LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUGS: FREE PATRIOTIC SVG FILE

Instructions

STEP 1: LOCATE OR CREATE A MUG DESIGN

Create a design using multiple colors or layers and be sure to use the "Slice and Set" method since we don't want to overlap Infusible Ink.

Or you can locate my 2 FREE Patriotic Files in my Resource Library.

If using my Patriotic Rainbow Files you'll want to upload them into Cricut Design Space.

Open a new project in Cricut Design Space and click on the "upload" button on the left.

Click on "upload image" again

I like to have my files saved onto my desktop so I can simply drag my SVG file as it states. Then I move my file to my downloads folder etc. Some like to click on the button "Browse" and locate their file where you saved it on your computer and insert the SVG that way.

Click on the picture of the file you just uploaded and then click on "Insert Images"

Now with this file and usually other files you may need to ungroup them if there is more than one file. Then you will have 2 separate rainbow files.

We now want to search in Cricut Design Space "Images" for this file. Be sure to type in the search area exactly as you see here: #M1469B174 Follow the steps with the numbers to insert the mug design template. (This is the large 15 OZ size mug template) We will be using this template just to see what size we want our rainbows to be, then we will turn off the mug template as we don't want to cut that out, only the rainbows.

Now your Cricut Canvas should look like this below:

Drag a rainbow on top of one of the circle shapes and decide what size you want your rainbows to be. I like to make mine slightly smaller than the circles. I get one rainbow the size I want, then I make the next rainbow the exact same size by making both the "width" measurements the same.

I like my rainbows to be 3.45" for the width as seen below:

Now click on the second rainbow file and change its width at the top of Design Space as seen in the photo above to the same 3.45".

Now we can turn off the "Mug template" which is actually called the "Large Paint Strokes Mug Design" To turn off the layer, go to your layers panel on the right side of Design Space and click on the "eye" icon this will put a line through it and then the mug design will not be visible on your canvas which means it will not cut out when you click on "make it".

If you want to use it again, just click on the eye icon again for the mug design and it will show up on your canvas again.

Here you can see I had just clicked on the eye icon in the layers panel below:

STEP 2: CUT YOUR INFUSIBLE INK MUG DESIGN

Yay! We are ready to cut out our Patriotic Rainbows. Click on "Make It" in the upper right-hand corner.

Be sure to "Mirror" each mat on the "Prepare" Screen. All Infusible Ink Projects should be Mirrored.

Simply click on the toggle switch as seen below. When the toggle is green then it's been "Mirrored". Once all mats have been mirrored click on "Continue" in the lower right corner.

Click on "Browse All Materials" and search for "Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet".

Keep your pressure at default if your blade is fairly new and change to "More" if your blade is getting older.

NOTE: IMPORTANT TO WASH AND THOROUGHLY DRY YOUR HANDS JUST BEFORE HANDLING ANY OF YOUR INFUSIBLE INK TRANSFER SHEETS.

Place your Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets color side up on the Green Standard Grip Cutting Mat. The shiny side should be on the bottom touching the mat.

Ensure you have your "Fine Point" Blade loaded on your Cricut.

Press the load button and load your mat. When the light flashes press the "C" button to begin the cutting process.

Do this same procedure for each color you have for your design. If making the rainbows you will have 3 colors to cut.

When one color is done cutting, unload the mat by pressing the "load" button on the Cricut.

Turn your mat over and carefully remove the Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet Design from the mat. Do this with each color.

STEP 3: WEED AND ASSEMBLE LAYERS OF DESIGN TOGETHER

Weeding is the process of removing the pieces you do not want to go onto the mug. Start by gently bending the Infusible Ink Transfer sheet with your design and it will begin to crack so you can begin to peel away un-needed parts.

In the picture below you can see me weeding the Red Rainbow pieces. The biggest piece in your design will be your "bottom" layer. The layer on which the rest of the rainbow pieces will be placed on.

Now we are ready to assemble the rainbows. Start with the biggest rainbow piece and use tweezers if needed to place the remaining rainbow arches onto the biggest rainbow piece. It's sorta feels like putting a puzzle together.

This is why I find it helpful to use tweezers for this type of project.

Here are the Assembled Patriotic Rainbows ready to be placed on the mugs, but first we need to prep our mugs.

STEP 4: PREP YOUR MUG BLANK

I like to start off by using a lint-free cloth and squirt a little bit of rubbing alcohol on it and wipe the mug down.

Then I use a lint roller to remove anything such as lint, hair, little tiny tiny infusible ink pieces that may be stuck to it or the surface you are working on. If you skip this step or don't do it thoroughly you will get little specks on your mug design.

Place your design being sure to keep your design 1/2" from the handle on either side or you will get ghosting on the edge of your design.

Be sure to press firmly in place and rub out any potential air bubbles or gaps between the design and the mug blank. If you need to, use a "Heat-Resistant" tape to secure a tight fit being careful not to cover the ink portion.

Apply the Heat Resistant tape if needed.

STEP 5: PRESS YOUR DESIGN USING THE CRICUT MUG PRESS

Place your mug press on a heat-resistant surface and plug it into a wall outlet. Press the power button. It takes my Cricut Mug Press approx. 4 min to heat up and it will beep letting you know it's ready!

Notice how I have a heat-resistant EasyPress Pad ready for when I take my hot mug out of the press in a few min.

When the Mug Press beeps you can place your mug at a slight angle to ensure no tape gets accidentally pulled up while placing your mug in the press.

Once the mug is in the press, hold the handle of the mug to try to keep it centered so the mug gets pressed evenly on both sides.

Your mug press will beep when it's completed. Mine takes approx 6 min to fully press. Here is the mug press in action.

When it beeps carefully touching only the handle of the mug and lift up on the clamp on the mug press. Be careful not to touch the heat plate with the backs of your fingers too!

Place your hot mug right away on the heat-resistance pad. Allow cooling approx. 15 min. I waited 10 min and it was still slightly warm to touch.

Once cooled, carefully remove the tape and/or design and admire its beauty!

Peel off the other side design

Ta Daaaaaa!

See, I said you could do it! Just imagine the fun mug projects you will be making and be really proud as well.