How to Make a Mug with Cricut Infusible Ink in the Oven!


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Making a mug using Cricut Infusible Ink is a game changer! Infusible Ink works on sublimation mugs and can be done without a heat press in your own oven. Make a custom mug using Cricut Infusible Ink as the perfect handmade gift.

How to Make a Mug with Cricut Infusible Ink in the Oven!


Making a mug using Cricut Infusible Ink is a game changer! Cricut Infusible Ink works on sublimation mugs and can be done without a heat press in your own oven. 


Make a custom mug using Cricut Infusible Ink as the perfect handmade gift.



I love giving handmade gifts for the holidays, check out my list of 968 handmade gift ideas here!



This post will teach you all about making a sublimation mug using Cricut Infusible ink in your own oven. 


The CRICUT MUG PRESS will make mug making a cinch--but here's how to do it without one.



Use a sublimation mug and Cricut infusible ink for the perfect handmade gift. Hi Cutie! I wanted to wrap the entire mug and leave some negative space with my hand lettering. I love how it turned out!

Hi Cutie! I wanted to wrap the entire mug and leave some negative space with my hand lettering. I love how it turned out! It's so me. I can't wait to make custom mugs for all my friends. 


If you are hesitant about investing in Cricut, check out this post about Starting a Cricut Business! It's all my tips, tricks and tried/true tactics! (that's a long alliteration!) Make your craft tools work for you.

Okay, let's get started on the benefits of making your own mugs. These are perfect last minute gifts; great for teachers, neighbors, friends, coworkers, etc. 

I filled them with hot chocolate packets, candy and treats for a great Christmas gift for my friends.


This sublimation mug is made from Cricut infusible ink in the kitchen oven. Great handmade gift idea!

Best part is that this mug can be used in the microwave and washed in the dishwasher safely. And the ink does not budge!


This fun craft uses a Sublimation mug. This is a special mug with a coating on it that reacts with the ink to transfer it flawlessly, vividly and absolutely seamlessly. I'm using the 15 ounce mug size...I love the size and the large handle!

This fun craft uses a Sublimation mug. This is a special mug with a coating on it that reacts with the ink to transfer it flawlessly, vividly and absolutely seamlessly. 


I'm using the 15 ounce mug size...I love the size and the large handle!


***But be cautioned!!!


This was my first sublimation mug using Cricut Infusible Ink...and I did it wrong the first time and it was a gigantic fail. Details on this later.

This was my first sublimation mug using Cricut Infusible Ink...and I did it wrong the first time and it was a gigantic fail. Details on this later. 


I'll walk you through the steps so that you won't start out with a giant fail. I'll make sure you aren't wasting your supplies making burned mugs.

I'll walk you through the steps so that you won't start out with a giant fail. I'll make sure you aren't wasting your supplies making burned mugs.

I'll walk you through the steps so that you won't start out with a giant fail. I'll make sure you aren't wasting your supplies making burned mugs.

Let's get started!

Supplies Needed for Cricut Infusible Ink Mug:


Or CRICUT MUG PRESS


Supplies Needed for Cricut Infusible Ink Mug: Sublimation Mug Cricut Infusible Ink Silicone Mug Wrap Cricut Brayer Cricut Cutting Machine/mat Cricut Heat Resistant Tape Oven

Helpful Tips when working with Infusible Ink:


  • Don't rush, make sure you have plenty of time for the project 
  • Make sure your hands are clean and dry (not sweaty or moist)
  • Touch the transfer paper as little as possible
  • Don't forget to mirror the image
  • The Infusible Ink will brighten after pressing, so don't panic if it's dull




Helpful Tips when working with Infusible Ink:  Don't rush, make sure you have plenty of time for the project  Make sure your hands are clean and dry (not sweaty or moist) Touch the transfer paper as little as possible Don't forget to mirror the image The Infusible Ink will brighten after pressing, so don't panic if it's dull All instructions can be found at http://infusibleink.com/

Step 1: Mug Design


Begin by designing your mug in Cricut Design Space™. I love this geometric colorful Infusible Ink, so I decided to do a mug wrap and use my own hand lettering as negative space. 


I like a cheerful mug, especially with these bright colors, so I wrote out hi cutie. I also like it when the mug is just as cute from either side.



Step 1: Mug Design Begin by designing your mug in Cricut Design Space™. I love this geometric colorful Infusible Ink, so I decided to do a mug wrap and use my own hand lettering as negative space.   I like a cheerful mug, especially with these bright colors, so I wrote out hi cutie. I also like it when the mug is just as cute from either side.




So I added a square shape in Design Space and unlocked the ratio so I could make it a rectangle measuring to fit the size of the sublimation mug. It's 3.75 inches tall and 9 inches wide. 


Then I set the hi cutie image on both sides, half inch from the edge. Then I sliced it to cut the lettering out of the rectangle.


Repeat for the other side. 


This is a little complicated for a first mug, but it worked beautifully, so don't let yourself get overwhelmed.


Mirror the image in CDS and place the ink side up on the Cricut cutting mat. Then cut!


There are so many gorgeous text images in Design Space that you can pick from and use the positive space to make a fun mug too.



So I added a square shape in Design Space and unlocked the ratio so I could make it a rectangle measuring to fit the size of the sublimation mug. It's 3.75 inches tall and 9 inches wide.   Then I set the hi cutie image on both sides, half inch from the edge. Then I sliced it to cut the lettering out of the rectangle.  Repeat for the other side.   This is a little complicated for a first mug, but it worked beautifully, so don't let yourself get overwhelmed.  Mirror the image in CDS and place the ink side up on the Cricut cutting mat. Then cut!  There are so many gorgeous text images in Design Space that you can pick from and use the positive space to make a fun mug too.

