Personalized Cooler Bag Using Cricut Iron-on

Hi there! With back-to-school coming up, I wanted to do something fun and easy to get ready. I decided to personalize my kid’s cooler lunch bag using my Cricut and some iron-on vinyl. It only took a few minutes, and now their bag is one-of-a-kind and easy to spot. If you’ve got a Cricut at home, this is a great little project to try - I’ll show you how!

Materials:

• Cricut Iron-on
• Cricut Tool Kit
• Cricut Heat Press Machine

The EasyPress Mini Heat Press Machine is perfect for this project because it’s small and super easy to handle. Since lunch bags usually have seams, zippers, and curved spots, using a big press can be tricky. But the Mini lets you get into all those little areas without any hassle. It heats up quickly, has even pressure, and just makes the whole process way easier - especially for small projects like this.

Directions:

Before you start designing, take a minute to measure the space on your cooler bag where you want the design to go. This helps you figure out how big (or small) your design should be so it fits just right. Every bag is a little different, so it's good to know exactly how much room you’re working with before you jump into Cricut Design Space.

Next, open up Cricut Design Space and create your cut design. I decided to go with a custom monogram.  I used a big block letter for the first initial and then added the full name in a pretty script font over top. It’s a simple design but looks really polished! For the name, I used the font Culinary, which is available with a Cricut Access subscription. Feel free to play around with fonts and layouts to match your kid’s age and style.

Once your design is ready, it’s time to cut it out using Cricut Iron-On. I cut both the initial and the name separately so I could layer them just how I wanted on the bag. Don’t forget to mirror your design before cutting, since we’re working with iron-on material! Load your mat and let the Cricut do its thing.

After your design is cut, go ahead and weed the iron-on vinyl using your Cricut weeding tools - that just means removing all the extra vinyl around your design that you don’t want to transfer.

Now it’s time to press your design onto the cooler bag! Place the iron-on where you want it, and use your Cricut heat press to apply it. I recommend checking the Cricut Heat Guide or using the Cricut Heat App for the right time and temperature - it really helps get the best results. If you’re layering like I did, press the block initial first, then add the script name on top. One little tip: if you’re adding a second layer, use a piece of parchment paper over the first layer to protect it so you’re not pressing directly on the vinyl.

Once everything's pressed, let it cool down a bit, then you can slowly peel off the carrier sheet.

You’ve now got a personalized cooler lunch bag that’s unique and fun - and totally easy to spot in the lunchroom. Whether you’re doing this for your kids or just adding a little personal touch to your own bag, it’s a quick and satisfying project. Happy crafting, and I hope this project makes your back-to-school prep a little more fun!

Do More with Cricut this Back-to-School Season!

If you’re loving this lunch bag project, why not keep the creativity going with a few more fun and easy Cricut projects for back-to-school? Here are some ideas:

School Supply Labels

Use Cricut vinyl to make cute, custom labels for all those school supplies - pencil boxes, markers, folders, you name it. It’s an easy way to keep everything organized and personalized!

First Day of School Photo Prop

Create an adorable first day of school sign with Cricut vinyl. You can make one that says “Grade 1” or even include their name and school year for the perfect photo op.

Pens/Markers/Tools Caddy

Get your kid’s desk or school supplies organized with a DIY caddy. Personalize it with Cricut vinyl to keep their pens, markers, and tools in one place - and make it look super cute at the same time!