Have a Cricut machine gathering dust? Ready to make professional-looking custom shirts at home? This complete tutorial walks you through creating ampersand-style shirts using heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and your Cricut cutting machine—from uploading your design to pressing the final shirt.
Whether you're a Cricut beginner or just new to shirt-making, this guide covers everything: supplies needed, Design Space setup, cutting techniques, weeding tricks, and heat press settings. By the end, you'll be making custom shirts like a pro.
What You'll Need
Essential Supplies
- Cricut machine: Maker, Explore Air 2, Joy, or any model
- Heat transfer vinyl (HTV): Cricut brand or Siser Easyweed recommended
- Transfer tape: Cricut StrongGrip or similar
- Weeding tools: Cricut tool set or basic weeding hook
- Heat source: Heat press, Cricut EasyPress, or household iron
- Cutting mat: StandardGrip mat (green)
- Blank shirts: 100% cotton works best
- Parchment paper or Teflon sheet: Protects vinyl during pressing
Optional But Helpful
- Lint roller (prepares shirt surface)
- Scraper tool (helps with transfer tape)
- Timer (for accurate pressing time)
- Heat-resistant gloves (safety first!)
Cost Breakdown
- If you have Cricut already: $30-50 startup (vinyl, tools, shirts)
- If buying Cricut + supplies: $250-450 total initial investment
- Per shirt after setup: $6-12 (shirt + vinyl)
Create Your Cricut-Ready Design
Export your ampersand design as PNG to upload to Design Space
Design Now →Step 1: Create and Export Your Design
1Use our Ampersand Shirt Generator
- Go to the homepage and create your design
- Enter 4-7 items (team positions, names, values, etc.)
- Choose BLACK as text color (you'll cut from colored vinyl later)
- Keep background TRANSPARENT
- Export as LG or XL size for best quality
Pro Tip: For Cricut cutting, simpler is better. Stick to 4-5 items maximum, and avoid very small text that's difficult to weed.
Step 2: Upload Design to Cricut Design Space
2Open Cricut Design Space
- Open Cricut Design Space (web or app)
- Click "New Project"
- Click "Upload" in the left panel
- Click "Upload Image"
- Select your PNG file from downloads
3Process Your Upload
- Select "Simple" image type (not complex or photo)
- Click "Continue"
- Design Space will show preview
- Click "Apply & Continue"
- Name your design (e.g., "Team Ampersand Shirt")
- Click "Save as a Cut Image"
4Add to Canvas and Prepare
- Find your uploaded image in "Recent Uploads"
- Click to add it to canvas
- Resize to desired width (typically 10-12 inches wide for adult shirts)
- CRITICAL: Click "Mirror" button—HTV must be cut mirrored!
- Position design on canvas (doesn't affect final result, just cutting mat)
⚠️ IMPORTANT: ALWAYS mirror your design when using heat transfer vinyl! If you forget, your text will be backwards on the shirt. If you see your design is mirrored in Design Space, that's correct!
Step 3: Prepare Materials and Machine
5Prepare Your Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Choose vinyl color (contrasts with shirt color)
- Cut piece slightly larger than your design
- Place vinyl SHINY SIDE DOWN on cutting mat
- Smooth out any bubbles or wrinkles
Vinyl Color Guide:
- Light shirts (white, gray, cream): Use dark vinyl (black, navy, burgundy)
- Dark shirts (black, navy): Use light vinyl (white, silver, light colors)
- Colored shirts: Use contrasting colors for readability
6Load Mat and Set Machine Settings
- Load mat into Cricut (vinyl shiny-side-down)
- In Design Space, click "Make It"
- Review mirrored design (should look backwards)
- Click "Continue"
- Select material: "Heat Transfer Vinyl" or "Iron-On"
- Machine will automatically adjust settings
Step 4: Cut Your Design
7Cut and Inspect
- Press flashing button to begin cutting
- Wait for machine to finish (usually 3-8 minutes)
- Unload mat carefully
- Check that cuts went all the way through (peel up corner to test)
Troubleshooting Cuts:
- Vinyl not cutting through: Increase pressure or add more pressure
- Cutting through backing: Decrease pressure
- Vinyl shifting: Press vinyl more firmly onto mat before cutting
Step 5: Weed Your Design
8Remove Excess Vinyl (Weeding)
- Peel away the vinyl border around your design
- Use weeding tool to pick out vinyl from inside letters (&, o, a, e, etc.)
- Work slowly and carefully—don't rush
- Leave only the design you want on the clear backing
- Double-check all ampersands and small details
Weeding Tips:
- Use bright light or lamp to see small details
- Weed at an angle, not straight up (prevents tearing)
- For small pieces, leave them and let heat press seal them
- If you accidentally remove too much, you can recut that section
Step 6: Apply Transfer Tape
9Transfer Tape Application
- Cut transfer tape slightly larger than your weeded design
- Peel backing off transfer tape
- Place sticky side down over your weeded vinyl
- Use scraper tool to burnish (rub firmly)
- Start from center, work outward to remove bubbles
- Slowly peel transfer tape away from backing sheet
- Vinyl should stick to transfer tape, not backing
What if vinyl sticks to backing instead of transfer tape?
- Lay it back down
- Burnish more firmly, especially around edges
- Peel slower at a steeper angle
- If still not working, try different transfer tape
Step 7: Prepare Your Shirt
10Shirt Preparation
- Pre-wash shirt if brand new (removes sizing)
- Dry completely
- Use lint roller to remove any lint or debris
- Lay shirt flat on hard surface
- Place cardboard inside shirt (prevents bleed-through)
- Pre-press shirt for 3-5 seconds to remove wrinkles and moisture
Step 8: Position Design on Shirt
11Design Placement
- Lay transfer tape with design on shirt
- Center horizontally (measure from shoulders)
- Position 3-4 inches down from collar for adults
- Use ruler or measuring tape for accuracy
- Lightly burnish to hold in place while you check
- Step back and verify positioning before pressing
Placement Guidelines:
- Adult shirts: 3-4" below collar, centered
- Youth shirts: 2-3" below collar
- Back designs: 2-3" below collar, centered between shoulders
Step 9: Heat Press Your Design
12Heat Pressing Process
For Heat Press or EasyPress
- Set temperature to 305°F (for standard HTV)
- Place parchment paper over design
- Press firmly for 10-15 seconds
- Apply firm, even pressure
- Remove heat press
- Let cool for 10-20 seconds
- Peel transfer tape SLOWLY (warm peel for most HTV)
For Household Iron
- Set iron to highest cotton setting (no steam!)
- Place parchment paper over design
- Press firmly and move iron in small circles
- Press for 25-30 seconds total
- Apply constant firm pressure
- Let cool, then peel transfer tape slowly
⚠️ Critical Heat Press Tips:
- NEVER use steam—it will ruin the vinyl
- Apply FIRM pressure—not just resting the heat on top
- Check vinyl manufacturer's instructions (temp/time may vary)
- If edges aren't sticking, cover with parchment and press those areas again
Step 10: Final Inspection and Care
13Quality Check
- Inspect all edges—should be firmly adhered
- Check ampersands and small details
- If any areas lifted, re-press with parchment paper
- Let shirt cool completely before wearing
- Wait 24 hours before washing (full cure time)
Care Instructions for HTV Shirts
- Washing: Turn inside-out, cold water, gentle cycle
- Drying: Tumble dry low or hang dry (low heat extends life)
- Ironing: Iron INSIDE-OUT only, or use parchment paper barrier
- NO bleach: Will damage vinyl
- NO fabric softener: Reduces adhesion over time
Create More Designs to Cut
Now that you know the process, create unlimited designs for free
Design More Shirts →Troubleshooting Common Cricut Shirt Problems
Problem: Vinyl peeling off after washing
Causes:
- Not enough pressure during heat pressing
- Temperature too low
- Not pressed long enough
- Washed too soon (before 24-hour cure)
Solution: Re-press with parchment paper, use firmer pressure, increase time
Problem: Design looks faded or washed out
Causes:
- Temperature too high (scorched vinyl)
- Pressed too long
- Low-quality vinyl
Solution: Use premium vinyl (Siser or Cricut brand), follow temp guidelines exactly
Problem: Small details won't weed properly
Causes:
- Design too intricate for vinyl
- Blade dull
- Cut settings wrong
Solution: Simplify design, replace blade, increase cutting pressure slightly
Problem: Vinyl not sticking to transfer tape
Causes:
- Transfer tape not sticky enough
- Didn't burnish firmly
- Old or low-quality transfer tape
Solution: Burnish harder, use fresh StrongGrip transfer tape, peel slower
Advanced Tips for Better Results
Multi-Color Designs
Want two colors in your ampersand design?
- Cut each color separately from different vinyl
- Weed each color
- Apply first color, press, peel
- Align and apply second color exactly where you want it
- Press second color
Layering for Dark Shirts
For light vinyl on dark shirts:
- Use white HTV as underbase layer
- Press white first, let cool
- Layer colored vinyl on top
- Press again—creates vibrant colors on dark fabric
Extending Vinyl Life
- Store unused vinyl flat, away from heat
- Keep in original packaging when possible
- Use within 1-2 years of purchase for best results
- Don't cut more than you need (pre-cut vinyl degrades faster)
Best Vinyl Brands for Ampersand Shirts
Premium Tier
- Siser Easyweed: Industry standard, extremely reliable ($15-18/roll)
- Cricut Everyday Iron-On: Designed for Cricut, good results ($12-15/roll)
- Stahls' Fashion-FILM: Professional-grade ($18-22/roll)
Budget-Friendly
- Expressions Vinyl: Good quality at lower price ($8-12/roll)
- Starcraft: Reliable budget option ($9-13/roll)
What to Avoid
- No-name Amazon brands (inconsistent quality)
- Clearance vinyl at craft stores (often old stock)
- Vinyl without brand markings (unknown composition)
Scaling Up: Making Shirts for Teams or Events
Efficiency Tips for Bulk Orders
- Cut multiple designs at once: Fill entire mat to maximize cutting time
- Assembly line process: Cut all → weed all → press all
- Use templates: Create positioning guide for consistent placement
- Batch by size: Do all smalls, then all mediums, etc.
Time Estimates
- First shirt: 45-60 minutes (learning curve)
- After practice: 15-20 minutes per shirt
- Bulk production: 10-12 shirts per hour once in flow
When to Outsource Instead
- Need 30+ identical shirts (screen printing cheaper)
- Design too complex for vinyl (lots of small details)
- Tight deadline (ordering may be faster)
- Multiple colors (adds significant time)
Conclusion: You're Ready to Make Amazing Shirts!
Making custom ampersand shirts with your Cricut is incredibly satisfying. Yes, there's a learning curve. Your first shirt might take an hour. You might forget to mirror your design (we all do it once!). But by shirt #5, you'll have the process down and be creating professional-quality custom apparel at home.
The beauty of the Cricut method is complete creative control—make one shirt or make fifty, in any color combination, anytime you want. No minimums, no waiting, no setup fees.
So grab your Cricut, load up some vinyl, and start making those ampersand designs reality!
Ready to create designs for your Cricut? Start designing now →