Pride T-Shirts with Iron On Vinyl
HOW TO LAYER IRON ON VINYL TO MAKE PRIDE T-SHIRTS
June is National Pride Month in the United States. We usually attend at least one pride festival a year. However, with the pandemic, most have been cancelled. So, I decided to, at least, make us this Pride T-Shirt using iron on vinyl.
When I was designing this shirt, I wanted something with the Pride Flag and the Equality symbol. The Pride Flag typically has primary colors. In my SVG file, I have included both a version with primary colors as well as a pastel, more modern, take on the Flag.
LGBTQ Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. June was first declared “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” by President Bill Clinton in the year 1999 and 2000. In major cities across the United States, the month encompasses thirty days of events.
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.
TBH Crafters Club Members can download the SVG cut file for this project in the File Library.
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IRON ON PRIDE T-SHIRTS – MATERIALS LIST
- I am using my Cricut Maker. You could also use your Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Explore 3, or Cricut Maker 3!
- Heat Transfer Vinyl. I am using Siser EasyWeed HTV.
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat (green)
- T-Shirt Blanks. I am using Gildan T-Shirts.
- Cricut EasyPress 2
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
- Cricut Heat Resistant Tape
Pride T-Shirts using Layered Iron on Vinyl
Show your PRIDE with this colorful T-shirt made with layered heat transfer vinyl. The free SVG file comes in the traditional pride colors as well as a more modern, pastel take on the Pride flag!
Materials
- My FREE Pride Flag SVG File
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV). I am using Siser EasyWeed in this tutorial.
- T-Shirt Blank. I am using Gildan Brand.Â
- Cricut Heat Resistant Tape
Tools
- A way to cut your vinyl. I am using my Cricut Maker
- Cricut StandardGrip Cutting Mat (green)
- Cricut EasyPress 2 or another heat press
- Cricut Weeding Tool
- Cricut EasyPress Mat
Instructions
STEP 1 - DOWNLOAD THE SVG CUT FILE
Download the SVG Cut file for this Pride T-Shirt (#11) 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 - MEASURE YOUR T-SHIRT BLANK AND SIZE ACCORDINGLY
Once the image has been uploaded into Cricut Design Space, change the size you would like it to be on your t-shirt. You want to make sure the LOCK button is not clicked to UNLOCK. This will ensure the dimensions of the image stay intact as you are resizing. For this tutorial, I am using an adult XXL shirt so I am resizing my image to 11 inches wide.
NOTE: You can only size an image on a 12x12 cutting mat to 11.5x11.5 inches.
STEP 4 - UNGROUP THE IMAGE
Click the ungroup button to separate the layers. This is not a vital step because the image will still cut out in layers, however, it is good practice to always ungroup your SVG file before cutting.
Click the MAKE IT button.
STEP 5 - PREPARE YOUR MATS AND MAKE MATERIAL SELECTION
Choose your material. I am using Siser EasyWeed HTV so I am choosing Heat Transfer Vinyl (Non-Cricut).
MAKE SURE TO MIRROR EACH MAT BEFORE PROCEEDING!
STEP 6 - LOADING YOUR MATS AND MAKING THE IMAGE
When placing the HTV to your cutting mat, you will notice a shinier side of the vinyl. This is known as the carrier sheet which you will be pressing your EasyPress 2 against. Make sure this side is facing DOWN. The side you will be cutting is, usually, slightly dull looking. This side needs to be facing UP.
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 - WEED YOUR VINYL
I will say that most of the time, I do weed on the mat. This is helpful because the cutting mat can act as a third hand to keep the vinyl from curling when you are trying to weed.
You will want to only remove the vinyl NOT the carrier sheet as this will protect your vinyl once its time to press it!
STEP 8 - PREHEAT YOUR EASYPRESS 2
According to the Cricut EasyPress Heat Guide, found here, the temperature should be set to 315 degrees Fahrenheit. Set that temperature by pressing the temperature icon. Once the temperature starts to flash, you can increase it using the arrows.
STEP 9 - PREPARE YOUR T-SHIRT BLANK
While your EasyPress is coming up to temp, prep your shirt. I like to first fold the shirt in
half. Then lightly press the shirt using the EasyPress. This will help me line up the image to ensure I have it straight.
Note: The EasyPress does not have to be fully to temperature yet because you are just wanting to create a guide for your image as well as iron out any wrinkles.
STEP 10 - PRESS YOUR T-SHIRT
Before applying your image, you have to heat your shirt. The Cricut Heat Guide from above states you should heat the shirt for 5 seconds.
STEP 11 - COVER THE REGISTRATION MARKS
Take an extra piece of carrier sheet and place over the star registration marks, sticky side up. This will keep the mark from being heated into your shirt.
STEP 12 - APPLY IMAGE TO SHIRT
Place your design face down with the carrier sheet facing UP. Make sure to line up the point of the star (registration mark) with the line you creased down the center of the shirt.
STEP 13 - ADD HEAT RESISTANT TAPE
Carefully lift your first layers carrier sheet and place some Cricut Heat Resistant Tape to the carrier sheet under the registration mark. This will prevent it from lifting up as you continue to add your layers.
STEP 14 - PRESS LAYER BRIEFLY
You do not want to heat the layer for the full amount of time specified in the Cricut Heat Guide. Doing this will cause the layer to scorch as you add your other vinyl pieces to the shirt. I recommend you press each layer for 3-5 seconds.
STEP 15 - REMOVE CARRIER SHEET
Slowly lift press off your design making sure to lift straight up. Remove the carrier sheet by carefully pulling from one corner. Pay attention to any lifting of the vinyl. If this happens, replace the carrier sheet and press for a few more seconds. Do this while the carrier sheet is still warm.
STEP 16 - REPEAT FOR REMAINING LAYERS
Repeat steps 14 and 15 for each layer until your last layer is ready to be pressed. Keep in mind you will want to line up the registration marks of each layer. This will ensure proper placement.
IMPORTANT - When HTV is heated, it does shrink slightly. So, don't use the registration marks as the end all, be all to line up the design. They are a great guide, however, you should still be looking at how the actual layers line up on your t-shirt design!
STEP 17 - PRESS YOUR COMPLETED DESIGN
Once you have gotten to your last layer and laid it down onto the shirt, make sure the entire image is covered with carrier sheet. You can add the sheets from your previous layers if you would like (that's what I do). Remember, sticky side down!
The Cricut Heat Guide recommends you press the image for 30 seconds applying light pressure. If your EasyPress is not big enough for the whole image, do this part in sections making sure each section gets the full 30 seconds of heat time.
STEP 18 - FLIP YOUR SHIRT OVER AND PRESS
Flip the shirt over immediately after you have pressed the entire image on the front. You will want to press the back for 15 seconds which is stated in the Cricut Heat Guide.
STEP 19 - REMOVE CARRIER SHEET
Flip your shirt right side up and carefully peel your carrier sheets away from the design after the shirt has cooled. This is called a Cool Peel.
STEP 20 - SUCCESS!
You now have a beautiful Pride T-shirt that you crafted yourself! Congratulations!
I am sure you, or anyone celebrating Pride, will love this unique shirt!
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 your Pride T-Shirt turns out!
Check out another T-Shirt idea using Infusible Ink here.
Love,
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