How to Use Infusible Ink Pens | Cricut Tutorial

Keen to learn how to use Cricut Infusible Ink Pens? I cover the steps to use these pens, as well as some test on how to get the best out of your Infusible Ink Pens!
Infusible ink pens can be confusing to use, but just like sublimation, you just need to a few simple steps and then your infusible ink project will be a success!
Supplies used in this video:
Infusible ink pens: amzn.to/42oPTs5
Copy Paper: amzn.to/3ASGqxy
Sublimation Paper alternative: amzn.to/3ra2qCh
Easy press: amzn.to/3XxqgEu
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[@AmbutuMalone]

I have watched countless videos (ARGHHHH). Thank goodness, I was lead here from specifically searching "infusible ink pen with sublimation paper". Thank you, THANK you, THANK you!!!

[@KellyRossouw]

You're very welcome!

[@jamiehall246]

I have been cricketing for a year and have watched a handful of makers vids, including one on copy v sublimination paper! You taught me even more! I havent even used my pens cuz i thought they were for free hand stuff, which i suck at, but now im running through this open door!! Thanks so much! (i also love your unique hair and your calm and intelligent mannerisms)

[@KellyRossouw]

ooooh hope you have the absolute best time! Thank you so much

[@ginger4368]

Wow! Thank you for such a fantastic explanation, example, and tutorial. This was by far the best one I've watched and learned from.

[@KellyRossouw]

You're very welcome! Thats high praise!

[@Loveandkissme]

I finally got Infusible Ink Pens recently and I am so happy to find your video. It helps a lot! Thank you very much.

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome!

[@juliehuddleston4283]

I just viewed this video on 3/29/23. I will view it again when I take the dive into Infusible Ink pens. VERY HELPFUL. Thank you!

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome!

[@ruthybarretta7955]

I kinda wish I would not of bought the pens after watching this, thanks for the honest review

[@KellyRossouw]

Aw im sorry! But you are so welcome, I love the brand, but will always be honest - not every product hits the mark!

[@runsontrails3091]

I was so excited with my possibilities I bought pens, engraving infusible paper. I’ve only wasted my efforts and have learned it’s just harder than I expected. I’m still undaunted.

[@amyloomis235]

I’ve learned so much from just a few of your videos! Just love them!

[@KellyRossouw]

I'm so glad! Thank you

[@robertamiehle2872]

Glad I found this video. I recently bought pens to try but I was unclear if I could use regular copy paper. You answered that question for me! Thanks!

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad I could help! 🙂

[@ginavanoudtshoorn9742]

Great video. Wow, so nice to see that copy paper works so well. Very nice craft idea for people who love to color in. Moms, come on, great idea for your kids to create and color in 😜

[@KellyRossouw]

Thank you so much 🤗

[@LovinSims3]

I'm glad you made this video. I'm still learning cricut stuff.

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dreakie]

Good vibes only!!! Thanks for an awesome video, again!

[@KellyRossouw]

Aww thank you!

[@ellen-marie6692]

This is super helpful, thanks Kelly!

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad it was helpful!

[@christeenleeful]

Great video. It was nice to see the comparison between the 2 papers.

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@number_1_nana]

Your tutorial is very easy to follow,thank you

[@KellyRossouw]

You're welcome 😊 Did you have fun making your project? :D

[@luannezaida7620]

Thank you! I've had my Cricut with all tools, cardstock, vinyl AND sublimation pens; however, I've been too afraid to try it! I was told I needed another printer for sublimation, and believe me, my husband and spent over $1,000 for everything I have now, there's no way we could afford the printer!! So, your video taught me that I can use the pens with regular copy paper and my sublimation pens!!!!! Fingers crossed....here I go! Thank you, Kelly! I'll be back :)

[@KellyRossouw]

Awesome! Glad I could help! Sub printers are nice but pricey. Try find someone in your area you can buy prints from in the mean time while you save up for one!

[@adriennelucky2223]

This video was really helpful! Thank you!

[@KellyRossouw]

You're so welcome!

[@wjonesmoney44]

Wow glad I ran across your video. Thanks for the amazing video

[@KellyRossouw]

You are most welcome!

[@greghaff229]

I did enjoy your video, it was a nice break from the 3 hours of trying to set up my Cricut mug heat press.

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lizellesolomon7963]

thanks a mill Kelly, just got my set on special for R399 today. Excited. I am also shocked about the copy paper but good to know

[@KellyRossouw]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@annesmith8488]

thank you. You went the perfect speed, you explained as you went, I will be back !

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad it helped! Welcome!

[@sunshinewaterwellness-kang9511]

Very nice Job... Thank you... I was wondering if I should by sublimation paper. You answered my question . Never thought to color in my words.. thank you!!!!

