Personalize Your Shoes: Iron On Vinyl (HTV) on Canvas Sneakers!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY IRON-ON VINYL SNEAKER DESIGNS

My fun sneaker designs for this project are free for you to use. You can get them either as a printable PDF or as an SVG cut file to use in a cutting machine like a Cricut. The pattern file contains the design to personalize your shoes. Download the sneaker designs (Design #204) from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).

Here’s what the uploaded SVG cut file will look like once uploaded to Cricut Design Space: 

(The three designs are on top of each other when you first upload them to ensure they are sized properly -- just click Ungroup and move each design to a new spot on your canvas so you can see them all.)

Tip: If you’re not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you’re on an iPhone or iPad, here’s how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

Measure the width of your sneaker from Point A to Point B (as illustrated below) then adjust your design, if necessary, so the design width matches the width of your sneaker measurement

Now that your design is sized to match your sneaker, copy (Crtl+C or Cmd+C) and paste (Ctrl+V or CMD+V) so you have two copies of your design. Select the copied design then flip horizontally.

Hide or delete the designs you won't be cutting. When cutting this design it does not matter if the design is mirrored. I think it's a good idea to mirror iron-on designs anyway, just to get into the habit of doing it.

To add a name to your sneakers, measure your shoes to see how much space you have to work with. Then in Cricut Design Space, simply select the text tool and a font you like and type your name. Adjust the character spacing if needed. If you ungrouped the text, remember to select all the characters and Attach. If you use a font with touching letters, select all the characters and click Weld. And BE SURE YOU MIRROR your design before cutting.

STEP 2: CUT OUT YOUR IRON-ON VINYL TO PERSONALIZE YOUR SHOES

Before we begin, I wanted to mention that I found glitter heat-transfer vinyl (HTV) worked the best for my designs. Glitter HTV is more forgiving in the weeding and application of the design. This doesn't mean you cannot use other vinyl.

Once your design is ready to cut, click "Make It", then "Continue," then click "Browse All Materials" and choose "Glitter Iron-On."

Place your glitter heat-transfer vinyl pretty side down (so glitter side down) onto a green StandardGrip cutting mat.

Tip: Use a brayer to make sure the vinyl is stuck well to the StandardGrip cutting mat.

Load your cutting mat into your Cricut Explore, Maker, or Joy and begin cutting!

Once cut, unload your cutting mat and weed the excess vinyl away from your design.

After weeding, flip the mat over and carefully peel the mat away from your weeded glitter iron-on vinyl design!

STEP 3: ADD THE DESIGN TO YOUR SNEAKERS

Grab your sneakers, a sock/washcloth, scissors, heat-transfer vinyl and EasyPress Mini (or another way to heat your vinyl).

Stuff your sneaker with a sock/washcloth to give the sneaker support when applying your vinyl.

Set your EasyPress Mini to medium, place a piece of Teflon or parchment paper on your shoes, and pre-heat your sneakers for about 5 seconds.

Tip: I got the iron-on vinyl time and temperature settings from the Cricut Heat Guide. (Choose 100% cotton as your base material.)

Using heat-resistant tape, begin taping the design on your sneaker.

Cut off sections of the vinyl that you do not want on your sneaker. If using premium vinyl, I recommend cutting the design into small sections and piece together.

Below is an example of how I cut my vinyl to fit the sneaker. You can use extra pieces of the design to fill gaps and use on other parts of the shoe like the heel of your sneaker.

Using Cricut glitter vinyl, I used my EasyPress Mini set to high and heated the iron-on vinyl design on my shoe for 25 seconds using a circular motion.

Note: If you have problems getting your glitter vinyl to adhere at these settings, we also found that 30 seconds at high worked well.

Use a small piece of teflon or parchment paper to protect other areas of your sneaker. The heat can burn or discolor unprotected canvas.

You'll especially want to protect the rubber sole of your sneakers.

Once you finish applying the vinyl, remove the the film on a warm peel. You will probably notice that the film starts to lift from the vinyl anyway. Fill in or add pieces of the design to other parts of the sneaker. If you add a piece to an area where there is already vinyl, make sure you cover up the entire area with the teflon sheet.

STEP 4: SHOW OFF YOUR PERSONALIZED SHOES

Below are the finished sneakers from my other two designs. Here is the rose design on my shoes:

And here is the leopard print design on my shoes: