Cricut Hat Press FAQ

• Cricut Hat Press
• Safety base
• Cricut Hat Pressing Form
• Iron-on design for practice project
• Strong Heat Resistant Tape
• Quick Start Guide
• User Guide

No, Cricut hat blanks are sold separately.

The free Cricut Heat app can be downloaded from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store!

The Cricut Heat app is available for iOS or Android mobile devices that meet the same system requirements as those for Design Space.

You do have to use the app to activate Cricut Hat Press, but once activation is complete, you can use Cricut Hat Press on its own.

You will need a mobile device (iOS or Android) with Cricut Heat app to activate Cricut Hat Press, but once activation is complete you can opt to use Cricut Hat Press on its own. 

Yes, Cricut Hat Press is automatically registered to your account when you activate it through the Cricut Heat app. Activation is required.

No, at this time you must have a Cricut EasyPress 3 or Cricut Hat Press connected to the Cricut Heat app in order to use the app. However, recommended settings for Cricut EasyPress, Cricut EasyPress 2, Cricut EasyPress Mini, Cricut Mug Press, and Cricut Autopress can be found in our online Heat Guide (which is also linked in the app).

Yes, Cricut Hat Press shuts off automatically after 13 minutes of inactivity. A warning beep sounds 30 seconds prior to shutoff.

Cricut Hat Press firmware is updated automatically when you complete the activation process through the Cricut Heat app. Download the app now to get started:

• iOS 
• Android

No, Cricut Hat Press does not connect to a computer. Instead, download the Cricut Heat app on your mobile device to activate your press via Bluetooth® connection.

Ensure Bluetooth® connection on your mobile device is on, and the Cricut Heat app does the rest! The app automatically detects and connects to Cricut Hat Press if it is powered on and within range (7 ft / 2.1m).

Because you’ll use light pressure and constant motion with Cricut Hat Press, the heat plate includes an extra coating of protection that allows it to glide easily over your material’s surface. This allows each of the 3 heat settings to accommodate multiple heat-transfer ranges. Here’s the general use guide:

Low – Use with sensitive base materials or heat-transfer materials that transfer between 255°F (125°C) – 295°F (145°C); timer = 60 seconds

Medium – Use with most base materials or heat-transfer materials that transfer between 300°F (150°C) – 355°F (180°C); timer = 60 seconds

High – Use with Infusible Ink materials, heavy-duty base materials, and other heat-transfer materials that transfer between 360°F (185°C) – 400°F (205°C); timer = 90 seconds

Note: Cricut Hat Press temperatures do not fluctuate within these ranges. Rather, each setting has been tested and qualified to work with materials that typically press in a heat press at those temperatures.

Cricut Ball Cap Blank, grey – 80% polyester, 20% cotton
Cricut Trucker Hat Blank, black mesh with white front – 100% polyester

Yes! Cricut Hat Press can be used to transfer a variety of iron-on (HTV), Infusible Ink & sublimation materials.

Cricut hat blanks are specially engineered and thoroughly tested to work with Cricut heat-transfer materials. Generic products will likely work, but we cannot guarantee quality results.

Cricut Hat press works with a variety of hat styles. For best results with Cricut Hat Press, ensure the hat blank can fit smoothly over the hat pressing form, so you have a firm pressing surface – any bumps or air pockets between the hat and pressing form will result in unwanted transfer effects.

Because the hat pressing surface is curved and requires constant motion when pressing with Cricut Hat Press, use Strong Heat Resistant Tape to secure all sides of your design to the hat blank before pressing.

Cricut Hat Pressing Form contains a firm core surrounded by walnut shells. This allows the form to shape itself to your hat blank while providing a firm pressing surface. It’s designed to eliminate moisture and direct heat to your project.
Exterior: Polyester 59%, Cotton 41% | Interior: Walnut Shells 91%, Polyester 9%

1. Durable cover | 2. Wicks moisture | 3. Firm pressing surface | 4. Adds structure | 5. Protective barrier.

Cricut Hat Press™ includes a Hat Pressing Form that contains walnut shells. Cricut has applicable ALLERGY WARNING information posted on our product details page, outer packaging, internal shrink-wrapping of the Hat Pressing Form, and permanently affixed on the care instructions label on the Hat Pressing Form itself. While we do not currently believe that hats are unsafe to wear after heat pressing using the Hat Pressing Form, we highly recommend you consult with your allergy specialist if you have any concerns about the severity of any allergies. In case of any irritation, immediately wash skin with soap and water; if irritation persists, seek immediate medical attention.

