Edited: October 3, 2024
For information on getting to know or how to use your Cricut Autopress, select the desired tab and follow the steps outlined below:
Cricut Autopress tour
- Handle
- Indicator lights
- Orange = heating up
- Green = ready to use
- Red = machine locked or Control Pod disconnected
- Heat plate – CAUTION: Gets very hot during use
- Pressing Mat
- Platen
- Power Button
- Lock/Unlock
- USB Port (on back of machine)
- USB Cable
- Power Port (on back of machine)
- Power Cord
- Control Pod
Features
Cricut Autopress incorporates several thoughtful safety and automatic features that take the physical effort and guesswork out of pressure, time, and temperature, so you can press with confidence and peace of mind.
Handle
- Zero Effort operation – it takes just two fingers to close the machine and engage the motors that apply perfect pressure. When the pressing cycle is complete, the press auto-releases so you don’t have to worry about overheating your project.
- Auto-adjusts to materials up to 2 in (5cm) thick. Simply lower the heat plate until it touches your project, then press down on the handle – Cricut Autopress automatically adjusts to apply the perfect pressure to thicker blanks.
- Sturdy steel construction of Cricut Autopress means you can lift the press with the handle on the front of the machine and the handhold at the back of the machine. Two-person lifting is recommended.
Heat Plate
- Large 15 in x 12 in (38 cm x 30 cm) advanced heat plate with ceramic-coated surface
- Self-opening heat plate – when transfer is complete the press opens automatically
- Extra-wide open position – allows you plenty of room to see and safely position your project on the platen
- Precise, even heating from 170° - 400°F (75° - 205°C)
- Fast heat-up times, reaching 400°F (205°C) in under 8 minutes
Control Pod (Included with Cricut Autopress)
- Dial controls help you set the time and temperature for your project
- Presets – comes programmed with quick access to frequently used settings, which are easily reprogrammed to your desired settings
- To reset to factory settings, gently press a paperclip into the hole on the bottom of the pod
- Switch from °F to °C with the toggle on the bottom of the Control Pod
Heat Guide
Our convenient online Heat Guide provides recommended time and temperature settings, as well as stacking, pressing, and care instructions for a variety of heat transfer projects with Cricut Autopress.
Lights
LEDs on the handle give you at-a-glance info on the status of Cricut Autopress:
- Orange = press is heating or cooling to get to target temperature
- Green = ready to use
- Red = press is locked, or control pod is not connected
Pressing Mat (Included with Cricut Autopress)
- The unique patent-pending pressing mat contains all the layers found in Cricut EasyPress mats with an added layer of silicon to keep the mat from slipping.
- The unique design eliminates the need for pressing pillows.
- The pressing mat allows a user to align the project off the Cricut Autopress platen, and then, move the mat and project to the machine all at once for perfectly positioned images.
Additional Safety
- Internal fan assists airflow to cool handle and other plastics while press is in use
- Auto-off – turns off automatically after 13 minutes of inactivity
- UL/ULC/CE/Weee/RoHS Compliant
Storing
- Lock/Unlock switch keeps Cricut Autopress closed when not in use
- If needed, Cricut Autopress may be stored upright (resting on back of machine, locked, with handle pointing up). Remove power cord and USB cable before storing in this manner.
Warranty
- 1 year from date of purchase (may vary based on country requirements)
- Warranty document
How to use Cricut Autopress?
Control pod
Use the control pod dials to adjust temperature and timer specific to your material and blank. You can set the temperature and time while you are getting your base material and design ready to press.
Adjusting the Temperature and Time
- Turn left dial to adjust temperature. One click will adjust the temperature in 5° increments.
- Turn right dial to adjust the timer. It will adjust in 1-second increments or, if turned quickly, 5-second increments.
Note: Once heat plate reaches set temperature, the temperature icon light will turn green.
Things to remember
- Always use Cricut Autopress at room temperature.
- Before using Cricut Autopress, ensure that fabrics and other base materials are completely dry.
- Always turn off and unplug Cricut Autopress when not in use.
Making a project
Begin by designing, cutting, and weeding your iron-on (HTV), Infusible Ink, or sublimation material.
- Preheat base material as instructed in our Heat Guide.
- Place your base material on the platen and center it. Then, put your design on top with shiny liner side up and arrange, so your design will be centered.
- Make sure to avoid seams when using Cricut Autopress. If the heat plate crosses over seams, the design will not receive even heat, resulting in an unwanted transfer effect.
- Your base material can be up to 2 in (5 cm) thick.
- Always use the Cricut Pressing Mat when pressing garments, with silicone side facing down. If pressing thicker materials, you may do so without the mat.
- Adjust heat settings and timer on the control pod by turning the dials. Use the Cricut Heat Guide to determine project settings.
- Slowly lower the top of the press, then press gently on the handle until you feel a click and the pressure motors engage.
- Cricut Autopress will adjust the pressure automatically. No need to set pressure settings.
- To disengage the press, lift the handle and it will open.
- When the timer reaches zero, a beep will sound, and the press will open automatically. One of the benefits with Cricut Autopress is that you don’t have to do a back press.
- Blank, transfer materials, and pressing mat will be hot! Allow project to cool before removing the liner and your finished project from platen.
- To turn off, press the power button on the right side of the machine next to the switch where you lock/unlock the machine.
- Enjoy!