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Did you know that you can make your own DIY mouse pad? I am using Cricut Infusible Ink today to customize a mouse pad with a quote. You can literally add any design that you want to your version as cutting designs on your Cricut is so easy. I am, of course, including the link for the cut file I used but mix up this project and make it all your own. After all, a personalized mouse pad is the perfect addition to any home office.
Supplies to make a DIY mouse pad:
- Cricut machine
- Cricut Infusible Ink
- Mouse pad (needs to be rated for sublimation like these)
- Cricut EasyPress
- EasyPress mat
- Butcher paper
- White cardstock
- Heat resistant tape
- Tweezers
- Cricut cut file (click here to access)
How to Make an Infusible Ink Mouse Pad:
Cricut Mouse Pad Video:
First, if you want to see me make this DIY mouse pad in a video, you can watch that below.
However, if you can’t watch the video or need more help, just keep reading for instructions.
Cutting Cricut Infusible Ink
First, cut a design from an Infusible Ink sheet. A few things to keep in mind:
- Place the sheet liner side down on the mat.
- Mirror your image before cutting. You can see how to do that here.
- Be sure that your hands are clean and dry before handling Infusible Ink.
- You will want to locate your cut so that you have enough of the sheet to cover your entire mouse pad and the design will be in the center.
I have so many more tips and tricks over on my guide to Infusible Ink if you have never worked with it before.
Weeding Cricut Infusible Ink
Once cut, you will need to weed away all of the excess.
- Crack the piece by bending several times before weeding.
- Remember not to use traditional weeding tools with Infusible Ink. If you have issues with any of the pieces, just use tweezers to lift.
- I used a reverse weeding technique on this project where I left the background but removed the letters themselves. In this case, you will want to leave the centers of the letters in place.
Making a Custom Mouse Pad
Now that you have your Cricut Infusible Ink sheet ready, you can add it to your mouse pad. Start by covering the EasyPress mat with white cardstock. Then lay on your mouse pad and put the weeded sheet into place. You will need to tape this down really well. I found that taping to my cardstock worked best as the tape did not stick well to the mouse pad itself.
Then cover your design with butcher paper and press with the Cricut EasyPress according to the instructions in the Cricut heat guide. Pick a substrate close to the mouse pad like a tote bag. I used my large EasyPress so I could do this all in one press. I have made projects like this Infusible Ink blanket where I pressed more than once so a smaller size EasyPress will definitely work in this case.
Allow your project to cool completely as it will be really hot! Then peel away your design from the DIY mouse pad to reveal the magic! NOTE: Remember to discard the cardstock as it will have some excess ink on it and you don’t want that to get on other projects you make.
Now that you have made your own personalized mouse pad with your Cricut, you might just feel a bit fearless! That is actually my word of the year so this quote fits in perfectly in my office.
Will you use this quote or another design on your custom mouse pad? Be sure to pick up plenty of the blanks as you will want to make these and give some as gifts as well.
Start making a DIY mouse pad today and I guarantee you will be hooked. How many can you make? The sky is the limit!
Love this DIY mouse pad and want more ideas? You might also try the links below!
- How to Make Infusible Ink Ceramic Coasters
- Distressed Infusible Ink Shirt How-To Tutorial
- DIY Makeup Bag with Cricut Infusible Ink
- The Basics of Image and SVG Licensing and Your Cricut
- Infusible Ink Baby Bodysuit
Want to print the instructions for this Cricut Infusible Ink project? Try the card below!
DIY Mouse Pad with Cricut Infusible Ink
Tools
- Cricut machine
- Cricut EasyPress
- EasyPress mat
Supplies
- Cricut Infusible Ink
- Mouse pad needs to be rated for sublimation
- Butcher paper
- White cardstock
- Heat resistant tape
- Tweezers
- Cricut cut file
Instructions
Cutting Cricut Infusible Ink
- First, cut a design from an Infusible Ink sheet. A few things to keep in mind:
- Place the sheet liner side down on the mat.
- Mirror your image before cutting. You can see how to do that here.
- Be sure that your hands are clean and dry before handling Infusible Ink.
- You will want to locate your cut so that you have enough of the sheet to cover your entire mouse pad and the design will be in the center.
- I have so many more tips and tricks over on my guide to Infusible Ink if you have never worked with it before.
Weeding Cricut Infusible Ink
- Once cut, you will need to weed away all of the excess.
- Crack the piece by bending several times before weeding.
- Remember not to use traditional weeding tools with Infusible Ink. If you have issues with any of the pieces, just use tweezers to lift.
- I used a reverse weeding technique on this project where I left the background but removed the letters themselves. In this case, you will want to leave the centers of the letters in place.
Making a Custom Mouse Pad
- Now that you have your Cricut Infusible Ink sheet ready, you can add it to your mouse pad. Start by covering the EasyPress mat with white cardstock. Then lay on your mouse pad and put the weeded sheet into place. You will need to tape this down really well. I found that taping to my cardstock worked best as the tape did not stick well to the mouse pad itself.
- Then cover your design with butcher paper and press with the Cricut EasyPress according to the instructions in the Cricut heat guide. Pick a substrate close to the mouse pad like a tote bag. I used my large EasyPress so I could do this all in one press. I have made projects like this Infusible Ink blanket where I pressed more than once so a smaller size EasyPress will definitely work in this case.
- Allow your project to cool completely as it will be really hot! Then peel away your design from the DIY mouse pad to reveal the magic! NOTE: Remember to discard the cardstock as it will have some excess ink on it and you don't want that to get on other projects you make.
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