Halloween Skeleton Tumbler and T-Shirt Using Cricut

Ready to get into the spooky spirit? This Halloween-themed DIY is the perfect mix of creepy and creative! We're making a custom skeleton tumbler using CitriStrip and a matching t-shirt with Cricut Iron-On - perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, or just showing off your festive side. The skeleton designs are already set up in Cricut Design Space, so all you have to do is follow along. 

Materials:

• TAL brand black powder coated tumbler
• Citristip
• Foam brush
• Painters tape
• Cricut Vinyl
• Cricut Transfer Tape
• Cricut Iron-on
• Cricut Heat Press Machine

In this project, we're using CitriStrip to create a unique etched effect on a black powder-coated tumbler. It's a fun and simple way to add custom designs to your drinkware! The process involves applying a vinyl stencil to the tumbler, then brushing on CitriStrip - a paint remover that breaks down the coating. After letting it sit for a while, the coating can be peeled, scraped, and scrubbed away to reveal your design underneath.

Want to see exactly how it’s done? Join Beth from our Design Team as she walks you through each step in the video!

Directions:

The cut designs for this project are all set up and ready to go in Cricut Design Space, so you don’t have to start from scratch. You can jump right in and access them directly with just a click - making it super easy to get started on your own version of this project!

Tumbler

Start by measuring your tumbler to make sure the wrap design will fit just right. Once you have the measurements, you can easily resize the tumbler wrap design in Cricut Design Space to match. Next, choose any color of Cricut Vinyl you like and cut out the design using your Cricut machine. After cutting, it’s time to weed the vinyl - carefully remove the parts of the design where the skeleton hands are, so you’re left with a stencil that will reveal the etched effect later on.

Carefully apply your vinyl stencil to the tumbler using Cricut Transfer Tape, making sure to position it exactly where you want the design to appear. Once it’s in place, take a moment to burnish the stencil really well - press down firmly and smooth out any air bubbles to ensure it sticks securely. This step is important for getting clean edges on your etched design. After that, use painter’s tape or masking tape to cover any parts of the tumbler that you don’t want the CitriStrip to touch. This helps protect the rest of the surface and keeps your design looking neat.

Using a foam brush, generously apply CitriStrip over the stencil, making sure to cover all the exposed areas of your design. Don’t be shy with it - apply a nice, thick coat so it can really work its magic on the powder coating. Once it's fully covered, let it sit for about an hour. After that, check to see if the coating is starting to lift. If it’s working properly, you should be able to tell pretty easily - the powder coating will look softened and should begin to scrape away without much effort.

Once the CitriStrip has had time to do its job, grab a paper towel and gently wipe away the excess gel from the tumbler. Next, carefully peel off the vinyl stencil to reveal the etched pattern underneath. After that, head over to the sink and use a scrubber sponge with some water to clean off any remaining CitriStrip and loosened powder coating. Give it a good scrub until the tumbler is clean and your design is crisp and clear.

T-Shirt

Start by cutting out your t-shirt design using Cricut Iron-On material. Once it’s cut, take a few minutes to weed the vinyl - this just means carefully removing the parts of the design that you don’t want to transfer to your shirt, leaving only the final image and text. When your design is ready, it’s time to apply it to your shirt using your Cricut EasyPress. Just follow the step-by-step instructions in the Cricut Heat App or check the Cricut Heat Guide to make sure you’re using the right temperature and timing for your fabric and material.

And there you have it - your own spooky skeleton tumbler and t-shirt set, just in time for Halloween! Whether you're handing out candy, heading to a costume party, or just love a good themed craft, this project is a fun way to show off your Halloween spirit. We hope you had a blast creating along with us. Don’t forget to share your finished designs and tag us - we’d love to see your creepy creations come to life!

Do More This Halloween!

Skeleton Party Placemats & Cupcake Toppers

Set the scene for your Halloween bash with custom skeleton placemats and cupcake toppers made from Cricut Vinyl. They're creepy, cute, and totally reusable!

Skeleton Tee with Cricut Iron-On

Can’t get enough skeleton style? Make another eerie t-shirt design with Cricut Iron-On -perfect for a Halloween outfit or matching family look.

Colorful Skull Banner

Brighten up your decor with a hand-colored paper skull banner. Print skull shapes and decorate them with markers or crayons for a fun, Day of the Dead–inspired twist.