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How to Make a Distressed Shirt Using Cricut Infusible Ink

If you love the distressed, vintage style, you'll love this distressed t-shirt! Here's how to easily create a distressed look on Cricut infusible ink, making a rustic, stylish t-shirt.
Keyword cricut crafts, Cricut EasyPress, infusible ink
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Author Angie Holden

Equipment

  • Cricut EasyPress (you want to use one larger than your design)
  • EasyPress Mat (I am using two sizes)

What You Will Need

  • Infusible Ink transfer sheets in the color of your choice I used warm grey
  • Cricut Infusible Ink Shirt use this blank or pick up a different brand but be sure it is intended for sublimation or it will not work!
  • Cricut machine either the Cricut Explore series or the Maker will work (see which one I like better here)
  • Butcher paper
  • White Cardstock
  • Lint roller
  • Tweezers
  • Sandpaper
  • Painter's tape
  • Design to cut you can find the free SVG used in this post in our exclusive Facebook group here (more free SVGs are listed at the bottom of this post)
  • Scissors

Instructions

Cutting the Infusible Ink

  • Start by cutting your design from the Infusible Ink. You will need to mirror your design and cut the Infusible Ink face down on the mat. Turn the mat over and peel the mat away from the Ink. Cut around the design with scissors so that you save as much of your sheet as possible.

Weeding Infusible Ink

  • Then you can weed away all of the excess. Bend the Infusible Ink sheet several times to "crack" the design and make it easier to weed. Pull up the corner of the ink and start peeling back. Remember that using weeding tools is not recommended here. You can use tweezers if you are having issues lifting some of the pieces.
  • Remove the excess around the outside as well as the centers of all of the letters.

Distressing Infusible Ink

  • Then use sandpaper over your design. This is where you get your distressed look. You can sand as much or as little as you would like.
  • Pick up the sheet occasionally and tap to remove as much of the sanding residue as possible.
  • You will also want to go lightly over the area with painter's tape to pick up any excess bits. Remember that the pieces you sanded off are ink. If you leave any on the carrier sheet, they will transfer to your shirt.

Transferring Your Design to the Shirt

  • Add an EasyPress mat larger than your design covered by a piece of white cardstock inside your shirt.
  • Lay the shirt on another EasyPress mat or on a folded up towel. Run a lint roller over your shirt to remove any fibers. Press with the heated EasyPress about 15 seconds to remove moisture. Allow to cool then put your design face up on the shirt.
  • Make sure the design is stuck down well to the shirt so it doesn't move. Then add butcher paper over the top. Press with the EasyPress for the recommended time and temperature.
  • Remove the EasyPress and butcher paper. Allow to cool before removing the carrier sheet.
  • Peel back your Carrier sheet to reveal your design. Pick up any small pieces of the transfer that did not lift with the carrier sheet with a pair of tweezers.
  • Your distressed Infusible Ink shirt is ready immediately! You can wear it, wash it, and not worry about your design fading or washing out.

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