If you’re a crafter, you know that a heat press is a must-have tool. This little machine lets you easily create professional-looking heat transfer projects, and it’s a great addition to any crafter’s toolkit. This Cricut Heat Press Guide will discuss the different Cricut heat press options, what you can make with them, costs, and more. Keep reading if you want to learn more about this must-have crafting tool!
This post is sponsored by Cricut. All opinions and projects are entirely my own.
What is a heat press, and what can you make with it?
First, you might be wondering what exactly is a heat press. A heat press is a device that uses heat and pressure to fuse two materials when crafting to create professional-looking projects after cutting Iron-on vinyl or Infusible InkInfusible Ink with a Cricut cutting machine. It can maintain an equal temperature across the entire plate in a way that a regular household iron cannot. You can use a heat press to create all sorts of things, including t-shirts, tote bags, hats, and more.
When buying a heat press, you have many options on the market, but Cricut makes my all-time favorites. Their machines are perfect for crafters of all levels and are easy to use straight out of the box. They come in various types and sizes, so you’re sure to find one perfect for your needs.
What are the different Cricut heat press options?
There are many different Cricut heat press machines on the market, each with unique features. So which one is right for you? Here’s a breakdown of the different Cricut heat press options:
Cricut EasyPress Mini
Reg. Price: $69.99
Don’t underestimate the smallest of the EasyPress heat presses! Even if you have another larger press, the Mini is perfect for all of those small, hard-to-reach areas of a project. The Cricut EasyPress Mini comes in two colors: Zen Blue and Raspberry. Great for iron-on vinyl projects, glitter iron-on, Infusible Ink, and so much more!
Cricut EasyPress 2
Reg. Price: $189.99 – $239.99
The Cricut EasyPress 2 machine is an excellent option for crafters. This machine is easy to use and comes in two sizes (12″ x 10″, 9″ x 9″), so you can find one that’s perfect for your needs. It can reach temperatures up to 400? (205°C), making it compatible with most heat transfer vinyl, Infusible Ink, and sublimation projects. It’s also lightweight, so you can take it wherever you go.
Cricut EasyPress 3
Reg. Price: $199.99 – $249.99
The Cricut EasyPress 3 is their latest heat press line update. This machine is even easier to use than the Cricut EasyPress 2, thanks to the corresponding Cricut Heat app and Bluetooth connection that takes all the guesswork out of crafting. The app sends the perfect time and temperature settings to the machine and gives you step-by-step instructions on completing your project. It comes in the exact sizes as the Cricut EasyPress 2 (12″ x 10″, 9″ x 9″) and can reach the same high temps.
Cricut AutoPress
Reg. Price: $999.99
The Cricut AutoPress is perfect for crafters who want to take their crafting to the next level. This machine offers various features that make it super easy to use, including a wide heat plate opening, stand-alone digital display (with programmable one-touch buttons), and practically zero effort to close. The Cricut AutoPress self adjusts the pressure for items up to 2 inches thick, so you can count on it to produce flawless results every time. It even auto-releases when your project completes!
Cricut Hat Press
Reg. Price: $149.99
The Cricut Hat Press machine is one of the newest additions to the Cricut heat press family and possibly, one of the most fun! Whether you’re using iron on vinyl or Infusible Ink, the curved nature of the press makes hat crafting a breeze. The Cricut Hat Press also connects to the Cricut Heat app via Bluetooth, so you’ll get detailed instructions on making your next favorite ball cap!
Cricut Mug Press
Reg. Price: $199.99
The Cricut Mug Press creates precisely what the name suggests…mugs! It works perfectly with Infusible Ink to create custom mugs that can withstand time. Whether creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces from your kids’ art or adding business logos, the Cricut Mug Press is essential for any crafter!
How much does a Cricut heat press cost?
Cricut heat presses range in cost from $49.99 to $999.99, depending on the model and features you choose. The exact prices can be seen in the paragraphs above. Before choosing your machine, you should evaluate what kind of projects you’ll be making most of the time.
Do you own a business and use your machine daily? The AutoPress might be the perfect investment in your business! Are you interested in making occasional t-shirts or bags? An EasyPress 3 will probably fill your needs, and the EasyPress Mini is so reasonable that you can’t go wrong!
The only caveat I will mention is when choosing between EasyPress 2 and EasyPress 3. I think having a machine connecting to the Heat App via Bluetooth is worth the additional $50. It’s super handy if you want it to produce flawless results. Trust me. It’s worth the investment!
Also, remember that Cricut has great sales from time to time, so you’ll want to sign up for their newsletter to be notified!
How to use a Cricut heat press?
Now that you know all about Cricut heat presses let’s discuss how to use one. Using a Cricut heat press is easy, but there are a few things you need to know before getting started. For this Cricut Heat Press Guide, I’ll make a “Totally Rad” t-shirt with my EasyPress 3 and Cricut Iron-on. You can also use AutoPress and EasyPress 2 for this project.
Not sure which Cricut machine you should buy?
Check out this article:
Cricut Maker Vs. Cricut Explore: Everything You Need To Know!
Here’s an overview of how to use a Cricut heat press:
- Choose your project – First, you need to decide what you want to make. You can find many different projects over on Cricut Design Space, so take some time to browse the options and choose one that interests you. I’m using my “Totally Rad” design available over Design Space. Follow me over on Design Space!
- Select your type of material – Once you’ve decided on a project, it’s time to select your materials. You’ll need HTV (heat transfer vinyl) or Infusible Ink for most heat press projects. I’ll use black and white Cricut Everyday Iron-On vinyl in this project. Cricut also has great blanks for base materials if you’re working with Infusible Ink!
- Cut your design – Once you have your materials, it’s time to cut your design. Load your HTV onto a cutting mat (shiny side down) and feed it into your Cricut machine. Cricut Maker 3 is my favorite, but the Cricut Explore line or Cricut Joy will also work.
- Weed your design – Once your design is cut, it’s time to weed it. In case you’re unfamiliar with it, weeding is the process of removing the excess vinyl from your design.
- Preheat your garment – Before you apply your design, you need to preheat your garment (preferably with a Cricut EasyPress Mat). Preheating will help the vinyl or HTV adhere to the fabric better. If you’re using an EasyPress 3, it’ll instruct you to complete this step via the Heat App. If not, you can use the handy Cricut Heat Guide page to help direct you.
- Apply your design – Once your garment is preheated, it’s time to apply your design. Place your cut design on your garment, apply pressure to the design with your Cricut heat press machine, and hold for the recommended time.
- Remove your design – Once the recommended time has elapsed, remove your design from the garment. You can cool peel back the protective liner when it’s cool to the touch.
- Enjoy your new project! – That’s it! You’ve now completed your Cricut heat press project. All that’s left to do is marvel at your latest creation.
What projects can you make with a Cricut Heat Press?
You can use a Cricut heat press to create various projects, including t-shirts, hats, and tote bags. Here are some examples of Cricut heat press projects I’ve made in the past:
- T-shirts & Sweatshirts (Make a Super Cute and Easy Easter Bunny Hoodie!
- Tote bag (How To Make a Día de Los Muertos Calavera Tote)
- Holiday Decor (Mini Bunny Easter Baskets)
- Porch Decor (Reversible Halloween & Thanksgiving Cricut Vinyl Sign)
- Pencil Case (Back To School Collapsible Pencil Case with Cricut)
- Gift Bags (Back To School Teacher Gift with Free SVG File)
- Pillowcase Canvas (Fourth of July Pillow Cover)
- Wall art (Personalized Letter to Santa Wood Sign with Cricut Explore Air 2)
- Coaster (Zombie Onesies & Coasters with Cricut Infusible Ink)
- Mug (Introduction to the Cricut Mug Press!)
- Classroom Decor (Make Your Own DIY Classroom Decor with Cricut)
- Even Custom Shoes! (Make Halloween Shoes with Cricut and EasyPress Mini!)
If you’re looking for an easy way to create professional-looking projects, a Cricut heat press is the machine for you. In this Cricut Heat Press Guide, we’ve discussed all you need to know about Cricut heat presses, from what they are to how to use them. We’ve also shared a few project ideas so you can start immediately. So what are you waiting for? Get creative and start crafting today!
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