Cricut Halloween Treat Bags

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Cricut. The opinions and text are all mine.

Halloween is right around the corner and DIY costumes and candy get me pretty excited! Today, I’m teaming up with Cricut.com to make my kids personalized Halloween treat bags using a new product, infusible ink. Halloween candy bags have been on my to do list for 3 years now, so I’m excited to finally get them done. If you’re looking for DIY costumes and other Halloween projects made with a Cricut, check these out:

What is infusible ink?

Infusible ink heat transfer sheets infuse ink permanently into the base material. As always, you can cut any design with your Cricut Machine and choose from a wide variety of pre inked heat transfer sheets in solid colors and patterns. You can also make your own art with infusible ink pens and markers. The best part? Because it is an ink transfer and not a vinyl add on, there are no seams, no edges, no weight, no bulk. Every Infusible Ink project comes out perfectly smooth to the touch.

What do I need to make Halloween Treat Bags?

A Cricut Maker or a Cricut Explore Air™ 2 machine
Cricut Medium Tote Bag Blank
Infusible Ink Transfer Sheet ( used
Butcher Paper (comes with transfer sheets)
White Card stock
Tweezers
Lint Roller
Easy Press 2
EasyPress Mat

Do I need an Easy Press 2 for infusible ink?

The short answer is no. The long answer is, for best results Cricut recommends an Easy Press 2 because it can be heated to 400 degrees versus the Easy Press only heats up to 350 degrees. If you want flawless Infusible Ink results every time, you need higher temperatures than the Easy Press can offer.

How to make a Halloween treat bag

Step 1- Design the Halloween treat bag

Open up Cricut Design Space™ and type “Candy Crew” in capital letters. My current favorite font is “Din 1451 Com EngSchrift”. Once you invest in the $5 font you can use it again and again. Next, use the curve button to curve the words as much as you would like. The “Mila” font is free and called Brush Script Std. To make the letters connect with the script font, click on the Advanced tools button and select “ungroup to letters”. Next, simply move the letters closer together and then use the “weld” button to secure the letters back together.

Step 2- Cut the design

Place infusible ink transfer sheet, liner side down on the cutting mat. Load mat into the machine and press the flashing “Go” button. Don’t forget to mirror image your design.

Step 3- Weed and trim design

Trim around the design so that you can save the unused portion of the infusible ink transfer sheet. Use your fingers or tweezers to weed the negative space from the design. Don’t forget to weed in between letters.

Step 4- Prep the workspace

I used the Cricut Easy Press heat guide to determine how hot to set my Easy Press. For infusible ink on a tote bag, the Easy Press 2 should be set to 385 degrees. Be sure to cover the Cricut Easy Press mat with card stock to protect it from unwanted ink transfer. Place the tote on the mat and slide another peice of card stock inside the tote bag.

Step 5- Lint roller and pre heat

I know this seems tedious, but I promise it’s worth the 30 extra seconds to ensure the ink transfer turns out perfect! Use a fresh adhesive lint roller over the entire surface of the tote bag. Next, cover tote with the peice of butcher paper that comes in the infusible ink package. Preheat the tote bag with the Easy Press 2 at 385 degrees for 15 seconds to remove moisture and wrinkles from the bag. Remove the butcher paper and let the tote cool completely. Don’t skip this step!

Step 6- Apply design

Place the design face down on the tote. The printed side of the infusible transfer ink should be touching the tote bag and the clear liner should be on top. Place the butcher paper on top of the design. Note: Do not reuse butcher paper. Leftover ink on the butcher paper could infuse itself on future projects.

Step 7- Apply heat

Use light pressure on the Easy Press at 385 degrees and set the timer for 40 seconds. Do not move the press during the transfer.

Step 8- Peel liner and admire

When the timer goes off, slowly lift the press trying not to disturb the butcher paper. Let the tote cool completely before removing the butcher paper and liner.