cut the design.
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.

Note: If you print your design from Design Space, but don’t need the machine to cut it out, be sure to trim off the cut sensor markings (corner fiducials) before transferring your design.

Step 2: Prep the blank

1. Place blank on top of Cricut EasyPress mat or Cricut Pressing Mat.
2. Position sheet of cardstock inside of blank to protect your mat and project.
   • When using a tote bag, place cardstock on top of pressing mat, then place both INSIDE the tote bag.
3. Do not skip this step: Use a fresh adhesive to lint-roll the entire surface of the blank. Even miniscule debris or fibers may create imperfections in the final transfer.
4. Cover blank with butcher paper. Butcher paper sheet must be larger than the heat plate.
5. Do not skip this step: Preheat application area to remove moisture and wrinkles that could cause unwanted transfer effects. Refer to your sublimation ink instructions for settings.
6. Remove butcher paper and let blank cool completely.

Step 3: Apply

1. Place design printed side down on blank. The printed side should be against the blank.
2. Tape down each corner of the design using Heat Resistant Tape. This keeps your design from shifting during transfer.
3. Cover design with butcher paper larger than the heat plate of your press.
4. Refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings.

Important: Avoid seams when positioning heat plate on your design + blank. Additionally, do not slide the press or move your hands (if using a Cricut EasyPress 6 x 7 or larger model) while pressing. However, if using Cricut EasyPress Mini, secure the design in place with Heat Resistant tape and press while continually moving Cricut EasyPress Mini over the design, applying light pressure.

5. When time is up, lift press slowly. Try not to move the stack, including butcher paper.
6. Slowly remove butcher paper, tape, and design while warm.

Step 4: Care 

• Machine wash with cold water and mild detergent
• Tumble dry low or line dry
• Do not use fabric softener, dryer sheets, or bleach

Hats

What you need

1. Sublimation printer with sublimation inks.
2. Cricut smart cutting machine — Print Then Cut compatible* — with Fine Point blade and housing.
3. Design Space on Windows/Mac computer or iOS/Android mobile device.
4. Cricut Hat Press.
5. Cricut Hat Pressing Form.
6. Sublimation hat blank (Cricut hat blanks are compatible).
7. Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper.
8. Butcher paper (3).
9. Lint roller.
10. StandardGrip machine mat.
11. Scissors.
12. Strong Heat Resistant Tape.
13. Tweezers (optional)

*Print Then Cut compatible machines include Cricut Joy Xtra, all Cricut Explore machines, all Cricut Maker machines, and Cricut Venture. Cricut Joy can Cut and Draw, but is not capable of Print then Cut.

 

Preparation

• Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper has one printable side, which is white. The pink side is the back.
  • Check your sublimation printer’s instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
• Ensure your blank is clean and dry.
• Locate the application settings (time, temperature, and pressure) provided by the sublimation ink you are using.

 

Tips before you begin

• Before handling sublimation prints, be sure that your hands are dry and free of any oils or lotions.
• The recommended maximum size for a pressing cycle with Cricut Hat Press is 2.25 in high x 4.25 in wide (5.7 cm high x 10.79 cm wide). This maximum size ensures that your full design gets the necessary heat in the time allotted for the pressing cycle. Keep this maximum in mind while creating your design.
• When you begin to prep your blank for application, it's a good time to turn on your Cricut Hat Press and set the recommended time and temperatures for your project - refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings.
• Never reuse butcher paper for another project - it is there to protect your products by capturing stray transfer, which could transfer to another blank, heat plate, or pressing mat if you reuse it for another project.

 

Instructions

Step 1: Design and Print Then Cut

Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper can be used independently of Design Space and your Cricut smart cutting machine. Just load it into your sublimation printer so that it will print on the white side, then print your design from the desired application.

To use Design Space and Print Then Cut with your Cricut smart cutting machine:

1. Customize your printable design in Design Space, then select Make It. To learn how to create a printable design, visit How to Print Then Cut in Design Space.
2. Be sure to Mirror your design. Design Space will automatically mirror your design on the next screen when you select a material setting that requires mirroring, just ensure that designs for which orientation is important are mirrored before you send it to the printer.
3. Following the instructions in Design Space, print your design on your sublimation printer.
4. Allow ink to dry (approximately 1 minute).
5. Place printed sublimation paper on Standard Grip machine mat and load it into the machine. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
6. Select “Browse All Materials,” then select the Sublimation Printer Paper setting.
7. Select Go. The machine will scan the cut sensor markings printed on the page, then cut the design.
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.

Note: If you print your design from Design Space, but don’t need the machine to cut it out, be sure to trim off the cut sensor markings (corner fiducials) before transferring your design.

