Without a doubt, my favorite way to use my Cricut cutting machine is to make labels for any and all surfaces around our homes. And I use my Cricut (instead of a traditional label maker) because of all the different sizes, shapes, materials, and methods available to make them completely custom. Today, I’m breaking down the 5 primary techniques for making Cricut Labels, so you can figure out which is the best method for your next organizing project!

Megan making labels with Cricut Maker 3

1. Labels with Cricut Vinyl

This method of labeling is the most popular among Cricut users and involves cutting out shapes, pictures, or words from adhesive vinyl and sticking it directly onto hard, smooth surfaces for a durable, (generally) waterproof label.

The Best Labeling Technique For…

Making DIY labels with vinyl is usually best for any hard, clean surface such as metal, plastic, and glass; although they can also be put on cardboard and some fabrics. And since vinyl comes in so many different colors, textures, and sheens, you can make ones that perfectly suit your style.

But be advised that vinyl labels are among the most “time intensive” of the options, requiring cutting, weeding, and application via transfer tape.

And although vinyl is technically removable, vinyl labels are not easily changeable since it requires peeling off the existing vinyl label, then re-cutting, weeding, and applying a fresh label with more transfer tape. As such, vinyl labels should be used for long-term labeling situations that are unlikely to change quickly.

Label made with patterned vinyl
Vinyl monograms on white cups
Notebooks with monograms cut from holographic vinyl
DIY Hanging Closet Dividers
how to make vinyl labels with a Cricut
How to Make Labels with the Cricut Joy App
Pasta container with a vinyl pantry label
Vinyl label on a white basket
how to make vinyl labels with a Cricut

What You Need

How To Do It

  1. Design label words, shapes, or pictures in Cricut Design Space.
  2. Cut out label designs from adhesive vinyl using your Cricut machine.
  3. Weed excess vinyl from around and within the label designs.
  4. Transfer the vinyl label to your surface with a piece of transfer tape and scraper tool.
Screenshot of labels in Cricut Design Space
how to make vinyl labels with a Cricut
how to make vinyl labels with a Cricut

Ready to give this a try? See the full tutorial:

How to Make Vinyl Labels with a Cricut | A Comprehensive Guide

2. Labels Using Cricut Pens

This technique utilizes Cricut Pens to create a drawn or “hand-written” appearance on labels. Cricut Pens can be used on any “writable” material such as paper, cardstock, envelopes, writable vinyls, and sticker papers or even pre-cut tags you buy at the store.

The Best Labeling Technique For…

Using Cricut Pens to make labels is best when you need small, clear font on your labels or desire a hand-written appearance. Further, because the pens write directly onto a sticker paper or cardstock, these labels are quick and easy to make (no weeding or transfer tape required!) and can be easily swapped when you need to update a label.

That said, because “writable” materials (e.g., cardstock) don’t tend to be waterproof, this labeling method is not ideal for anything that requires frequent or heavy washing.

Labels drawn with Cricut Pens on stacking acrylic drawers holding medicine
DIY Card Organizer
Hands placing a dresser drawer label onto a brown dresser
Four pantry canisters with Cricut-made labels
Hand holding red labels next to Cricut Joy
Blue and gold luggage tag labels with monograms
Linen closet labels cut from black Smart Label Writable Vinyl
Craft room labels

What You Need

How To Do It

  1. Design labels with “Pen” text in Cricut Design Space.
  2. Draw and cut out the labels onto some sort of writable material (e.g., sticker paper, cardstock, writable vinyl, etc) using your Cricut machine.
  3. Stick labels directly onto containers or slide into a label holder.
Screenshot of pen labels in Cricut Design Space
Cricut Joy cutting out labels
Hand peeling up labels made with Cricut Pens
Medicine cabinet labels made with Kraft Labels using Cricut Pens

Ready to give this a try? See the full tutorial:

How to Use Cricut Pens to Make (Gorgeous) Custom Labels

3. Labels Using Cricut Print Then Cut

This technique utilizes the Print Then Cut feature on a Cricut machine, where you first print your labels onto some sort of printable paper (using your home printer) and then the Cricut cuts the (outer) label shape.

The Best Labeling Technique For…

The Print-Then-Cut option is best for complex, small, or multi-colored labels…or if you’re in a hurry. This is because your home printer will print out the entire design at once, which is usually quicker and easier than placing layers of additional vinyl colors together or using your Cricut Pens to draw fancy details.

Additionally, these labels are easy to make more of because you can simply swap the text in Cricut Design Space and print out a fresh set. And even though they are printed off a printer, they can also be waterproofed if necessary (How to Make (Long-Lasting) Waterproof Stickers with a Cricut with video).

However, the Print-Then-Cut design process can be slightly more complicated for beginners and you will be limited to papers that can feed through your printer.