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad I could help!

[@crochetwithbernie1025]

Thanks Kelly, great video, love your honest review, because it saves me from buying unnecessary things, really wanted the pens, but now I think maybe not, my pocket cannot afford it😢

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome! Yes, its super important to be honest about these things, they aren't my favourite Cricut product, and that's totally OK!

[@mocha8323]

OMG I just stumbled upon your vid and I am so glad I did! I have watched many vids and all the "off topic" talking just makes me loose where I was in trying to figure out the Cricut. You are straight forward you stay on topic and I learned from the first watch! I think as a new Cricut owner some off us just need this to be just about what we are trying to figure out. I am sure as I get more comfortable with making things the off topic chatter will not be an issue I am still in that "I paid a lot of money for all this stuff and don't want to mess it up and waste it phase. Thank you! I will be watching more from you!!

[@KellyRossouw]

Oooh it irks me too! Thank you so much - appreciate it!

[@sherylosullivan9619]

I agree! I appreciate good editing.

[@mrob9110024]

New to the CRICUT COMMUNITY 😊Looking forward to learning more from you.

[@KellyRossouw]

Welcome to the family!!

[@Casmith194]

So helpful & honest thank you!

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome! xx

[@beckyzayas5749]

Good information, thanks.

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome!

[@bkgoldoverseernana1291]

I’m excited and ready to use my pens! It’s good to know you can use copy paper.

[@KellyRossouw]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@leeandaaltoft5884]

What exactly do you mean by copy paper? Just ordinary paper ?

[@ErwinVanVeldhuizen]

Yes I was supprised

[@nafisamahmood5272]

A very helpful video thanks dear

[@KellyRossouw]

My pleasure 😊

[@riettewilken462]

Thank you Kelly...Bought the pens on a special, and has been too intimidated to try "sublimation". Will give it a go. And love that I can use normal copy paper. Loving your tutorials😍

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome! and thank you!

[@cherisegroenewald]

Thanks Kelly. 😊

[@KellyRossouw]

Any time! 💙

[@maggiehamiltonpei]

This was my question Thank you

[@KellyRossouw]

You are most welcome!

[@anniesews]

Thank you for this informative video. I have the Infusible Ink Pens and haven't used them yet. Great comparison with copy paper and sublimation paper. I like the copy paper much better, also. So, I guess we need to keep the pens stored upside down.

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome! Yes, best to keep them stored lid down

[@gertrudesgarbage4811]

Great video!

[@KellyRossouw]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lindagalindo9163]

I am surprised at the outcome. Thanks for doing this. I now know I can use both types.

[@KellyRossouw]

You are so welcome!

[@transgreaser]

Yay copy paper! and yay you!

[@KellyRossouw]

haha yesss I love that it works better on copy paper too!

[@SaraOelfke]

When you apply the heat, do you put the iron/press directly on the paper?

[@riettewilken462]

Thanks!

[@KellyRossouw]

Ah thank you so much Riëtte! Very much appreciate the support

[@ParentinginStLouis]

I was shocked too. Thanks for the video- it helped us make our material shopping decision for our merch! -Sacred Hammer Ink, LLC

[@KellyRossouw]

That is awesome!

[@kellyalderfer6430]

I know this is a year ago, but I just have to tell you how cute your hair looked. Nice job! And thank you for the great video!

[@KellyRossouw]

aaaaw thank you so much! I love my rainbow hair haha, it looks pretty different now to this video, but still a rainbow! :D

[@Kim-th8xe]

THIS is so cool, really sucky that the pens kept drying out though. Thanks for sharing. Also your accent is very enjoyable to listen to lol.

[@KellyRossouw]

hehe thank you so much! :)

[@jakimills1237]

I have found the pens fry out very quickly, after little use. Even standing them vertically didn’t help. Your video has inspired me to give them another go ie use my stash

[@KellyRossouw]

Thanks for sharing! Im very interested to see the long term use of these too! haha using my stash is a real problem here too hehe

[@lollypop7006]

Wow I have never used mine before u have the canvas bags guessing I would need the heat press to transfer mine

[@KellyRossouw]

Yes! This needs a heat source to transfer :)

[@designrepcom]

Yet again another great review. Not a mm of tendencious comments

[@KellyRossouw]

Thank you so much

[@patricialooper6209]

My first time watching your video patty’s in Westminster md

[@KellyRossouw]

Thank you for your support! 💙

[@sherylosullivan9619]

My daughter gave me Cricut drawing pens for Christmas and I’ve not used them yet. I sure hope they work better than the sublimation ones!

