Cricut Infusible Ink on Polyester vs Cotton

Does Cricut infusible ink work on any t-shirt or any fabric? Today I test infusible ink on polyester vs cotton t-shirts to see how they compare and what's different!
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I've been seeing a ton of infusible ink projects online since it was released. Since I work with fabric a ton, I was curious to know how it would work on different fabrics. I tried infusible ink on a polyester Cricut blank t-shirt, a 50/50 cotton polyester t-shirt, and a 100% cotton t-shirt to see how the fabric affected the infusible ink.
All the t-shirts I used were white, v-neck, and about the same fabric thickness for the most accurate comparison. I also used the same "Sew, this is love" SVG cut out of a black infusible ink transfer sheet for each t-shirt.
It was really fascinating seeing the outcome of each t-shirt, and I was both surprised and not surprised by the outcome. It makes me want to try different colors and even more fabrics.
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[@dionneminner9390]

Great video! You can treat 100% cotton with products like PolyTPlus to give it a polyester like coating so the ink transfers

[@HeatherHandmade]

Thanks for the info!

[@calab777]

The Wife is looking at the Circut Infusible Ink stuff. Once I started to do the research on what was required, I had questions. Thank you very much! This video was vary informative and answered the questions we have. My only additional request would be to have a follow up on how each shirt looks after 1, 5, 10 washes. Or something along those lines to validate the durability of Infusible ink on each medium. Thank you very much for taking the time to make and share this!

[@HeatherHandmade]

I have one video here with the first wash - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWS6dZR_fK6fsKM. I can say that the polyester infusible ink and the 50/50 infusible ink held up beautifully. The cotton infusible ink has faded to almost nonexistant after 10 washes.

[@Beakerzor]

@@HeatherHandmade thank you for the follow up link!

[@mallorikerr4092]

For best results let your project cool completely before removing the transfer sheet. The color is still a gas and won't solidify completely until it's completely cool. Also using heat tape helps a lot with smaller designs.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Great tip!

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[@harveysawyer2447]

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[@casekaiser1867]

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[@Infinity2025-0]

Thanks for sharing ur knowledge with us. I'm just starting out with customizing t-shirts & I'm kinda new to the infusible ink paper. This video was informative cause u display different t-shirts using the infusible ink paper. I'm always curious on how long a design with infusible ink would last between washing it. I'm using my iron which is a bad idea for big projects. Definitely looking into a heat press like u have till i can afford a bigger heat press machine

[@HeatherHandmade]

check out this video where I washed the t-shirts kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWS6dZR_fK6fsKM

[@Infinity2025-0]

@@HeatherHandmade Thanks. Just checked it out

[@freedomofreligion3248]

I hope you're still on YT, because YOU actually create quality content, unlike some other (only a few...) YT with Cricut people. I appreciate you.

[@HeatherHandmade]

thank you!

[@sylviebradley4951]

Thank you so much! I’m a new cricuter (just bought my Joy today)! 😁

[@HeatherHandmade]

Have fun!

[@staceyengstrom2012]

and did you wash them? Wondering if i decided to use the cotton (3rd) shirt, if the color held up as well? thanks! this was good to see! I am bummed that polyester is the only and best material/fabric to use for infusible ink as it is the worst for us to wear. there are a lot of inhibitory health factors to polyester clothing, furniture, bedding etc. sad but true. thanks for a great video!

[@HeatherHandmade]

I have a video where I showed washing them! kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWS6dZR_fK6fsKM&ab_channel=HeatherHandmade I still prefer the 50/50. I also have a video where I used Sublimation spray on cotton to get fusible ink to work. kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXnLq4uAapadj5o Read all the comments to get lots of great tips.

[@concrete490]

1st time seeing someone not actually standing and applying good pressure but thanks for sharing. 👍🏽

[@HeatherHandmade]

With the largest Easypress 2 I usually don't need to add much extra pressure. They are pretty heavy!

[@concrete490]

@@HeatherHandmade Oh. Like at least 25 lbs?

