How to Do Cricut Screen Printing

Cricut Screen Printing is a method that involves using a Cricut machine to produce screen print transfers using vinyl. This technique entails cutting a vinyl design using a Cricut machine and then transferring it onto fabric or other materials using screen printing. It allows the creation of detailed and intricate designs in small areas without requiring specialized screen printing equipment or setup.
Cricut Screen Print is a widely used DIY method for designing custom clothes, bags, home decor, and other items.

Now that you are aware of Cricut screen printing let’s get a few considerations that you have to know before starting a Cricut screen printing process.

• Use disposable paper to protect your work surface from ink bleed-through.
• Align your screen straight and in the correct location using folded material or small items.
• Iron all materials and fabrics while you want to get printed with Cricut screen printing before starting to remove wrinkles.
• Use masking tape to cover areas of the screen you will not use during the Cricut screen printing process.
• Only apply ink to the areas of your design and put any leftover ink back in the container
• Mark the location of your blank screen for consistent printing placement in future Cricut screen printing projects.
• Experiment with small pieces before diving into large Cricut screen printing projects.
• Add the second color without lifting to avoid misalignment when doing Cricut screen printing with two colors.
• When printing on items with zippers, do so as far from the bulk of the zipper as possible and press down to flatten the zipper.

After these considerations, let’s move forward and learn about the equipment.

If you plan on trying out Cricut Screen Print, make sure you have all the necessary equipment and supplies within reach, such as:

• Cricut Cutting Machine: Opt for the Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker for vinyl printmaking.
• Adhesive Vinyl: Use vinyl compatible with heat transfer and screen printing, such as Cricut’s “Everyday Iron-On” or “SportFlex Iron-On” vinyl.
• Transfer Tape: We prefer to use transfer tape for transferring your design from the vinyl’s backing to the fabric or other printing material.
• Fabric or Other Printing Material: Select a material appropriate for Cricut screen printing, such as cotton or polyester fabrics.
• Screen Printing Ink: Choose superior quality ink compatible with your printing material.
• Squeegee: Use this tool to press the ink through the screen and onto the fabric.
• Screen Printing Frame: Choose a frame that’s the correct size for your design and material.
• Emulsion and Emulsion Remover: Make sure to get Emulsion to coat the screen and remove the design after Cricut screen printing.
• Any Source of Light: You’ll require a light source to expose your design onto the screen.
• Gloves and Protective Clothing: Wear gloves and protective clothing to safeguard yourself from the chemicals used in the Cricut screen printing.

With these supplies, you’ll be fully prepared to explore Cricut Screen Print and create your own unique and customized screen printing design.

Before start doing screen printing, it is essential to make screens to minimize the chances of any errors and other print-related issues. We listed below a complete screen preparation process that helps you print on any fabric or other material

In the first step, cut the vinyl adhesive sheet just like we do for another printing project. When using adhesive vinyl, make sure that your design is positioned towards the middle, leaving ample space around the outside edge for taping. Once you have cut, weed out all the areas where the ink should not be applied.

After cutting the vinyl, place the transfer tape firmly on top of the vinyl. Now, use a squeegee to smooth out any air bubbles forcefully. Carefully peel off the backing paper without hesitation, leaving the vinyl securely attached to the transfer tape.

After transferring the tape, flip the screen over so that the lip is facing downwards. This will let you see where the screen is attached to the bottom. Ensure that this part is pressed in properly, and the screen is tight.

Flip the screen over and ensure the transfer tape is removed from the vinyl. Then, flip it back over and peel the transfer tape away from the vinyl, which should now be on your screen.

Now cover all areas surrounding your design with tape to prevent ink from getting on your surface. Make sure the tape touches both the frame and vinyl.

Now, flip the screen over and exert firm pressure on the tape and ensure that your screen is appropriately prepared for screen printing.

Screen printing is a widely used method if you want to put designs on fabric items like t-shirts or bags. However, with Cricut machine and some vinyl, you can achieve the same effect without the need for traditional equipment.

Follow these steps to learn how to print fabric with Cricut screen printing

To start the process at home with vinyl, you must create your image first. For image preparation we recommend to use Adobe Illustrator or Canva.

For optimal results, we recommend to use a permanent adhesive vinyl such as Oracal 651 and cut it for your design.

After cutting the vinyl, load it onto your cricut cutting mat and carefully aligned it with the grid lines.

Now, select your design in the Cricut Design Space software and immediately send it to your Cricut machine for cutting.

Once you have cut your vinyl, now it’s time to weed it, which means you need to remove that excess vinyl around your design. We recommend to use the weeding tool to peel away that unwanted excessive vinyl.

To transfer your vinyl design onto fabric, use the transfer tape and placed it over your vinyl design. Keep it in your mind that it must be slightly larger than the vinyl design itself.

Before applying your vinyl design to your fabric, prepare your fabric thoroughly and ensure that it is entirely free from any dirt or dust.

To successfully apply your vinyl design to fabric, it is important that you carefully follow these steps:

1. Place your transfer tape, including the vinyl design, onto your fabric carefully.
2. Take the time to ensure it is properly centered and aligned.
3. Use a scraper tool or credit card to apply pressure to the transfer tape.
4. This is necessary to ensure the vinyl adheres to the fabric correctly.
5. The final step is to gently but carefully peel away the transfer tape, leaving your vinyl design on the fabric.

Securing Your Vinyl Design is Essential after successfully applying it on your fabric. To achieve this, preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and place the fabric with the vinyl design in the range for 10-15 minutes. Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely.

Well, you are done! You have successfully screen-printed a vinyl design with your Cricut machine. Cherish your new personalized Cricut screen-printed item, whether it's a t-shirt, tote bag, or any other material, you can think of.

Screen printing is an old but timeless and the most popular printing type. It requires more practice to be an expert screen printer and for profitable and generous Cricut screen printing business, you need more and more practice and need a keen information about its types and usage.