We all love to customize things and clothes according to our needs and likes. Do you know that you can make your own shirts now? With Cricut, you have the freedom to customize your clothes. The Cricut machine is a digital cutting tool through which you can personalize your t-shirts. If you are a DIY enthusiast or like to customize your clothes, you need a Cricut machine. You can create a variety of shirt designs using different materials with Cricut.
Many materials are available, but iron-on vinyl or HTV is used to make shirts. There are different iron-on materials available, which we will read about in this blog. Read this post to learn ‘how to use a Cricut to make T-shirts‘.
Types of Iron-on Materials Used to Make Shirts
Different types of materials are available to create shirts, but iron-on materials are the most common because they allow you to seal your design. Here are some iron-on materials that you will need for shirt-making:
Everyday Iron-on
This heat transfer material works after even 50 washes. It has a classic finish, and solid colors can be used freely under other colors. It is also compatible with all the Cricut cutting machines.
Vinyl Textured Iron-on
As you can recognize from its name, this vinyl has a texture. Its finishes allow you to make super cool shirts. You can use a holographic iron and many other colors and patterns, like rainbow, ombre, tie-dye watercolor, etc. This type of material can be applied through heat. You can also use glitter, but it should be in the top layer, not under the layer.
Infusible Ink
It is a type of ink that is directly transferred to the fabric. There is no bonding of the material outside the shirt. It becomes part of the fabric itself, not unlike the iron-on material, which sits at the top of the fabric.
How to Use a Cricut to Make Shirts: Quick and Easy Steps
Follow these steps to know what materials you need for your project and what steps you will have to follow to make the design for your shirt.
Step 1: Materials You Need for Your Project
The tools and supplies needed for your project are given below.
- Cricut Maker 3
- Fine-point blade
- Cricut EasyPress 3
- Machine mat, which is compatible with your heating press
- Type of vinyl
- Weeding and tweezer toolset (to remove the extra materials)
- Cutting ruler
- Heat resistant tape
- Artwork and design of choice
Step 2: Create a Design in the Cricut App
Here are the steps you have to follow to make your shirt design using the Cricut Design Space app:
- Start from scratch. Click on the New Project section on the app’s home page and select a font from the software’s left-hand side.
- After selecting a font, write what you want to print on your shirt.
- After writing it customized to your liking, change the font. If you want to curve it, click on the text, and a window will appear, showing you the level to adjust the curve.
- Then, you can put the words in a box and click on attach in the lower right corner. This will ensure that the cutting machine cuts them exactly as they are.
- This step is optional, but you can click on the top left side of the app to see the Template option. Scroll to see the templates available for shirts; you can see how the shirt looks after you make your design.
- Now, the shirt template will show on your canvas, and you can see the design size when you are done. Remember to save the project. When you are done, click the “Make It” button in the upper right corner. Make sure you toggle the Mirror option to green. It needs to be done if you are working with iron-on materials.
- Next, Design Space will send information to the cutting machine.
- Lastly, unload the materials and cut out the excess iron-on material. Now, it is time to stick the design on your shirt.
Step 3: Applying Your Design to Shirt
- First, preheat your Cricut EasyPress machine. You need to download the Cricut Heat app. Then, put your shirt on the machine mat and put a towel on it to remove any moisture. You can also use a lint remover to take off any residue.
- After that, take your design, place it on your shirt where you want, and use heat-resistant tape or butcher paper so that the design won’t shift or stick to the press machine.
- Ensure the butcher paper is large enough to fit your design and the machine. Now, press it with the preheated machine. When it is done, cool the fabric and remove the butcher paper.
Finally, you have learned how to use a Cricut to make shirts at home. Now, you can begin your crafting with your cutting and heat press machines effortlessly.
Final Words
With the ‘Cricut Design Space app‘ and cutting machine, you can now design and personalize your shirts with iron-on vinyl, infusible ink, or any other material. The best thing is that you can create your shirts with different patterns/ graphics or glitter however you want. It is super easy to use, and you can design as many shirts as you want.
The Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker 3 are both compatible with Design Space, and you can use both cutting machines to make the design of your shirt. Take care of your custom shirts, and they will last as long as you want them.
FAQs
Which Cricut machine is suitable for making shirts?
The Cricut Explore Air 2 and Cricut Maker 3 are great for making shirts. To use your machine, you have to download the Cricut Design Space software, which is easy to use on your device. Both machines can cut various materials, such as iron-on vinyl, everyday iron-on vinyl, and holographic vinyl.
Why does my design come off my T-shirt?
This is a general problem people face. It could happen for various reasons, but common causes are that the design is not cooling down properly, and you are trying to pull it, so it is not sticking to the shirt fully. It also depends on which type of vinyl you are using. Some vinyl lasts longer, and some do not.
How can I make my Cricut designed shirts last longer?
You can keep it safe by folding and keeping it in the correct way. You can use infusible ink so that your design will last longer. Wash it in cold water and preheat your shirt before applying the design so that the chemicals will be removed from your shirt and the design will stick properly to it.