How to Use a Cricut EasyPress

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After posting my last set of DIY travel tees, I got some comments about having or wanting a Cricut® Maker machine or the Cricut® EasyPress™ but you don’t know how to use it or don’t know where to start. I’m going to walk you through how EASY it is to use the products with our partners at Cricut starting with the basics and a Cricut EasyPress. The AWESOME news about this easy project? You don’t need a cutting machine of any kind!

Ok, so how do you make a GORGEOUS personalized shirt like that one? It’s easy I promise. You don’t have to be a graphic artist or even a technology pro. Cricut wanted to make it even easier for us to make custom gifts like tees, tanks, hats, bags, onesies, blankets, towels, etc. that they JUST introduced a line of Iron-On Designs – pre-made already designed for you, ready to press, FUN designs! Check out the 50+ designs available in sizes large and small here (plus more to come soon).

HOW TO USE A CRICUT EASYPRESS

Ok let’s get into it. Here’s how you use a Cricut EasyPress with the new Cricut® Iron-On Designs™

Supplies:

Cricut EasyPress
Cricut EasyPress Mat
Cricut Iron-On Designs of your choice
T-shirt, tank top, apron, bag, towel – whatever you want to personalize (Tip – check out the EasyPress settings from Cricut to see what type of items are and aren’t recommended for use with the new Iron-On Designs)
Iron-On Designs used in this post: Sunshine is My Favorite Color / Sleep In / Dreamer

Yep, that’s it! Here’s how you do it.

Plug in your Cricut EasyPress and turn it on.
Adjust the temperature and time settings according to the EasyPress Settings from Cricut (Note: these are different than the settings if you’re using a regular iron). So for this cotton tank the setting is 340F at 30 seconds. We’ll talk about the other notes on the settings in a minute. To adjust press “Temperature” then the + or – buttons then “Temperature” again. Repeat for the Timer.
Place your EasyPress mat on your work surface (you should be able to read the Cricut logo if it’s placed with the correct side up).
On the EasyPress Settings it recommends a pre-heat of 5 seconds. This just means place your (hot and ready) EasyPress onto your shirt for 5 seconds to heat it up a bit and “prep” it for your Iron-On. You don’t need to adjust the time or anything for this, just count to 5.
Take your Iron-On Design out of the packaging and place it face up onto your pre-heated shirt.
Place your EasyPress on top and apply light pressure. Press the “Cricut” button on the EasyPress to start counting down your time for you. (Tip: if your design is larger than your EasyPress just do 1/2 at a time and repeat for the other 1/2).
Once the timer “beeps” lift up the EasyPress and resist the urge to peel off the Iron-On – it will be HOT!
Refer back to the EasyPress settings to see if there are any “post-heat back” recommendations. For cotton it has a post-heat back (leave liner on) for 15 second recommendation. So we’ll turn this shirt over (without removing anything) so the design is on the EasyPress Mat and place the EasyPress over the shirt where the design is for 15 seconds. To adjust the timer on your EasyPress just press “timer” and then the – button until it’s at 15 seconds and then press “timer” again.
Turn your shirt over and allow to cool COMPLETELY.
Once cool, peel off the Iron-On liner and marvel at your craftiness.

Care Instructions:

Allow 24 hours after application before washing.
Wash and tumble dry inside out.
Do not bleach.
If you need to iron, only iron on the backside of the garment.

TIPS FOR USING AN EASYPRESS AND NEW IRON-ON DESIGNS

Some tips:

Settings are different if you are using an iron or the EasyPress. Refer to the recommended settings.
Settings are also different if you are using a towel over your surface or the EasyPress mat. Refer to the recommended settings.
I think this goes without saying, but if you’re crafting with kiddos, watch them around the EasyPress (just like an iron) it gets HOT.
If using felt like I did for the hat, choose simple designs. The Iron-On is sticking to the top layer of “fuzz” unlike a smooth cotton so peeling off the backing can be tricky. I found it helpful to use a razor blade (like the cheap kind you shave with) over the area I’m applying the iron-on to to smooth out some of the extra “fuzz”.

IDEAS FOR THINGS TO MAKE WITH THE NEW CRICUT IRON-ON DESIGNS

I absolutely love that they’ve made it easier for people to get creative. These new Iron-On Designs make it SO quick and easy. Even if you do love to create your own designs, it’s pretty awesome to be able to just grab a design, press it on, and be out the door with a beautiful, custom gift in literally minutes. Here are just some ideas of things to make with the new Cricut Iron-On designs and your EasyPress:

Shirts
Hoodies
Tote bags (or gift bags)
Towels (kitchen, bath or beach)
Aprons
Felt hats
Pajamas
Blankets
Onesies
Burp cloths
Pillows
Wall hangings

Ok, now that you’ve gotten the step-by-step, tips and ideas you should be ready to tackle your own project! Was this helpful? Would you love a video? Let me know!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.