[@glenannhuneke642]

Good comparison! Thank you. I was making a baby onesie for my soon to be born great-grandson, and I got in a hurry at the last minute and forgot to add one of the little images. I went out today and couldn't find another Cricut one. So, on the recommendation of a lady I bought a cotton one. After your "experiment", I believe I should use vinyl on it. Thanks again!.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Oh I'm so glad it helped you!

[@WisdomPrevails369]

You have to apply pressure to get all the ink in the fibers I heard on other video.

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

I saw on another video where you can use a spray to treat the cotton tshirt and the results come out as good as the cricut shirts.

[@HeatherHandmade]

I wouldn't recommend this and I can't imagine what would be sprayed to make the cotton work like polyester.

[@chantalewis3091]

What video was it?

[@rebeccagilbertson977]

Problem is I can't find polyester for tea towels or oven mitts. Most people don't wear polyester shirts.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Agreed! I think this is a big problem. I know that Cricut is slowly making more and more polyester items. This summer they released more t-shirt sizes, pillow covers, wine bags, and makeup bags.

[@staceyengstrom2012]

Thanks Heather...this was VERY helpful! I have a lot of infusible ink that I haven't used yet. At the time when i bought the material, I didn't really realize it had to be applied to polyester for best results. :(. Such a bummer, cuz cotton is best to wear. Polyester isn't good, for a lot of health reasons (something I recently learned). Maybe I'll just try and sell my supply of infusible inks...sad cuz I wanted to make shirts that would last better than the iron on vinyl. How does the infusible wash...does it fade quickly? ty

[@HeatherHandmade]

Infusible ink never fades if done right. It works really, really well. I've also tested a spray on cotton to get infusible ink to work here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jXnLq4uAapadj5o Read all the comments to get more information than what I put in the video. Or I did this post with an infusible ink and cotton fabric hack: www.heatherhandmade.com/cricut-infusible-ink-and-cotton-hack/

[@jennifermorris5577]

So would you say 400 or 385 for 40sec.?

[@HeatherHandmade]

the instructions say 400 for 40 sec and following the instructions will get the boldest color transfer

[@aleenabutt]

Thank you for this video! I always wondered how it would react to a cotton shirt. The ink not melting through completely on the polyester shirt happened to me too on a thick design, it's quite disappointing especially when you're working on an order for a customer! But my easypress didn't fluctuate in temperature so that's very odd.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Glad it was helpful! Do you think less pressure on the corners would change the ink not coming through?

[@aleenabutt]

@@HeatherHandmade maybe! I'll give it a shot and let you know. Also, do you notice that sometimes the shirt burns on the back?

[@amyladwig2284]

You aren't supposed to use pressure with the infusible inks. It's not like vinyl where you need the pressure to make sure it adheres. Infusible ink just need the heat and the right fiber. Also I would really recommend a cool peel vs a warm peel. If the design is still too warm when you remove it and it slips you could transfer some of the leftover color in places you don't want or cause ghosting. 😊

[@Boogeyman1435]

What would happen if you let te cotton t shirt cool, and then hit it with the easy press for a second time?

[@HeatherHandmade]

The infusible ink starts to lift up when it's heated again so if you did it would make the design start to fade.

[@stephaniehawkins6858]

Thank you so much for this comparison demonstration. Also thanks for getting right to the point. I enjoyed your video! I will be subscribing.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tchili1]

Thank you so much for the great comparisons! Can you recommend any place that would have a toddler size polyester T shirt? Am wanting so much to make something for my grandchildren. Am brand new to Cricut crafting and all I've done so far is to make several cards. Am struggling to learn the Design Space! Am going to see your other videos now! Thanks so much!

[@HeatherHandmade]

I think Cricut sells toddler size polyester t-shirts, which would also sell at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Michael's, and Joann Fabrics. I've also checked Amazon and found some workout type polyester t-shirts for kids.

[@tchili1]

@@HeatherHandmade Thank you SOmuch for taking the time to reply AND for investigating! I will definitely check those places too. God bless and be safe.❤

[@mgshizzle2213]

im here to tell u ive used cotton and cricut shirts im not impressed with the the cricut brand shirts either still come out real faded looking so either im doing something wrong i literlly did everything u did excpect that i use a shirt press at 385 for 40 secs any ideas why they keep coming out faded

[@HeatherHandmade]

You have to go to 400 degrees or the ink comes out faded. I even have a problem with my Easypress not staying at 400 and then my shirts don't turn out!

