
EASILY LEARN THE METHOD I USE FOR LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUGS AND GRAB MY FREE PATRIOTIC SVG FILE TO USE WITH YOUR CRICUT MUG PRESS!
When working with Infusible Ink, it’s important to note that you should not layer infusible ink on top of infusible ink. If you do this, it will either fade one layer or not show the infusible ink’s true vibrant colors.
The best way to use layered designs with Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets is to either use the “Slice and Set” method or use an SVG file that is already divided into separate layers for you such as the one I’m giving you today.
So basically when it comes time to put your design together on the transfer sheet, it’s like a fun puzzle you get to prepare then press. I love using my Cricut Mug Press for this! It’s so easy as there is no strapping anything tight, no temp or pressure to set, just put your prepped Mug in and line up the mug handle press the handle/lever down on the Mug Press, easy peasy!
Bonus Tip! You can even use your Cricut Mug Press with these cute bottles. So cute!
I also want to note that Cricut runs Ah-mazing sales throughout the year on their products so keep an eye out on those and stock up as that is what I do! Also to note, if you are a Cricut Access Subscriber you save even more on your purchases, a win-win!
If by chance, you miss Cricut’s 40% off sales and they are out of stock on their Mug blanks, I’ve used these here with great success! (and they come with gift boxes!).
VIDEO: LAYERING INFUSIBLE INK MUGS
VIEW MY AMAZON LIST FOR THIS PROJECT!
SUPPLIES TO CREATE A LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUGS
- Infusible Ink (I prefer these with no lines on back of liner) I used Red, Blue, and Warm Gray
- Cricut Mug Blanks or Sublimation Mug Blanks
- Green Standard Grip Mat
- EasyPress Mat
- Lint Roller
- Cricut Mug Press
- Sharp Pointed Angled Tweezers (Such a huge help placing separate pieces together)
- My FREE “Imperfectly, Perfect Patriotic Rainbow File available in my “Resource Library”.
HOW TO MAKE A LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUG USING A CRICUT MUG PRESS

LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUGS: FREE PATRIOTIC SVG FILE
How to easily make multiple and layered Infusible Ink Mugs with the Cricut Mug Press
You can do this!
Materials
Tools
Cricut Cutting Machines
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.
Notes
Reminder: Be sure to use Heat Press on a Heat Resistant surface and to place your Hot Mug on a Heat Resistant surface too. Also when using Infusible Ink it's good to open a window or provide a fan in your crafting area for ventilation.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED FOR THIS LAYERED INFUSIBLE INK MUG PROJECT
Q: Can I use my Cricut Joy for this project using Infusible Ink or is it only for vinyl and cardstock?
Absolutely! In fact, Cricut sells Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets that are ideal for the Cricut Mug Press and the Cricut Joy. They are 4.5″ wide and can be used with the Cricut Joy, Maker & Explore.
Q: It seems there would be leftover pieces or scraps of Infusible Ink with each project, can we use them or toss them?
Yes, save your scraps as I do. I store mine in ziplock bags and store it inside a cabinet. They need to be kept moisture-free and in a dark location. Another way is to keep them in a zipper pouch inside of a binder in the cabinet etc. Also, I often re-arrange my designs on the “Preview” mat before it cuts to help save on material.
Q: Can I use my large-size Infusible Inks with the Mug Press?
Yes, I have successfully used both the large sizes and the ones marked ideal for the Mug Press. The difference between the two is the boxes marked ideal for the Mug Press doesn’t have any lines or markings on the Carrier sheet that sticks to your Mug. In this tutorial, the “warm gray” infusible ink was from a large ink sheet and it looks beautiful with no issues, so it may depend on which design you are using. Cricut advises this for reference which may be helpful for you too.
Q: Can you overlay Infusible Ink?
It’s not advisable due to the fact that it will result in a faded ink look along with the possibilities of the colors blending in an unwanted outcome.
Q: Can I use white ceramic mugs?
No, you need a mug that has been “Poly Coated”. These are often referred to as “Sublimation Blanks”. Please also note, you need a straight-walled mug design, not the kind that is tapered small on the bottom and larger up top.
Q: I found a gray sublimation mug from a social media ad, will this work?
I have not seen the ad, but I would like to say that white mugs provide the most vibrant outcome due to the fact that Infusible Ink is transparent.
Q: Can Infusible Ink Mugs be washed in my dishwasher?
Yes! Dishwasher safe plus no cure time is needed prior to washing as well.
Q: Can you layer Infusible Ink on a mug?
You can layer and/or use multiple colors on one mug by using the “Slice and Set” method which you can easily do in Cricut Design Space. You can also download SVG files that have already done the “Slice and Set” method for you such as the “Patriotic Rainbow” files I give away for free in this tutorial. I store all my free files in my “Resource Library”.
Q: Do I need to use butcher paper like when I make the coaster?
No, do not use butcher paper for Infusible Ink transfer sheets only. But you do want to use 3 sheets of butcher paper (this is to protect the ink from transferring onto your Mug Press Heat Plates) and 1 piece of laser copy paper which is where your design will be when using Infusible Ink Pens or Markers for a Mug Press design. I hope this helps clear up any confusion 😊
Q: Can I use other Sublimation type products in the Cricut Mug Press?
Yes, The Mug Press can accommodate from 11 to 16 OZ Mugs. I recently used these darling sublimation blanks and the outcome was outstanding and just so darn cute!
MORE INFUSIBLE INK PROJECTS TO SEE!
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