Step 2: Cutting Infusible Ink


Place the Infusible Ink Transfer on the Cricut Mat and use the brayer to smooth it down. Try not to touch the Infusible Ink Transfer too much.


Now insert the Cricut Mat into the machine and have it cut out the design. Set the material to Cricut Infusible Ink Transfers and it will cut perfectly.


Step 2: Cutting Infusible Ink Place the Infusible Ink Transfer on the Cricut Mat and use the brayer to smooth it down. Try not to touch the Infusible Ink Transfer too much.  Now insert the Cricut Mat into the machine and have it cut out the design. Set the material to Cricut Infusible Ink Transfers and it will cut perfectly.

Step 3: Placing Infusible Ink


Use your fingers to peel out the negative space of the cut Infusible Ink. Don't use a hook tool because it can prick ink onto the transfer sheet and it will still show up. 


Next, use a strip of Heat Resistant Tape and tape the edge down on the mug. Line up the image around the mug and tape it down on the other side. Tape the Infusible Ink down on all 4 edges. 


Pictured here is the first mug I did (the fail), I overused heat tape and covered the entire thing. This is not necessary.


Step 3: Placing Infusible Ink Use your fingers to peel out the negative space of the cut Infusible Ink. Don't use a hook tool because it can prick ink onto the transfer sheet and it will still show up.   Next, use a strip of Heat Resistant Tape and tape the edge down on the mug. Line up the image around the mug and tape it down on the other side. Tape the Infusible Ink down on all 4 edges.   Pictured here is the first mug I did (the fail), I overused heat tape and covered the entire thing. This is not necessary.

Again, this is overkill on the Heat Resistant Tape, just a strip across the top and bottom to keep the Infusible Ink from shifting.


****Okay, if you have the MUG PRESS, this is where it comes in to save the day!

Again, this is overkill on the Heat Resistant Tape, just a strip across the top and bottom to keep the Infusible Ink from shifting.  At this point, you can just bake this without the silicone wrap...but I like having it.

At this point, you can just bake this without the silicone wrap...but I like having it. 

Then stretch the silicone wrap around the mug and click the closure tight. 


Then stretch the silicone wrap around the mug and click the closure tight.

***Okay, here's where my fail came in.


I decided to use a toaster oven to bake it. I think because a toaster oven is so small, there is more heat around the mug than if it's in a large oven. It roasted the mug!


The mug came out brown like a roasted marshmallow. It melted the Heat Resistant Tape and burned the Infusible Ink right onto the mug!


***Okay, here's where my fail came in. I decided to use a toaster oven to bake it. I think because a toaster oven is so small, there is more heat around the mug than if it's in a large oven. It roasted the mug!  The mug came out brown like a roasted marshmallow. It melted the Heat Resistant Tape and burned the Infusible Ink right onto the mug!

What a disappointment!


There may be a way to use a toaster oven, but I don't want to keep experimenting with it. Maybe with less heat or less time...but I don't know. 


It was a DISASTER!

Step 4: Baking the Mug So I tried again. I set the mug on a baking sheet and heated my kitchen oven to 400 degrees F. Then I put the tray and mug in the oven.   Just bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.

Step 4: Baking the Mug


So I tried again. I set the mug on a baking sheet and heated my kitchen oven to 400 degrees F. Then I put the tray and mug in the oven. 


Just bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.


400*F for 15 minutes.


Step 4: Baking the Mug So I tried again. I set the mug on a baking sheet and heated my kitchen oven to 400 degrees F. Then I put the tray and mug in the oven.   Just bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.

The mug will be super hot, so be careful! 


I wore oven mits and removed the silicone wrap. 


Then wait about 20 minutes for the mug to cool down and remove the Heat Tape and Infusible Ink backing.


The mug will be super hot, so be careful! I wore oven mits and removed the silicone wrap. Then wait about 20 minutes for the mug to cool down and remove the Heat Tape and Infusible Ink backing.

Removing the Infusible Ink backing is like Christmas morning, unwrapping the present you are so excited about! 


Especially after my big fail, I was eager to see if this worked. It did!


Removing the Infusible Ink backing is like Christmas morning, unwrapping the present you are so excited about! Especially after my big fail, I was eager to see if this worked. It did!


Isn't this beautiful!? The Cricut Infusible Ink becomes bright and vivid! 


This mug is the envy of the cupboard. 


Isn't this beautiful!? The Cricut Infusible Ink becomes bright and vivid! This mug is the envy of the cupboard.

Think of all the gorgeous gifts you can make with this fun trick! Just add a packet or 2 of hot chocolate and you have the perfect handmade gift for the holidays. 


Think of all the gorgeous gifts you can make with this fun trick! Just add a packet or 2 of hot chocolate and you have the perfect handmade gift for the holidays.

Awesome, right!?


What will you put on your first mug? Make one and share it--tag @doodlecraft so I can cheer you on!


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Making a mug using Cricut Infusible Ink is a game changer! Infusible Ink works on sublimation mugs and can be done without a heat press in your own oven. Make a custom mug using Cricut Infusible Ink as the perfect handmade gift.


Comments

SL Bradford said…
I so wish the mug press was not so expensive! It is the perfect size for my limited crafting area and I love that it can manage more than one size mug. I was able to follow your instructions and though my first mug had some errors (my fault!), I was excited that I can at least try out the Infusible ink with my oven and silicone wrap. I'm going to try putting the mug into a turkey roasting bag next to see if I can temper some of the off-gassing (UGH)! Thank you for sharing this post!!