How to Use the Cricut Mug Press
LEARN HOW TO CREATE A FUN AND EASY GIFT FOR ANY COFFEE LOVER WITH THE CRICUT MUG PRESS
I am so excited about the Cricut Mug Press! I have wanted to get into sublimation for some time but always have been VERY intimidated. Not anymore!
In this article, I will go over the new machine and how to use it. I put together a bundle of 11 designs for you to try out on this new machine. They range from the cute to funny to naughty. I will be showing you how to use one of these designs a bit later in this post!
THE BASICS
COMPATIBILITY
Due to the Mug Press being a standalone machine, it can be used with any of your Cricut cutting machines. The Cricut Joy is great for cutting mug press designs!
LET THE MACHINE DO THE WORK!
There is no guessing with the Cricut Mug Press! It takes the temperature of your room and mug then presses it for as long as necessary in order to create flawless results!
COMPATIBLE MATERIALS
Cricut has come out with a line of infusible ink that is “sized appropriately” for the Mug Press. While I can see this as convenient, I don't know if it is necessary to have a box of ink just for the press. They also, at the time of writing this, only have a small selection of colors and patterns.
I would recommend the regular Infusible Ink boxes and even the Infusible Ink made for the Cricut Joy. In the tutorial below, I use a box of ink I bought for my Joy machine. The smaller size means less cutting!
You can also use the Infusible Ink markers and pens! You can draw designs or have your cutting machine draw out an image for you to press! So freakin' cool!
Another material you can use is sublimation paper and designs made with a sublimation printer. Seriously, the possibilities are endless!
It is recommended that Cricut Mug Press be used in conjunction with any mug suitable for sublimation.
EASE OF USE
After you have applied your design to your mug, you just carefully place the mug into the Mug Press cavity, lower the handle, and that's it! Wait for the machine to beep, lift up the lid, and remove your mug. It is that easy!
MY TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE CRICUT MUG PRESS
- I would recommend using a custom pressure setting if you run into problems weeding your infusible ink. I show you this process in the tutorial below.
- If you end up with little spots on your mug after you pressed your design, you probably had dirt or debris on the mug or carrier sheet. Always wipe your mug with alcohol. Once dry, run a lint roller over the surface to make sure you have it squeaky clean!
- Just like with all infusible ink, make sure your hands are clean and free of any perfume or lotion!
- I would always recommend using heat resistant tape to help prevent any ghosting of your design.
- MIRROR! MIRROR! MIRROR!
LET'S PRESS A MUG!
In this tutorial, I’ll give you my step by step instructions and tell you what materials I think work best when making this project.
Basic and Premium TBH Crafters Club Members can download the SVG cut file for this project in the File Library.
Not a Member? Click here or the link at the bottom of the page to join!
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COFFEE BAR MUG – MATERIALS LIST
- I am using my Cricut Maker. You could also use your Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, Cricut Maker 3, or Cricut Joy!!
- Cricut Mug Press
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Cricut Mug in 12 ounce or 15 ounce
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat (green)
- Cricut Infusible Ink in your choice of color
- Cricut Brayer
- Lint Roller
- Cricut Heat Resistant Tape
Coffee Bar Mug
This tutorial will show you how to use the Cricut Mug Press to create a fun and easy gift for any coffee lover!
Materials
- My Mug Press Designs SVG File
- Cricut Mug
- Cricut Infusible Ink in your choice of color
- Cricut Heat Resistant Tape
Tools
- A way to cut out your design. I am using my FABULOUS Cricut Maker!
- Cricut Mug Press
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat
- Cricut Brayer
- Lint Roller
Instructions
STEP 1 - DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILE
Download the SVG Cut file for the Mug Press Designs (#72) from The File Vault. Get access by joining the club.
In this tutorial, I will be using the Coffee Bar design.
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. Using your smartphone? Click here for my step-by-step guide on uploading SVG files with the Cricut App.
STEP 3 - UNGROUP AND REMOVE UNWANTED DESIGNS FROM YOUR CANVAS
Once you have uploaded your design, ungroup the entire project by selecting UNGROUP in the LAYERS panel.
