Custom Photo Basketball: DIY Personalized Sports Gift!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE PHOTO BASKETBALL DESIGNS

First, download my Custom Photo Basketball files from my free library – look for Design #786. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find my “basketball” panel designs. These contain templates to make Print Then Cut panels from photos.

In the PNG folder, you’ll find basketball demo images for your panels. I made these designs with the help of AI art generation and adjusted them with image editing software. You are welcome to use any of my demo images for personal use, but for a truly custom look, use some of your favorite photos!

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR PHOTO PANELS IN CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.

NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.

2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”

3. Click “Browse.”

4. Select the “basketball” SVG.

5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”

6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.

NOTE: On your Canvas, you’ll see eight numbered panels. Each one matches a specific section of your basketball.

7. Click “Save” and give your project a name.

8. “Ungroup” the design and spread out the pieces.

NOTE: Each panel has a top piece, a bottom piece, and a number grouped together. The panels are split into two pieces because the full panel size is too large for Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature.

9. Each panel matches a section of your basketball. Decide which panels you want to make for your basketball and use the “Trash” icon to delete the rest.

NOTE: I’ll keep the even-numbered panels so I can cover every other section of my basketball, including the section with the basketball’s barcode.

10. Next, click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”

11. Click “Browse.”

12. Select the photo you want to use for your first panel.

NOTE: I’ll use one of my basketball PNGs to demonstrate, but you can use any photo you like.

13. Click “Open” and then “Continue.”

14. On the “Background Remover” screen, you don’t have to remove anything, so click “Apply & Continue.”

15. On the “Convert Upload To” screen, click “Flat Graphic” and “Continue.”

16. Click “Upload” to add the photo to your Canvas.

NOTE: Your image might load in too large for Print Then Cut. If so, you’ll see a red warning icon in the Layers Panel, but it’s OK. We will fix this later.

17. Click the “Minus (-)” icon in the lower left corner to zoom out and see everything on your Canvas.

18. Select your first panel group.

19. Click the “Operation” dropdown, then select the “Guide” option to turn both pieces into pink “Guide” layers.

20. With the “Guide” layers still selected, click “Arrange” then “Bring to Front.”

21. Then drag the selected pieces over your first photo so the part you want to show on your panel is inside the “Guide” layers.

22. If you need to resize the photo so its important elements are inside the panel shape, select it and make sure the “Lock” icon in the Size Menu is closed to maintain proportions.

23. Use the photo’s corner Resize handles to adjust its size, then reposition the photo as needed.

NOTE: Be sure not to change the size of the guide panels, or the photo will be the wrong size for your ball!

TIP: Make sure the photo’s edges are outside the guide so the image doesn’t look cropped when you apply it to your ball later.

24. Next, select the panel group and click the “Ungroup” icon to work with the pieces individually.

25. Drag a bounding box over the photo and just the top panel guide to select them both.

26. Click the “Slice” button to remove the top piece from the photo.

27. Don’t move anything, then drag a bounding box over the photo and just the bottom panel guide.

NOTE: The bottom panel guide might be hidden behind your photo. You can check the Layers Panel to confirm both layers are selected.

28. Click the “Slice” button to remove the bottom piece from the photo.

29. In the Layers Panel, delete all the “Slice Result” layers except the top and bottom photos in the shape of the template.

30. Repeat Steps 10-29 for your remaining panels.

31. Your project is ready to Print Then Cut following the STEP 3 directions below.

STEP 3: PRINT THEN CUT YOUR IRON-ON PANELS

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.

2. Click “Make.”

3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your mats and materials.

NOTE: I’ll use “8.5 in x 11 in” for all my mats to match my printable iron-on material.

4. Keep “Mirror” toggled OFF.

NOTE: Unlike iron-on vinyl, printable iron-on doesn’t need to be mirrored since the design is cut from the top of the material and the adhesive is on the back.

5. If you have a lot of panels, you can combine mats to save time and materials. Select a panel you want to move, then click the icon with three dots and select “Move object.”

6. In the “Move Object” window, select a different mat with available space to reassign the panel to that mat.

TIP: Use your mat previews to find the top and bottom pieces of a single photo and move them onto the same mat to make them easier to find when applying your basketball panels later!

7. Click “Confirm” to move the object to the chosen mat.

8. If needed, drag the relocated object to an empty space on the mat.

TIP: Sometimes objects overlap when moving them to a different mat. If you don't see the moved panel, try repositioning objects until you find the one you’ve added to the mat.

9. Select Mat 1 so it loads first on the next screen and click “Continue.”

10. On the Make Screen, click “Send to Printer” to print your first mat.

NOTE: If Design Space prompts you to calibrate, go ahead and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. If you need help, check out “STEP 3” of my How to Use Fill Patterns tutorial for a complete walkthrough.

11. In the “Print Setup” window, select the correct printer, toggle ON both “Add Bleed” (to prevent white areas around your print) and “Use System Dialog.”

NOTE: Your System Dialog window might be behind the Cricut Design Space window, so minimize it if you don’t see the settings

12. Click “Print.”

13. In the System Dialog Box, make sure the correct printer is selected. Change the Media Type to “Plain Paper” and the Quality to “Best,” or whichever settings are closest.

NOTE: Not all printer settings will be the same, but you can use my choices as guidelines.

14. Load the printable iron-on material into your printer according to the directions on the package.

15. Click “Print” to send the Print Then Cut design to your printer.

16. Let the print dry before handling it to avoid smudges.

17. Back on Cricut Design Space’s Make Screen, set the Base Material for your mat.

NOTE: I used the “Printable Iron-On, Dark” setting with “More” Pressure for my iron-on material.

NOTE: If you don’t see the material in your materials list, click on “Browse All Materials.” Then type in the material’s name in the search bar and select the correct setting from the results.

18. Place your printed iron-on sheet face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat so it matches the screen preview.

19. Place a clean sheet of copy paper on top of the print and use a brayer to make sure the print is fully adhered. Remove the copy paper.

20. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.

21. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut so it matches the screen preview.

22. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.

23. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Make sure the cuts went all the way through the top layer of the material. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.

TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.

24. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the printable iron-on sheet.

25. Repeat Steps 10-24 for your remaining mats.

TIP: Make sure your screen preview and prepared mat match each time so the cuts are in the right spots.

26. Lay out your printed iron-on sheets face up.

27. Your photo panels are ready to apply to your ball!

STEP 4: APPLY YOUR PHOTO PANELS WITH A HEAT GUN

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: I recommend wearing heat-resistant gloves when working with the heat gun for this project. If you notice the gloves are pulling ink from the iron-on material while pressing and smoothing it to the ball, remove heat from the area and allow it to cool for ten seconds, then smooth the material into place with your fingers.

1. If you’re using a new ball, use the pump to inflate your ball according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTE: A basketball should be firm with a slight give.

2. Use isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth to clear the ball of dust or debris.

3. . Find the panel on your ball where you want your first photo to go.

NOTE: Refer back to your Design Space screen if you’re not sure which panel your photo goes on.

4. Match the shape of your printed panel to the corresponding section on your ball to confirm the fit.

5. Carefully peel the printed photo off the backing sheet.

TIP: Use a weeding tool to help lift the material.

6. Position the photo on the panel and hold it in place.

7. Point the heat gun at the iron-on material, keeping its tip a couple inches from the ball’s surface.

8. Turn the heat gun to its lowest setting and make small circles in your focal area, gently heating the iron-on material and pressing it into place.

9. Slowly heat and press the material into place, smoothing as you go to avoid wrinkles, until it’s fully adhered to the panel.

10. Repeat Steps 3-9 for your remaining printed photos.

TIPS FOR APPLYING IRON-ON TO THE BASKETBALL

1. There are two iron-on prints for each basketball, and the panels have different shapes, so make sure your pieces are matched up and fit the panel you’re working on before you start heating the material.

2. For best results, work on one panel at a time.

3. Start by positioning the top piece, and hold it in place as you apply heat to the top of the iron-on material until it stays in place when pressed.

4. Then apply heat down the center of the piece and press it into position.

5. Once it’s secure, apply heat from the center to the edges, pressing and smoothing the material into place until it’s fully adhered

6. Then position the panel’s bottom piece, carefully lining it up with the top piece so the photo is aligned in the center.

7. Then apply heat at the seam and press the bottom panel’s top edge into place.

8. Then heat and adhere it down the center and out to the edges, smoothing as you go.

OPTIONAL: SEAL YOUR BALL WITH MOD PODGE

1. Once your photo panels are in place, use a lint-free cloth to wipe down your ball and make sure it is free of any smudges or fingerprints.

2. Lay a roll of painter’s tape on its side and place the ball on top to stabilize it.

NOTE: I like to position the basketball so I can seal four panels at a time.

3. Use a foam paint brush to apply a small amount of Mod Podge to the top of the first panel.

TIP: You can use any type of Mod Podge to seal your ball, including matte, satin, glossy, glitter, or even glow-in-the-dark!

4. Brushing in one direction, completely cover the panel with an even layer of Mod Podge to fully protect the material.

5. Continue applying Mod Podge to each of the panels on the top half of the ball.

TIP: For a more even finish, apply the sealant to the spaces without material, too!

6. Allow at least 20 minutes for the Mod Podge to dry to the touch, then flip your ball over and apply Mod Podge to the remaining panels.

7. Let your ball dry for 24 hours for a full cure.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

You now have an amazing basketball decorated with personal photos!