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Are you ready to learn how to use Cricut Iron on glitter? I am here to teach you everything you need to know about using Glitter HTV so you can create beautiful projects with sparkle!
Want to see more Glitter Iron-on projects? Check out these baseball shirts.
Glitter Iron-on is one of my favorite HTV products. I have loved it since I first started using HTV. There seem to be a lot of questions about using Glitter HTV so I’m going to go through and answer some of the most asked questions I’ve seen.
If you want to watch me make a project start to finish using Cricut Glitter Iron-on just click play on the video below:
Questions about Cutting Glitter Iron On
Let’s jump right into the questions we hear most often about cutting glitter Iron on and answer them for you!
How to Use Cricut Iron On Glitter?
Easily the most asked question is how do you do Iron On Glitter with Cricut. The short answer is very much like you use all the other Cricut Iron-on materials. The important step is making sure to select the right material before cutting and checking the time and temperature. We’ll dive into each of those more below.
If you’ve successfully used other Iron-on or HTV materials you will have no problem using Cricut Iron On Glitter.
What Setting Do I Put My Cricut on for Glitter Iron-on?
I always recommend a test cut before cutting with your Cricut. If you’re using a new Cricut machine, if you’ve changed the blade, or you’re cutting a material for the first time I can’t stress enough the importance of a test cut.
I like to test by cutting a heart shape. This will help you test a point, a straight line, and a curve. It doesn’t have to be big or use a lot of material but it will save you a lot of wasted material by helping make sure you get clean cuts.
After you’ve selected the image you want to use and have it sized correctly in Design Space you’ll click Make It. From there you’ll choose to mirror your image and select your material.
If you are using Cricut Glitter Iron-on there is a setting specifically for that material in Design Space. If you’re using a different Glitter HTV I would start with that setting and do a test cut. You may need to increase or decrease the pressure on the cut.
What Side Do You Put Down For Glitter Iron On Vinyl
With all Cricut Iron-on materials, including Glitter Iron On you place your material shiny side down onto the mat. You want the adhesive (back side) of the material visible once you have the glitter Iron On on the mat.
This is because you don’t want to cut through the carrier sheet. The shiny side of your material is where the carrier sheet is.
That carrier sheet has multiple roles. It acts as a type of transfer tape for your HTV. You will weed out all the excess and leave the image you want still attached to the carrier sheet.
It is its own protective sheet. When using the Cricut EasyPress with regular materials you don’t need anything extra between the glitter Iron On and the plate of the EasyPress.
It is a little sticky so it helps hold your HTV in place so you don’t have to use additional heat-resistant tape.
So if you’ve ever asked yourself “Cricut Glitter Iron-on which side down?” now you know. Always place it shiny side down!
When Cutting Glitter HTV Which Side Goes Down?
This one almost feels like a trick question because it feels like I’ve already answered it but other brands of HTV can be different than the Cricut brand.
For instance, I know Cricut Patterned Iron-on comes with a carrier sheet and is cut the same as all their other Iron-on materials. I also know there are other brands of patterned HTV that do NOT have their own carrier sheet applied. You cut them like you would adhesive vinyl and do not mirror.
I have not tried all the glitter HTVs on the market so I would say follow the instructions that come with your glitter HTV. If it has a carrier sheet you can follow the same process we talk about here.
How Do You Put Glitter Iron-on Vinyl on a Cricut Mat?
Now that you know that you place your glitter Iron on with the shiny side down you might be curious how you actually put it on a Cricut mat.
I suggest using the purple StrongGrip Cricut mat with glitter Iron on. Since it’s thicker than most HTV materials and comes in a roll it can be hard to get it to stick down to your Cricut mat.
Using a Brayer is really helpful with glitter iron on. If you don’t have a StrongGrip mat you can use a newer StandardGrip mat just make sure you have it stuck down really well. You can even use a little washi or painter’s tape along the edges if you’re having a problem with lifting.
Why Do I Need to Mirror Glitter Iron On Designs?
Because of the nature of HTV you are cutting the back side of the material. If you forget to mirror your image and it has anything that is directional (images, letters, numbers) they will be backward when you press it onto your base material.
How to Cut Glitter Iron-on Vinyl
Glitter Iron-on is cut with a Fine Point blade in your Cricut machine. This means you can use any Cricut machine to cut glitter iron-on.
How to Cut Glitter Iron-on Vinyl with a Cricut Explore Air 2
It may be because it is one of the most popular Cricut machines on the market but we often get questions specifically about the Explore Air 2. You will cut glitter iron-on vinyl the same on an Explore Air 2 as you would any other Cricut machine.
The Explore machines have a dial on the top. You can test your settings on the dial to see which setting works best for Glitter HTV or you can turn the dial to custom and select the specific material in the materials menu IN Design Space.
What Cricut Cut Setting for Glitter HTV?
If you’re using a brand of glitter HTV that isn’t Cricut brand I suggest starting with the Cricut Glitter Iron-on setting. I recommend doing a small test cut to make sure you’re getting a clean cut before cutting out a whole project.
