These Cricut Infusible Ink Mugs are the perfect Valentine or anniversary gift. Dishwasher safe forever and no mug press required!
Jeezum Crow, it’s been ten years!
If you told me eleven years ago that I’d soon quit my job, sell everything I own and move to Qatar to be with a Turkish woman I met on Facebook but never saw in person, I’d probably have handed you a rumpled dollar bill, told you what a funny gal you are and then asked for tickets to your next stand-up comedy show.
I sure didn’t see that one coming, but then again, I tend not to see anything coming.
If I had that kind of foresight, I wouldn’t be sitting here writing this – I’d be beached on a tropical island with my toes in the sand and a coconut cocktail in my hand.
*Sigh*
Someday…
Anyway, back to reality.
Ten years!
This is going to be our tenth Valentine’s Day together.
Okay, look, if you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know my feelings towards V-Day.
And you know my feelings towards cutesy, saccharine, vomit-inducing Valentine’s projects.
For three years, I managed to avoid V-Day at The Navage Patch, but last year, Handan informed me in no uncertain terms that we’d now be making Valentine’s projects and writing about them.
And when I say “we,” I of course mean “I.”
Remember these cutesy heart candle holders?
Yeah, that was my first Valentine’s Day post.
It wasn’t so bad, I guess.
I mean, my eyes didn’t start bleeding or anything, and I still had all my man parts after all was said and posted.
But it was enough for one year.
And how quickly time passes, because here we are again, and here I am about to show you another Valentine’s project!
But here’s the thing.
Whereas with last year’s post, I approached it like a kid who’s forced to eat a bowl of lima beans, this year, I’m totally stoked about it!
Why?
How?
What could possibly have happened in the past year to turn a rock-chewing, chest-thumping, fire-breathing hunk of manliness like me [insert laughter here] into a gentle Milquetoast who’s looking forward to his Valentine’s Day project and post??
I’ll tell you what happened.
Cricut happened.
About those heart candle holders above?
Yeah, yeah, they’re pretty cool and all, I admit it.
But they took a fair amount of work.
Not that work’s a bad thing.
But simpler is usually better, especially when it comes to holiday and gift crafting.
Simple has become somewhat of a mantra around The Navage Patch in the past year or so.
Simple Stupid rules the day!
Now here’s a new motto:
Craft Simple.
Or if you want to get all hipster about it:
craft. simple.
Or…
craft.simple
Companies should hire me to write slogans for them. I could do this all day (and get paid for it)!
Anyway, nobody does craft.simple like Cricut.
Here’s another one for you:
This Valentine’s Day, spend less time making and more time baking!
Erm, okay, maybe that’s a tad too 1950s.
Okay, how ’bout this, then (for the fellas):
This Halloween, spend less time making and more time raking!
Hmmmm, okay, okay, so my slogan skills may need a little work.
Oh, let’s just get on with the post, shall we?
Valentine’s Day Infusible Ink Mugs with Cricut Explore Air 2
Today, I’m going to show you a trick with Cricut Infusible Ink that no one else has done.
(For those of you unfamiliar with Infusible Ink, have a look at this post for an introduction.)
I’m going to show you how to make Cricut Infusible Ink mugs…
[drum roll, please]
…without a mug press!
Yep, you’re reading it here first, folks. This is a Navage Patch World Premier!
My babes and I came up with an editable mug design that works perfectly for Valentine’s Day (or your anniversary), and we figured out how to do it without extra expensive equipment!
And these mugs will last forever.
Put them in the dishwasher as many times as you like – you’ll never, ever, lose the writing.
Craft Simple.
It’s what Valentine’s Day crafting is all about!
Let’s have a peek at what you’ll need to make these Valentine’s Infusible Ink mugs.
Before we get to these mugs, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and click the subscribe button at the top of this page to sign up for our email list so you’ll never miss a post!
Cricut Infusible Ink Valentine’s Mugs Supplies List
- Cricut Explore Air 2 or other Cricut smart cutting machine
- Standard Grip Mat
- Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets in black and red
- Brayer (optional)
- Weeding tool
- Heat-resistant tape
- Scissors
- Mug designs (ours are available in Cricut Design Space)
- 15-ounce sublimation mugs (you can save more by buying sublimation mugs in bulk)
- Silicone mug wraps
- Rubbing alcohol
- Oven roasting bags (optional – you can get them cheaper at your local grocery store)
- Oven
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.
