Edited: July 30, 2025

Full-color heat transfer projects are easier than ever with Cricut Sublimation Printable Iron-On. Unlike other sublimation products, this material can be easily transferred onto any blank, including dark fabrics and those not specifically made for sublimation. Simply design your idea, print it in full color with your sublimation printer, dry by carefully hovering your Cricut press above it for 1 minute. Then, precision-cut it with your machine and apply with your press. The result?  Vivid, brilliant heat transfers that stand the test of time.

Select options below to learn how to use Cricut Sublimation Printable Iron-On.

• Instructions
• FAQ

Instructions

• What you need  
• Preparation
• Design and Print Then Cut
• Apply
• Care

What you need

• Cricut cutting machine (Print Then Cut compatible*) + Fine-Point Blade and Housing that comes with the machine
• Cricut Light Grip machine mat
• Design Space software on computer or mobile device  
• Cricut Sublimation Printable Iron-On
• Sublimation printer with sublimation inks
• Weeder (optional)
• Cricut Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app (for Cricut EasyPress 3 and Hat Press)  
• Cricut Autopress, Cricut EasyPress, or Cricut Hat Press  
• Cricut Pressing Mat  
• Butcher Paper
• Base material (such as a t-shirt)

*Cricut Explore machines, Cricut Maker machines, Cricut Venture, and Cricut Joy Xtra.

Preparation

1. Prewash fabric base materials without fabric softener to pre-shrink and remove chemicals that may prohibit strong adhesion.
2. Take a moment to identify the printable side of the material. The printable side has a textured surface. The non-printable side of the material is very smooth and may include a label with QR code.
3. Check your sublimation printer instructions or print a test page on printer paper to ensure you know which way to load the printable side of the material.
4. Ensure base material is fully dry before applying Sublimation Printable Iron-On.
5. Recommended: Make a test cut using a small basic shape to verify cut setting.
6. Recommended: Apply test cut in an inconspicuous area on base material to verify application settings.

Design and Print Then Cut

Sublimation Printable Iron-On is simpler to peel and apply with large, simple shapes. Intricate designs would require a lot of manual dexterity to remove and apply. For intricate designs, consider using the Offset feature to give your design a nice simple outline.  

1. Preheat your press to 300°F (150°C).  
2. 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.
3. Load Sublimation Printable Iron-On into your sublimation printer. Check your 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.
4. Follow the instructions in Design Space to print your design.
   • Do not mirror your design.
5. Do not skip this step: Dry by carefully hovering your heat press above the printed material for 1 (one) minute. Do not allow the heat plate to touch the print. Allow ink to dry completely before handling.  
6. Place the printed iron-on on Cricut Light Grip mat, printed side up, and load into your machine. Ensure the page is oriented on the mat as it appears in Design Space.
7. Select Go and watch the magic happen!
8. When the cut is complete, select Unload.
9. Use a weeder to remove excess iron-on from your design.

Apply

Note: For precise time and temperature settings for your project, always refer to our Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app. Depending on your base material and heat-transfer material choice, settings will be unique for every project.

1. Peel design away from the liner by hand and place onto your base material.
2. Place sheet of butcher paper on top of your design in order to protect the heat press from the printer inks.
3. Press at the time and temperature instructed in the Heat Guide or Cricut Heat app.
4. Remove the butcher paper when pressing is complete.
5. Finished!

Care

• Allow 48 hours after application before washing
• Machine wash cold, delicate cycle
• Hang to dry
• Do not bleach
• Do not iron

FAQ