Looking for inspiration for Cricut projects? One of my favorite mediums to use is heat transfer vinyl and today I’m rounding up my favorite projects!
One of the easiest mediums I like to work with is heat transfer vinyl. The material is so versatile and can be put on almost any material you can imagine!
Over the years I have made a ton of posts on Cricut projects I used iron-on vinyl on. Today I thought I’d mix some things up and show you some of my favorite HTV vinyl Cricut projects from around the blogosphere.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and/or Cricut.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text).
What is Heat Transfer Vinyl?
Heat transfer vinyl (also known as HTV for short) is a type of vinyl polymer that can be applied to a wide variety of materials by using heat.
Cricut calls the vinyl that you need to apply heat to in order for it to adhere to iron-on vinyl. Other companies call it heat transfer vinyl or HTV. They are pretty much the same thing, just different brands.
They will come attached to a plastic backing that is on the front of the iron-on. That is why you need to use the “mirror” setting whenever you cut iron-on or HTV. Then you’ll flip it over and apply the heat to the plastic backing.
There are a ton of different specialty iron-on vinyl including patterns, holographic, sparkle, glitter, glow in the dark, printable, and the list goes on! They can also be applied to fabric (shirts, pants, totes, shoes, hats, etc), cardstock and wood when the heat is applied at the right setting.
You can just cut heat transfer vinyl with scissors, but most of the time HTV vinyl is cut with an electronic cutting machine. I love and use my Cricut for all my projects.
Read my Ultimate Resource of Cricut Ideas to find all about a Cricut.
Brands of HTV Vinyl
There are a lot of different brands out there and sometimes you just have to try a few to see which one you like the best. They can differ on how easy they are to weed and what temperature they need to be applied at.
Personally, I love Siser Easyweed and Cricut iron-on vinyl.
How to Apply Heat Transfer Vinyl
You need a constant pressure of high heat to ensure the adhering of iron-on vinyl to the material. The common three heat sources are:
- Iron – Most of us start out with an iron because it’s the cheapest and something we already own! An iron works pretty well for basic t-shirts and if you’re only doing a few things. It’s harder to get an even press for the same amount of time over a larger image though. I definitely had more HTV vinyl fall off during washes when I was using an iron.
- Heat Press – I upgraded to a heat press years ago and it made things go so much faster and ensured really good bondage of the iron-on vinyl. You can read all about the heat press I use if you’d like.
- Cricut EasyPress 2 – I now use an EasyPress because of its portability and ease of use. Back when I purchased a heat press, the EasyPress wasn’t out or I would have just gotten an EasyPress. I have a post on EasyPress vs Heat Press if you are interested in learning more about them. You can also download my free EasyPress temperature settings to have on hand!
Cricut Projects: All Things Heat Transfer Vinyl
I love doing roundups because I find ideas that I never would have thought of and I love being inspired. I hope this list of 65 Cricut projects you can make just with heat transfer vinyl gets you in a crafting mood!
To find the complete step by step instructions and sometimes free cut files, simply click on the Read More button below the picture.
Have fun and be prepared to get inspired as I did from these Cricut iron on projects!
Heat Transfer Vinyl on Apparel
Heat transfer vinyl is perfect to embellish all sorts of apparel including shirts, pants, shoes, hats, and even socks!
The ability to add any image or phrase to your apparel makes for a truly one of a kind item. Everyone will be so impressed and jealous of what you can make.
Here are some of my favorite Cricut projects using HTV vinyl and apparel.
Cricut Shirt Making for Beginners: Step by Step Tutorial!
Learn how to make a shirt with iron-on vinyl from start to finish!
DIY Beach Hats
Add iron on vinyl to a beach hat to show your personal style!
DIY Bridesmaid Gift Ideas with the Cricut - Glitter Shirts & Wine Glasses
How to Make Your Own Shark T-shirt with the help of the Cricut Explore Air 2
Iron On Vinyl on Totes and Bags
Making unique totes, backpacks, makeup bags, beach bags and any other bag you can think of is super easy with iron-on vinyl.
Adding a monogram, name or favorite quote makes a bag cherished by its recipient. The possibilities are endless! Here are just a few of my faves.
How to Make a Cute DIY Makeup Bag + Free Printable Template
Using HTV Vinyl on Home Decor
Did you know that you can use HTV vinyl on materials such as wood, MDF, metal, cork, and tile?? Well, you can!
Heat transfer vinyl is so versatile and can turn any home decor item into exactly what you want. I love finding cheap or clearance signs at stores or garage sales then painting them and adding some iron-on vinyl to it.
Here are a bunch of other inspiring Cricut home decor ideas!
Paper and Iron On Wood Sign Made with the Cricut Wisteria EasyPress
Cricut EasyPress Projects: How to Make a Burlap Sign
Take a look at the differences between a heat press and the Cricut Easy Press 2. Then learn how to make an easy home decor sign by applying iron-on vinyl to burlap.
Custom Gift Ideas Using Cricut Iron-on Vinyl
Probably the reason I love my Cricut the most is that it gives me the ability to make unique sentimental gifts. I love coming up with new ways to personalize gifts.
The following are some things that you may have never thought to use heat transfer vinyl for.
That's also why I love doing roundups! I get so many great ideas from all these creative bloggers:)
How to Apply Handwritten Font to an Oven Mitt
Create a unique and sentimental gift my adding an old hand written recipe to an oven mitt.
DIY Baby Gifts: How to Make an Adorable Birth Stat Elephant
Make cute personalized newborn baby gifts that they will love! Learn how to easily make a birth stat elephant.
DIY Personalized Koozies & Cruise Shirts with 2 FREE SVG Files!
Make your own personalized koozies with free SVG cut files and an EasyPress 2. Perfect for favors or gifts!
Make DIY Monogrammed Leather Cord Keepers • Nourish and Nestle
DIY Personalized Stuffed Animals from Cheap Stuffed Animals for $1!
You can save all these ideas for later by simply hovering over the top left of the image below and PINNING IT now!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Have a creative day,