Seriously, do you think I’d let anyone else write for me? And look, the only opinions I have that aren’t mine belong to Handan. Any sensible husband has his wife’s opinions if he knows what’s good for him.
Infusible Ink Mugs Tutorial
Look, I’ve been rambling on and on about Infusible Ink, but (almost) all Cricut projects start with a smart cutting machine, and for these mugs, I used our Explore Air 2.
If you’re interested in an Infusible Ink project that doesn’t require a Cricut Maker or Explore Air, check out these sugar skull totes and pillows we made with Infusible Ink markers!
Okay, back to the Infusible Ink mugs and our Explore Air 2…
Step 1 – Open the design in Cricut Design Space
Step 2 – Decide which way you’d like the arrows to face and delete or hide the other two
Step 3 – Edit the year
From here, to edit the year, first click on one of the four designs and then click UnGroup (circled in red below).
Next, double-click the “10.”
You’ll see a text box appear.
Change that “10” to whatever number you’d like. Kudos and congratulations, madam, if that number is 50 or more!
Press enter, then repeat with the rest, and you’re ready to go!
For these mugs, I used a black Infusible Ink transfer sheet for most of the writing and a red Infusible Ink transfer sheet for the heart. Fortunately, you can get both black and red in a single pack.
Infusible Ink transfer sheets are stiffer than iron-on vinyl, and I find it helps to use a brayer to really secure the sheet to the mat.
Pro tip: when working with Infusible Ink transfer sheets, always wash your hands first and dry them thoroughly. Sweaty hands will ruin a perfectly good transfer sheet. Ask me how I know!
We have this design sorted into two mats – one for the black writing and arrow and one for the red heart.
I first set the Explore Air 2’s material selection knob to Custom and then selected Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet for the material in Cricut Design Space.
When cutting text with Infusible Ink, remember to mirror the image. Ask me how many projects I’ve botched because I forgot to do this step!
Time to cut!
Cutting the first mat…
Besides black, I think we’ve got the most manly-looking Explore Air 2 on the block. There was a time back around the turn of the century (I’ve been waiting at least a decade to say that) when nearly every shirt I owned was this color blue. Man, I was obsessed with this color!
Once our Explore Air 2 had finished its job, I peeled the Infusible Ink transfer sheet from the mat.
Next, I loaded the red transfer sheet for the two hearts.
This is an easy design to weed.
Translation: even my fat sausage fingers could do it with minimal need for the weeding tool.
I peeled the red heart from its transfer sheet and positioned it on the main design transfer sheet.
Infusible Ink works best on a dry, oil-free, lint-free surface, so I wiped the mugs with rubbing alcohol before applying the transfer sheets.
I just eyeballed the placement.
To keep the transfer sheet perfectly stable, I put heat-resistant tape along the top and bottom edges.
Then I secured the transfer sheets in place with sublimation silicone mug wraps.
The wrapped mugs went into a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes.
Some people have the notion that the gases given off during the sublimation process are toxic. They are not. But if you’re concerned about the fumes, you can first put the mugs into an oven roasting bag.
Just seal the bag with heat-resistant tape, and you’re good to go.
After 15 minutes, I took them out and let them cool for 30 minutes.
The moment of truth…
A perfect transfer!
And a perfect mug.
Let’s just talk about Infusible Ink for a second.
Before Cricut’s Infusible Ink, any sort of dye sublimation project required a dye sublimation printer (starting in the hundreds of dollars and going much higher from there), a compatible blank and a heat press. If that blank was a mug, it required a special mug press which starts at about $75 and goes up from there.
Infusible Ink has freed us from the sublimation printer.
Our oven technique frees us from the mug press.
We can now make perfect and permanent personalized mugs with just our Cricut cutting machines and a household oven!
I don’t know about you, but of all the personalized doodads I’ve made with Cricut (whether Infusible Ink or vinyl) – mugs, T-shirts, totes, pillows, coasters, onesies(!) [I blame you for that one, Cricut!] – Infusible Ink mugs are by far my favorite.
Most of us use mugs every day, and some of us are practically tied to them! There’s rarely a moment between 6am and 10pm that one of our personalized mugs is not in or near my or Handan’s hand.
And when I think of all the personalized gifts, Infusible Ink mugs again reign supreme.