[@KellyRossouw]

The normal Cricut pens are awesome!! I love them xx

[@raneetarodriguez1587]

Hi, new to using infusable pens/markers. Does thr type of copy paper matter? Have you tried using the infusable ink on canvas tote bags? Do you know if we can use infusable ink along with glitter iron on? Thanks in advance

[@KellyRossouw]

I havent tested many different types of copy paper yet unfortunately. Works well on all sublimatable surfaces. You should be able to use it with glitter iron on, you can even use it on white glitter!

[@bkd5657]

What circuit machine do you have? I am going to be getting a circuit explore air 2 machine would these pens work with that machine?

[@KellyRossouw]

That is a fantastic machine, the pens will definitely work!

[@sarahanney7658]

So did you use the cricut iron to transfer the decal? I’m confused what heat source you used? If any, lol newbie here :)

[@KellyRossouw]

Hi Sarah! Yes! All Infusible inks need to be transferred using consistent heat (180-200C /380-400F) over a longer timeframe (40-60 seconds usually on fabric/most items)and 0 movemebt to transfer

[@giannalpstv3874]

Hi, I am excited to try this for the first time. Can this be done with a regular iron or do you need a press to do it? Thanks

[@KellyRossouw]

I have used an iron before for infusible inks, you need to ensure to not "overcook" certain areas, not move the item while pressing, and to press for the correct times

[@kristicross5729]

Do wood slices also have to be "sublimation ready" before transferring an image?

[@KellyRossouw]

Hi Kristi! No, but you wont get as good a result on natural wood. Check out my videos on this here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3XIlmtjl8lqnNU and: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGKlpparpamihck

[@claudiavessel2691]

Thanks for the tutorial. I’m about to start using infusible ink pens! Do you think the infusible markers should’ve been used instead of the pens? Just wondering what the difference is. 🤔

[@KellyRossouw]

Yes, definitely they are just thicker pens (1mm vs 0.4mm)

[@nancygerbasio1166]

Do you have to use cricket infusible, pens or can you use regular like Crayola markers?

[@KellyRossouw]

Regular markers will not work unfortunately. It is special ink designed for the sublimation process. They need to be Cricut Infusible ink, or another brands sublimation markers/pens

[@sheilas.6170]

I have a Explorer Air2. Can I use the sublimation pens in my machine?

[@KellyRossouw]

You absolutely can!

[@kimrodriguez3481]

They do have the infusible ink pens for the Cricut joy now.

[@KellyRossouw]

Exciting! I hope we get them in South Africa soon :)

[@MrsAllum1]

Hey Kelly, are you able to show us how to use the offset to colour in? It's probably only my brain having an issue trying to figure it out 🤣

[@KellyRossouw]

Hi Sindie! You can check out this video I made: kzbin.info/www/bejne/an-tfH2Fhax0e8U that will help!

[@bkd5657]

I am a new subscriber

[@KellyRossouw]

Welcome! Thanks for stopping by!!

[@sumbl1ss]

“Offset trick” hatchfill. It will fill in the outlines image.

[@KellyRossouw]

yes it works well with an external design - unfortunately there isnt an option to easily use this within Design Space itself yet :) (if there is I dont know about it! 😆 )

[@andreagarofolo9431]

How and can I put on Tshirt and what kind of material shirt do I need

[@KellyRossouw]

You need polyester material, and you can follow exactly the same steps that I used in this video!

[@jeangrandy8672]

Can you use these on a shirt as an iron on with Copy paper??

[@KellyRossouw]

you can yes! Make sure your tshirt is polyester!

[@shannonspage9360]

Using the sublimation ink in a fountain pen or fillable markers seems like it would be easier

[@KellyRossouw]

I havent tried that - but its worth a try! You would only have 4 colours then - CMYK, so this way you have access to more colours!

[@alexisclaude7091]

Can you show us how you do the transfer? What do you put on top of the copier paper so it doesn’t burn when you are heating it?

[@KellyRossouw]

You press the ink onto the item for 45 seconds. I use a teflon sheet :)

[@izannejordaan3551]

​@@KellyRossouw do you make them warm with an iron or easy press? Or just put it on the product? Just got mine and have lots to learn.

[@Fromthesheshed]

I was surprised too that the copy paper did better, I haven’t used my pens yet but need to turn them all upside down now 🤔

[@KellyRossouw]

Me too! Was not expecting that outcome x

[@aprilhall6442]

Hello where did you got your pens from.

