How to Use a Cricut to Make Shirts: A Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. cricutdesignspace-setup How to Use a Cricut to Make Shirts : A Step-by-Step Tutorial February 04, 2024   Hey! Do you know how to use a Cricut to make shirts? When I say Cricut, I mean Cricut Design Space and cutting machine. Yes, the term ‘Cricut’ is related to both of them. Design Space is a design software that provides us with a platform to create unique designs, and a cutting machine is a tool that cuts out your design. Here are two questions that arise in my mind. The ?rst is how to use the Cricut Design app to create a design, and the second is how to use a Cricut cutting machine to cut designs. In this blog, I will answer both questions individually. So, get your Cricut machine and install the Design Space on your computer or mobile phone. And then, let’s learn how to make custom shirts using Cricut. Now, let’s delve into this blog! What Cricut Tools and Materials Do You Need for Your Craft? Before I teach you how to use a Cricut to make shirts, let’s learn about the supplies I use to make shirts on Cricut. I have provided some of the best and most basic tools or materials you must use while working on the shirt project. Here are the supplies I used in my Cricut project: ●Cricut Explore 3 ●EasyPress Mat ●Cricut EasyPress 2 ●Material Trimmer ●Smart Iron-On, White ●T-Shirt Blank ●Weeding Tool How to Use Cricut Design Space to Create a Shirt Design?   First of all, I will teach you how to use Design Space for creating a design. To make it easier for you, I will show you how to create a design from scratch. Don’t worry; the design is going to be very simple, as I will be adding the text-based design only.  Let’s get started! 1. First of all, you will need to open a Design Space on your computer. 2. Then, go to the My Project (shown in the picture below) option to start a new project.  1. Afterward, move to Canvas and navigate to the Text (on the left sidebar) menu to add the text. 

2. 1. Now, you will need to add the text that you like. 2. You can also change the font of your text. For this, you just need to click on the Dropdown menu from the top screen saying Font.       1. Hence, choose the font you like. Here, I have chosen Trade Gothic LTD Bold for my T-shirt project But here I am, not just adding the text but also curving it. So, if you want to curve your text, select the text ?rst and then hit the Curve option from the top of the screen.  Once you are done with your design, you have to press the Make It button to begin cutting. But wait! Have you mirrored your design? If not, you can simply turn the Mirror toggle button on. Once done, move to the next section, where you will use a Cricut machine to cut the design on iron-on vinyl.  How to Use a Cricut to Make Shirts? Here comes the exciting part in which I will walk you through each step to cut design on HTV material. To cut the vinyl design on Cricut, follow the following instructions: 1. Make sure you have selected your compatible materials on Design Space. 2. Now, place your vinyl on the cutting mat. Use the brayer tool to ensure the vinyl is properly adhered to the mat. 3. After that, load the mat into your Cricut cutting machine.  1. Next, you need to press a Flashing Arrow button on your machine to start cutting. Once the cutting is done, you have to unload your mat. 1. Then, start weeding your design. 2. Afterward, you must place the shirt on an EasyPress mat and preheat it using Cricut EasyPress 2. 3. After preheating, place the weeded vinyl on a shirt and press the Heat Press with the recommended timing and pressure. 4. Finally, here you have learned how to use a Cricut to make shirts by creating a simple project.  FAQs

3. Question 1: What types of shirts should I use for Cricut? Answer: If you use a Cricut iron-on, you can’t transfer your iron-on vinyl to any shirt. For this, you will need a shirt made of 100% cotton or polyester—however, a combination of 50% cotton and 50% polyester will also be suitable. Therefore, whenever you are going to add your vinyl design to your blank shirt, you must use a high-quality blank shirt. Using a good quality shirt will ensure the smooth transformation of your shirts. Question 2: Can I use Cricut vinyl on shirts?  Answer: Yes, absolutely, you can use the vinyl on shirts. In fact, Cricut machines are very compatible and cut the vinyl smoothly without any interruption. In simpler terms, all the cutting machines are compatible with cutting the vinyl. So you can easily cut the vinyl on the T-shirts. The Cricut Maker 3 machine is one such machine that can cut over 300+ materials easily in one go, including vinyl. Question 3: How long does permanent vinyl last on fabric? Answer: If you use permanent vinyl on your fabric or clothes, it will last up to 5 to 15 years. It also depends on what type of brand you are using for your vinyl. However, many other crafters recommend using heat transfer vinyl (HTV), which is thin and durable. In addition, it is easily stretchable, making it ideal for your fabrics.  Conclusion Now, you might have understood how to use a Cricut to makeshirts with this step-by-step tutorial. In this blog, I have added the essential supplies needed for this project. Moreover, I have divided the whole tutorial into two sections. In the ?rst section, I explain how to create a design on Design Space. Meanwhile, the second section is all about placing the vinyl on a cutting mat and cutting it on your Cricut. That’s all in this blog. Good luck with your project!       cricut accessories cricut design space cricut explore air 2 cricut.com/setup cricut.com/setup maker 3 design.cricut.com/setup How to Use a Cricut to Make Shirts how to use Cricut design space To leave a comment, click the button below to sign in with Google. SIGN IN WITH GOOGLE