There’s a lot of buzz lately about Cricut Infusible Ink. It’s no wonder! This product adds a whole new angle to your die cutting craft projects. If you’ve been admiring sublimation ink projects, you’re going to love these Cricut Infusible Ink Projects.

Infusible ink isn’t sublimation, but it gives you similar results! Get excited to check out these amazing projects that we have rounded up from some of our favorite bloggers (and a few of our own!)

Be sure to check out these 10 Infusible Ink Hacks You Need to Know!

We just love the vibrant colors and the flawless printed results we’ve seen from Cricut Infusible Ink. You’re going to love it too!

All About Cricut Infusible Ink

If you’re unfamiliar with Cricut Infusible Ink, you should definitely check out these posts to learn more about it. Then, be sure to come back and pick out your favorite craft project so you can get started!

Cricut Infusible Ink: What You Need to Know

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cricut Infusible Ink

Cricut Infusible Ink Projects

Coaster Cupcake Stands @ Sugar Coated Housewife

Coffee Mug @ Makers Gonna Learn

See You Later Shirt @ Make Life Lovely

Palm Leaf Tote Bag @ Makers Gonna Learn

Just Chillin’ Summer Shirt @ Giggles Galore

Heart Coasters @ Makers Gonna Learn

Watercolor Makeup Bags @ The Country Chic Cottage

Aren’t these Cricut Infusible Ink craft projects amazing? I love them all but those coaster cupcake stands really stand out for me. I think I’ll be making some for everyone on my Christmas list this year. What kind of infusible ink project would you like to make first?

If you’ve been using Cricut Infusible Ink to make die cutting projects, the next question you probably have is what else can I use with it? Of course, there are the basics: the Cricut blanks you can buy for making t-shirts, tote bags, and coasters, for example. Can you use other off-brand blanks with Cricut Infusible Ink?

Well, if you’re thinking you are limited to Cricut blanks, I have some great news for you. There are so many different materials you can use with Cricut Infusible Ink, that you may have never thought of. From puzzles to license plates, you will get so inspired to create even more Cricut Infusible Ink projects.

Materials to Use with Cricut Infusible Ink

You are not limited to Cricut’s very short list of products. We have several more to share with you to really open up the possibilities of what you can create with infusible ink.

Remember that prices are subject to change without notice on Amazon so be sure to check out the prices for yourself. Prices quoted here were accurate at the time of writing.

Sublimation Hat Blanks

Cricut says that their infusible ink product is not the same as sublimation, but we have found that, in general, any products that work for sublimation, will also work for Cricut Infusible Ink.

That makes these sublimation hat blanks perfect for our Cricut craft projects! Not only that, but these are a great bargain too with each hat costing only $2.99!

Sequin Mermaid Pillowcases

These sequin pillowcases sort of have two sides to them because you can use them with the white side showing or the colored side showing. With Cricut Infusible Ink, you will want to use the white side for the best results.

Each of these pillowcases is only $3.99 so just imagine the amazing gifts you could make with them and really inexpensively too!

Ceramic Christmas Ornaments

These Christmas ornaments are so pretty! We have over 300 cut files for our members here on Makers Gonna Learn just for Christmas so there are tons of possibilities here. Give everyone their own personalized ornament for the holidays – you could even use it as the gift tag on a larger present!

Although they are meant to be ornaments, we think they would make great pendants too. These came in a pack of 10 and the price works out to only $2.50 each.

Sublimation Mugs

I know what you’re thinking. There is NO way you can use Cricut Infusible Ink on a mug. Well, we have found a way. We use our 5 in 1 heat press that has special clamps with it just for working with mugs!

You tape the infusible ink design onto the mug and then wrap the heat plate around it and voila! You CAN create beautiful mugs with Cricut Infusible Ink. Remember, you must use these sublimation mugs – not just any old mug will do! Each mug is $8.99.

Sublimation Jigsaw Puzzles

These jigsaw puzzles are so cool! Think of all the fun gifts you could make with these sublimation puzzles and some Cricut Infusible Ink. You could even make a surprise for someone – give them the puzzle pieces and when they assemble it, it spells out “Will you go to prom with me?” or something like that. So fun!

You do need to be aware that the designs don’t transfer perfectly. They are puzzles so there are grooves and such that will interfere with a flawless result but they are still great! The puzzles come in a pack of 24 and the price works out to only 50 cents a piece! Buy a pack and make gifts for everyone you know!

Sublimation Koozies

These sublimation Koozies would be perfect for parties, weddings, and other fun events like that. Remember that you need to treat these the same way you would fabric but they do work beautifully with Cricut Infusible Ink.

These come in a 12 pack and the cost works out to 74 cents each, making them a really economical choice for favors and gifts.

There we go! You now have plenty of choices when it comes to blanks that you can use with your Cricut Infusible Ink. What will you make next?

