Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
How to make a custom doormat with your Cricut machine and iron-on vinyl.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

How To Make A Doormat With Cricut and Iron-On Vinyl

Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour
Servings: 1 Doormat
Author: Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist
Cost: $20

Equipment

  • Cricut Easy Press or iron
  • Cricut cutting machine

Ingredients

  • blank coir door mat
  • iron-on smart vinyl or regular vinyl with a standard grip cutting mat
  • craft paints
  • paint brush
  • "Hello Sunshine" Cricut Design Space Cut File

Instructions

  • Create Design
    If you want to create a mat exactly the way I did, search for "Life is a Party" using the search bar on the home page of Cricut Design Space. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen to the Community Members section, and click on the follow button for "Life is a Party -Dannyelle Nicolle-Ramjist". On my profile page, click on the "Hello Sunshine Doormat" project, and choose to customize or make it.
    If you want to create a different version, follow this tutorial and change the words, fonts, and locations to create your own design. Begin with a blank canvas in Cricut Design Space.
    Create a mat template by adding a square shape to the canvas, unlock the measurements and adjust to the size of your doormat. Change the colour to brown.
    The next step is to add a text box and type the word "hello". Change the font to Babette.
    Add another text box with the word "summer" all in capital letters, in the Cricut Sans font.
    Drag the text boxes down to the lower right of the brown rectangle mat template and adjust the font sizes. Use the letter space box along the top menu to adjust letter spacing in the word "summer".
    When you're happy with the word sizes, select both and use the align center along the top menu to align them.While they're still both selected use the attach button at the bottom of the layers panel to attach them.
    Use hide button beside the brown square mat template to hide it from the canvas so that it will not cut out. Use the save button to save your project.
  • Cut Out The Iron-On Vinyl
    Click make it. Be sure to turn mirror on. Select your iron-on vinyl from the materials list. We used a Cricut Maker 3, so we took advantage of the ability to create oversize pieces and used smart vinyl. If you are using a regular Cricut you could make the design a smaller size, cut it out in multiple pieces, or use a 12 x 24 inch cutting mat.
    If you're using smart iron-on vinyl, feed the smart vinyl into your Cricut with the shiny side down. If you're cutting your iron-on vinyl out on a mat, be sure to to apply it shiny side down.
  • Weed Stencil
    After the material is cut on the Cricut, use your weeding tool to remove the letters. Remember you're reverse weeding this project and removing the letters, and keeping the background to create a stencil.
  • Apply Stencil To The Mat
    Position your iron-on stencil on your blank coir doormat and use the Easy Press or an iron to apply it. We pressed at 310 degrees for about 30 sec. at a time. Slowly work the heat press over the entire piece, moving your Easy Press section by section. While the vinyl is still hot, use a small scraper tool to burnish it. Take special care around the inside of the letters, and any very small pieces.
    Once the iron-on is cool to the touch, you can try to slowly remove the backer piece. If the vinyl is not fully adhered, repress again. This part may take several attempts, and touch ups in some areas. Save the backer piece, and set aside for later.
  • Paint The Doormat
    Use a dapping down motion to stencil the letters with your paint, using a regular paint brush or stencil brushes. Use just a little bit of paint for each coat, so that excess paint doesn't seep underneath, and so you create nice crisp edges to your letters. You may want to give it a second coat of paint for full coverage. We used black paint for "hello" and rainbow colors for "Sunshine".
  • Remove The Stencil
    Once the paint is dry remove the iron-on vinyl. If it's difficult to remove, use the Easy Press at 310 degrees and press for 20 seconds. Be sure to replace the backer piece before pressing so that the vinyl doesn't stick to your Easy Press. Use the weeder tool to remove little pieces, like the insides of the letters

Notes

Because the heat transfer vinyl is removed after it's used as a stencil don't worry if there's a few wrinkles in it after you've applied it to the doormat.  The main important thing is that it's well sealed around the edges of the words or images.  
Also, because the vinyl will be removed after it's used as a stencil, feel free to use up any colors you're not too fond of, or look for iron-on vinyl that's on sale, because the color or pattern won't matter at all.
QR Code linking back to recipe