Instant download of a free printable Easy Press settings table to print and hang in your craft room to use when making iron-on projects!
I have a lot of Cricut machine tutorials that include using an EasyPress, but today I thought I’d talk more about the temperature settings and give you a free printable setting chart so you aren’t constantly having to look up the ideal temperature and time settings for each Cricut craft.
Cricut has its own heat guide online which I use a lot, but it does require grabbing a computer or mobile device to look things up.
There are so many times that I just want a handy guide that I can glance at when using my EasyPress machine so that’s why I decided to finally sit down and make one.
And it wasn’t quick… There are a lot of temperature settings that depend on your base material and the type of heat transfer vinyl that you’ve cut with a cutting machine!
Note: There is no physical item, just a digital file of the Cricut heat press guide printable to download at the bottom of this post.
What is a Cricut EasyPress Machine?
First, let’s go over the basics of EasyPress machines and how they differ from a standard iron.
When most of us start out using iron-on vinyl, we use our household iron because it’s what we have on hand and is cheap.
The problem with an iron is that you can’t control the exact temperature required and the base plate is not large enough for most heat transfer projects. Plus if you are wanting to use Infusible Ink or sublimation designs, irons can not get to those higher temperatures.
So if you are planning to make shirts and totes that last a heat press machine or EasyPress is recommended. An EasyPress is Cricut’s heat press!
When I first upgraded from a regular iron, I purchased a heat press and used that for years before switching over to the EasyPress line of machines.
A traditional heat press works well, but it’s pretty big and heavy! Plus depending on the machine, you are having to manually twist knobs for the pressure settings and having to push down on a big handle (which wasn’t nice on my back!).
I do have a full post comparing a heat press and EasyPress machines if you are interested in learning more.
Different Cricut Heat Presses
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As of writing this post in 2023, Cricut has quite a few different heat presses.
The original EasyPress machine, the EasyPress 2 line, the EasyPress 3 line, a hat press, the mug press, and the new Autopress.
The original EasyPress is not recommended anymore and you probably can’t find it. So much was improved on the EasyPress 2 line!
There are different sizes of EasyPress machines that are available depending on the size of your project. You can find a 9×9 machine and a 12×10 and then the Cricut EasyPress Mini for smaller items. There used to be a smaller machine, but that one seems to be phasing out.
Then the EasyPress 3 line was released which allows you to use the Cricut Heat App if you are a fan of smart technology. Full post on how to use the hat press and EasyPress 3 line of machines here. If you have one of the EasyPress 2 machines, I wouldn’t spend the extra money upgrading to the Easy Press 3 unless it breaks.
Different Iron-on Vinyl Tips
There are a lot of brands of iron-on vinyl out there! In case you don’t know, heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and iron-on vinyl are the exact same thing.
Cricut just calls their line of heat transfer materials, iron-on vinyl while other companies use heat transfer vinyl. It just means a vinyl that is activated by heat.
And the brand or type of iron-on vinyl you are using requires different amounts and pressure of heat to achieve the optimal press and adherence.
Since there are so many different brands (like Siser Easyweed and Teckwrap), there is no way to make a chart for everything! Make sure to check out my full tutorial on heat transfer vinyl comparison tests to learn more.
I recommend checking out the instructions for the particular heat transfer vinyl product you are using either on the packaging or the manufacturer’s website for heat settings and timer settings.
Manufacturers will also have recommendations for a cool peel or warm peel. A cold peel means that the iron-on vinyl needs to cool all the way down after the press before you remove the protective sheet. A warm peel means that you can remove the carrier sheet pretty much after the press.
Almost all of the Cricut brand iron-on vinyl specify to remove when cool to the touch or a cold peel. I find it needs to have cooled own for at least a minute or the vinyl will not be stuck to the base material.
About the EasyPress Heat Guide
For the printable Easy Press settings below, I have only included what Cricut recommends when using their line of products. Since Cricut runs multiple tests for the best results on their products with their heat presses, these are the settings I go by.
If you use the Cricut heat press guide (find it here), there will also be step by step instructions on how to press.
First, you specify which EasyPress machine you are using – Cricut EasyPress, EasyPress 2, Cricut Autopress, Cricut mug press, or Cricut EasyPress Mini (since the EasyPress 3 machine and hat press are automatically connected to the heat app they don’t show up).
Then you’ll select the heat-transfer type of material you are pressing from the drop-down menu and then the base material you are pressing it on.
For different materials, there will be different base materials that appear in the drop-down. The base materials that don’t show up are not recommended to be pressed on.
A Cricut pressing mat is also recommended for best results so check the button if you are using one. Then click Apply.
Then all of the recommendations for supplies, prep, and application will be displayed including the type of pressure:
- firm pressure: two hands on the press with a good amount of body weight,
- light pressure: with just one hand and a little body weight, or
- no pressure: with no hands on the machine
Note you can also switch between degrees Fahrenheit and degrees Celcius.
Pressing Tips
Every crafter will figure out what works best for them when using the different heat presses.
Here are some of my favorite tips:
- Always use a protective sheet like a Teflon sheet (I have this 3 pack from Amazon). This helps disperse the heat more evenly and helps protect the vinyl. Especially if you are layering vinyl, you’ll need a protective sheet to cover all the applied HTV every time you press.
- Layering heat transfer vinyl – only press the bottom layers for 3-5 seconds, then let the HTV cool, remove the liner, add the next layer (liner side up) and the protective sheet and press for 3-5 seconds. Repeat these steps for each lower layer. Then when you are on the top layer, make sure you have the protective sheet covering the entire image and press for the recommended time.
- Preheat the material for about five seconds and let cool a bit before adding the iron-on vinyl (vinyl face down, liner side up) to the material.
- After you’ve pressed on the front side, press the backside of the material for about 15 seconds to really ensure adherence.
- Use a scraper, to press the iron-on vinyl down well on the material after you press and before you remove the liner sheet.
Printable Easy Press Settings PDF Download
A few things of note, this table only has Cricut brand iron-on vinyl and their recommended settings in degrees Fahrenheit and for using a Cricut pressing pad. NR means Not Recommended by Cricut.
I went through every HTV and base material (including Cricut compatible blanks) drop-down and added the temperature and time settings for a full press. For Cricut materials, I always do a cool peel.
I wanted to get everything on one page that you can hang up or laminate, so there are no further instructions listed.
If you are new to using Cricut Infusible Ink, I’d recommend using the online heat guide that walks you step by step on lint rolling and placing cardstock and butcher print in between layers to protect the press and the pressing mat. But I did list the settings for the different Cricut blanks including tote bags, baby onesies, pillow covers, and wine bags.
The printable easy press settings PDF file is a US letter 8.5 x 11 inch paper size.
I included two different versions in PDF format. One version has more color in the columns to help keep your eyes on track but I wanted to give you the option of using less printer ink!
As with all my free printables, these are for personal use only! Please no selling or redistributing of PDF files or digital downloads. Thank you!
I hope this printable Easy Press settings temperature chart helps with all of your heat transfer vinyl projects!
Thanks for stopping by and have a creative day!