[@BrittanyandDannyCal]

Thank you for comparing!!! Do you know if it can be used on a light grey shirt

[@HeatherHandmade]

I think you can. Here are two examples of Infusible Ink on color fabric. www.heatherhandmade.com/infusible-ink-on-color-vs-white/ www.heatherhandmade.com/diy-valentine-shirts-with-free-printable/

[@kresponworkman213]

What if you used cotton and did it for another 40 seconds?

[@HeatherHandmade]

If you use it on cotton fabric it will wash out over time in the wash

[@kresponworkman213]

@@HeatherHandmade it didn't work that well. It turned more gray when I used black.

[@kimdowell5781]

Thank you! That was very helpful and answered a lot of questions!

[@HeatherHandmade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anastasiabrizard-josephs7102]

Question I try to used infusible ink on Micheals shirt... like with the craft store shirt is the infusible ink not really meant for those? I press light and I didn’t see nothing change on my shirt, and it didn’t come out and I don’t know what I did wrong :( please help 😫

[@HeatherHandmade]

The infusible ink only works on 100% polyester t-shirt with 400 degree heat for 40 seconds.

[@chrissav3081]

What did she put under the shirt? I just heard she said “this” 😩

[@74mabrown]

it was just a manila file folder

[@HeatherHandmade]

I use cardstock or a manila folder (anything that will prevent the ink from going through)

[@odettepross2435]

i use cotton all the time..LET IT GET COLD BEFORE TAKING THE TRANSFER OFF

[@kazooboo2431]

How did they wash?

[@HeatherHandmade]

check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWS6dZR_fK6fsKM

[@kazooboo2431]

Oh great thanks. I had checked your KZbin video list but didn’t come across this one.

[@Trebushea]

So helpful thank you so much

[@HeatherHandmade]

So glad!

[@teamjensen3]

wow really need this!! thanks for the comparison

[@HeatherHandmade]

Thanks for watching!

[@patriciabrown67]

What transfer paper did you use? Thanks for sharing

[@HeatherHandmade]

I used Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer sheets to make these designs

[@cynthiajordanbrown3923]

Also, The true test will be when you wash the shirt(s)...the cotton ones.

[@HeatherHandmade]

I did wash them and it fades a little every time it's washed

[@Beakerzor]

@@HeatherHandmade thanks so much for this video! I was most interested in how it came out after being washed, like if the ink spread or colored the rest of the clothes, as if the ink wasn't bonded at all, but it's good to know the ink doesn't just wash 100% off. Cheers!

[@paulmcmillan9845]

Which t shirt are you wearing?

[@kedarjohnson7063]

Wait is the 1st one 100% cotton or polyester .?

[@HeatherHandmade]

I think it goes polyester, 50/50, cotton

[@samanthaeanes5550]

What temp and time do u use on the cricut easy press?

[@HeatherHandmade]

This depends a lot on what you are using. With Infusible Ink I always use 400 degrees.

[@rochelle903]

Thank you for this video!

[@HeatherHandmade]

You are so welcome!

[@brolicscholars360motivation]

Thank you!

[@HeatherHandmade]

You're welcome!

[@AnnetteSeletzky]

Wow! thanks, this is great information.

[@HeatherHandmade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@odettepross2435]

also your tshirts arent all pure white

[@manchieffilms]

Great video

[@HeatherHandmade]

Thank you!

[@bethbilous4720]

I would never wear a polyester t shirt, so I guess i am not using infusible ink.

[@HeatherHandmade]

I don't like wearing polyester. I did a hack later where I put the infusible ink on polyester fabric and then appliqued the fabric onto a cotton shirt. That worked a lot better for me!

[@Coolestpotatoe]

Polyester shirts are so thin🥲

[@HeatherHandmade]

Yes they are!

[@shannonericksen1291]

Who the hell wears polyester? Gross!