What is Cricut Infusible Ink?

If you love to personalize your own shirts, mugs, or tote bags, then you’ve probably heard of Cricut.

They’re a favorite brand amongst crafters as they have several machines and tools that can enhance your crafting experience.

While you’re not an expert on their products, you use a few of their accessories and are now eyeing a particular product.

Since you hear a lot of positive reviews about the Cricut Infusible Inks, they’ve been on your radar for quite some time.

But what is Cricut Infusible Ink used for?

This article is a comprehensive guide on how to use Cricut Infusible Inks so you can create crafts that could rival even the most professionally made ones.

What is Cricut Infusible Ink?

Cricut Infusible Ink is a heat transfer system that allows you to heat press designs that don’t crack, peel, or fade.

They’re available in 3 mediums: transfer sheets, pens, and markers, so you can get creative with your designs since they have a variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

But if you want precise results, Cricut has several machines and accessories to aid your crafting process.

To create an Infusible Ink project, you just need to cut your design on a transfer sheet and heat press it to the material of your choice.

What is the difference between Infusible Ink and vinyl?

Infusible Ink and vinyl heat transfers may have similar methods of applications. But several crafters prefer to use the former as its ink tends to seep into the fibers of the material you’re using. So when done correctly, you can expect a smooth and vibrant design.

As opposed to vinyl, where its ink only sits on top of the fabric, that’s why they eventually crack or fade over time.

But the great thing about vinyl heat transfers is they’re compatible for use on neon and dark-colored fabrics. In contrast, you can only apply Infusible Ink sheets on white or light-colored materials.

Is Cricut Infusible Ink the same as sublimation?

If you find the method of the Infusible Ink familiar, that’s because it’s Cricut’s version of sublimation printing.

The only difference between the two methods is the type of materials you’ll need to complete a project.

If you want to use an Infusible Ink transfer sheet, you can only select from pre-printed colors and designs and use a Cricut cutter to cut out your design.

After cutting, peel off the excess transfer sheet so you’re left with the outline of your design.

Sublimation printing is less limiting since you can print a design that’s as elaborate and colorful as you like since most sublimation papers are white. 

You also don’t need to peel off any negative space since only the printed ink will stick onto your chosen material.

What is Cricut Infusible Ink used for?

Cricut Infusible Ink is great for adding personalized texts or prints to various surfaces, including your favorite apparel.

A major downside of using the system is it’s only functional on Cricut-compatible blanks.  

But what is Cricut Infusible Ink blanks? 

These project bases are designed to give the best results when printing with Infusible Ink.

You can find them on Cricut’s official website or in selected craft stores, and you can choose between t-shirts, caps, tote bags, wine bags, mugs, coasters, and pillowcases.

Some surfaces suitable for sublimation may work with Infusible Ink, but since it’s not always guaranteed, Cricut refrains crafters from using them.

What is Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets?

Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets are layers of pre-printed solid ink that you can cut or draw on to create your own design.

They’re attached with a transparent film layer so you can heat press your design to your chosen material without the fear of it moving.

Infusible Ink transfer sheet colors may look dull straight out of the box, but when exposed to heat, the ink activates and becomes more vivid.

Like sublimation ink, Infusible Ink undergoes a chemical reaction under optimal heat and pressure and turns into gas. Once the ink cools down, it returns to its solid state and is permanently printed to your project.

What is Cricut Infusible Ink pens?

If you want to add more customization to your designs, you can use the Cricut Infusible Ink pens to draw on your transfer sheets.

They contain the same inks as the transfer sheets, so you can expect a seamless and permanent design.

The pens are also available in a variety of colors, so it’s up to your imagination how colorful or intricate your designs can get.

But if you feel like you don’t have the knack for calligraphy or drawing, the Cricut Joy, Cricut Maker 3, and Cricut Explore 3 can write or draw your designs for you.

What is Cricut Joy Infusible Ink?

The Cricut Joy is a handy machine that cuts or draws your design by interchanging its blade with an Infusible Ink pen, so all you need to do is to fill in more colors or add extra details.

It’s a more compact version of the Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3, so it’s great for smaller projects.

Since it’s only 5.5 inches wide, its lightweight design will allow you to create crafts anywhere you like. You can also connect it to your mobile device so you can control it even from across the room.

