The 5 Different Ways You Can Make Labels with a Cricut Machine

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.

What You Need

• Cricut Machine – any Cricut machine can be used for this labeling technique (Cricut Joy | Cricut Explore | Cricut Maker)
  • Fine-Point Blade – the one that comes with your machine
  • StandardGrip Mat
• Adhesive Vinyl
• Weeding Tools
• Scraper
• Transfer Tape

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.

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.

What You Need

• Cricut Machine – any Cricut machine can be used for this labeling technique (Cricut Joy | Cricut Explore | Cricut Maker)
  • Fine-Point Blade – the one that comes with your machine
  • StandardGrip Mat
• Compatible Cricut Pens
  • Cricut Explore/Maker
  • Cricut Joy
• Writable Material
  • Cardstock
  • Paper – patterned, printer, scrapbook, etc
  • Writable Vinyl (Cricut Explore/Maker | Cricut Joy)
  • Printable Vinyl
  • Smart Paper Sticker Cardstock
  • Sticker Paper

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.

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.

What You Need

• Cricut Machine – ONLY the Cricut Maker and Cricut Explore series machines can be used for this labeling technique
  • Fine-Point Blade – the one that comes with your machine
  • StandardGrip Mat
• Printable Material
  • Printable Vinyl
  • Printable Iron-On
  • Printable Sticker Paper (clear | white)
• Home Printer

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.

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.

What You Need

• Cricut Machine – any Cricut machine can be used for this labeling technique (Cricut Joy | Cricut Explore | Cricut Maker)
  • Fine-Point Blade – the one that comes with your machine
  • StandardGrip Mat
• Weeding Tools
• Iron-On/HTV
• Cricut EasyPress or Iron
  • Heat-Safe Surface such as an EasyPress Mat

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.

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!

What You Need

• Cricut Machine – any Cricut machine can be used for this labeling technique (Cricut Joy | Cricut Explore | Cricut Maker)
  • Fine-Point Blade – the one that comes with your machine
  • StandardGrip Mat
• Infusible Ink
  • Transfer Sheets
  • Pens
• Cricut EasyPress
  • Heat-Safe Surface such as an EasyPress Mat
• Compatible Blanks
  • Mugs
  • Zipper Pouches
  • Wine Bags

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