Tips for Iron-on Vinyl on Stuffed Animals

Make adorable stuffed animals customized with iron-on vinyl. This post contains affiliate links which, when purchased through, add no cost to the consumer but help support this site with a small commission.

Have you noticed those cute personalized stuffed animals floating around the internet? They are hugely popular for Valentine’s Day and Christmas. One of my favorite things about my Cricut machine is the ability to customize items. Dollar stores and Oriental Trading are great places to find small animals that are easy to personalize. If it is your first time using your Cricut Explore Air 2 or Cricut Maker for customizing stuffed animals, here are a few tips and tricks to get you started.

Disclaimer: PLEASE test your heat source on a small portion of the stuffed animal, if possible. If the stuffed animals are inexpensive, I will often purchase an extra just to test. With different stuffed animal materials, there is no guarantee on how the heat will affect the fabric. The heat may discolor or even ruin the animal. Of course, this doesn’t happen all the time or crafters would not be so fond of these projects. Please just be aware and take the proper precautions!

-The type of covering on the stuffed animal does make a difference. Stuffed animals with long hair or thicker fur will not be as good of a choice as those with a shorter covering. The iron-on vinyl will tend to sit on the ends of the longer hair particles rather than flush on the body.

-The type of iron-on vinyl does make a difference. The Cricut Everyday Iron-on Vinyl is a good choice. I’ve also used the Cricut Glitter Iron-on Vinyl. The Everyday Iron-on Vinyl adheres easier in my opinion than the specialty types of iron-on vinyl.

-Choose the best placement on the stuffed animal. Flat portions of the stuffed animal will allow for better adhesion of the iron-on vinyl. You may commonly see crafts place iron-on vinyl on stuffed animal elephant ears or flat stomach portions. The curvier or bulkier the section of the stuffed animal, the more difficult great placement may be.

-Use a heat source that allows for access to intricate places. Heat (proper temperature) and pressure are key for proper iron-on vinyl adhesion. Using a large heat press or the bigger Cricut EasyPress may not allow for enough heat or pressure. I’ve noticed crafters using a flat-iron, but I prefer either the narrow triangle tip of an iron or (the perfect option!) the EasyPress Mini.

-When using the Cricut EasyPress Mini, utilize the Cricut Interactive Heat Guide for step-by-step instructions and personalized heat and time requirements.