Does Infusible Ink Work On Cotton: Pros And Cons

 Updated By TeckWrap Craft On June 17, 2025

Yes, infusible ink works on cotton however, you will have to use a different technique to apply your designs. The best way to make infusible ink work on cotton is by using heat transfer vinyl as the base material. You can also use polycrylic solution and sublimation spray to coat your fabric. Want to know more? Let’s learn everything about Infusible Ink and how to achieve the best cotton t-shirt prints with it.

What Is Infusible Ink?

Infusible ink is a mode of designing white polyester fabrics. These are transfer sheets with colored ink on them. They work best with polyester and transfer vibrant prints. When heat and pressure are applied, the colored ink infuses with the base material and forms a lasting bond.

With infusible ink, you can have durable designs that do not flake and wear off as fast as other printing methods. But of course, this depends on the type of blank or material you are working on. It makes vivid, beautiful, and smooth transfers that last many washes.

How To Apply Infusible Ink Designs To Cotton?

If you want to design a white cotton shirt using infusible ink, say a white t-shirt, you will have to use special techniques to make it work. These include:

• Using heat transfer vinyl as the base material.
• Using a polycrylic solution to coat the fabric.
• Using polyester coating spray.

Using HTV For Infusible Ink Designs On Cotton

In this method, you will use white glitter HTV as the base material over which you will print your infusible ink design. The steps are mentioned below:

• Finalize the design that you have envisioned on the software compatible with your cutting machine. Cricut uses Design Space.
• Mirror the design on the software then cut the white glitter heat transfer vinyl and weed out the negative parts.
• Place butcher paper on top and apply the vinyl design to your cotton t-shirt using a heat press machine. When employing this technique, you can also use a dark-colored cotton shirt for your infusible ink transfer.
• Once the transfer has cooled down, cut the same design on the infusible ink sheet. Do not forget to mirror it as well. Also, remember to change the material settings on the cutting machine.
• Weed out the extra parts until the same design is in front of you that you created with HTV.
• Put butcher paper on top and apply heat and pressure with the heat press.
• Slowly remove the carrier sheet and you have successfully transferred your infusible ink design to cotton fabric.

Using Polycrylic Solution On Cotton

This is another way to transfer an infusible ink design to cotton. For this, you will have to use a white T-shirt. Here’s the method:

• Press your T-shirt to remove moisture and wrinkles.
• In 4oz of water, add 15ml of polycrylc. Mix the solution thoroughly.
• Place a plastic sheet in between the t-shirt layers. You don't want the solution or the colors from the infusible ink sheet seeping through to the backside of your cotton T-shirt.
• Spray the solution to completely and evenly soak the area where you want your infusible ink design.
• Keep the t-shirt aside to let it dry thoroughly.
• Cut and weed your infusible ink design and place it on the t-shirt where you applied the solution.
• Put butcher paper on top and apply heat and pressure with a heat press.
• After the time is up, let the material cool down, then remove the carrier sheet slowly. You will see an excellent infusible ink print transferred to your white cotton t-shirt.

Using Polyester Coating Spray For Infusible Ink Print On Cotton

Polyester coating spray is also known as sublimation spray. It also helps transfer infusible ink designs on white 100% cotton fabrics. The method is the same as that of polycrylic solution. You will have to apply a thick and even coating of polyester spray over your t-shirt. You will not get the colors right if the coating will not be thick enough.

Spray the area where you want the design to be and let it dry. After it has completely dried, it will be somewhat hard to touch. You will actually feel the coating on top. Cut and weed your infusible ink design and place it on the coated area. Apply heat and pressure and you’re done. A vivid infusible ink design will be transferred to your white cotton T-shirt.

Durability Of These Infusible Ink On Cotton Hacks

Using HTV, polycrylic solution, or sublimation spray are some of the most effective hacks to transfer beautiful infusible ink prints on cotton but they might not be as durable. If you are using the glitter heat transfer vinyl as the base, the infusible ink print will remain on your cotton t-shirt as long as the HTV stays on. Premium-quality HTV films last more than 50 washes if proper procedures are followed. 

Infusible ink print using polycrylic solution or sublimation spray will eventually fade off as well but it will take more than 40 wash cycles. To enhance durability, let the print cure for at least 24 hours after application. It is better to wash the infusible ink cotton T-shirt with your hands using a mild soap. Do not bleach or use fabric softeners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can Infusible Ink be used on 100% cotton?
You cannot use infusible ink on 100% cotton directly. You will have to use a base medium to transfer designs such as white glitter HTV, polycrylic solution, or polyester coating spray.

Q. What fabric can you use infusible ink on?
Infusible ink works best on 100% polyester fabric in white. You can also use poly blends but the polyester content should be high, 80% or more.

Q. Can you use Infusible Ink on 50% cotton and 50% polyester?
No. The designs will not be vibrant and the print will not be durable as well. The polyester content should be really high to transfer excellent infusible ink prints. You will have to use a base material, as mentioned in this blog, to print 50% poly/cotton blend fabric with infusible ink.

Final Thoughts

Infusible Ink, although quite an innovation, has limited crafting options but with these techniques and hacks, we can make it work. To purchase premium quality white glitter HTV, visit TeckWrap Craft. Make superb infusible ink designs and share photos of your craftsmanship with us. We would love to hear from you!