How to Use Cricut Vinyl: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

Hey, are you looking for a simple guide to learning how to use Cricut vinyl or iron on vinyl? Look no further than this blog! In this guide, you will learn to make this baby onesie project in easy steps. Using the vinyl can be trickier for many, especially beginners.

As a newbie, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to use it properly on my shirt, so I took help from many tutorials. Well, it happened 3 years ago when I was learning to create amazing crafts. Earlier, making crafts from vinyl was not my cup of tea, but later, I learned how to create and use a baby onesie.

Anyway, are you ready to learn and dive into this blog? If yes, let’s start by making a simple vinyl project. In this project, I created something for my newborn baby. Want to see how I made it? Let’s join in.

What Supplies Do I Need for Making a Cricut Project?

There are so many items required to complete this project. So, ensure you have all these supplies before you learn how to use Cricut vinyl. Below are the list of supplies you need to get before starting:

  • Bodysuit or other base material
  • Cricut Explore or Maker
  • Iron, Cricut EasyPress, or Heat Press
  • Cricut iron on vinyl
  • Green Standard Grip or Blue Light Cutting Mat
  • Weeding Tool
  • Scrap of fabric
  • And so much more!

Now you have the required supplies, let’s shift our focus to the next section, where I will explain the use of vinyl materials by creating a simple project.

How to Use Cricut Vinyl to Create a Baby Onesie?

There are many things you need to do while using the vinyl. First, you have to create a design and then do some essential settings on your Cricut Design Space, like setting up the material. Finally, you will have to learn to cut the vinyl on Cricut. Let me walk you through each step of using the vinyl:

Step 1: Make or Choose a Design on the Cricut App

So, first of all, I will start by opening a Cricut Design Space on my PC. I haven’t created a design on my app, but rather, I prefer to get these designs from the Cricut Image Library.

But how can I add the design to Design Space? Well, you just need to go to the Images option given on the Design Panel. Then, move to the Search bar and type the following to add the design.

  • Poppin Bottles
  • As Seen on the Ultrasound
  • Nap Hair Don’t Care

After searching the above file name, you can add them to your Design Space canvas. Once images have been added, hit the click Make It button.

Step 2: Mirror Your Design

Here, you will have to mirror your design by hitting the Mirror tab. This step is compulsory; otherwise, your design will be transferred backward. After mirroring your design, you need to click the Continue button to proceed. On the final Make screen, you have to establish a connection between your Cricut machine and computer.

If you are using the Explore model, you have to use the dial to set the iron on material. If you are using a Cricut Maker, you have to select the materials from the list on the computer.

Step 3: Place the Cricut Iron on Vinyl 

Here, the time has come to show you how to use Cricut vinyl. Here, you need to put plastic-side down on your cutting mat. You can use Cricut Brayer to press the vinyl onto the cutting mat.       

Step 4: Insert the Mat and Cut

Now, you will need to insert the mat into your machine and press the arrow button on it. After that, you will need to hit the C (Blinking button) button on your Cricut, and it will cut the project for you. Finally, you can weed your vinyl using the weeding tool.

After the weeding, you will only have your weeded images, and they are ready to be applied to your base materials.

Step 5: Preheat the Base Material and Apply Your Design

First, you need to preheat your base and then place the vinyl on it.

After placing the vinyl on a baby shirt, I just pressed it using my household iron. Here’s the final design.

Final Words

In this guide, you will learn how to use Cricut vinyl by creating a simple project. You just need the essential supplies to create these amazing designs. But after getting these supplies, you must follow the step-by-step tutorial to create a vinyl-based project. Since the process is simple, ensure you do not miss the steps to avoid issues later. In short, just gather the supplies and use the vinyl to create whatever you want.

FAQs

Question 1: How can I apply my Cricut vinyl to my shirt?

Answer: For this, you need to follow the simple steps mentioned below:

  1. First, you will need to put the vinyl design on the shirt. Make sure you are placing the shiny side upward.
  2. Then, you will need to preheat the material for up to 10 to 15 seconds.
  3. After that, you will need to set your iron on vinyl to the cotton fabric settings.
  4. Next, you have to ensure that you are applying firm pressure to heat each part.
  5. Now, you have to let it cool for a while.

Question 2: How can I press the Cricut vinyl on my shirt using the Heat Press?

Answer: Follow the steps to press the vinyl on your shirt:

  1. First, you need to prepare the shirt.
  2. Next, you have to lay the shirt on a flat surface and press the area to preheat the clothes. This will remove the shrinking present on the shirt.
  3. After that, ensure you have cut the vinyl image on Cricut.
  4. Then, you need to apply the heat. First, you should apply the medium pressure for at least 30 seconds.

Question 3: Can I use a regular iron to transfer Cricut vinyl onto my blank?

Answer: Using regular iron or household iron is possible if it can be used properly. However, I don’t recommend anyone to use this press as it can not distribute the heat evenly on the mat. So, you have to ensure yourself whether it is transferring the vinyl on the surface evenly. If not, then you should use the Cricut EasyPress, as it is specially designed to distribute the heat evenly all around the surface.

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