Is the Cricut Mug Press Worth It?
The City Craft Club verdict: Absolutely.
The Cricut Mug Press is among my favorite crafting machines I’ve ever purchased. If you’re interested in creating customized, personalized mugs for friends and family, consider it an essential component of your crafting collection. Plus, there’s very little to learn, and the single-button, single-temperature design make the press incredibly user-friendly.
What is the Cricut Mug Press?
The Cricut Mug Press is a small but mighty machine that allows you to create beautiful, dishwasher-safe mugs, designed however you please, in mere minutes. The mug press works with specific ink, printed on specific paper, known as sublimation ink an sublimation printer. During the sublimation process, sublimation ink transforms from a liquid to a gas state, and ultimately embeds itself — permanently — in the substrate, or surface, to which it’s applied. As it pertains to mug-making with the Cricut Mug Press, the substrate, or surface, is a mug; Specifically, a mug with a sublimation coating, which allows the process to take place, such as the Cricut mugs or these (cheaper!) Amazon mugs I swear by.
What supplies do you need to use the Cricut Mug Press?
In addition to the machine itself, you’ll need either Infusible Ink, made by Cricut, or your own printed image or design on sublimation paper — which requires a sublimation printer that contains sublimation ink. You’ll also need heat-resistant tape and heat-resistant gloves to avoid burning your hands when you’re removing your mug from the press — which heats up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit!
Cricut Mug Press Pros
Single-button startup
Heats up in minutes and sublimates quickly, in about 6 minutes
Aesthetically appealing design
Compact and ideal for small spaces
Cricut Mug Press Cons
Can be tricky to use with larger vessels, like tumblers
Requires a sublimation mug (i.e. not all mugs work with the Cricut Mug Press, or sublimation in general)
Cricut Mug Press FAQ
What size mugs can you use in the Cricut Mug Press?
15 ounce mugs or 12 ounce mugs. Remember: mugs must be sublimation-friendly, so ensure you’re purchasing mugs that are specifically made for sublimation.
What are the dimensions of the Cricut Mug Press?
length: 11 inches
width: 6.2 inches
height: 6.5 inches
Can you use the Cricut Mug Press for sublimation?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, I only ever use my Circut Mug Press with sublimation projects. Simply print from a sublimation printer, affix your design to your mug, and pop it into the mug press; in minutes, you’ll have a fresh new mug to give to someone you love, or a spiffy addition to your personal glassware collection. Curious to learn more? Check out my full Cricut Mug Press tutorial for all the details.
Is the Cricut Mug Press worth it?
Simply put — yes, the Cricut Mug Press is absolutely worth it. Plus, it’s often on sale — so make sure to sign up for the City Craft Club newsletter, which details big sales on Cricut supplies, like the Mug Press, plus more of the best craft sales.
Do I need Cricut cutting machine to use the Cricut Mug Press?
Technically, no! As mentioned above, the Cricut Mug Press requires Infusable Ink, made by Cricut, OR your own image, printed in sublimation ink via a sublimation printer. That said, I’d highly advise snagging a Cricut cutting machine if you’ve yet to do so. I swear they’ll brighten your creative life tenfold!
Do I need Cricut Design Space to use the Cricut Mug Press?
Nope. That said, I have found Cricut Design Space — Cricut’s free design software, which is necessary for the brand’s cutting machines, but not the mug press — is helpful for sizing mug templates and envisioning my mug designs. Plus, it’s free to download.
Key Cricut Mug Press takeaways
The Cricut Mug Press provides a fast, user-friendly method to creating personalized, vibrant, dishwasher-safe designs on mugs. The machine’s single-button design makes it incredibly easy to use, with no need for guesswork regarding time or temperature.
