How to Use the Cricut EasyPress Mini!

Wondering how to use the Cricut Mini Press??! Let’s take a look at my favorite new craft toy and make some cute Cricut projects with the Cricut EasyPress Mini!

Cricut has quite a few EasyPress products, but the one I use the most is the new Cricut EasyPress Mini.

It’s small, compact, budget-friendly, perfect to use for sewing, and those small iron-on vinyl and Infusible Ink projects.

In this post, we will be going over everything you need to know about the Cricut mini press so you can get started using it. And then we’re going to make a few cute narwhal gifts with it!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

What is a Cricut EasyPress Mini?

The Cricut EasyPress Mini is the newest and cutest addition of the EasyPress 2 family!  This mini but mighty EasyPress has the same consistent even ceramic-coated heat plate and power as the bigger EasyPresses but in a pint-size.

This Cricut Mini press is a great addition to a original EasyPress and Cricut EasyPress family because the precision tip lets you get into all sorts of creases near buttons, zippers, seams, etc.  All sorts of places the larger EasyPresses couldn’t get to!  

I just think it’s so adorable and it takes up barely any space in my craft room! 

The Cricut EasyPress Mini has three preset heat settings for all your iron-on needs. There are three indicator lights right below the power button. Simply push the power button one, two, or three times to get to each level.

• Low setting– one light: great to use when adding heat transfer vinyl to cardstock or using delicate fabrics or heat transfers
• Medium heat setting – two lights: to use with most iron ons and fabrics
• High heat setting – three bars: allows for Cricut Infusible Ink which you can’t use with a traditional household iron (corresponds to temperature settings of 360F to 400F)

If you are unsure of which Cricut mini press setting to use, I always recommend checking the Cricut heat guide and putting in your heat-transfer material and the base material to be certain of the proper heat levels. The heat guide will also tell you if the heat transfer vinyl needs a warm peel or a cool peel.

Safety is given a lot of thought with the mini! It comes with an insulated safety base so it won’t burn your table when you set it down in between presses. Plus it has an auto-shutoff feature!

It’s perfect for all those hard and weird items you want to customize.  Think hats, canvas shoes, ribbons, cuffs, pockets, sleeves, bows, stuffed animals, tote bags, really any small projects … oh the possibilities!  

It would also be a great addition if you are a seamstress.  Sew down those hems of smaller projects quickly right next to your sewing machine without dragging out the big iron!

You can read more about the EasyPress Mini at Cricut.com.

Ok, so let’s make an iron-on project and see how the EasyPress Mini works!

Items Needed for Narwhal Gifts

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Shareasale, Cricut, Awin, CreativeFabrica, and Amazon.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links (purple text). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• Cricut EasyPress Mini – available here at Cricut.com
• Cricut Explore Air 2, Cricut Joy, or Cricut Maker – to learn more about what a Cricut can do, check out my Ultimate Guide of Cricut Ideas and which Cricut is right for you post.
• Iron-on vinyl – I used a variety of strong bond, glitter iron-on, and holographic mosaic
• EasyPress Mat
• Hat
• Narwhal stuffed animal– found here on Amazon
• protective or Teflon sheet
• heat resistant tape

I have a full video tutorial on how to apply the iron-on to the hat below.  Make sure to watch it with the sound on for tips and tricks along the way.

If you would like to get more inspiration on what you can apply iron-on vinyl to, make sure to browse my round-up of 65 HTV Cricut projects.

Cutting Out Iron-on for Narwhal Hat

The first thing you’ll want to do is designYou can use any image you have or from Cricut Access.  If you would like to use my file click here and it will bring it up in Cricut Design Space.  I took out a few layers from the original image to make it easier to apply to a hat.

Feel free to customize it to the size you want and even add a name!

Make sure to select the “mirror” setting button on the preview screen.  Cut out all of your layers with your chosen iron-on vinyl (shiny side down on your mat) and corresponding settings on your Cricut machine.

If you need additional help on these steps, make sure to check out my tutorial on cutting and weeding iron-on vinyl.

How to Use the Cricut Mini Press

Once everything is cut out and weeded, it’s time to heat up the Cricut EasyPress Mini. 

There are only three settings.  Click the button twice to get to the second level and set it back in its base to heat up. 

The lights will be orange until it reaches the desired temperature and then the machine will beep and the lights will turn green.

The secret to using the EasyPress Mini is that you need a firm surface to press the iron-on down on. 

With a hat, Cricut recommends folding up an 8×10 EasyPress mat and placing it inside the front part of the hat.  Then you can add rolled-up towels behind it. Update: Cricut now has a hat press and hat round that is ideal for hats!

I find it easiest to stick the whole thing on a large container (or a pot would work too!)

Now the front of the hat has a nice firm surface behind it.

Using the Cricut EasyPress Mini to Add Layers

Now it’s time to start adding the layers.  Layering iron-on is a little different in that you only want to press the layers for about 3-5 seconds each. 

This is to prevent them from shrinking too much.  Once every layer is on, you will press for 30 seconds over the entire image and then 15 seconds on the backside.

You’ll also want to use heat-resistant tape so the layers won’t move while you are moving the Mini around.

I started with the white layer (Narwhal body).  Center and then apply tape to the edges to keep it in place.  Press for 3-5 seconds while moving the EasyPress Mini around.  You want constant movement when using the Cricut mini press.

Let slightly cool and remove plastic backing.

Repeat for every layer.  Make sure to not apply the heat resistant tape directly on the iron-on vinyl, I learned the hard way!  Make sure it’s overlapping the plastic backing.

Also, do not allow the Mini to touch already applied iron-on vinyl directly.  Place a protective or Teflon sheet over the iron-on before pressing it.

Tip – the holographic and glitter iron-on needs about 30-60 minutes of cool-down time before removing.  If the pieces start coming up, simply place the plastic backing back down and press again. 

Use the precision tip of the EasyPress Mini to really get around the edges.  Let it cool for a minute and then try pulling off the plastic again.

For my second layer, I applied the blue waves, pressed for 3 seconds and then removed the carrier sheet.

Again, if using holographic iron-on, let it cool.  Removing the backing is a little bit harder.  I had to get my fingernails in them to lift up the plastic backing.

If the layers do not seem to line up (especially for the spouting water and horn) cut the plastic backing the iron-on is on and apply them separately. 

Once all the iron-on is applied, cover the entire image with a protective sheet and press it with a constant movement for 30 seconds.

Applying Iron-on to the Hat Brim

Place the hat brim on an EasyPress mat.  Center, tape, and start pressing.  Do each half for about 30 seconds (so 60 seconds total), let cool if using glitter, and then remove the plastic backing.

Flip the hat over and press the inside on the back of the iron-on with the mini iron for 15 seconds.

Your custom narwhal hat is ready to wear or be given as a gift!

Applying Iron-on Vinyl to Hats Video Tutorial

Personalized Stuffed Animals

I love making custom stuffed animals like the elephant birth stat keepsake a few months ago.  The new Cricut EasyPress mini is also perfect in making personalized stuffed animals because you can apply it pretty much anywhere. 

I made this adorable custom Narwhal plush super quick with it.  Make sure to add this to a narwhal gifts list for your narwhal unicorn of the sea lover! 

Watch the video tutorial on how I applied iron-on vinyl to the narwhal plush at the top or side of the post.  Sometimes it floats around!

If you’d like to save these narwhal gifts for later, simply hover over the top left of the image below and PIN It now!

What do you want to personalize with the new Cricut Easy Press Mini?

Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!