Print Then Cut Iron-On: Easy Cricut T-Shirt Tutorial

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE PRINT THEN CUT IRON-ON DESIGNS

First, download my free Print Then Cut Iron-On designs from my free library – look for Design #803. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.
TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload files.
Inside the PNG folder, you’ll see three cozy designs: “bloom,” “cat,” and “tea.” I made these designs with the help of AI art generation and adjusted them with image editing software.
For this tutorial, I’ll show you how to Print Then Cut the “cat” PNG design using iron-on transfer paper for colored fabrics, an inkjet printer, and a Cricut Maker 4, then apply it to a T-shirt with a Cricut EasyPress, but you can use the same steps to prepare, cut, and apply the other two designs.

STEP 2: PREPARE YOUR PRINT THEN CUT IRON-ON T-SHIRT DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

TIP: If it’s been a while since you’ve used the Print Then Cut feature, I recommend calibrating your Cricut. Learn more about Print Then Cut calibration in my Fill Patterns in Cricut Design Space tutorial.

1. In Cricut Design Space on a blank Canvas, click “Upload.”
2. Click “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Find and select the PNG of your choice.
   NOTE: I uploaded the “cat” design.
   
5. Click “Open” and then “Continue.”
6. We don’t need to remove the background, so click “Apply & Continue.”
7. Select “Flat Graphic” to tell your Cricut it’s a Print Then Cut project, then click “Continue."
   
   
8. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   
   
   
   TIP: When choosing images for Print Then Cut iron-on projects, choose designs with smoother, less detailed edges for easier cutting and weeding later.
   
9. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
10. The design will upload very large to the Canvas, and you’ll see a red warning icon in the Layers Panel that says your image is too large. Click the icon and select “Auto-Resize Image” to resize it to the maximum size it can print.
    
    
11. To resize your design smaller than the maximum print size, click the “Layouts” icon and choose “T-Shirt.” This adds a shirt template to your Canvas so you can see how large your design will look when worn.
    NOTE: If you don’t see the “Layouts” icon, it may be called “Templates” depending on your version of Cricut Design Space.
    
    
12. Select the shirt type and size to match yours.
    NOTE: I used the “Adult Large” layout.
    
    
13. The shirt template will appear on your Canvas. The shirt shape on the left represents the front, and the one on the right represents the back.
    TIP: When sizing the decal for the front of your shirt, I recommend making and using a T-shirt ruler guide.
    
    
14. Drag your design inside the dashed-line area of the section you want to decorate.
    
    
15. If you need to make it smaller, make sure the Lock icon is closed, then drag a corner handle of the bounding box to resize it proportionally.
    NOTE: Since we clicked “Auto-Resize Image” earlier, the design is already the maximum size to print on a sheet of 8.5” x 11” iron-on transfer paper and it fits the front of this size shirt.
    TIP: Zoom in to the dashed lined areas to see the maximum recommended dimensions for designs placed in those spots.
    
16. Your design is ready to Print Then Cut!
    NOTE: You do not have to delete the T-shirt template from the Canvas – it will not print or cut.
    

STEP 3: PRINT THEN CUT YOUR IRON-ON DESIGN

1. Select your machine at the top right, then click “Make.”
2. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected and “Mirror” is toggled OFF.
   NOTE: My iron-on transfer paper for dark fabric is 8.5” x 11”, or letter-size, so I set my Material Size to that setting.
   
3. Click “Continue.”
4. On the Make screen, click “Send to Printer.”
   
   
5. A window may pop up letting you know that sensor marks (registration marks) will be added to your printed page. Click “Next.”
   
   
6. In the “Print Setup” window, make sure the correct printer is selected.
7. Turn the “Add Bleed” toggle ON.
   NOTE: Adding bleed helps avoid any white edges around the cut design.
   
8. Turn the “Use System Dialog” toggle ON for more control.
9. Click “Print.”
   
   
   TIP: The Print Dialog box may be behind your Cricut Design Space window, so minimize it if needed.
   NOTE: Your Print Dialog box may look different than mine, and that’s okay. Follow the instructions as closely as you can.
   
10. In the Print Dialog Box, change the paper size to match your material, if needed.
    NOTE: I changed my paper size to 8.5” x 11”, or letter-size, to match my iron-on transfer paper.
    
11. Under “Printer Options,” click “Print Settings.”
12. Select the highest quality matte photo paper or plain paper option.
13. Select the best quality print settings.
    
    
14. Insert a sheet of iron-on transfer paper correctly into your inkjet printer.
    TIP: When loaded correctly, the design should print on the side of the paper without lines.
    NOTE: I highly recommend using iron-on transfer paper for colored fabrics (instead of paper for light fabrics) because the results are clearer, more vivid, and more consistent.
    
