Using Infusible Ink on cotton

To use Infusible Ink on cotton or even dark fabrics, we'll need to add a step and a material to our project. This post explains the process in detail.

Infusible Ink uses the same process as sublimation. This is an ink transfer that penetrates the fibre of a fabric or a surface specifically prepared for this type of transfer.

As far as fabrics are concerned, a polyester fabric is required. And since the ink has to penetrate the fibres, we're pretty much limited to very light fabrics.

To use Infusible Ink on cotton or even on a dark colour, you need to use another compatible material that will be placed between the Infusible Ink and the fabric.

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How to use Infusible Ink on cotton

There are several materials available for applying Infusible Ink to cotton or dark fabrics. The principle is that this material must contain polyester and itself be very light.

Glitter iron-on is usually made of polyester. The one recommended by Cricut is silver prismatic glitter iron-on.

So I tested the Infusible Ink on regular silver glitter iron-on (below) and prismatic glitter iron-on (above).

You can see right away that prismatic Iron-on gives a much better result:

Some people say that white (regular) glitter iron-on works just as well! I didn't have it on hand, but I'd love to try it! If you have, please leave me a comment.

What is prismatic glitter Iron-on?

Prismatic glitter iron-on is a product that came out at the same time as the Cricut Joy Xtra.

This is a Smart material (which can be inserted without a mat) and is currently only available in the Cricut Joy Xtra size. However, there's nothing to stop you from cutting it on a mat with any Cricut.

The difference between regular glitter and prismatic glitter is that the latter is smooth and non-scratchy.

Personally, glitter makes me cringe when I rub against it. Prismatic is completely smooth and soft. On the other hand, it also has a more "plastic" effect.

Use Infusible Ink with glitter iron-on

To use Infusible Ink with prismatic glitter iron-on, you'll need to layer the two products.

You can decide to layer everything evenly so that the Infusible Ink lines up perfectly with the Iron-on or you can create an offset.

For my part, I decided to create an offset and even leave some letters in glitter only.

Required materials

A cutting machine (I used the Cricut Joy Xtra)
StandardGrip mat (green)
Infusible Ink of your choixe
Silver prismatic glitter iron-on (other colours are too dark to allow Infusible Ink through)
Weeding tools
Brayer (optional)
EasyPress (I used the Cricut Autopress)
EasyPress Mat
T-shirt (of your choice)
Lint roller

J'suis pas un cadeau" cut file

There are two ways to get the "J'suis pas un cadeau" SVG file completely free of charge (I also have the "Je suis pas un cadeau" version)

If you are a Cricut Access member, the files are available directly in Cricut Design Space at no extra cost to you. Click on this link to open a project in your browser. Simply click on "Open in Design Space" to save it in your profile.

If you're not a Cricut Access member, you can get the SVG files for free by subscribing to my newsletter below (Already subscribed? Find the link and password at the bottom of all my e-mails).

If you'd like to make the same project as me, you can also follow this link to get the exact project realized in the photo, directly in Design Space and already prepared for you.