Looking for more infusible ink information? Check out these posts:

A Beginner’s Guide to Cricut Infusible Ink

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cricut Infusible Ink

Do I Really Need Cricut Brand Infusible Ink Blanks? – A Comparison

10 Cricut Infusible Ink Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know

Cricut Infusible Ink: What You Need to Know

Are you as excited about Cricut Infusible Ink as we are? There has been so much talk about it recently in Cricut die cutting craft circles. When you think of Cricut machines and all they could do already, it’s pretty amazing, but this product takes things to the next level.

It’s important to know as much as possible about the ink though because the materials are expensive and you want to be sure you’re getting the best value out of them. We’ll be sharing all our Infusible Ink tips and tricks with you! Today, we’ve got 10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cricut Infusible Ink that will help you in your crafting.

10 Things You Didn’t Know about Cricut Infusible Ink

One:

We recommend using the Cricut EasyPress 2 with your Infusible Ink projects to get the best results. You can use the first generation EasyPress but because it doesn’t get quite as hot as the EasyPress 2, the colors of your ink won’t be quite as vibrant. So, even though Cricut recommends using the EasyPress 2, it is possible with the first generation machine too.

Two:

When you use Cricut Infusible Ink markers, you have to be sure that you are using laser printer paper. Inkjet paper won’t give you the right results. You’ll find paper for laser printers at an office supply store. We tried Walmart and they didn’t carry it there.

Three:

You do not have to have a Cricut Maker to use the Cricut Infusible Ink products. You only need the fine point blade (not the adaptive tool system), so it works just fine on any Cricut machine.

Four:

The infusible ink products generally work best with the Cricut brand blanks especially made for these. There are some workarounds for this. The Cricut brand shirts are 95% polyester and 5% spandex. We have found that other shirts that are at least 90-95% polyester also work quite well though.

For example, in our side-by-side test of Cricut brand products and off-brand products, we used Hanes 100% polyester shirts and we think we like the results on these even better than with the Cricut shirts.

You can see all of the products we tested here in our post: Do I Really Need Cricut Brand Infusible Ink Blanks?

Five:

Make sure that the ink design that you’re transferring is no bigger than the heating plate on your EasyPress. It really doesn’t work well at all if you have to pick up the EasyPress and move it to heat another part of the design. It just won’t heat evenly and properly so be sure it will fit completely under that heating plate.

Six:

There is no need to pre-wash your fabric. When working with heat transfer vinyl, it’s crucial that you wash your fabric before you apply the transfer, but not with infusible ink.

Since the ink transfers right into the fabric and the shirts have such a high polyester content, it just isn’t necessary.

Seven:

There are a few unconventional tools that you will need when working with Cricut Infusible Ink. One of those is heat resistant tape. This is fantastic for when you’re working with items like coasters because you can use it to help secure your design in place and keep it from moving around while being heated.

Another item you will need is a microfiber cloth. This is the type you use for cleaning eyeglasses. It is essential for cleaning off surfaces like coasters prior to transferring the ink to them. You want to make sure there are no fingerprints or oils or anything like that to interfere with a successful transfer.

A brayer is another really important tool. It can be the official Cricut brayer or one you pick up from an art or craft store. The brayer will help you place the infusible ink sheet on your mat without handling it too much with your hands. This helps keep it clean and prevent any fading or other problems with the ink.

You have to place the ink sheet on the mat ink side up and you really want to be sure to avoid touching it as much as possible. By placing just two corners down and then using the brayer to lay it down from there, you can get the best results from that ink.

Finally, you’re going to need a lint roller. When working with fabric items, you want to be sure to really go over them well with the lint roller. Even if they’re brand new, right out of the package and seem completely clean of any lint or threads, there may be some tiny bits you can’t see. These will interfere with the proper ink transfer. So, for flawless results, be sure to use your ink roller!

Eight:

When using your EasyPress for your Cricut Infusible Ink craft projects, use very light pressure (or no pressure at all)! You just want to set the EasyPress down and then maybe just place your hand on it for some stability, but that’s it.

For coasters or those types of items, you don’t even want to keep your hand on it. Place it down and remove your hand. The EasyPress itself will do most of the heavy lifting for you! Be sure to follow the instructions for the particular material you are using.

Nine:

Each package of infusible ink sheets comes with butcher’s paper. You can reuse that butcher’s paper as long as there is no ink on it. You will likely need more than what comes in the package though. When buying more, be sure it’s white butcher’s paper. And, it MUST be butcher’s paper (not parchment or wax paper).

Ten:

This ink lasts forever. You know that with HTV and other products, they will eventually wear out but not with this product. The ink is infused and will not flake off. It’s there forever.

What are you going to make with Cricut Infusible Ink?

These 10 Cricut Infusible Ink Hacks are ones you might not already know but really should! If you’re just getting started with Cricut Infusible Ink, you are going to want to check these out. They are going to take your die cutting craft projects made with infusible ink to the next level.