Would you rather get a personalized t-shirt or a personalized mug as a gift?
That’s what I thought.
Craft simple Cricut Infusible Ink mugs – an all new way to make ‘n’ bake!
*sigh* I guess I can’t quit my day job just yet…
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Shaun says
CONGRATS Guys. Here is to 100 More together!!
Greg says
Thank you, Shaun!
Aleida Colvin says
Love the post, thanks for sharing your great ideas for the infusible ink mugs and the iron on foil mugs. I will definitely be making some.
Greg says
Thank you Aleida and good luck!
Hannah says
Any thoughts on how I would seal a platter with vinyl on it?
Christine Worden says
Great info. I guess now I have to get the mug wraps which will be worth their weight in gold for a great outcome. Thanks.
Greg says
Oh, yeah! We’re buying mugs in bulk now, lol! 🙂
Gregg D says
Do you mind saying where you’re getting the mugs and other Cricut materials?
Thanks from a Cricut newbie!
Greg says
Hi Gregg, all the products used are linked in the Supplies List section of the post. Welcome to Cricut World!
Laurie says
Happy ten years together and here’s to many more! Love the mugs. I hear you on having favorite mugs. We have a set our goddaughter gave us that say Hubby and Wifey and I use mine all the time. Hubby’s favorite is actually the Initech one I got him (he’s an Office Space fan).
BTW, great photos of you two!
Greg says
Now you can make him a Damn it feels good to be a Gansta mug! 🙂
Gail says
Warmest congrats on your upcoming 10th anniversary to my favorite DIY couple! Love the mugs!
Greg says
Hi Gail – thank you so much! It’s been quite a journey to get to this point, lol! 🙂
Cynthia says
AWESOME!!!! I just started following you and you’ve already helped me with a project I’ve been wanting to do, but thought I had to have a special cup press to do it. I’m getting some of those silicone wraps and some mugs this week. This is fantastic! Thank you!!!!
Congratulations on 10 years. Goes by fast (mostly) doesn’t it?!
Greg says
Thank you, Cynthia! I’m so happy you found us AND that we’ve been able to help you out in that short time! And yes, it sure does go by fast! 🙂
Cynthia Marrs says
This tute is great, Greg. I have the Cricut Maker, and had planned to use their vinyl. Their vinyl isn’t considered dishwasher safe, but can withstand some rough treatment. You have solved the dishwasher issue using the ink. And it’s totally doable! I really appreciate your blogs and have tried some. Love your humor. 10 years is just a start by the way. Many more to go!!
Greg says
Thank you, Cynthia! We’ve used Cricut’s iron-on foil vinyl for mugs with good success, but yes, after a few months of dishwasher washing, letter will start coming off. Infusible Ink is permanent though! These mugs will last forever! Good luck with yours! 🙂
Kiran says
Love this! Have been looking for a better way to create mugs that are dishwasher safe. Will these be microwave safe as well?
Greg says
100%! We’ve been using them every day since that post. that includes microwaving and dishwasher. They still look as good as the day I made them!
Carrie says
Cricut Premium Permanent that Cricut started producing in 2019 is dishwasher safe.
Brigitte says
Wow, that is SUPER cool!
Congrats on 10 wonderful years! My hubby and I had our 20th last year and we just couldn’t believe it…..seems like it was just yesterday. Here’s to 20 more and then 20 more after that! 🙂
Greg says
Thank you, Brigitte, and happy 21 to you! 😀
Yolanda says
Congrats on your 10 wonderful years! I just about to start preparing my wedding on 10th October this year!
Quick question, instead of mug, can I do champagne glass with the oven? Thanks!
Greg says
Thank you, Yolanda, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding! Unfortunately, Infusible Ink (or any dye sublimation ink) will not work on glass, so champagne flutes would be out of the question.
Catherine Williams says
Congratulations to you both, great photos of you lovely people with your fabulous mugs. I sometimes wonder if i am the only woman on the planet who couldn’t give two hoots about Valentines day? I’m a cynical one, always thought it was a money, making scheme. In Wales there’s The Welsh valentine, 25th of January ‘St Dwynwen’s Day’ ‘Dydd Sant Dwynwen’ she is the Welsh patron Saint of lovers.
