Creating your own personalized doormat using a Cricut machine is a fun and creative way to spruce up your home’s entryway. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step, from designing your doormat in Cricut Design Space to painting your finished product. Let’s get started!
Designing Your Doormat in Cricut Design Space
The first step in making your DIY doormat is to create a design that suits your style. Start by opening the Cricut Design Space app. I bought an 18" x 30" coir doormat, so I recommend making a template that matches your doormat’s dimensions.
In Design Space, click on “Shapes” on the left-hand side, then select a square. Unlock the square and drag it out until it matches the size of your doormat. This helps you visualize how your design will look on the actual doormat.
For a realistic preview, you can change the rectangle's color to orange or brown to resemble a coir doormat, but this is optional. Afterward, click on “Text” and type in your desired word or phrase. I went with the word “Love.” Now, choose a font that matches your style. You can use any font you like, either from the Cricut library or from a site like dafont.com.
Next, resize your text to fit your doormat. I made my word almost 9 inches tall and 17 inches wide. However, if you’re working with a standard 12" x 12" Cricut mat, ensure that no part of your design exceeds 11 inches to fit properly on the mat.
Adjusting Your Design for Larger Text
If your design exceeds the size of your Cricut mat, you’ll need to make some adjustments. My word was almost 17 inches wide, so I had to split the letters to fit on the mat. To do this, click “Ungroup” to separate the letters. If some of the letters, like the "O" and "V," are touching and you want them to stay connected, select those letters, right-click, and choose “Weld.”
Now, for the second part of the design, I typed the word “LIVES” in all caps and chose a bold font, such as Bernard MT Condensed. To keep things consistent, I copied the word “LIVES” and replaced the letters to spell “HERE.” This ensures both words are the same size.
Finally, add any additional design elements, like hearts or other shapes, from the Cricut image library. Place these shapes wherever you want them on your template and resize them as needed. Once you're satisfied, delete the rectangle (which was only a guide) and click “Make It” to proceed.
Cutting the Heat Transfer Vinyl
Now it’s time to cut your design using heat transfer vinyl (HTV), which we’ll use as a stencil for painting. Be sure to space out the design elements so that they don’t overlap on your mat. Since you’re using HTV, remember to mirror your design before cutting, as this is crucial for proper placement.
Place your HTV shiny side down on your Cricut mat, and use a brayer tool to smooth it out. Set your Cricut machine to “Iron-On” and load the mat. Press the load/unload button followed by the "go" button, and let your Cricut machine cut the vinyl.
Weeding the Vinyl
After your design is cut, it’s time to weed the excess vinyl. Since we’re using the vinyl as a stencil, you’ll need to remove the letters themselves, leaving the outline. Use a weeding tool to carefully peel away the parts you don’t need. Afterward, cut around each stencil, leaving a small border around the edges.
Placing Your Vinyl Stencil on the Doormat
Now, position your vinyl stencils on the doormat where you want them. This step is essential for ensuring everything is aligned and even before you start painting.
Applying Heat to the Stencil with the EasyPress
Heat your Cricut EasyPress to around 330°F and press each stencil onto the doormat for 30 seconds. Use parchment paper between the EasyPress and the vinyl to protect both the press and the doormat. If any parts of the vinyl aren’t sticking after the first press, reheat as needed. Sometimes, you’ll have to reapply heat multiple times to ensure the vinyl adheres properly.
Removing the Plastic Liner from the HTV
Once the vinyl has cooled down and is securely attached to the doormat, slowly peel away the plastic liner. Take your time with this step, as the vinyl may still try to lift off with the liner. Hold the vinyl down while peeling to ensure it stays in place. If needed, use parchment paper and reheat any areas where the vinyl hasn’t fully adhered.
Painting Your Coir Doormat
Finally, it’s time to paint your doormat! Using permanent acrylic craft paint, dab the paint onto the doormat through the stencil using a small brush. You may need to apply several coats of paint to achieve a bold, even color, especially since coir mats are highly textured.
For my project, I used black acrylic paint for the text and red acrylic paint for the hearts. Be sure to work the paint into the fibers of the doormat to ensure good coverage.
Finishing Touches
Once the paint is dry, carefully remove the vinyl stencil. Your crisp, clean design will now be revealed! Give your doormat some time to fully dry before placing it outside.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully created a custom DIY doormat with your Cricut machine! This project is a fantastic way to personalize your home and make a welcoming statement to visitors. Enjoy your new doormat!
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