How to Make Personalized Socks with Cricut Infusible Ink

Cricut Infusible Ink 

Recently I have been receiving many questions regarding the Cricut Insusible Ink and how to use it.   Infusible ink is very simial to Dye Sublimation process.  This is a specific type of ink called the Dye Sublimation ink which is printed on a specific paper and pressed similarly to a heat transfer vinyl.  Unlike HTV, when heated the ink becomes a gas and binds to the surface of the polyester blank used.  Once the paper is removed the image will not peel, crack, flake, or wash out.  This is a permanent process, therefore, your Circut Infusible Ink Socks can be washed again and again causing no damage to the image.  Your coffee mugs become dishwasher and microwave safe.

Today we are making personalized socks using Cricut Infusible Ink and another pair using sublimation just for comparison.

Step 1

• Prepare your materials and tools you will need.

             Materials:

• • White Polyester Socks  
  • Cricut Infusible Ink Sheets
  • Cricut Heat Resistant tape

             Tools:

• • Cricut Cutting Machine  
  • Cricut Standard Grip Mat
  • Scissors
  • Cricut Easy Press 2 (9″x 9″)
  • Cricut Easy Press Pad
  • Weeding Tools
  • Lint Roller
  • Optional – Cardboard insert pieces ( I cut them to 3″ x 11″ to fit my socks)
  • Optional – Tweezers

Step 2

• Open Cricut Design Space, log into your account and select the button to start a New Project.  Create or import your design, as usual, paying attention to the size of your blank.  Place the infusible sheet on the standard grip mat with the transfer sheet down.   Remember to mirror your image when cutting it out.  Set your Explore machine dial to Custom or browse all materials on your maker and hoose an infusible ink transfer sheet.   
• Once your Cricut machine is done, remove the infusible ink transfer sheet from the mat and weed your design.  If your design is much smaller than your sheet, make sure to save the portion which you have not used yet for another project.  Gently roll out the design, you will hear s “cracking” sound.  This process will help remove the excess paper from around your design.  Use tweezers to remove small pieces around your design.

Step 3

• Set your Easy Press to 385° F for 40 seconds. Set your butcher paper on top of the easy press pad to protect it.  Put your sock on your piece of cardboard to protect the other side of the sock from the ink bleeding through. Place it on top of your pad with the butcher paper.   Use your lint roller to remove all lint from your socks.  Cover your sock with a new piece of butcher paper and press for 15 seconds to remove wrinkles and moisture.  Remove the butcher paper.

Step 4

• While your sock is still on the Easy Press Mat, place your design with Cricut Infusible Ink down and the shiny transfer sheet up in the desired location.  I like to secure my design from shifting with a piece of heat transfer tape then place the butcher paper on top of the design making sure it covers the design completely.  Make sure than the butcher paper covers the heat plate of the CricutEasy Press completely.  Press at 385°F for 40 seconds with light pressure.  Do not move your EasyPress around as this may shirt your image and create what some call ghosting. 
• Once your press is done and you heard the beep remove the press slowly trying not to move any layers.  The Cricut instructions say to leave the project, including the butcher paper, to cool completely.  I find it easier to slowly remove the butcher paper and liner when still hot because I’m always worried my image may have shifted.

Step 5

• Enjoy your brand new successful project. Check out the photo of my Dye Sublimated Socks – following the same instructions:) 

This process looks quite complicated when you first look at it.  And it may even take you a few tries to get it just right.  But you got this, I know that you will fall in love with your project.  

Check out my Youtube channel to view follow the video instructions 🙂

Happy Crafting 🙂