Cricut has introduced a new member to its heat press lineup—The Cricut Hat Press! This is exciting news, because before, the only options were to use the Cricut EasyPress Mini with no form to support the hats, or buy a large hat press or a bulky hat press attachment for a heat press.
Now we have an option that is designed to perfectly create customized hats with a sleek machine that has a small, portable footprint. It comes with a special Form that provides a firm surface that maximizes the ability of vinyl, sublimation and infusible ink to adhere or infuse into your hat blank. It’s also designed to work with a free, new app available for iOS and Android called Cricut Heat. This is an amazing app that you will just love!
You can customize all kinds of hats—billed ball and trucker caps, visors, bucket and sun hats, straw hats and more! And you can customize them all over—not just on the front.
Interested in vinyl? Check out The Best Permanent Vinyl for Cricut.
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What is the Cricut Hat Press?
The Cricut Hat Press is a heat press machine. It has a curved heat plate that is 5” L x 3” W. It comes with a round form that your hat fits snugly into to hold it securely in place, which makes it easier to press vinyl and sublimate onto. It also has a safety base to sit in like the Cricut EasyPress Series has. The plate on the bottom is curved perfectly for hats so that it touches the largest surface area it can while pressing vinyl, and infusing and sublimating ink onto the hat.
It uses the new, free Cricut Heat app, which is fantastic, new technology from Cricut. This app determines the temperature and time needed for your project and will send the temperature to the Cricut Hat Press to heat it. It will start the timer when you press the “Go” button and will beep when it is time to stop. It also provides instructions for every step you need to take along the way. It’s super cool!
The Cricut Hat Press is 4.3” D x 6.5” W x 5.1” H and weighs 2.4 pounds. It’s easy to pick up and use. It is “Zen Blue” and matches the Cricut Maker 3, new Cricut EasyPress 3, and the upcoming AutoPress. It’s small enough to put in a deep drawer or cabinet. The handle is nice and smooth but feels strong when gripping. It sits solidly in its base and does not feel at all flimsy. Aesthetically it is sleek and beautiful, just as we have come to expect from Cricut. It is simple, with just two buttons and a temperature indicator of low, medium and high on the side.
The Form is 6.5” D x 5.2” H x 7.5” W and weighs three pounds. It reminds me a little of a sewing ham but has a different function altogether. Its purpose is to snugly hold hats in place and provide a firm surface to press vinyl, infusible ink and sublimation ink. It contains walnut shells which help eliminate moisture and direct heat.
If you have a nut or walnut allergy, please take necessary precautions. The warning is listed in several places and on the form itself.
You can buy your Cricut Hat Press now! You can also get it at various retailers online and in Target stores.
What’s in the box?
- Cricut Hat Press
- Safety base
- Cricut Hat Pressing Form
- Iron-on design for practice project
- Strong Heat Resistant Tape
- Quick Start Guide
- User Guide
The Cricut Hat Press doesn’t come with any hats, so be sure to pick up a few when you order yours. Cricut has a ball cap and trucker cap that have been rigorously tested and work very well with vinyl and infusible ink.
What temperatures does the Cricut Hat Press support?
The Lowest temperature is for sensitive materials and Iron-On that are pressed between 255° and 295° F.
Medium temperature is for base materials and heat transfer materials that are pressed between 300° and 355° F.
High temperature is used with infusible ink and sublimation, heavy duty materials and other materials that are pressed between 360° and 400° F.
What Materials can I use with the Cricut Hat Press?
You can use all types of heat transfer vinyl / Iron-On, you can layer vinyl, you can use infusible ink and you can sublimate onto hats. Layered vinyl rules apply—take care to keep glitter vinyl as your top layer in most cases. Use mostly polyester blanks for infusible ink and sublimation.
Which Hats Can I use with the Cricut Hat Press?
You can use whichever brand and hats you’d like as long as your vinyl, infusible ink or sublimation support it. For example, infusible ink and sublimation require at least 65% polyester, so you’d need a hat that is at least 65% (preferably 75% or greater) polyester. You can use any material that vinyl will adhere to, but make sure the material has a high enough melting point for the temperature used.
Cricut has come out with two hat types that have been rigorously tested with its vinyl and infusible ink. They have a ball cap and a trucker hat.
You can put vinyl or sublimate all over the hat as well—just take care not to use infusible ink or sublimate on the bills of ball and trucker caps as it might warp them. Otherwise, go for it!
And don’t forget: the Cricut Hat Press doesn’t come with hats, so pick some up when you get yours, or grab some from Amazon or from other retailers.
What else do I need?
You will need Strong Heat Resistant Tape. A small amount comes in the box, but you can get more here. It’s important to make sure the design doesn’t slip since the hat press is moved back and forth, especially infusible ink and sublimation, as it’s important to protect against ghosting. Strong Heat Resistant Tape will help ensure that the design won’t slip while pressing the design to the hat.
You will also need a design, of course—the vinyl (single or layered design), infusible ink design or sublimation design. And don’t forget the designs can be pressed all over the hat if it supports it!
And you might need a pair of scissors to snip notches into your design to help it lay flat over the curve. Other than that, you’ll need your Cricut Hat Press and the Form, and you’re ready to go!
What is the Cricut Heat App?
The Cricut Heat App is a free new technology by Cricut. It’s available for iOS and Android, and it works with Cricut EasyPress 3 and Cricut Hat Press. Depending on your project, it sends temperature directions and sets a timer to use while pressing. It even includes step-by-step directions so that projects come out beautifully!
It’s available for mobile devices and tablets and works via Bluetooth technology. It registers the Cricut Hat Press the first time the press is used, and it downloads any updates for it also. It’s not necessary to use the Cricut Heat App when using the Cricut Hat Press—only to register it—but it does make using it much easier.
Frequently asked questions
Can I install the Cricut Heat App on my phone or tablet?
The Cricut Heat App has the same requirements as Cricut Design Space. So if you can install Cricut Design Space on your phone or tablet, you’re good to go with Cricut Heat!
Where can I buy a Cricut Hat Press?
You can buy one here or at various retailers or in store at Target.
Can I use the Cricut Hat Press without the App?
Yes, you can! It’s not required to use the app.
Does the Cricut Hat Press turn itself off?
Yes, it turns off after automatically 13 minutes of inactivity.
Can I use the Cricut Hat Press with my computer?
No. Cricut Hat Press only works with iOS and Android. You download it onto your mobile device or tablet and it uses Bluetooth technology to connect it to mobile devices and tablets.
Do I have to use Cricut’s hat blanks?
Not at all. You can use other hats from other vendors. Just make sure the material can withstand the heat settings.
Can I customize children’s hats?
Some larger children’s hats will fit on the form sideways (the smaller side of the form), but not all.
How do I clean the form?
Quickly wipe away anything that gets on your form. Don’t wash it or use bleach, don’t dry it or take it to the cleaners. You may iron or press it with high heat, but no steam.
Other resources you may like
Cricut Hat Press Tips and Tricks — Cricut Official Site
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