Red clothing label on a blue and white basket
T-shirt, wet bag, and towel with iron on labels
White basket of trains with a colorful label on the front made via Cricut Print Then Cut
How to Use the Cricut Offset Tool
Rice and granola canisters with printed labels

What You Need

How To Do It

  1. Design labels in Cricut Design Space and use the Flatten tool to make them into printable images.
  2. Print labels using your home printer onto some sort of printable paper (e.g., sticker paper, cardstock, etc).
  3. Load the printed labels onto a Cricut cutting mat and feed into your Cricut machine for cutting.
  4. Stick printed labels directly onto containers or load into a label holder.
Screenshot of labels in Cricut Design Space
Printed labels loaded onto a green Cricut mat
Blue labels on a green cut mat made via Cricut Print Then Cut
Hands sliding a blue label into a gold label holder

Ready to give this a try? See the full tutorial:

A Guide To Making Labels with Cricut Print Then Cut

4. Labels Using Cricut Iron-On/HTV

This technique is very similar to making vinyl labels but is specific for fabric projects. Here, you cut words, shapes, or pictures out of iron-on vinyl (also called heat transfer vinyl or HTV) and fuse them onto fabric items via heat.

The Best Labeling Technique For…

Using iron-on vinyl is the best option for adding labels to any fabric items such as clothing, bags, pouches, or sometimes even canvas storage bins. The heating process fuses the vinyl to the fabric fibers, allowing them to cling perfectly and wash well.

However, like vinyl labels, this process can also be a bit tedious (e.g., cutting, weeding, heat transfer); and because iron-on vinyl is a permanent application, these labels cannot be changed.

Tiny toy storage bags labeled with iron-on vinyl using a Cricut.
Bean bags labeled with Cricut Iron-on Vinyl
Organize all the little toys around your house with these tiny toy storage bags featuring iron-on labels made with a Cricut Maker and EasyPress!
Coupon and receipt pouches with iron-labels made with a Cricut
Faux leather keychains labeled with gold iron-on vinyl
Bag holding scarves with an iron-label made with a Cricut
Magnets in a white pouch labeled with Cricut Iron-On
White drawstring bag labeled with Cricut Iron-on Vinyl
Kid's toy pouch with iron-labels made with a Cricut

What You Need

How To Do It

  1. Design label words, shapes, or pictures in Cricut Design Space.
  2. Cut out label designs from iron-on vinyl/HTV using your Cricut machine (with the “Mirror” setting turned on).
  3. Weed excess iron-on vinyl from around and within the label designs.
  4. Transfer the label to your fabric item using a Cricut EasyPress or iron.
Cricut Design Space Screenshot
Hand feeding green Cricut mat into a Cricut Maker 3
Hands weeding white iron-on vinyl
Hand holding Cricut EasyPress 3

Ready to give this a try? See the full tutorial:

How to Make Iron-On Labels with a Cricut

How to Make Iron On Clothing Labels with a Cricut

5. Labels Using Cricut Infusible Ink

I don’t think many would consider Infusible Ink a “common” labeling medium; but it can in fact be used to add labels to a variety of sublimation-compatible surfaces such as mugs, zipper pouches, keychains, and more!

The Best Labeling Technique For…

This labeling technique should be used in two primary situations:

  • You are using a sublimation product (e.g., mugs, pouches, bags)
  • You want a completely permanent, long-lasting, flake-proof, peel-proof label that can be thoroughly washed (either in the dishwasher or washing machine).

Using Infusible Ink is a somewhat tedious and complicated process, so it’s not the right technique for quick household labeling projects. But it really is the best way to make completely wash proof, dishwasher safe, and long-lasting labels on certain household items…so it’s worth keeping in mind!

Baby onesie with words created by Cricut Infusible Ink
Planner Pouch with monogram created from Cricut Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
Storage bag labeled with Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets
Split monogram mugs in blue, green and orange
White zipper pouch labeled with Cricut Infusible Ink
How to Make Mugs with Infusible Ink Pens
White zipper pouch labeled with Cricut Infusible Ink
About Cricut Mug Press
Big Brother T-Shirt labeled with Infusible Ink

What You Need

How To Do It

  1. Design label words, shapes, or pictures in Cricut Design Space.
  2. Cut and/or draw label designs from Infusible Ink Transfer Sheets/Pens using your Cricut machine.
  3. Weed excess material from around and within the label designs.
  4. Transfer the design onto your sublimation blank using a Cricut EasyPress.

Ready to give this a try? See the full tutorial:

How to Label Fabric Items with Cricut Infusible Ink

Other Creative Cricut Label Projects

I hope this post fully illustrates why I love using my Cricut label maker for my organizational labeling projects:

  • Because I can label practically ANYTHING,
  • And I can make those labels look EXACTLY as I want them!

Feeling inspired? Here are even more great Cricut labeling projects to consider:

So…if you’re ready to start using your Cricut machine to make gorgeous, custom labels for every surface in your home, pick the right method for your specific project (e.g., vinyl, Print Then Cut, etc), check out the detailed instructions for that technique (linked throughout this post), and get labeling aaaaaall the things!

See You Soon!
Megan