How to Use Cricut Infusible Ink Pens

Let's talk about the Cricut infusible ink pens and how you can use them in your next craft project!

In a few previous posts, I've talked about Cricut markers for general crafting with a cutting machine, but today I wanted to expand on my topic about the Cricut Infusible Ink product line and talk specifically about the Cricut infusible ink pens. I'm also going to show you step by step on how to use your infusible ink pens to transfer a design from cardstock to a t-shirt.

Crafting technology has never been more innovative, thanks to Cricut. The Cricut infusible ink pens are absolutely incredible.

cricut infusible ink pens with drawing comparison

They will allow you to draw freehand or using your Cricut machine with a variety of different colors.

If you have kids that are around the ages of 5 and older, they will absolutely love seeing their artwork come to life! My kid was excited to wear her shirt the next day to showoff to her friends!

In This Post

Frequently Asked Questions About Infusible Ink Pens

What are Cricut infusible ink pens?

They are ink pens that allow you to draw on regular cardstock and transfer the artwork (mirrored) onto your project material without having a seem. The ink is infused and melded into the polyester fabric or poly-material.

Cricut Infusible Ink sheets are pre-printed sublimation sheets on a clear carrier sheet that can be cut with cutting machines

Can Cricut infusible ink pens be used on cotton?

Cricut infusible ink pens cannot be used on 100% cotton t-shirts. They can be used on polyester shirts with a blend of at least 65% polyester. From other crafters, the recommendation is to stay around an 80% blend.

Cricut also has their own line of shirts that are guaranteed to work with their infusion ink pens.

For myself? I normally go to JiffyShirts.com and look for shirts with an 80% blend or more.

cricut infusible ink pens with drawing polyester shirt

What can Cricut infusible ink pens be used on?

They can be used on any light colored material that has a polyester base or polymer base. Often, blanks that are made for sublimation can be used with infusible ink pens.

However, these are not recommended officially by Cricut as they can't guarantee the results of third party products.

Does Silhouette have it's own line of infusible ink?

No, it does not. However, you can use Cricut's infusible ink pens and markers with a Silhouette machine.

Can you use Cricut infusible ink pens and markers with Silhouette?

Yes, you can just get an adapter (this is the one I have for mine) for the Silhouette Cameo machines to hold the pens. The Silhouette compartments for pens is larger, so this adapter will be able fit the pens and remove the additional spacing from the Silhouette specific pens.

What are the heat press settings for using artwork designed with Cricut infusible ink pens?

You'll need to set the heat press at a temperature of 400°F and pressure for 40 seconds.

Can you use a regular iron with Cricut infusible ink pens?

If your iron can handle a temperature of 400 °F, then you can use it to transfer the ink from the artwork to the blank.

Generally, the a regular iron will have a setting for cotton, which is generally equivalent to 400 °F.

Do you need to have a Cricut machine to use Cricut infusible pink pens?

No, infusible ink pens can be used as freehand pens to draw and design your artwork. If you wanted to have computer-assisted designs, then you may want to use a Cricut machine like the Cricut Explore Air 2.

In this tutorial, I'm going to show you artwork that my daughter freehanded from watching Kids YouTube and drawing a pugacorn (that's a pug and a unicorn combined).

Do you need to mirror the artwork and design before using infusible ink pens?

Yes, the artwork will need to be designed mirrored.

What's your overall review about Cricut Infusible Ink pens?

At first, I was intimidated about using it, but soon realized there was no reason for that. I purchased it, and it sat for about a month. After I finally had a chance to use it, I realized how EASY it was. Literally, you draw, heat at 400 degrees for 40 seconds. I absolutely LOVE how easy it is to make any type of project with it (so long as I have the blanks around).

Can infusible pens be used with coasters?

Yes! Coasters that are sublimation ready can be used with anything designed with Cricut infusible ink pens.

What colors can you get with Cricut infusible ink pens?