Step 2: Prep the hat blank

1. Make sure your hat blank is a sublimation blank or has the Cricut Infusible Ink compatibility badge.
2. Preheat Cricut Hat Press. Refer to your sublimation ink instructions for settings. In most cases, the recommended temperature will fall into the range for the “High” setting.
3. Open clasp at back of hat.
4. Remove cardboard insert.
5. Fold out sweat band.
6. Place hat form inside of hat.
7. Secure hat so it is snug on hat form. Close hat clasp to help hold hat on the pressing form.
8. Ensure there are no air gaps between hat and pressing form.
9. Do not skip this step: Lint roll the front panel of the hat.
10. Cover front panel with butcher paper.
11. Preheat hat as instructed in your sublimation ink instructions.

Step 3: Apply

1. Remove butcher paper from hat.
2. Place design on hat, printed side down. The printed side should be against the hat.
   • Trim excess paper close to the design and clip or notch the paper around design where applicable to allow it to flex over the curved surface of the hat.
   • Ensure design is positioned at least 0.25 in (6.35 mm) from the bill of the hat to allow heat plate to cover the full design during transfer.
3. Secure design to the hat with Strong Heat Resistant Tape. Place Strong Heat Resistant Tape on one side of design, then smooth rest of design onto pressing area before applying tape on all the other sides.
4. Cover design and pressing area with butcher paper and secure with Strong Heat Resistant Tape.
5. Hold hat form securely with one hand.
6. Press with light pressure and constant side-to-side movement at the temperature and for the amount of time indicated by your sublimation ink instructions.
7. Slowly lift press.
8. Remove butcher paper, tape, and design while warm.

Step 4: Care 

• Hand wash in cold water
• Do not bleach
• Line dry
• Iron if needed (high heat, no steam)
• Do not dry clean

 

Mugs

What you need

1. Cricut smart cutting machine — Print Then Cut compatible* — with Fine Point blade and housing.
2. Sublimation printer with sublimation inks.
3. Standard Grip Machine Mat.
4. Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper.
5. Heat Resistant Tape.
6. Cricut Mug Press.
7. Compatible** sublimation mug blank (Cricut mug blanks are compatible).
8. Scissors.
9. Butcher paper (3).
10. Tweezers (optional).
11. Lint roller or lint-free cloth.
12. Design Space on Windows/Mac computer or iOS/Android mobile device.
13. Cricut EasyPress Mat or towel (to set hot mug after press is complete).

*Print Then Cut compatible machines include Cricut Joy Xtra, all Cricut Explore machines, all Cricut Maker machines, and Cricut Venture. Cricut Joy can Cut and Draw, but is not capable of Print then Cut.

**Note: Generic mugs labeled “sublimation compatible” are likely to work with Cricut Mug Press and Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper, but we cannot guarantee results with non-Cricut blanks. For best results, use Cricut mug blanks. When using non-Cricut blanks, look for poly-coated, sublimation-compatible products that meet the specifications below:
- Capacity of 10-16 oz (295-450 ml)
- Drinkware with smooth, straight pressing area only; avoid placing design on curves, bevels, and textures.
- Diameter between 3.2 in – 3.4 in (82 – 86 mm)
- Maximum height of 4.72 in (120 mm)

 

Preparation

• Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper has one printable side, which is white. The pink side is the back.
  • Check your sublimation printer’s instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
• Ensure your blank is clean and dry.
• Locate the application settings (time, temperature, and pressure) provided by the sublimation ink you are using.

 

Tips before you begin

• Before handling sublimation prints, be sure that your hands are dry and free of any oils or lotions.
• When you begin to prep your blank for application, it's a good time to turn on your Cricut Mug Press to preheat. 
• Never reuse butcher paper for another project - it is there to protect your products by capturing stray transfer, which could transfer to another blank, heat plate, or pressing mat if you reuse it for another project.

 

Instructions

Step 1: Design and Print Then Cut

Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper can be used independently of Design Space and your Cricut smart cutting machine. Just load it into your sublimation printer so that it will print on the white side, then print your design from the desired application.

To use Design Space and Print Then Cut with your Cricut smart cutting machine:

1. Customize your printable design in Design Space, then select Make It. To learn how to create a printable design, visit How to Print Then Cut in Design Space.
2. Be sure to Mirror your design. Design Space will automatically mirror your design when you select a material setting that requires mirroring, just ensure that designs for which orientation is important are mirrored before you send it to the printer.
3. Following the instructions in Design Space, print your design on your sublimation printer.
4. Allow ink to dry (approximately 1 minute).
5. Place printed sublimation paper on Standard Grip machine mat and load it into the machine. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
6. Select “Browse All Materials,” then select the Sublimation Printer Paper setting.
7. Select Go. The machine will scan the cut sensor markings printed on the page, then cut the design.
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.

