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It’s graduation season, and that means it’s time to decorate your graduation cap tops using iron-on vinyl and your Cricut cutting machine.
Today I’m not only going to share with you a FREE Graduation Cap Svg File with the quote “On To The Next Chapter” that you can use, but I’m also going to walk you through how to do it from start to finish.
WANT TO SAVE THIS FREE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER GRADUATION CAP SVG FILE FOR LATER? SAVE IT TO YOUR FAVORITE BOARD ON PINTEREST.
Decorating graduation caps is not a new tradition. People have been doing this for many years.
What is new is having the ability to use a Cricut cutting machine to help make amazing graduation cap tops by using iron-on vinyl, also known as HTV or heat transfer vinyl.
Believe it or not this project is a quick one, so let’s go ahead and get started!
HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO DECORATE YOUR GRADUATION CAP
– A Graduation Cap
– Your Cricut cutting machine and Design Space installed on a device and ready to use.
– Iron-On Vinyl of your choice
– A Heat Source, such as a Heat Press, a Cricut Easy Press, or preferably the Cricut Easy Press Mini. In a pinch, your household iron will work as well.
– Teflon Sheet to protect the Iron-On vinyl and the cap from being burnt. You can use a few layers of parchment paper if you do not have a teflon sheet.
– The FREE Graduation Cap SVG File which you can download at the bottom of this post.
LET’S MAKE A DECORATED GRADUATION CAP TOP USING YOUR CRICUT
Okay, so the steps are pretty easy, but I will walk you through this project, because there are some tips I’ve learned along the way that may be helpful to you.
STEP 1
The first thing you need to do is to measure the top of your cap. Mine was about 9.5 inches on each side, and yours is probably the same, but best to be safe than sorry.
Once you have this measurement, open Cricut Design Space and start a new project.
In the Canvas, insert a square shape and make it 9.5 inches on both the length and height. You can then rotate it to make the diamond cap shape that you’ll be using for this design.
You also need to upload the FREE Graduation Cap Svg file at this point and size it and place it accordingly.
Remember to give yourself some wiggle room, so don’t go all the way to the edges of the square/diamond. Leave some room, and take into consideration that all caps have a little button in the center, so we’ll have to work around that.
One important tip that you should keep in mind is that the design you’re going to use should not be welded together. You want it separated by elements so that you can iron them on as you see fit on the cap itself.
STEP 2
Next you’ll send your design to your machine to cut by hitting the “Make It” button up at the top right hand corner of the Design Space screen.
Since you’re going to be using iron-on vinyl, you will need to make sure that the design is “mirrored” before sending it to cut.
You can do this by hitting “Make It”, then flipping the “mirror” button in the mats screen that comes up next.
Once you’ve done that and the design is cut, you’ll need to weed it.
STEP 3
Now it’s time to iron on the design to the cap!
Ideally you will want to use a Cricut Easy Press Mini which will allow you to work directly on the hat itself without much bulk, but if you’re not working with the mini press, then find a placement for your hat where it will not move and will be well supported from beneath.
I suggest using a towel to hold it still from below and fill the head piece area.
Okay, so to press this design you’re going to start at the very top, with the leaf element. You’ll press that part first, and then move on piece by piece.
Do not rush this part, take your time.
If you’re wondering what temperature and what heat setting you should use, I would suggest to use the Polyester setting on your iron.
And as for temperatures, I recommend using 315 degrees and pressing for 25-30 seconds each time.
Remember to cover your hat with the teflon sheet every time you press to avoid burning the cap.
And there you have it. Your graduation cap is now ready to go!
I HAVE MORE GRADUATION FREEBIES FOR YOU!
Download even more FREE Graduation SVG Files Here.
QUICK NOTE
You can use this design for personal and commercial use. If you’d like to share it with your friends (I’d LOVE THIS!), I do ask that you just link them to this post and help support my website. Also, please don’t upload it to a print on demand (POD) website, or send it for mass production.
I have a quick favor to ask. Before you download this freebie, please JOIN the Facebook Group (CLICK HERE), and if you can, please PIN one of the images above.
Thank you so much for your support, and if you make anything with this design, tag me @PerfectStylishCuts, I love seeing your makes.
DOWNLOAD THE ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER GRADUATION CAP SVG CUT FILE HERE
On To The Next Chapter Graduation Cap Cut File – SVG, EPS, DXF, PNG files included.