Getting Started with Cricut AutoPress 2 - 12 x 12

What’s in the box | Machine overview | Set up and use | Learn more | FAQ

What's in the box

• Cricut AutoPress 2 – 12 in x 12 in (30.5 cm x 30.5 cm)
• Pressing Mat – 12.50in x 12.5 in (31.75 cm x 31.75 cm)
• User Guide

Machine overview

Heat press

1. Power Button (on Control Panel)
2. Control Panel – For powering on machine, manually setting time and temperature, and starting or stopping a pressing cycle
3. Heat Plate
   • Lowers to apply heat and pressure during a pressing cycle
   • CAUTION: Gets very hot during use
4. Pressing Mat
   • Placed on lower plate
   • Base materials are positioned on Pressing Mat before starting a pressing cycle  
5. Sliding Tray
   • Use front handle to pull tray out; position base materials, then slide to close before pressing
6. Lower Plate
   • The pressing surface – holds the Pressing Mat and base materials
7. Power Cord 

Control Panel

1. Power: Push to turn on/off
2. Indicates whether Bluetooth® is connected
3. Auto-mode activated: Auto-mode enables you to press faster and complete batches more efficiently by eliminating the need to start each pressing cycle manually. To activate or deactivate auto-mode, hold the Start/Stop (G) button for 5 seconds.
4. Set Temperature & Time: Use button to adjust.

5. Pre-set selections: Control Panel comes with four pre-set selections. Use pre-set button to select:

   Temperature/Time		Suggested Use
   1	310°F/25s (154°C/25s)	Iron-On; cotton, polyester
   2	330°F/30s (154°C/30s)	Glitter Iron-On; cotton, polyester
   3	350°F/25s (176°C/25s)	DTF transfers; cotton, polyester
   4	400°F/60s (204°C/60s)	Infusible Ink; polyester

6. Set Value Selection: Push to toggle through selections (temperature and time)
7. Start/Stop: Push to start or stop pressing

Set up and use

1. Prepare your workspace

• Place heat press on a flat, stable surface in a well-ventilated area, leaving adequate space on all sides to position cords and operate the heat press.  
• To avoid risk of injury, use two people to lift the heat press. Do not grasp sliding tray to lift the heat press.  
• Make sure sliding tray doesn’t extend over the edge of the work surface.

2. Power on the heat press

• Plug heat press cord directly into wall outlet.  
• Press power button on the Control Panel.  

3. Set material settings and preheat the heat press

• Ensure pressing mat is on the sliding tray.
• Set temperature and time for your project. Find recommended temperature and time settings for your specific project in two ways:  
  • Optional Heat Guide in the Design Space mobile app:  
    1. Visit cricut.com/setup on your mobile device.  
    2. Follow the on-screen prompts to connect to your heat press and get the latest and greatest updates for your Cricut AutoPress 2.
    3. Then, find your heat press in the interactive Heat Guide in the Design Space navigation panel. 
       
        
        
    4. Now you can control everything about your pressing cycle through the app! Customize and send temperature and time settings directly to your heat press, and get step-by-step instructions for your project.  
  • Online Heat Guide at cricut.com/heatguide: Select your heat press, base material, and heat transfer material, then use the Control Panel buttons to input settings.  
• The heat press will begin heating to whatever temperature is set through the app or set manually on the Control Panel.  

4. Position project on the pressing mat  

• Prepare your blank for transfer. For instructions, click here.  
• When the heat press reaches temperature (light is green), pull sliding tray out. Caution – Heat plate gets very hot during use. Avoid contact with hot surfaces.
• Position your blank on the mat so that zippers, buttons, and bulky seams flow over the edge of the pressing mat, and so that the design area will be fully covered by the heat plate.  
• Keep excess material clear of the sliders and clear of the sliding tray.  
  • Material bunched up behind the platen may prevent the tray from closing fully.  
  • If needed, bundle excess material in the space above the heat plate.  
• Position your design on the blank. Follow the guidance in the heat guide for using heat resistant tape or a protective sheet for your project.
• Push sliding tray forward completely.  

5. Complete heat transfer  

• Follow steps in the heat guide to press your project.
• When pressing cycle is complete, pull out the sliding tray completely.  
• Allow project to cool as prompted in the heat guide before attempting to touch.

Note: Never leave heat press unattended. Unplug when not in use. Allow press to cool completely before storing. For complete safety instructions, refer to the User Guide.

Learn more  

• How to prep blanks for:  
  • Everyday Iron-On
  • Glitter Iron-On
  • DTF Transfers
  • Infusible Ink
• Cricut AutoPress 2 – 12 x 12 Troubleshooting  
• Troubleshooting Heat Transfer Results

FAQ