Note: If you print your design from Design Space, but don’t need the machine to cut it out, be sure to trim off the cut sensor markings (corner fiducials) before transferring your design.

Step 2: Prep the mug blank

1. Make sure your mug blank is a sublimation blank or has the Cricut Infusible Ink compatibility badge.
2. Preheat Cricut Mug Press.
3. Lint roll or clean mug with a lint-free cloth.*
4. Wrap design around mug, printed side against the mug.
   • Trim excess paper close to your design.
   • Ensure there are no gaps between design and mug
   • Ensure design does not extend beyond smooth, straight pressing area
   • Ensure design remains at least 0.5 in (12.7 mm) from the handle.
5. Secure edges of design to mug with heat-resistant tape.
6. Cover design and pressing area with butcher paper and secure with Heat Resistant Tape.
   • Trim excess butcher paper so it does not extend beyond the top or bottom of the mug.

*Even hard blanks like mugs may have lint fibers on them not visible to the naked eye. Dye from these fibers can activate during transfer, infusing unwanted blue speckles into your blank.

Step 3: Apply

1. Insert mug into preheated mug press.
2. Push lever down to begin transfer. Ensure design is completely covered by heat plates.
3. When transfer is complete, lift lever.
4. Use handle to remove mug from mug press.
5. CAUTION: Mug body will be very hot. Place mug on EasyPress Mat or towel and allow to cool before handling.
6. When cool to the touch, remove tape and paper.

Step 4: Care 

• Hand wash with warm water or in a dishwasher
• Do not use steel wool, colored cleansing agents, or scrubbing pads
• Follow instructions at cricut.com/dishwasher-friendly

Ceramic Coasters

What you need

1. Sublimation printer with sublimation inks.
2. Cricut smart cutting machine — Print Then Cut compatible* — with Fine Point blade and housing, and StandardGrip machine mat.
3. Cricut Design Space on computer or mobile device.
4. Butcher paper (1) & Cardstock (80 lb.), white (color cardstock not recommended).
5. Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper.
6. Cricut heat press (Cricut EasyPress, Cricut EasyPress 2, Cricut EasyPress 3, Cricut EasyPress Mini, or Cricut Autopress).
7. Lint-free cloth* & Heat Resistant Tape.
8. Ceramic Coaster sublimation blank (Infusible Ink blanks are compatible).
9. Cricut EasyPress Mat or Cricut Pressing Mat.
10. Tweezers (optional).
11. Scissors.

*Print Then Cut compatible machines include Cricut Joy Xtra, all Cricut Explore machines, all Cricut Maker machines, and Cricut Venture. Cricut Joy can Cut and Draw, but is not capable of Print then Cut.

**Alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol + paper towel (optional)

 

 

Preparation

• Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper has one printable side, which is white. The pink side is the back.
  • Check your sublimation printer’s instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
• Ensure your blank is clean and dry.
• Locate the application settings (time, temperature, and pressure) provided by the sublimation ink you are using.

 

Tips before you begin

• Before handling sublimation prints, be sure that your hands are dry and free of any oils or lotions.
• When you begin to prep your blank for application, it's a good time to turn on your Cricut heat press and set the recommended time and temperatures for your project - refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings. 
• Never reuse butcher paper for another project - it is there to protect your products by capturing stray transfer, which could transfer to another blank, heat plate, or pressing mat if you reuse it for another project.

 

Instructions

Step 1: Design and Print Then Cut

Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper can be used independently of Design Space and your Cricut smart cutting machine. Just load it into your sublimation printer so that it will print on the white side, then print your design from the desired application.

To use Design Space and Print Then Cut with your Cricut smart cutting machine:

1. Customize your printable design in Design Space, then select Make It. To learn how to create a printable design, visit How to Print Then Cut in Design Space.
2. Be sure to Mirror your design. Design Space will automatically mirror your design when you select a material setting that requires mirroring, just ensure that designs for which orientation is important are mirrored before you send it to the printer.
3. Following the instructions in Design Space, print your design on your sublimation printer.
4. Allow ink to dry (approximately 1 minute).
5. Place printed sublimation paper on Standard Grip machine mat and load it into the machine. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
6. Select “Browse All Materials,” then select the Sublimation Printer Paper setting.
7. Select Go. The machine will scan the cut sensor markings printed on the page, then cut the design.
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.

Note: If you print your design from Design Space, but don’t need the machine to cut it out, be sure to trim off the cut sensor markings (corner fiducials) before transferring your design.