Questions About Pressing Glitter Iron On
What temp do you press Glitter HTV? You can use a variety of different things to press glitter HTV onto your material. You can use an EasyPress, HeatPress, and even a Household Iron. Those will all affect the answer of what temp to use. Let’s answer some of those pressing questions below:
What temperature Do I Use For Cricut Iron On Glitter?
The temperature for Cricut Glitter Iron-on will be determined by a few things. The heat source you’re using, what you’re applying it to, and if you’re using an EasyPress mat or not.
You can find the exact setting for all of the Cricut heat sources in the Cricut Heat Guide here.
What Temperature Do You Iron Glitter On?
If you’re using a household iron to apply glitter HTV you will want to use the cotton setting with the steam turned off (I suggest emptying any water out of your iron).
You will need a solid surface to press against. Don’t use your ironing board, it will flex away from you. Use a solid table, counter, or even the floor. You’re going to need a LOT of pressure.
Make sure you have something like a thin cloth or butcher paper between your HTV and heat source to protect the carrier sheet from melting. Also, make sure you have something under your project to protect your surface.
Glitter iron on temp can vary for different brands so check the time and temp on the packaging and press each area for that full time. You don’t move your iron around like regular ironing. You need to treat it like a heat press. Place it in one area, press with heavy pressure for the full time, lift it up, and repeat as many times as needed to cover the whole project.
What Setting Do You Use for Glitter Iron-on Cricut?
You can find all the heat settings for using your Iron or Heat Press to press glitter HTV included on the packaging. Be careful not to tear through them.
If you’re using an EasyPress or the Cricut AutoPress you can find exact settings in the Cricut Heat Guide here.
How Do You Heat Press Glitter HTV?
I don’t personally own a heat press. However, I do own all of the EasyPresses and I have used my iron many times before I owned the EasyPress. I know glitter HTV can be pressed with a Heat Press so review the directions that come with your material. It will include the time and temp and how much pressure you should use.
Is Cricut Glitter Iron-on Hot or Cold Peel?
Cricut Glitter Iron-on is a warm peel HTV. I am always hesitant to say HOT peel because I think people forget that when you apply high heat to an adhesive it needs a moment to bond to what you’re pressing it to.
I always test my glitter HTV with the palm of my hand. If I can lay my hand on the carrier sheet and not feel like it’s actually burning me I start lifting the carrier sheet at a corner.
If I notice lifting I press it back down and allow it to cool a little longer. Your glitter HTV should not have to be cold to remove the carrier sheet. If it’s not sticking down you may need to press for a little longer and possibly apply more pressure.
Final Questions
Why is My Cricut Glitter Iron-on Not Sticking?
Why is my Cricut glitter HTV not sticking? 90% of the time I would say it’s your pressure. Cricut Glitter Iron-on has a great adhesive so it should stick well every time.
If you’re having a problem with it not sticking down make sure you’re applying firm pressure AND that you’re not trying to remove the carrier sheet too soon. Allow the adhesive time to adhere to the fabric before removing the carrier sheet.
Another problem can be things that are actually on the fabric when you buy it. Cricut says you should always wash your item and dry it without fabric softener before trying to apply any HTV to get the best results. In fact, it’s actually part of the StrongBond Guarantee!
How to Use Glitter Iron On Letters
If you’re cutting letters out of glitter Iron-on you would follow all the steps we’ve talked about here. If you’re looking at store-bought, precut glitter iron on letters check the package instructions. I have used iron-on patch letters with my EasyPress Mini and was so impressed with how well they stuck!
How Do You Use Heat Transfer Vinyl with Cricut Glitter?
Want to create a project with regular HTV and Glitter HTV? Make sure and check the heat settings for both materials. If the materials are not overlapping at all you want to press whichever material has the higher temperature first.
If your materials do overlap you need to know that glitter HTV is a TOP LAYER only HTV. You should not layer other types of material on top of the glitter, it will not last through washing.
Caring for Glitter HTV Projects
This again would be something to check for your specific material. If you’re using Cricut Glitter Iron-on the care instructions are:
- Wait 24 hours before washing
- Wash/Dry Inside Out
- Do not bleach
Final Thoughts on Cricut Glitter Iron-on
I have always been a big fan of Cricut Glitter Iron-on. It was one of the first HTV materials I ever tried and back when I had nothing but an iron to apply HTV with it always stuck really well.
I felt like it was durable and held up well to the HEAVY pressure required when using an iron.
When I moved on to using an EasyPress other HTV materials started working well for me so my selection grew but my love for glitter HTV remained.
I am not sure if the adhesive is different or if the material itself makes the difference but the stick is second to none. I have items that I’ve washed more than 50 times that continue to hold up with glitter iron-on.
If you haven’t tried it yet I hope this helps encourage you to buy a roll and get crafting.
Have any questions we didn’t answer please leave them in the comments and we will get those answered for you. If you want to watch me make a shirt using glitter iron-on from start to finish click play on the video above.
Have a great day and happy crafting!
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