Instructions

STEP 1 - DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILE

Download the SVG Cut file for these American Flag Coasters (#13) from The File Vault. Get access by joining the club.

STEP 2 - UPLOAD THE SVG FILE TO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

If you aren't familiar with uploading SVG files into Design Space, take a look at my quick and easy tutorial here. If you are on your smartphone, here is my tutorial on using the Cricut App.

STEP 3 - UNGROUP THE IMAGE

You only need to ungroup the image if you are resizing for any reason. The file will upload into Design Space grouped but set at the right dimensions for our square coaster blanks ( 3.5x3.5 ). Resize based on your materials specifications by selecting UNGROUP and resizing each of the four coasters.

Click the MAKE IT button.

STEP 5 - PREPARE YOUR MATS AND MAKE MATERIAL SELECTION

Make sure to select MIRROR for each layer.

I am choosing to move my images around a bit to limit wasting product. This is totally optional.

Choose your material. Type Infusible Ink into the search bar under All Materials. Click Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet.

STEP 6 - LOADING YOUR MATS AND MAKING THE IMAGE

When placing your Infusible Ink onto your mat, you will want the ink side facing up. The carrier sheet has wording on it and should be against the mat.

Once you have placed your vinyl onto your mat, load the cutting mat into the machine by pressing the flashing ARROW button.

You will know the machine is ready to cut your material when you see the flashing "C" button. Press that to start the cut.

Once your Cricut is finished cutting the layer, the ARROW button will flash again. Press it to UNLOAD the mat.

Carefully remove the vinyl from the mat.

Repeat this step until all layers have been cut.

STEP 7 - PREHEAT YOUR EASYPRESS 2

According to the Cricut EasyPress Heat Guide, found here, the temperature should be set to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Set that temperature by pressing the temperature icon. Once the temperature starts to flash, you can increase it using the arrows.

STEP 8 - CRACKING YOUR CUT IMAGE

Unlike weeding vinyl, you crack infusible ink transfer sheets. When I first heard this, I thought people were joking but it is true. It actually does make a slight cracking sound. Infusible Ink, in my opinion, is a lot easier to remove the negative space around the cut than with weeding.

Start in one corner and peel away the excess revealing only your cut image on the carrier sheet.

Repeat for the blue layer.

Now take the blue layer and add it to the red layer. This will make your image complete and ready to press.

Note: When combining layers, make sure to have the ink side facing up!

STEP 9 - PREP YOUR COASTER

Take a lint-free cloth and wipe down the coaster. Place your coaster on a few sheets of cardstock that you put over your EasyPress mat. If you need a visual, you can refer to the Cricut Heat Guide above.

STEP 10 - ADD HEAT RESISTANT TAPE

Cut off a piece of Cricut Heat Resistant Tape. Flip the image over so your carrier sheet is facing up. Apply the tape over the carrier sheet. This wil help prevent your image from moving during the heating process.

STEP 11 - PLACE YOUR IMAGE ONTO THE COASTER

Line up your cut image, ink side down, onto your coaster. Tuck the tape behind the coaster to adhere it.

Place a piece of butcher paper over your coaster.

STEP 12 - PRESS YOUR COASTER

According to the Heat Guide, you will press the image for 60 seconds. Change your timer by pressing the clock button on the left for the display on your EasyPress. Once the display flashes, you can change the time by pressing the plus or minus buttons.

You are to apply NO PRESSURE. Just lift your EasyPress 2 up and set it securely on the covered coaster.

Click the green "C" button to start the countdown.

STEP 13 - REMOVE THE BUTCHER PAPER

Once the countdown has completed, the EasyPress 2 will beep. Lift the press straight up and set on it's stand.

Remove the butcher paper. Do not remove the carrier sheet yet.

CAUTION: Your coaster will be HOT!

Repeat steps 9-13 for all four of your coasters.

STEP 14 - ALLOW COASTER TO COOL COMPLETELY

The Heat Guide states you want to do a cool peel for these coasters. That means that you need to wait until your coasters have completely cooled down until proceeding to the next step.

STEP 15 - REMOVE CARRIER SHEET

Once your coasters have completely cooled to the touch, carefully peel off your heat transfer tape and peel away the carrier sheet.

STEP 16 - REVEAL YOUR NEW COASTER

There you have a custom coaster. The ink is not raised like on vinyl. The surface is completely smooth! SO COOL!