15. Click “Print.”
16. Carefully remove the sheet from the printer by its edges and leave it to dry face up for 5-10 minutes to avoid ink smearing.
    
    NOTE: A “Verify Print Quality” window may appear, prompting you to check for specific features to ensure a proper cut. Check your print, then click “Done.” If you need to print your design again, return to Step 4 to try again.
    
17. On the “Make” screen in Design Space, click “Browse All Materials.”
18. Search for and select the “Printable Iron-On, Dark” setting, then click “Done.”
    
    
19. Under “Pressure,” select “More” for a cleaner cut.
    
    
20. Place your iron-on transfer paper face up onto a green StandardGrip machine mat, in the orientation shown on your screen.
    
    
21. Place a clean sheet of copy paper over the design to protect it, then use a brayer to adhere the transfer paper well to the mat.
    
    
22. Check that your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
23. Load your mat into your Cricut matching the screen preview and press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
24. Before unloading the mat, use your weeding tool to gently lift along the cut area of the design to see if the cut went through the iron-on transfer paper, but not the carrier sheet.
    NOTE: If it’s not cut through the iron-on layer, you can press the middle button to cut the design in the same spot again.
    
    
25. Once the top layer of iron-on transfer paper is cut through to the carrier sheet, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the entire sheet.
    
    NOTE: If you have any issues with your cuts, check out my Intricate Cuts tutorial.
    

STEP 4: APPLY YOUR IRON-ON DESIGN TO A T-SHIRT

NOTE: If you’re making the T-shirt to gift or sell, I recommend not washing the shirt prior to applying the design to keep the shirt looking new. If you’re making the shirt for yourself, you may wish to wash first to pre-shrink and remove chemicals that could interfere with the iron-on transfer’s adhesion. Don’t use fabric softener, as it can interfere with the adhesion.

1. Preheat your heat press to 350°F (177°C) and set the timer for 30 seconds.
   
   TIP: Always check the manufacturer’s instructions for general times and temperatures, but my HTV Cookbook has lots of tips for this and other projects.
   NOTE: If you are using a household iron, use the setting that matches your T-shirt material, but avoid steam. If your iron has High, Medium, and Low settings, I recommend doing a test using the Medium setting. Follow the steps below to apply a test piece inside the lower hem to see if you need to adjust your settings before pressing your main design.
   
   
2. Use a lint roller to remove lint or fuzz from the front of the shirt.
3. Fold the shirt on the vertical center by matching up the sleeves.
4. Place your T-shirt on a Cricut EasyPress Mat or folded towel to protect your work surface.
5. Use your heat press to lightly crease the fold for about 5 seconds. This will also pre-heat the shirt to smooth wrinkles and remove excess moisture.
   
   
6. Open it up to reveal the crease line, which you can use to line up the T-shirt ruler guide!
7. Place the T-shirt so the area you’ll add the design is over the pressing mat.
8. Place your T-shirt ruler just below the collar seam so the center mark matches the crease.
   NOTE: If you’re not using one of my T-shirt rulers, measure to help place the top of the design about 2-3” below the shirt’s collar.
   
   
9. Fold the sides of your design together vertically, and use the registration marks to find the center.
10. Very lightly crease the top and bottom edges of the design.
    NOTE: These designs aren't symmetrical, so it is easier to find the center before removing the transfer from the carrier sheet. The crease will flatten once the design is pressed.
    
    
11. Peel the design off the carrier sheet, using the weeding tool to help lift the edges as you go. Go slowly to prevent tearing.
    
    
12. Holding the paper face up, align the design with the crease on the T-shirt and the ruler edge.
    TIP: You can prioritize visual balance over perfect centering. If a small piece of your design (like a cat ear) makes it uneven, don’t center using the farthest edge. Center the largest main part of the design on your ruler, then let the tiny detail sit off to the side. This keeps the design looking visually centered on your project.
    
    
13. Remove the T-shirt ruler.
14. Place the sheet of parchment paper that came with the iron-on transfer paper over the design and T-shirt.
    
    
15. Press your design at 350°F (177°C) for 30 seconds with firm pressure. Keep both hands on the press and lean on it with some of your body weight.
    
    
    NOTE: If the design is larger than your iron or press, press it in sections with a tiny overlap to make sure you press the entire design evenly for the correct time.
    
16. Remove the press and place it back in its cradle.
17. Carefully remove the parchment paper once it’s cooled enough that it’s safe to touch.
18. Your Print Then Cut iron-on T-shirt is finished!
    
    
    

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF!

Here are all of my Print Then Cut iron-on T-shirts!