Are you as excited about Cricut Infusible Ink as we are? We love using it! It gives such amazing results. Of course, the more we start using a new product, the more we want to come up with some great Cricut tips and tricks for using it even better!

10 Cricut Infusible Ink Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know

These hacks will help make it even easier to use infusible ink and they’ll help ensure that you get flawless results with it every time!

Tip #1

The first tip is to be sure to keep all of the dirt and oils from your fingers and other items away from the Infusible Ink transfer sheets. Touching those sheets can mean that the oils from your skin are being left behind and interfering with the proper transfer of the infusible ink onto your surface.

Using a brayer can help you get the transfer sheet properly adhered onto your cutting mat without having to touch it as much with your hands.

Pro tip: If you have clammy hands, you might want to wear cotton gloves to help protect the Infusible Ink even better!

Tip #2

The next hack is to always remove the transfer sheet from the cutting mat with the help of gravity. This is one of our favorite tips for working with vinyl too so you have probably seen us do this before.

We turn the cutting mat upside down and gently peel our infusible ink sheet away. The other thing we like to recommend is sort of curling the mat a bit. The transfer sheet is a little bit more like paper than vinyl and this helps it to kind of pop out for you.

Remember, Cricut doesn’t recommend using traditional weeding tools with infusible ink. Instead, they suggest that you try as much as possible to use your fingers. It tends to snap out quite easily so your hands will generally work quite well. Again, handle it as little as possible and wear gloves as needed.

Tip #3

This next trick may sound a little bit crazy, but trust me. It’s really important! Once you’ve cut out and weeded your design and before you turn on your Cricut EasyPress, be sure to lay your design on it to make sure it fits.

This is SO important when you’re using infusible ink. You can’t lift up the EasyPress and put it back down again – it has to be a one hit wonder! You need to apply the heat to the entire design evenly at the same time so be sure that your design will fit the size of your EasyPress.

If you apply heat more than once on some areas, you’ll get greater color saturation in those areas than you will in the others. It will be quite obvious on your finished project and you won’t get the best results.

Tip #4

You don’t actually have to use Cricut brand blanks as the surfaces for your infusible ink projects! We love the Cricut products but they aren’t always a necessity. For many products, if they are at least 90-100% polyester, they will probably work with the infusible ink.

In fact, we actually prefer the Hanes t-shirts to the Cricut ones! We’ve had even better results with them – much more vibrant, saturated colors. If you want to see how some other off-brand blanks compare to Cricut blanks, be sure to check out our “Do I Really Need Cricut Brand Infusible Ink Blanks?” post.

Tip #5

This next tip is VERY important! If the surface for your Cricut infusible ink project is fabric, you must be sure to use a lint roller on it. You want to go over the surface really well, even if the item is brand-new right out of the package. Any bits of lint, dust, or other residue can interfere with the proper design transfer.

If it’s not a fabric surface, then use one of those lint-free cloths that they make for eyeglasses. This will help remove any oils and dirt from your surface before you transfer the ink onto it.

Tip #6

Next, you probably know that you need to use white butcher paper with your infusible ink projects. You can reuse your butcher paper several times as long as doesn’t have any ink on it.

Some butcher paper comes with the infusible ink products but it’s always good to have extra on hand. We bought ours in bulk on Amazon. It was about $20 and we probably have enough on this roll to last a lifetime!

Tip #7

We recommend having 2 Cricut EasyPress mats in your craft room. This way you can use one under your craft project and one inside – for example, inside your tote bag or t-shirt.

Of course, you still need to follow the instructions Cricut provides and make sure to put down some printer paper or something like that to protect your project and your mat from any ink.

Tip #8

This next hack may seem a bit complicated but bear with us and we’ll explain how to do it. We suggest that you preheat your surface before you transfer the ink to it. So, whether it’s a shirt, tote bag, or coaster, you want to apply heat from your EasyPress to it before you use the infusible ink on it.

Here’s the really important part, though. Once you heat it up, you must let it cool down completely before applying the ink to it. Transferring the ink while the surface is still warm could mean a less than perfect result.

Preheating the material helps to get rid of any traces of moisture in it so that you can create a flawless project, but then remember to let it cool down completely before laying down your ink transfer paper

Tip #9

This next tip has to do with using the infusible ink pens. We tested them on both laser printer paper and the regular copy paper. We’re happy to report that they work beautifully with both! So, you can use whichever one you happen to have on hand.

TIp #10

We saved the best for last when it comes to our final hack. If you’re working with mugs, coasters, or anything like that, you can use heat tape to help ensure your design stays in place.

You don’t even have to use the Cricut brand heat tape. We picked up some on Amazon for quite a bit less and it works just great.

If you’re just getting started with infusible ink, be sure to check out our Beginner’s Guide to Cricut Infusible Ink here.

We can’t wait to see what you’ve been making with Infusible Ink. Use these Cricut Infusible Ink Hacks to make it easier. Be sure to share them with us over on our Makers Gonna Learn Instagram account using the hashtag #MakersGonnaLearn.