Rose
Bubble Gum
Dusty Rose
Fuchsia
Coral
Red
Paprika
Orange Peel
Sunflower
Butterscotch
Yellow
Mint
Light Green
Apple Green
Sage
Green
Forest Green
Sky Blue
Something Blue
Azure Blue
Vivid Blue
Navy
Lilac
Light Purple
Eggplant
Violet
Gray
Dark Gray
Greige
Black
Wild Aster*
Sky Blue*
Party Pink*
Blueberry*
Neon Pink**
Neon Blue**
Neon Orange**
Neon Yellow**
Neon Green**
Deep Teal***
Yellow***
Tangerine***
Burnt Red***

One (*) means that they are available only in the Water Color Splash bundle. Two (**) means they are only available in the Neon Bundle. Three (***) means they are only available in the Nostalgia Bundle.

What are the different bundles of infusible marker pens available?

Here are the options available from Cricut for the different pen bundles.

Cricut Infusible Pens Bundles

These are all the available color infusible ink pens available from Cricut. They come in 0.4mm or 1.0mm pen points, so make sure you check the one you really want!

5 Pack - Basic Pack

This is the basic pack of pens with a few different colors you can use.

15 Pack Bundle

This is a smaller set if you wanted to start off with more than just the basics.

30 Pack - Ultimate Bundle

This is a great set of the main colors that you could want, unless you wanted a specialty look with the other markers below. You can normally find these for $29.99 when they are on super sale!

Black Pens Only

If you are doing just outline designs, this is a great pack of just black pens with a little of a discount as compared to buying them individually.

Neon Pen Bundle

If you are needing some neon colors, these colors are not available in the ultimate pack.

Water Splash Pen Bundle

This bundle has a lot of pastel colors that you may absolutely love.

Nostalgia Pen Bundle

If you are looking for a more retro color, this might be the set for you.

What are the sizes available for the point for infusible ink pens?

Cricut offers infusible ink pens with a 0.4mm and 1.0mm point size.

Cricut Infusible Ink Pens Tutorial for a Shirt

This tutorial is very simple, and you should be able to make something in just a few minutes!

Supplies Needed to Make a Shirt with Infusible Ink Pens

Heavy Card Stock
Cricut Infusible Ink Pens
A shirt made of greater than 65% polyester blend
Heat Press (that goes to 400°F)
Butcher Paper or Teflon

Instructions on Using Cricut Infusible Ink Pens

Step 1 - Lightly Outline Your Artwork on Cardstock Using Infusible Ink Pens

Use a pencil and lightly draw an outline of your artwork onto the cardstock.

You can optionally draw your outline using your Cricut machine by following the instructions for Cricut markers.

Note: In this instance, I had my kid outline with pencil first. As you can see, she went darker, but it didn't impact it at all once she re-outlined with the Cricut infusible markers.

Step 2 - Fill In the Outline with Infusible Ink Pens

Use the markers to fill in the outline. Note that your markers will be duller and lighter in color.

Once it actually is infusible ink pen artwork is transferred to the final material, the colors will be more vibrant, as shown below.

Step 3 - Set the Heat Press

Set the heat press to 400°F.

Step 4 - Clean the Shirt and Pre-Press the Shirt

Cleaning the shirt with a lint roller is very important because any imperfections could impact the transfer of the ink. It's not as forgiving as vinyl.

You should also pre-press the shirt so that the ink will better infuse and bind to the shirt.

cricut infusible ink pens with drawing heat press

Step 5 - Teflon or Butcher Paper and Add the Shirt

Next, layer the design artwork down on the shirt, positioned where you want the design.

cricut infusible ink pens with drawing to shirt

Next, add a layer of teflon or butcher paper to defect some of the heat and keeping the source cardstock from overheating.

Press down at 400°F for 40 seconds and medium pressure.

Step 6 - Let Cool and Wear

Be careful when you remove the art work because it is really hot!

cricut infusible ink pens with drawing ink pens

I would let it sit a few minutes before removing it from the source.

Wear your design proudly!

Final Notes

If you are wanting to do a coaster, you could use the Easy Press 2 or an iron to set it at 400 degrees.

Conclusion

Cricut infusible ink pens are an incredible innovation for crafters around the world by bringing them more professional looking projects! Not only does it take your projects to the next level, it also is very easy and intuitive to use. It's a great project that you can complete in a matter of minutes.