[@KellyRossouw]

Hi April. Im in South Africa, so not sure where in the world you are, but if you are in the US you can get them on Amazon: amzn.to/3aG6C4T If you are in SA, you can get them from SA Sublimation Blanks: sasublimationblanks.co.za/shop/cricut/cricut-pens/2008782-cricut-ultimate-infusible-ink-pen-set-30-pack/

[@lisaleone2296]

I think the reason the copy paper worked so well is that it sucked up more ink from the pens. Sublimation paper is meant to be put in a sublimation printer which lays down a fair amount of ink but the surface seems to resist drawing. I'm still deciding if I want to get a sublimation printer or use the pens. I saw a video about using sublimation ink with an Epson EcoTank printer and it seemed reasonable. I tend to overestimate how much I'm going to use things though.

[@KellyRossouw]

Could be! Sublimation paper can usually hold more ink, but it is designed to hold sublimation ink, which I think differs quite a bit in chemical make up to Infusible ink. Look into finding a friend nearby who can do sublimation prints for you on demand, best of both worlds! The pens can be quite laborous, and time consuming

[@annetempera1945]

I was afraid to try sublimation also -- bought an Epson EcoTank and so glad I did. It's scary at first - but worth it! Doesn't take long to have your head filled with ideas for projects! Dive in!!!

[@andreagarofolo9431]

Can I use printer paper and infusible be in to put on fabric

[@KellyRossouw]

yes you can!

[@andreagarofolo9431]

What is the difference between sublimation markers and infusible ink

[@KellyRossouw]

I havent tried, so cant say with confidence, but there technically shouldnt be any differences. Maybe small ones but those will be brand specfic

[@lisacaputo3421]

What if I want to write w pens and press it

[@KellyRossouw]

You will need to write in reverse - so it is easier to do with the Cricut :)

[@debmason4511]

I have a cricut maker. I have an easy press 2. I want to use infusible ink on a black t-shirt. I need the ink to be gold. Help how do I do this.

[@KellyRossouw]

You will need easy subli or something similar to multi opaque to press onto the black item The gold will need to be htv as you won't get the colour of gold, only orange

[@debmason4511]

@@KellyRossouw what is htv

[@DanaJaneDesigns]

Would the markers be better?

[@KellyRossouw]

Very much depends on your style! They are both awesome, but the markers are thicker, so if you want to cover a larger area it much be easier to use the markers!

[@user-nx9fu6gg7k]

They actually DO make the infusable ink pens for joy now as well 😏 AND…cricut is having a sale on allot of them!! Oh and fun tip….u can actually use any of the cricut pens in the joy…I do!! All u have to do is wrap a cpl layers of tape around the tip end (will take some adjusting but you’ll figure it out 😉 and make sure to put it up beside a joy pen and mark with a permanent marker preferably, where the cricut joy pen end stops…onto the other cricut machine’s markers…put it in the machine, clamp it down PSA: if it’s showing ANY signs of resistance STOP 🛑 and pull it out and take a layer or two of tape off and then try again!!) cricut joy doesn’t have as many color options so that suxx but that’s why I jus use the hack 🤷‍♀️

[@KellyRossouw]

Yes!! They have released them since this video, but not in my country yet :( Thanks for sharing the tip, I know you can use the Joy pens in the Maker/Explore, but havent tried the other way around! Looks like I need to play a bit :)

[@dazzledunn-deal1448]

Does anyone know why she says "nort point nort four" instead of just saying zero point zero four? Is nort a cricut term for the number zero?

[@KellyRossouw]

Hi there! I am not American, so I was raised using British English, and 'Nought' is simply the British term for Zero! So I use it out of habit hehe 🙂

[@dazzledunn-deal1448]

@@KellyRossouw oh!!! Thank you. I love learning new things and especially things about other countries. I love listening to you and your voice. Thanks for teaching me. ❤️

[@sandybal3380]

Can you use this on mugs to

[@KellyRossouw]

You absolutely can yes!

[@sandybal3380]

@@KellyRossouw so I’m looking to put an actual photo on to a mug do I need to buy an expensive printer

[@FestivalTradeMarketStore]

the pen needs heat hence the ink won't come out ;)

[@KellyRossouw]

No heat should be applied to the pens at all, it would gum up the pen, and make it unusable. They draw like normal pens, and the ink is solidified and colour activated once heat is applied to the paper and transfer :)

[@Festivaltrade-store]

Thank you!

[@stevegrant6464]

What I learned is that the pens are crap!

[@KellyRossouw]

There are definitely far easier ways to sublimate something! but they can have their uses :)

[@krystalrivera2013]

Cooler. Krystal Rivera come

[@KellyRossouw]

Welcome! :)

[@SaraOelfke]

When you apply the heat, do you put the iron/press directly on the paper?

[@KellyRossouw]

yes you can! You can also use teflon if you prefer (I prefer to use this an additional layer of protection)