Trying out prints with Cricut - 17/10/2022

Trying out prints with Cricut

Daisy Jackson / 17/10/2022

In the future, I want to make my own art prints as well as other merch. So this project is perfect to experiment further with that.

After analysing the results of the survey, it was evident that T-shirts were a main contender for what to sell. Due to this as well as my future ambitions, I purchased a Cricut machine. This way I can make my own prints and sell them. I can also print onto cards and so on.

Because I have not got any Warhorse themed designs yet, I decided to choose my own designs to try out on a T-shirt. I ran through several problems along the way and still have not created a perfect finished result. However, the two attempts I have made so far have allowed me to understand what I did wrong and what I can do better next time.

Here is my first attempt:




The main issue I realised was that the type of fabric I have used for the T-shirts are 100% cotton. I did some searching and found that polyester is more absorbant. I also think my design was too large for this material - perhaps making it smaller would have a better effect as the heat press could be spread about more evenly. This design is 14cm x 15cm so perhaps next time I could try half of this? 

I also realised that the parchment paper was causing the shirt to go brown when I continuously used the same sheet. 

I then tried this out a second time:






Unfortunately, the same results occured as the previous - however, improvements! The shirt did not stain as I used numerous sheets of parchment paper. The vinyl stuck to the shirt a lot better, however it was very time consuming and not great for 'speedy' production. 

I realised leaving the vinyl to cool for so long after every time was helpful but only realised this towards the end. I still kept to the same size (14cm x 15cm) so my next attempt I will definitely try smaller. I am still happy with the results despite them not going to plan as I have improved from my first attempt.

I wanted to try this out as soon as possible as I want to know what to do when it comes to creating my final product. I also need to bulk buy the correct T-shirts. However, if I can make use out of the current T-shirts I have now then that would be great!

Here is my third attempt:

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