Do I need to prewash fabric blanks?
No. For Infusible Ink projects, we do not recommend prewashing.
Do I really need to preheat my fabric blank?
Yes. This removes excess moisture and wrinkles. If you choose not to preheat, the transfer process will convert excess moisture into steam, which will likely displace pigment and result in unwanted effects.
Why do I need to use a lint roller? I don’t see any lint fibers on my blank.
Most fabrics, and even hard blanks like coasters and mugs, have lint fibers on them not visible to the naked eye. Thoroughly lint-roll your entire blank, especially the area that will come into contact with the heat plate. This will prevent lint from being pressed into the blank, causing the dye in the lint to infuse unwanted blue speckles into your blank.
Why do I need to use butcher paper and white cardstock?
Because the ink converts into a gas during the heat transfer process, it could bond with adjacent items or layers. Butcher paper and cardstock act as a barrier to protect your blank, Cricut EasyPress Mat, and Cricut EasyPress or Cricut Mug Press heat plate from unwanted transfer. The paper also helps capture any moisture that is released during the pressing process. Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets come with an equal number of protective paper sheets. However, if you plan to cut smaller images from Infusible Ink sheets rather than using full-sheet designs, you will need more butcher paper. It is recommended that each sheet of butcher paper be used one time only, especially if any of the design transfers onto the butcher paper.
Note: For mug projects, butcher paper is only needed for designs created with Infusible Ink Pens and Markers. Cardstock is not used with Cricut Mug Press.
What is a lint-free cloth?
A lint-free cloth is a special type of cleaning cloth that does not shed fibers. A microfiber cloth is a good example. We recommend wiping down hard blanks before an Infusible Ink transfer to remove any unwanted debris or lint.
Why do I need to use a Cricut EasyPress Mat? Can’t I use a towel instead?
The innovative construction of the Cricut EasyPress Mat helps eliminate moisture and directs heat to your Infusible Ink design during the transfer process with Cricut EasyPress. For standard heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) projects, a towel works fine, but it does not provide the required surface for a successful Infusible Ink transfer.