Greg says
Thank you, Catherine! Oh, I think there are plenty of people out there who share your view of V-Day! 🙂
Melita Todd says
Handan, Please don’t be mad at me ..this is me being filled with envy. You have the prettiest crows feet I have ever seen. I am so jealous. Love the mugs too. And yes, love you too Greg and your sausage fingers. Did you make a mug for Barrish.?
Greg says
Thank you, Melita, lol! I haven’t made one for Barish yet. He needs to pick a design first! 🙂
Handan says
Thank you so much, Melita! Of course I won’t be mad at you – I see the crows feet as a sign of happiness and constant smiles. With Greg and Barish in my life, those smile wrinkles on my cheeks and eyes will only get deeper and I truly love them all! 🙂
Jay says
Here’s to an exciting decade and to many, many more! Plus many more crafts and DIYs!
Greg says
Thanks, Jay! 🙂
Jaime says
Congratulations!! Question… is it safe to use your regular oven or should this be an oven not used for food? I have always heard the sublimation inks give out toxic gas, not sure if it’s the same for the infusible ink? Thank you 🙂
Greg says
Hi Jaime, yes it gives off gas, but sublimation dye gas is not toxic, and I’m assuming Infusible Ink gas is not toxic either, as there are no warnings anywhere in Cricut’s literature or on their website. If you still have concerns, you can seal the mugs in an oven roasting bag before baking them. 🙂
Jen says
Can you use regular mugs? And do you need to use the wraps?
Greg says
Hi Jen, no you need to use special sublimation mugs – they are linked in the post. And yes, you need the silicone wraps, as they hold the transfer sheet tightly against the mug – just as you would need to press down when doing a transfer with a neat press.
Barbara Lizotte says
I think these are very nice. But I think the two of you are just too cute together at 10 years together. When my husband and I were married just 10 years none of these machines that you use to make these cups existed. Almost all of the crafts you do didn’t exist because people weren’t crazy about crafting so much. We are celebrating our 56th anniversary on February 1st and we are going to Disney World to celebrate with our family who live in the area. My husband is retired from Disney so we go as often as possible.
Enjoy your anniversary just as much as we will. God bless the both of you for all the great work you are doing. I love your blog!
Greg says
Wow, congratulations on 56, Barbara! Blessings to you and your family. Have a great trip to Disney! 🙂
Greg says
Hi Karley, I’ve updated the post with a simple and cheap solution: oven roasting bags! Personally, I don’t worry about doing a few mugs in the same oven I cook with. Ovens are vented, and the gases released will be vented out into the kitchen. Any way you slice it, those gases will end up in your home, whether from a food oven, a craft oven or just a heat press. In my opinion, they are sufficiently diffuse not to be of concern. I’d wager each of us inhales more toxins each day just walking down the street. But yes, better safe than sorry, so the roasting bag technique is the answer! 🙂
Karley says
Thanks for your quick response and updates. Definitely got me thinking. I’m curious what the experts have to say on the topic since everything online is very vague. Thanks again!
Christen says
Hi! New to the whole Cricut thing but your tutorials are very straightforward and well explained. Thank you!
Question. Instead of the sublimation wraps could I use an easypress mini?
Thanks in advance!
Greg says
Hi Christen, though we haven’t tried it, other folks on YouTube have and it was a total failure. The mugs came out with unevenly infused ink and lots of ghosting (doubled image). We’ve used the EasyPress Mini with great results to apply foil iron-on vinyl though!
cassie giacalone says
I too didn’t have success I’m letting them sit longer but darn it. Do you think the mini press would work with the infusable ink on the mugs ?
cassie giacalone says
I found that the mugs in the link didn’t take me to sublimation mugs 😬 I found some new ones so I hope I have better success with those when they get here! 🤞going to try HTV on the mugs that came to start with 🤞
Greg says
Hmmm, that’s weird! I just clicked the link, and it took me right to the sublimation mugs we got from Amazon. Well, I hope your second attempt goes better than the first!
Greg says
Hi Cassie, no the mini press wouldn’t work on mugs. For Infusible Ink, the heat source needs to be constant and unmoving across the entire design. The curved surface of the mug doesn’t allow for that.
Amber says
Super cute design! Having trouble downloading the editable mug design with my PC. I click the link and get redirected to Design Space online which no longer works for me. I have the offline version now. Please help! My 10 year anniversary is next week and wanted to make these for us as well. My mugs and silicone wraps are being delivered today. Thank you!
