A lot of people buy Cricut because they want to be in a position to be making their own t-shirt designs since it is easy to do just that. Making a shirt with Cricut is not hard at all; it expertly cuts out an iron-on-vinyl design pretty easily and with expert precision.
For a lot of people, it is fun wearing and expressing oneself with a t-shirt they have designed themselves. In the same breath, a lot of people enjoy receiving personalized gifts for anniversaries and birthdays. In this step tutorial, we will have a careful look at the best way anyone can design shirts with Cricut.
How To Make A Shirt With Cricut On Vinyl
When designing a shirt with Cricut design space, there are two factors that one is supposed to take into serious consideration and make sure that everything falls neatly into place.
1. The Design
It is recommendable to stick to one color throughout the design to avoid instances where colors are mismatching or clashing. As a beginner, the ultimate success with the design is key, and therefore, sticking to one color is highly advisable.
2. Cutting and Applying The Iron
This is the ultimate end process when matters related to transferring the design to the shirt are concerned. In this article, we will have a careful look at the steps that a beginner needs to follow to make sure that the iron-on vinyl design is imminently seen.
What A Beginner Needs To Make A Cricut Shirt
Because this article is for the designer at the amateur level, it is right to mention everything that is needed so that the shirt-making endeavor bears fruits.
1. A Plain T-shirt
Cotton is the best material for iron-on vinyl, is cotton. There are two different t-shirts for iron, as listed below.
a) Standard Grip Cricut Mat
This is a green Cricut mat that is used on material with medium weight.
b) Cricut Everyday Iron-On Vinyl
Although there are many different Cricut Iron-On types, this happens to be the most common type, and it is available in many different colors.
2. A Cricut Machine
A Cricut machine is the next important tool to have for the work ahead. There are different types, but all of them do a good job.
3. Design Software
This is downloaded on the computer and is very special since it designs every creative thought that the designer has in mind. Alternatively, it can be used on a mobile device or tablet.
4. Iron
This one needs to be just a regular household iron for transferring the iron onto the t-shirt. When being used, the steam should be turned off.
It is also advisable to have a weeding tool for removing all extra bits of iron-on from the design before it is ironed, an iron-on-protective sheet that helps with the application, as well as an Easy Press 2 that can be used in place of iron. It is much effective and takes less time since it also has a temperature regulation control.
The Step By Step Process Of Making Cricut T-shirts
1. The Design
This is the first design when it comes to making a shirt with Cricut. If the designer is using Cricut Design Space, it is important to have the design uploaded on the left side of the screen. Once the design image is selected, it is important to select the 'Simple' option since it produces the best results.
The next step is to click the whitespace that one would like to cut out. The next step is really important and involves cutting the image from the design tool. The designer should 'Cut Image' and not 'Print And Cut Image'.
Once that is achieved, the next step involves creating the design. This can be made much easier and enjoyable through the use of images and fonts that are available in the design library.
Once the above step is achieved, the next step involves sizing the image and making sure it will fit correctly on the shirt. At this point, it is recommended that one uses a template so as to get the right size.
2. Cutting Cricut Iron-On Vinyl
This happens by placing vinyl on a shiny side on the down part of the mart. If the designer is using the Cricut Explore Machine, it is important to turn the dial to Iron-on. On the other hand, if the designer is using Cricut Joy or Cricut Maker, it is advisable to select Everyday-Iron-On on the drop-down menu.
Once the designer has managed to do that, the next advisable thing is to follow the prompts and let the machine finish to cut the design. Once it is finished, the next step involves removing all excess vinyl around all edges, and if a weeding tool is available, it will make this step absolutely easy and fun.
3. How To Iron-On To A Shirt
This process begins with the designer testing setting the iron to cotton or the hottest setting it has. While at it, it is important that the steam is turned off. The first step is to make the material warm by pressing the iron on it for around 15 seconds.
Once that is achieved, the next step should be placing the vinyl on iron on the fabric. While at this, it is advisable to place a press cloth on top of the plastic so that it does not melt onto the shirt.
4. Peeling Off Vinyl
The iron should be placed on the cloth for not less than 30 seconds. This step should be repeated on both sides of the shirt. After this is done, the next step should be peeling the plastic sheet diagonally such that it is separated from the vinyl. It is worth noting that the peeling off should be done when the plastic is still warm.
By strictly adhering to the above steps, the design will finally get to the t-shirt and will be ready to be rocked.
