User Guide: Heat Press - Cricut EasyPress 2

Cricut EasyPress machine

Description

The Cricut EasyPress 2 is a heat transfer tool that combines the speed of a heat press with the convenience of a home iron. Use it to apply iron-on/heat transfer vinyl (HTV), sublimation/Infusible Ink, or heat transfer paper designs to fabric items and sublimation blanks.


What We Provide - Makerspace Equipment & Materials

Makerspace equipment is free to use, but there is a cost for project materials and items. We provide the following:

  • Heat press - Cricut EasyPress 2 (12" x 10" size)
  • Craft cutters and related supplies - Cricut Maker or Silhouette Cameo
  • Cricut EasyPress mats
  • Laptops and software for creating designs
  • Shirt alignment rulers - Use these to help position designs on shirts
  • Heat resistant tape
  • Lint roller or alcohol - For cleaning item before applying design
  • Cardstock and butcher paper for Infusible Ink/sublimation projects only
  • Limited materials for sale (cash only). Material availability is not guaranteed; prices are subject to change. We encourage you to bring in your own materials to create your projects.
    - Vinyl (iron-on/heat transfer vinyl/HTV): 65¢/sheet (12" x 10" sheet)


What You Must Bring - Materials & Items

To use this equipment, you must bring the following:

  • Project materials - Iron-on/heat transfer vinyl (HTV), heat transfer paper, sublimation/Infusible Ink transfer sheets, or sublimation/Infusible Ink pens and markers
  • Project item blanks - Depending on your project materials, your project blank will vary.
    - For iron-on/heat transfer vinyl and heat transfer paper: Fabric items (t-shirt, tote bag, etc.). HTV works with most fabrics, especially cotton and polyester blends. Avoid synthetic fabrics with low melting points or textured fabrics like terrycloth towels.
    - For sublimation/Infusible Ink: Fabric items that are white or light colored polyester (at least 65% polyester), Cricut branded Infusible Ink Blanks, or other items listed as sublimation blanks. If you need the most vibrant fabric design, use 100% polyester white fabric. Sublimation blanks are available in many products (coasters, luggage tags, photo frames, etc.) and must have a special polymer coating to work with sublimation/Infusible Ink.
  • A design for your project. If you don't have a design ready, you can create one on our Makerspace laptops using our Silhouette or Cricut machines. If bringing in heat transfer paper, your design must be printed and ready to apply.


Learn

Print Guides:
- Cricut EasyPress 2 Instructions
- How to Use Infusible Ink Markers or Pens With Fabric Items
- How to Use Infusible Ink Markers or Pens With Blanks
- How to Use Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets With Fabric Items
- How to Use Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets With Blanks

Websites:
- User Guides: Check our User Guide: Craft Cutters - Cricut Maker and User Guide: Craft Cutters - Silhouette Cameo to learn more about creating and cutting your designs.
- Cricut Heat Guide - Gives recommended settings for the Cricut EasyPress 2 based on project materials
- Cricut Infusible Ink Help
- How to Use Multiple Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets to Create a Design (Slice and Set)
- Troubleshooting Infusible Ink Problems: Unwanted Transfer Effects and How to Avoid Them

Videos:
- How to Use Cricut EasyPress 2
- How to Prep Iron-On Surfaces | Iron-On Tips
- Types of Iron-on and Base Materials - Working with Cricut EasyPress 2
- Tips for Centering an Iron-on Project - Working with Cricut EasyPress 2
- How to transfer Iron-On to a Shirt - Working with Cricut EasyPress 2
- How to Create an Iron-On T-Shirt in Cricut Design Space (3 videos)
- Heat Transfer Essentials (Silhouette 101 Video Class)
- Introduction to Cricut Infusible Ink

In-Person - Book-A-Maker Appointment:
- Book-A-Maker appointments are one-on-one instructional sessions to learn how to use a specific piece of Makerspace equipment. After your appointment, you'll have the knowledge and experience necessary to independently work on our equipment during Makerspace Open Use Hours. They are not meant to use the Makerspace outside of Open Use Time hours.
- Book-A-Maker Appointments are open to Bloomingdale Public Library cardholders only. To make an appointment, fill out the online form. SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY APPOINTMENTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE. Please allow at least 2 business days for a reply.
- If you're unable to make your appointment, please email or call the staff member who contacted you. If you have multiple broken appointments without notice, staff will not accommodate future Book-A-Maker requests.