• Do not wash
• Do not bleach
• Do not dry
• Iron or press high heat, no steam
• Do not dry clean

Yes, butcher paper is required for Infusible Ink transfers with Cricut Hat Press and hat blanks. Visit the Cricut Heat app for stacking order and other instructions for your project.

We recommend three layers of butcher paper between Cricut Hat Press and your Infusible Ink Pen/Marker design.

We highly recommend it! Successful heat transfers require a firm pressing surface, and Cricut Hat Pressing Form is specially designed to provide the moldable, yet firm pressing surface necessary for your heat transfer projects.

2.25 in high x 4.25 in wide (5.7 cm high x 10.79 cm wide)

The recommended maximum size for one pressing cycle 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. If you try to press a design larger than this in one cycle, the design may not transfer properly.

Note: While designs smaller than this may also be transferred, be aware that very thin lines of iron-on (HTV) may not transfer successfully.

Yes, that’s a brilliant idea! Using these materials in combination results in extraordinary projects. Cricut Iron-On should be layered on top of a transferred Infusible Ink design. For recommended settings, use the Cricut Heat app.

Yes. Most fabrics have lint fibers on them that are not visible to the naked eye. Thoroughly lint-roll your entire hat blank, especially the area that will come into contact with the heat plate. This will prevent lint from being pressed onto the blank, causing the dye in the lint to infuse unwanted blue speckles onto your hat blank.

The purpose of preheating is to remove wrinkles and any residual chemicals or excess moisture from the fabric which might interfere with a successful transfer, so if your blank cools after preheating, prior to pressing your design, no problem!

• Ensure design is no larger than 2.25 in high x 4.25 in wide (5.7 cm x 10.79 cm)
• On Cricut Trucker Hat and Cricut Ball Cap blanks, the front panels offer the best application area
• Ball cap side and back panels can also accept heat transfer
• Do not apply Infusible Ink to the bill of Cricut Ball Cap or Cricut Trucker Hat blanks, as the high temperature causes bill to bubble and warp
• Iron-on (HTV) may be applied to the bill of Cricut Trucker Hat and Cricut Ball Cap blanks – use caution as high temperatures will cause the bill to bubble and warp
• Do not press on the mesh panels of Cricut Trucker Hat Blank
• Avoid applying design over eyelets in crown of hats (eyelets are holes placed in some hats for breathability, and reinforced with stitching or metal)
• Always use Strong Heat Resistant Tape to secure your design to the pressing area

Yes! Iron-on (HTV) and Infusible Ink may be placed over seams.

To ease your design over the curved surface of the hat:

• Ensure hat blank’s sweatband is folded out before placing on hat pressing form
• Smoothen hat pressing area over form to ensure there are no air gaps between the hat and the pressing form – this creates a firm pressing surface for your full design
• Trim excess liner or paper close to the design
• Clip or notch the liner/paper around design where applicable to allow it to flex over the curved surface
• Place Strong Heat Resistant Tape on one side of design, then smooth rest of design onto pressing area before applying tape on the other sides
• Ensure design is positioned at least 0.5 in (12.7 mm) from the bill of the hat

All recommended time and temperature settings are found in the Cricut Heat app. Simply select your base material and transfer material, then tap to send settings to Cricut Hat Press.

Once the hat blank is securely fitted over the hat pressing form, rest it upright on work surface with pressing area facing up. Stabilize with one hand on the side while pressing with the other hand. This also allows the bill/brim of the hat to flex away from the pressing area so the heat plate can reach your full design.

Note: The handle on the hat pressing form is to help stabilize or manipulate the form while fitting hat blanks onto the form. It is not intended for use during pressing.

Note: Ensure design is placed at least 0.5 in (12.7 mm) from the bill/brim of the hat.

The heat plate must maintain constant contact with your design as you move the press back and forth during transfer. Use enough pressure to maintain this contact without deforming the hat.

First, be sure that your design is no more than 2.25 in x 4.25 in (5.7 cm x 10.79 cm). Move the press continuously back and forth over your design. Allow the heat plate to extend approximately 0.5 in (12.7mm) beyond all edges of the design. This ensures your full design receives the necessary heat.

Moving the unit during transfer helps you keep even pressure, preventing press marks in your hat blank. Regarding speed, just use a continuous motion similar to using a household iron or computer mouse.

While the size and curvature of the Cricut Hat Press heat plate is ideal for pressing on hats, we recommend Cricut EasyPress Mini for precision pressing on smaller areas like shoes. The smaller Cricut EasyPress Mini heat plate and precision tip make it easier to avoid contacting the rubber sole and other areas that may melt on contact.

Yes. However, at high temperatures, such as those required for Infusible Ink, the bill will bubble and warp.

If you find that your safety base or hat form is defective, please contact Member Care for assistance.