How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink Pens: Beginner’s Guide
Hey crafters! Excited to create something new? I will show you how to use Cricut infusible ink pens in this post. Even if you’re a beginner or a pro-level crafter, I would say read this guide once and learn how you can use the Cricut infusible ink pens incredibly. This blog covers a step-by-step guide to creating a project using your Cricut machine and its infusible ink pens.
Now, the big question in your mind is, how do these Cricut pens work? These pens work on the principle of sublimation process where the ink turns into gas form while heated and then again comes back into solid form. Thus, these infusible products from Cricut work best to deliver great results. Explore my blog to learn everything in detail.
What Do You Need to Get Started?
When you’re creating a project, you’ll need some necessary Cricut accessories to get started with it and get exceptional results. Have a look at the checklist below.
- Cricut cutting machine
- Cricut Design Space
- Infusible ink pens
- Cricut Heat Press
- Transfer paper
- Lint roller
- Sublimation blank
- Parchment paper
Using all these accessories, you’ll design the best-looking sublimation design using your Cricut. So, here we go!
How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink Pens to Make a Keychain?
If you want to create something personal that you can always keep with you, a keychain is a good option. Also, it is a bit easier than other projects. Let’s move on to its steps and learn something more.
Step 1: Select a Design From Cricut Design Space
To start, you need to use your Cricut Design Space software to select a design for your keychain. Here, you have all the options to edit your design. I’m using text as my design. You can choose yours. If you want to use a pre-made design, you have the option to upload a design from the Design Space library. To modify it, click on the Edit option on the screen. Also, you can resize your design to fit the blank.
Once you are ready with the design, click the Lock option to fix it. Now, go to the Operation option, change it to pen, and select the size. For instance, I’m using a fine point 0.4 pen. After that, you’ll see the option for infusible ink with its color.
After everything, hit the Make It option and send the design to your machine.
Step 2: Set the Settings for Cricut Infusible Ink Pens
Before you go forward with the next steps, you have to mirror your design before putting it on the mat. Next, choose the size for your Cricut mat and hit the Next button to enter the material settings option.
Then, click on the All Materials option and write “copy.” Now, select your copy paper and hit the Close option. In case you don’t get the desired material, you can use the nearest number.
Afterward, your Design Space software will tell you which color infusible pen you should use first and then. Also, you can go with the on-screen steps and insert your Cricut mat with the paper on it. Next, you can put your first infusible ink pen into the pen carriage and hit the “C” button.
Once your design is drawn on the paper, take it off from the mat carefully. Then, move ahead to learn how to use Cricut infusible ink pens on your blank.
Step 3: Use the Heat Press to Fix Your Design
Take a blank for the keychain. And then, use a lint roller to brush off the leftovers and debris. Now, place the design paper on the keychain blank and cover it using heat-resistant tape. Finally, your design is secured.
In order to prevent your blank from the heat, you need to take 2-3 pieces of copy paper to use them around the blank. When you have covered your blank with the paper pieces, you need to cover it with parchment paper. It will look exactly like this image.
Step 4: Apply the Heat Press
After covering your blank with the parchment paper, you have to place it in the center of your heat press in the center. Next, you’ll have to set the time, heat, and pressure as mentioned in the heat guide.
Apply the heat for about 90 seconds, and then let the design cool before removing the paper. After you do this, use pliers to attach the rings to your blank, and finally, your keychain is ready.
Conclusion
I assume you know how to use Cricut infusible ink pens on your blank to create a perfect keychain project. Ensure that you arrange all the necessary materials to avoid any mistakes. As this was an iron-on project, you must have a heat press. Moreover, the project is sensitive as it includes heat pressing. Hence, it’s always wise to use the Cricut Heat Guide.
FAQs
Can You Use Infusible Ink Pens Directly on Fabric?
No, the infusible ink pens are not meant to be directly used on fabric. As the heating process requires different polyester-based materials, the fabric is not an ideal material for getting the sublimation ink directly. You can rather use vinyl to design anything and then transfer it to any fabric you want.
What Kind of Paper Do You Use for Infusible Ink Pens?
While using infusible ink pens or markers, you need laser copy paper to place on your blank. However, you don’t need to place it directly onto your blank. In fact, it can be used as a carrier to transfer your design to your blank.
Can I Use a Household Iron for Cricut Infusible Ink?
Yes, you can use a regular iron to experiment with iron-on projects. However, it’ll only work for some light materials. But, if your project type is complex and you have to apply heat on a hard surface, you’ll have to use a heat press.
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