Tips

The following tips are from the Elmhurst Public Library's Makery, library staff, and Cricut:

  • When not in use, always place the EasyPress on its base. Do not leave it on the mat for extended periods; it will scorch!
  • For best results, always pre-wash and thoroughly dry your fabrics before applying your design. When washing, do not use fabric softener.
  • Avoid placing designs over seams, buttons, zippers, and anything bumpy.
  • Always lint roll fabric or clean item with alcohol before applying your design.
  • Follow the instructions for your material type, especially if you should remove the liner when it’s cool or warm.
  • Care instructions: For fabric items, wait at least 24 hours before washing. Always wash inside out. Do not bleach or dry clean. Wash only in cool water, then tumble dry low or lay flat to dry. For specialty materials like foil iron-on vinyl, handwash in cold water only.

Iron-On/Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV)

  • Heat transfer vinyl is longer lasting than heat transfer paper, but does not work with photographs.
  • Designs must be cut with the Cricut or Silhouette machines.
  • In the design software, remember to mirror the design.
  • If your liner does not remove cleanly and the design is not adhering to your item, reapply the liner, then heat with the EasyPress a bit longer.

Cricut Infusible Ink/Sublimation Ink

  • To prevent damage to Makerspace equipment, staff will supervise all projects using Infusible Ink.
  • Infusible Ink (also called sublimation ink) only works with fabric items that are white or light colored polyester (at least 65% polyester), Cricut branded Infusible Ink Blanks, or other items listed as sublimation blanks. If you need the most vibrant fabric design, use 100% polyester white fabric. Sublimation blanks are available in many products (coasters, luggage tags, photo frames, etc.) and must have a special polymer coating to work with sublimation/Infusible Ink.
  • You must bring in your own Infusible Ink transfer sheets, markers, or pens. The Library does not sell these materials.
  • You must use the EasyPress mat, cardstock, butcher paper, and heat resistant tape (optional) when heat pressing an Infusible Ink project. The Library provides these items for Infusible Ink projects.
  • To use multiple Infusible Ink transfer sheets, use Slice and Set in the Cricut Design Space software.

Heat Transfer Paper

  • Heat transfer paper is a printable sheet that can be ironed onto t-shirts or other fabric material. Designs can be text, photographs, and images.
  • Designs should be in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format. Before using the heat press, the heat transfer paper should be printed and ready to apply.
  • Heat transfer paper must be compatible with the printer being used. For example, inkjet heat transfer paper will not work with laser printers.
  • Heat transfer paper is available for dark or light fabrics.
  • Light transfer paper is best for light colored fabrics. Designs must be mirrored and the white part of the designs become transparent.
  • Dark transfer paper is best for dark colors. Designs are not mirrored and the white part of the designs stays white.
  • Recommended to wash cold, inside out, and to line dry or tumble dry low.
  • Transfer paper designs fade quicker than heat transfer vinyl.


Reserve

Equipment reservations are recommended. Walk-ins during Open Use Time are welcome, but equipment availability is not guaranteed.

  • Reservation limit of 2 hours per day max.
  • Limit one reservation allowed per day.
  • Reservation requests can be made up to 7 days in advance.
  • All reservation requests are on a first-come, first-served basis.

To make a reservation, first check our Makerspace Equipment Calendar for equipment availability. If the equipment is not reserved, please call the Adult Reference Desk at 630-924-2730 to make a reservation. Please have the following ready:

  • Your full name
  • Your Bloomingdale Public Library card number
  • Equipment you want to reserve
  • Preferred date(s)/time(s)