Infusible Ink sheets will be too large to fit into the Cricut Joy, but you can cut them into smaller pieces and keep the excess for future projects. But if you don’t want the extra step, there are also 3 pre-printed transfer sheets that fit the Cricut Joy perfectly.

What is the difference between Cricut pens and Infusible Ink sheets?

As mentioned above, Infusible Ink sheets are the primary medium you use to press your designs to a shirt, coaster, or mug.

You can draw or add more details to a design with the Infusible Ink pens to make them more unique and personal.

But if you don’t have a Cricut Joy or Cricut Maker 3, the Infusible Ink Freehand Markers will still allow you to draw your designs. They’re available in the same shades as the Infusible Ink pens, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a shade.

What material is compatible with Cricut Infusible Ink?

Cricut Infusible Ink will work best on compatible blanks, including t-shirts, tote bags, mugs, and coasters.

But since this clever crafter felt a bit limited with the types of materials she could use, she experimented on a few others to find out what else Infusible Ink is compatible with.

She figured out how to print on a ceramic coaster, wooden picture frame, cotton shirt, card stock, and engraved aluminum plate.

The colors may not come out as vibrant as they would on a compatible blank, but the sense of accomplishment for discovering something new would be worth it.

The trick is to use absorbent materials that don’t have a glossy finish that will prevent the ink from sticking. So if you could experiment with the Infusible Inks, what material would you print it on?

What fabric is best for Cricut Infusible Ink?

Cricut Infusible Ink will work best on 100% polyester fabrics since their fibers tend to open up when exposed to heat. This will allow the Infusible Ink to absorb deep into the fabric, making it unfadable.

Polyester blends will also work if the fabric contains more polyester fibers than other materials.

Can you use Cricut Infusible Ink on cotton?

If you use the Infusible Ink alone, the ink will have difficulty transferring into a 100% cotton fabric.

But if you add a layer of vinyl under the Infusible Ink transfer sheet, your design might have a chance to survive.

Pre-treating your shirt with polycrylic could also increase the chances for the Infusible Ink to work. You just need to mix 4 ounces of water with 10ml of polycrylic and spray it on your shirt. Let the surface dry for at least 24 hours; then, it’ll be good to go.

What Cricut Infusible Ink colors & patterns are available?

Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets are available in 19 solid colors, including black, blue, green, lilac, and pink.

Pre-printed transfer sheets are also available in more than 30 colored patterns, including rainbow, galaxy, leopard, and watercolor. 

But if you’re looking for more subdued prints, basic shapes, geometric shapes, black shapes, and black botanicals are available in black and white.

Cricut Infusible Ink pens are available in 4 color sets: basics, watercolor splash, neon, and nostalgia. So you can select whichever color palette you’re drawn to or pick up the 30-color set for a complete collection.

Can you use Cricut Infusible Ink with iron?

Cricut Infusible Ink is ideally pressed with the Cricut Easypress. It’s a digital heat press that comes with its own timer and temperature settings, so it’s convenient to use.

But if you don’t have an Easypress, your clothes iron can be a risky alternative.

Since it has a smaller plate, you’ll need to move it several times to press a big design. So if you’re not careful, this could increase the risk of forming white lines across your pattern because of the overlapping heat and uneven pressure.

But if you want to try this method, you need to pre-heat your iron well. Since the ideal Cricut Infusible Ink temperature for shirts is 385°F (196°C), you’ll need to turn the dial on the highest setting.

When pressing a design, leave your iron on top of your material for 2 minutes but make sure not to move it to avoid ruining your print.

Once the time is up, move to another part of your design and let it sit for another 2 minutes. Repeat this until you get all corners of your print, and let the ink cool down before peeling off the butcher paper and transfer sheet.

The final takeaway

Cricut Infusible Ink is a revolutionary product that allows you to create professional-level projects in the comfort of your own home.

Since they already have the materials you’ll need to complete your projects, this eliminates the time and money you’ll spend testing different materials to figure out which brands will work together.

But since the Infusible Ink will only work best on Cricut-compatible blanks, making crafters stick exclusively to their brand can get expensive and limiting. So we won’t blame you if you start experimenting with printing on different materials to figure out what surfaces you can get away with.

As long as you’re having fun and getting a lot of impressive projects, it’s important to let your creativity guide you.