Which Side of Iron on Goes Down on Cricut?

Iron-on is a great way to add a personal touch to any item. You can make shirts, hats, bags, and more with iron-on designs.

But if you’re using an iron-on machine like a Cricut, it can be tricky to figure out which side of the iron-on goes down on the machine. The answer is: it depends.

Iron-On Vinyl

If you are using iron-on vinyl with your Cricut, then the “shiny” or “top” side of the vinyl should go down on the cutting mat. This is because the design will be cut from this side and then transferred onto your item with heat from an iron or Cricut EasyPress. The dull or “back” side of the vinyl should be facing up when placed on your cutting mat so that it can be cut correctly.

Heat Transfer Sheets

When using heat transfer sheets with a Cricut machine, the opposite is true — the “dull” or “back” side of the sheet should go down on your cutting mat and be cut from that side. This is because you will then place the design face up on your item and use an EasyPress or other heat source to transfer the design onto your item from this side.

Foil Iron On

If you are using foil iron-on with your Cricut, then once again, it depends — but usually, you will want to cut from the backside of this material as well. This is because most foil materials have adhesive backing that must be applied in order for it to adhere correctly when heated up.

Conclusion: When working with an iron-on machine like a Cricut, it can sometimes be difficult to figure out which side of the material goes down when being cut by the machine — but luckily, it doesn’t have to be too complicated! With iron-on vinyl and heat transfer sheets, respectively, you should place either of their shiny/top sides or dull/back sides facing down on your cutting mat in order for them to be cut correctly by your Cricut machine — and when working with foil iron-on materials, you may need to place them down on their backside in order for them to adhere properly when heated up afterwards!