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Cricut Autopress: Using iron-on/HTV materials

Edited: September 27, 2023

Iron-on (HTV) Instructions

Note: Refer to the Cricut Heat Guide for specific stacking, time, and temperature settings for your project. 

 

What you need:

  • Cricut smart cutting machine
  • Design Space on computer or mobile device
  • Cricut Autopress
  • Cricut Pressing Mat
  • Cricut Heat Guide
  • StandardGrip cutting mat
  • Fine Point or Premium Fine Point blade
  • Cricut Iron-On (HTV)
  • Weeder
  • Base material

 

Preparation

  1. Prewash fabric base materials without fabric softener to pre-shrink and remove chemicals that may prohibit strong adhesion.
  2. Recommended: To verify cut setting, perform a test cut using a small basic shape.
  3. Recommended: To verify application setting, apply test cut in an inconspicuous area on the base material.

 

Design, cut, and weed

Note: Many types of iron-on (HTV) can be used in multi-layer designs. Refer to manufacturer instructions for guidance on how to layer with your specific material.

  1. Select and size your design in the software. Be sure to Mirror your mats in Design Space before cutting.
  2. Select your specific iron-on type from the list of materials.
    • If using a Cricut Explore Air 2 or older machine, turn Smart Set Dial to Custom.
  3. Place iron-on sheet, liner side down, onto Cricut StandardGrip cutting mat.
    • If using Smart Iron-On with Cricut Joy, Cricut Explore 3 or Cricut Maker 3, it may be loaded into the machine without a mat.
  4. Load it into the machine and cut your design.
  5. When the cut is complete, weed your image.

 

Apply

  1. Preheat base material as instructed in our Heat Guide.
  2. Place the cut design on base material with shiny liner side up and arrange blank on pressing mat. Transfer mat and material blank to platen.
  3. Always use Cricut Pressing Mat when pressing garments, with silicon side facing down. If pressing thicker materials, you may do so without the pressing mat.
  4. Slowly lower the press by pressing gently on the handle until the press motors engage.

Important: 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.

Tip: To help avoid unwanted transfer effects due to bulky seams, zippers, buttons, etc., open your blank and "thread" it on the mat/platen so that only one layer of material sits on top of the mat, and the rest of the blank is tucked underneath/around the platen.

  1. When the timer reaches zero, a beep will sound and the press will open automatically. One of the benefits of Cricut Autopress is that you don’t have to do a back press!
  2. Blank, transfer materials, and pressing mat will be hot! Allow project to cool before removing the liner and your finished project from platen.
  3. Enjoy!

 

Care

  • Wait 24 hours before washing embellished item.
  • For longest life, wash and dry embellished items inside-out.
  • If areas of iron-on material lift after washing, simply follow the complete application instructions to reapply.

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