Remove any designs you don't wish to put on a mug by highlighting those designs and deleting.
STEP 4 - MAKE A CUSTOM MATERIAL SETTING FOR INFUSIBLE INK
This step is completely optional. However, with the designs for mugs being a bit on the small side, the more intricate a design was, I found it more difficult it was to weed or crack on the regular setting.
So, I created a custom setting for Infusible Ink that adds more pressure which helps when you go to weed.
Let me show you how to do that.
On the home screen of Design Space, click the menu button (three lines) in the top left corner of your screen. Select MANAGE CUSTOM MATERIALS.
Scroll down and select ADD NEW MATERIAL.
Give your custom setting a name and click SAVE.
Move the pressure setting to 268 and click SAVE.
To find your new custom setting, select BROWSE ALL MATERIALS.
Under the group MY MATERIALS, you will find your newly created material setting.
You can now use over and over again when crafting with Infusible Ink!
Now, click the GREEN Make It Button.
STEP 5 - MAKE YOUR MATERIAL SELECTIONS AND PREPARE YOUR MATS
You will see your mat in the mat preview. Make sure to select MIRROR because we are using Infusible Ink.
Click the CONTINUE button.
I have selected the custom setting we created in Step 4 for Infusible Ink projects.
Attach your infusible Ink to the mat with the liner facing down.
I use my Cricut Brayer to help adhere the ink to the mat but this is a personal choice.
STEP 6 - LOADING YOUR MATS AND CUTTING YOUR MATERIALS
To load the mat into the machine, press the double arrows button. Do make sure that the mat is positioned under the mat guides.
Hit the "C" button once it begins to flash and you are on your way to creating your mug!
STEP 7 - WEED YOUR INFUSIBLE INK
The technical term for infusible ink is "cracking". That means to roll the material around your fingers bending and moving the cut releasing it from the liner. You will here a "crack" when the cut has released. Peel the extra ink off your liner leaving the design intact.
Use your fingers or weeding tool to get all the little bits out.
Inspect your design for any stray pieces of ink, hair, or dust!
STEP 8 - PREPARE YOUR CRICUT MUG PRESS
To prep your surface, place the EasyPress Mat on your table.
Now, place the Cricut Mug Press on the mat and plug it in.
Press the power button. The Mug Press will come to temperature.
Once it is up to temp, the machine will beep and the power button will change from red to green.
STEP 9 - PREPARE YOUR MUG
While you are waiting for the Mug Press to come to temperature, prepare your mug.
First, clean your mug with alcohol.
Once dry, take a lint roller and roll all over the surface of the mug. This will remove any dirt or debris from the mug.
Lay your mug on its side and place your design where you would like it.
Rub the liner with your fingers to help stick the liner to the mug.
Use Cricut Heat Resistant Tape to secure the design.
STEP 10- PRESS YOUR MUG
Now that your press is up to temp, carefully place the mug into the cavity of the Mug Press.
Lower the handle and let the Mug Press do it's thing!
You will know it is time to remove your mug when you see all five indicator lights illuminate a solid white color and the machine beeps.
Once you hear the beep, lift up on the handle releasing the mug.
Carefully remove the mug by grabbing the handle. Don't worry, the handle stays cool to the touch.
Place the mug on the EasyPress mat and wait for it to cool completely.
STEP 11- REMOVE LINER AND ENJOY YOUR NEW MUG
Once the mug has completely cooled (usually about 15 minutes), you can remove the heat resistant tape.
Slowly peel the liner and ink paper away from the mug, revealing your beautiful pressed design.
Enjoy your cup of coffee in that fabulous new mug!
I just love how the mug press works beautifully with the infusible ink to give a flawless finish. It is so cool!
I can see myself making family and friends all kinds of mugs in the future! I hope you try this out!
Post a photo in the comment section or tag your projects on social media @thebeardedhousewife using the hashtag #beardedhousewife! I’d love to see how yours turn out!!
Happy Crafting!
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