Make Print Then Cut T-Shirts with Your Cricut the RIGHT Way!

Jennifer Maker37 minutes read

Jennifer Maker demonstrates how to use Cricut's print and cut feature for creating printable iron-on decals for T-shirts, comparing different transfer brands and providing tips for successful projects. She guides viewers on selecting, designing, and customizing images in Cricut Design Space, emphasizing the importance of sizing, positioning, and preparing designs for cutting and printing.

Insights

  • The print and cut feature on Cricut Design Space, as demonstrated by Jennifer Maker, is versatile and can be utilized for creating various projects such as stickers, wall decals, laptop overlays, and T-shirts, offering a wide range of creative possibilities.
  • Jennifer Maker provides detailed guidance on using Cricut Design Space to design and create personalized iron-on decals for T-shirts, emphasizing the importance of selecting the right materials, adjusting settings for different fabrics, and following specific steps to achieve high-quality, customized results.

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Recent questions

  • How can I create custom iron-on decals for T-shirts?

    To create custom iron-on decals for T-shirts, you can utilize Cricut's print and cut feature in Cricut Design Space. Begin by selecting a T-shirt template and uploading or finding images to use. Resize the images within specific dimensions and ensure they are set for print then cut. Customize the images with patterns, text, and fonts to personalize your project. Clean up imported images for a clean and precise cut, and design unique creations by selecting shapes, applying patterns, and adding text. You can also create designs where the color of the shirt shows through the text by slicing the design elements. Finally, flatten the design, ensure it is within the recommended size range, and follow the necessary steps for printing and cutting the iron-on decals.

  • What materials do I need for creating iron-on decals?

    To create iron-on decals, you will need printable iron-on transfer medium, an inkjet printer, a pressing tool like an EasyPress or iron, and a design in Cricut Design Space. The printable iron-on transfer medium will be used to transfer the design onto the fabric. An inkjet printer is necessary for printing the design, and a pressing tool is required to adhere the design to the fabric. Additionally, having a design in Cricut Design Space will allow you to customize and prepare the images for printing and cutting.

  • How do I ensure a clean and precise cut for iron-on decals?

    To ensure a clean and precise cut for iron-on decals, it is essential to clean up imported images in Cricut Design Space. By removing any unwanted elements and ensuring the design is well-defined, you can achieve a precise cut. Designing custom images within Cricut Design Space involves selecting shapes, applying patterns, and adding text for unique creations. By following the guidelines provided in the software and preparing the design correctly, you can ensure that the cutting process results in a clean and precise iron-on decal for your project.

  • What are the key steps for preparing a design for printing and cutting?

    The key steps for preparing a design for printing and cutting involve selecting a T-shirt template, finding or uploading images, resizing them within specific dimensions, and ensuring they are set for print then cut in Cricut Design Space. Customize the images with patterns, text, and fonts to personalize your project. Clean up imported images for a clean and precise cut, and design unique creations by selecting shapes, applying patterns, and adding text. Finally, flatten the design, ensure it is within the recommended size range, and follow the necessary steps for printing and cutting the iron-on decals.

  • What are the best practices for transferring iron-on decals onto fabric?

    The best practices for transferring iron-on decals onto fabric include pressing the decal at 300 degrees for 30 seconds, repeating the process twice to ensure full coverage of the image. For light-colored transfer medium, mirror the image before printing, and enable the bleed option to avoid white outlines. Set the printer paper type to specialty paper, matte, or transfer medium for best results. When using dark fabric transfers, ensure mirror is off and select the appropriate material in Cricut Design Space. Weed dark fabric transfers carefully by peeling the design off the backing, keeping the surface intact for application. Following manufacturer's washing instructions, waiting 24 hours before washing, turning shirts inside out, washing in cold water, and avoiding ironing directly on the decal will help maintain the quality of the transferred design.

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Summary

00:00

Creating Custom Iron-On Decals with Cricut

  • Jennifer Maker demonstrates how to use Cricut's print and cut feature on The Great Maker Show and Tell.
  • The print and cut feature can be used for various projects like stickers, wall decals, laptop overlays, and T-shirts.
  • Jennifer focuses on creating printable iron-on decals for T-shirts using the print and cut feature.
  • The project requires printable iron-on transfer medium, an inkjet printer, a pressing tool like an EasyPress or iron, and a design in Cricut Design Space.
  • Jennifer compares the effectiveness of different iron-on transfer brands and types for light and dark fabrics.
  • Cricut Design Space's print then cut feature allows for precise cutting of printed images.
  • Jennifer guides viewers on selecting a T-shirt template, finding or uploading images, resizing them within specific dimensions, and ensuring they are set for print then cut.
  • Images in Cricut Design Space can be customized with patterns, text, and fonts to personalize projects.
  • Jennifer demonstrates how to clean up imported images for print then cut, ensuring a clean and precise cut.
  • Designing custom images within Cricut Design Space involves selecting shapes, applying patterns, and adding text for unique creations.

13:33

Creating Personalized Print Then Cut Shirt Designs

  • To create a design where the color of the shirt shows through the text, select both the heart and text, then slice them to remove the letters from the heart.
  • After slicing, move the heart aside to reveal the letters left behind, then delete the excess layers to have the desired design.
  • Changing the color of the shirt will now show through the text, allowing for personalized print then cut images for shirts.
  • Another method involves finding an image, importing it into Cricut Design Space, resizing it to fit, and adding text using a bold font like Impact.
  • Adjust the letter spacing and size to cover most of the image, then position it where desired before using the slice feature to create the final design.
  • Utilizing free designs from Design Bundles, upload the chosen elements to Cricut Design Space, ensuring to select the PNG version for a transparent background.
  • Clean up the design by removing unwanted elements using the erase tool, ensuring simplicity for the print then cut process.
  • Preview the design to ensure no leftover bits, then save it as a print then cut image, resize it as needed, and position it on the shirt.
  • To simplify the cutting process and avoid loose elements, add a white background shape behind the design and send it to the back to consolidate all elements.
  • Finally, flatten the design by selecting all elements and clicking "flatten" in the layers panel to prepare it for cutting and printing.

27:05

Image Preparation for Cricut Printing Success

  • In the layers panel, ensure the image says "cut and print" for readiness.
  • Verify sizing is within 6.75 and 9.25, adjusting if necessary.
  • If the image is too large, an error message will prompt resizing to fit within 9.25 by 6.75.
  • The black box in the mat preview area is crucial for Cricut calibration and cutting accuracy.
  • For light-colored transfer medium, mirror the image before printing.
  • When printing on transfer medium, enable the bleed option to avoid white outlines.
  • Set printer paper type to specialty paper, matte, or transfer medium for best results.
  • Use an inkjet printer for iron-on transfers, not a laser printer.
  • For dark fabric transfers, ensure mirror is off and select the appropriate material in Cricut Design Space.
  • Weed dark fabric transfers by peeling the design off the backing, keeping the surface intact for application.

40:38

Enhancing Fabric Decals with Heat Transfer

  • The process of transferring decals onto fabric was improved by pressing the decal at 300 degrees for 30 seconds, repeating the process twice to ensure full coverage of the image.
  • Using transfer medium for dark-colored fabrics, even on white shirts, resulted in vibrant and smooth designs, with no noticeable quality difference between brands like Jolee's, Silhouette, and Avery.
  • Recommendations include following manufacturer's washing instructions, waiting 24 hours before washing, turning shirts inside out, washing in cold water, and avoiding ironing directly on the decal to maintain the quality of the transferred design.
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