Step 2: Prep the blank

• Use a lint-free cloth to remove any debris from coaster. If you think it needs a deeper clean you can use an alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. Just be sure to wipe clean with a lint-free cloth as the last step for prepping your coaster.

Step 3: Apply

1. Cover Cricut pressing mat with cardstock to protect it from unwanted transfer.
2. Place design face-down on coaster and secure with Heat Resistant Tape.
3. Flip coaster so bottom is facing up (top of coaster with attached design will rest against cardstock and mat).
4. Cover coaster with butcher paper.
5. Refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings.
6. When time is up, lift press slowly. Try not to move the stack, including butcher paper.
7. CAUTION: Coaster will be very hot. Let cool completely before handling. Then slowly remove the butcher paper, tape, and design.

Step 4: Care 

• Wash with warm water and glass cleaner
• Do not use steel wool, colored cleansing agents, or scrubbing pads

Square Coasters

What you need

1. Sublimation printer with sublimation inks.
2. Cricut smart cutting machine — Print Then Cut compatible* — with Fine Point blade and housing, and StandardGrip machine mat.
3. Cricut Design Space on computer or mobile device.
4. Butcher paper (1) & Cardstock (80 lb.), white (color cardstock not recommended).
5. Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper.
6. Cricut heat press (Cricut EasyPress, Cricut EasyPress 2, Cricut EasyPress 3, Cricut EasyPress Mini, or Cricut Autopress).
7. Lint-free cloth** & Heat Resistant Tape.
8. Square Coaster sublimation blank (cork-backed – Infusible Ink blanks are compatible).
9. Cricut EasyPress Mat or Cricut Pressing Mat.
10. Tweezers (optional).
11. Scissors.

*Print Then Cut compatible machines include Cricut Joy Xtra, all Cricut Explore machines, all Cricut Maker machines, and Cricut Venture. Cricut Joy can Cut and Draw, but is not capable of Print then Cut.

**Alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol + paper towel (optional)

 

Preparation

• Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper has one printable side, which is white. The pink side is the back.
  • Check your sublimation printer’s instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
• Ensure your blank is clean and dry.
• Locate the application settings (time, temperature, and pressure) provided by the sublimation ink you are using.

 

Tips before you begin

• Before handling sublimation prints, be sure that your hands are dry and free of any oils or lotions.
• When you begin to prep your blank for application, it's a good time to turn on your Cricut heat press and set the recommended time and temperatures for your project - refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings. 
• Never reuse butcher paper for another project - it is there to protect your products by capturing stray transfer, which could transfer to another blank, heat plate, or pressing mat if you reuse it for another project.

 

Instructions

Step 1: Design and Print Then Cut

Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper can be used independently of Design Space and your Cricut smart cutting machine. Just load it into your sublimation printer so that it will print on the white side, then print your design from the desired application.

To use Design Space and Print Then Cut with your Cricut smart cutting machine:

1. Customize your printable design in Design Space, then select Make It. To learn how to create a printable design, visit How to Print Then Cut in Design Space.
2. Be sure to Mirror your design. Design Space will automatically mirror your design when you select a material setting that requires mirroring, just ensure that designs for which orientation is important are mirrored before you send it to the printer.
3. Following the instructions in Design Space, print your design on your sublimation printer.
4. Allow ink to dry.
5. Place printed sublimation paper on Standard Grip machine mat and load it into the machine. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
6. Select “Browse All Materials,” then select the Sublimation Printer Paper setting.
7. Select Go. The machine will scan the cut sensor markings printed on the page, then cut the design.
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.

Note: If you print your design from Design Space, but don’t need the machine to cut it out, be sure to trim off the cut sensor markings (corner fiducials) before transferring your design.

Step 2: Prep the blank

• Use a lint-free cloth to remove any debris from coaster. If you think it needs a deeper clean you can use an alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol and a paper towel. Just be sure to wipe clean with a lint-free cloth as the last step for prepping your coaster.

Step 3: Apply

1. Cover Cricut pressing mat with butcher paper to protect it from unwanted transfer.
2. Place design face-down on coaster and secure with Heat Resistant Tape.
3. Place coaster onto butcher paper and mat so the side with the design faces up (do not flip it as you would with Ceramic Coasters)
4. Cover coaster with cardstock.
5. Refer to your sublimation ink instructions for application settings.
6. When time is up, lift press slowly. Try not to move the stack, including butcher paper.
7. CAUTION: Coaster will be very hot. Let cool completely before handling. Then slowly remove the butcher paper, tape, and design.

Step 4: Care 

• Wash with warm water and glass cleaner
• Do not use steel wool, colored cleansing agents, or scrubbing pads