Greg says
Hi Amber, I’m not sure how to help with that, as Cricut’s desktop software is so new, and we’re still figuring it out, too. Let me check with Handan to see if she has an SVG version or something similar.
Barbara roy says
Just out of curiosity, what does Jezzum Crow mean to you? Where did you learn that phrase?
Greg says
Hi Barbara, it’s a euphemism for “Jesus Christ.” I use it to express wonder or startlement for comedic effect. I can’t remember where I first heard it – that would be way back in my youth. But it resurfaced in my life in the 90s as one of the catchphrases of Marge Simpson’s sisters on The Simpsons. Ever since, I’ve kept it in my repertoire of exclamatory remarks. 🙂
Nikki says
Awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Greg says
Thanks, Nikki! 🙂
Pat says
This is a wonderful tutorial. Are you using a convection oven? Also, are the mugs microwavable?
Greg says
Thanks, Pat. Just a regular oven, and yes, they are microwavable! 🙂
Marita Street says
I did not read other people’s comments. But thank you for making it so simple that I am going and make one today.3/31/2020.
Marita
Greg says
Awesome! Let me know how it turned out, Marita! 🙂
Susie says
Thank you so much for sharing this! I was wondering if you wanted the back ground to be pink and then have lettering on top of it would you just layer it all at once then put in the oven or would you do the background color first in the oven then let it cool and do the lettering second?
Greg says
Hi Susie, to get two colors with Infusible Ink, you’ll need get them both on there at the same time. You would accomplish this by weeding one of the colors and sticking them onto the other color’s transfer sheet.
Becca says
Do you think the oven method is better than using the Easy Press Mini? I’m having a hard time getting my hands on the silicone wraps in a reasonable time frame right now, but I do have the EPM at my disposal. I know the EPM was almost designed for the Infusible Inks so temperature and handling isn’t a concern. Just curious if you think the oven would produce better results.
Greg says
Hi Becca, the Easypress Mini won’t work with Infusible Ink on mugs. Infusible Ink needs constant heat across the entire transfer. The curved mugs won’t allow for that from the Easypress Mini.
August says
I love this – thank you! I have used your instructions for other designs & colors, but when I tried the black, it came out brown. I thought maybe I needed to add time in the oven, but then the mug just came out burnt looking. The deep black on yours looks great! Any ideas how I can get mine to look that nice color rather than brown? I used a convection oven – could that be it? Appreciate any tips!
Greg says
I don’t think convection would make any difference, as long as the temperature is 400 degrees, but I can’t say for sure. Might be worth a shot in a conventional oven. Not sure why your black would come out as brown, though?
Miriam Paslean says
I did my first mug today and I noticed that there is a very pale square around my design (where the tape that hold the ink was) any recommendations on how to avoid that?
Sarah says
Do you have any suggestions for getting a transfer onto the inside bottom of the mug? Along the lines of those “You’ve been poisoned” cups everyone has seen. Can i just stick the image down there, or does it need some weight on it?
Greg says
Hi Sarah, it would help to have some weight on it – not only to help the transfer but to keep the image from ghosting. The slightest jostle can ruin a transfer.
Anna Lee says
This is revolutionary! Congrats on your anniversary and thanks for the tutorial!
Greg says
Thank you, Anna! Have fun with it!
Christa says
You two are adorable!
Greg says
Well, one of is, anyway, lol! 😀
lisa says
Thank you so much for sharing!!! You really are so great people!! thank you a lot again!!!
Greg says
Thank you so much, Lisa! It is our pleasure! 🙂
Rebecca Gilbertson says
I was told you have to use a sublimation mug, not the ones you find at the dollar tree. Also does
everything have to be white?
Greg says
That is absolutely correct, Rebecca. Only sublimation mugs will work – the infusible ink will not stick to any other surface. You don’t have to use white, but it certainly will look better if you do. I’m not sure you can even find sublimation mugs in any other color. I wouldn’t make much sense to do it on anything but white, as only white will show the true colors of your design plus give you actual whites (the negative space of your design)
Denlee says
Hi, this might be a silly question but do you think I could use an airfryer instead of an oven to do this? We only have Nuwave Brio Airfryer right now but it heats up to 425 degrees. Thanks!
Greg says
I don’t see why not!