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The best choice is ordinary laser copy paper made for laser printers. Cricut specifies this paper for drawings made with Infusible Ink Pens and Markers because it tolerates the heat of pressing and has a coating intended to reduce bleeding. The paper—not a special branded transfer sheet—carries your drawing from the Cricut machine to the compatible blank.
Cricut’s official guidance does not compare brands, paper weights, or coating specifications, so there is no evidence-based brand winner. Buy paper clearly sold as laser copy paper, then follow the project-specific Heat Guide or Heat app settings.
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What laser copy paper does in an Infusible Ink project
You draw the mirrored design on laser copy paper with an Infusible Ink pen or marker. The sheet becomes the transfer carrier: you place the drawing face-down on the blank and apply heat. Cricut says laser copy paper is designed for high temperatures and has a special coating that helps keep the drawing from bleeding, producing a cleaner transfer. See Cricut’s Infusible Ink FAQ.
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- PREMIUM PRINTER PAPER – Hammermill Premium Inkjet & Laser 24lb Printer Paper is a versatile sheet that’s perfect for double-sided inkjet or laser printed projects. With a 97 brightness & blue-white shade, you get consistently sharp, clear images.
- COLORLOK TECHNOLOGY – This computer paper features ColorLok Technology for colors that are 30% brighter, blacks that are 60% bolder and ink that dries 3x faster. This white copy paper will provide consistently superior results.
- PERFECT FOR PRINTING – This multi-purpose copier paper is designed to run smoothly through all office equipment for professional results when printing newsletters, flyers, reports, memos, and more. It’s also acid-free paper to prevent yellowing over time.
- SUSTAINABLY MADE IN THE USA – Original Hammermill printer paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, which means they are made with renewable resources from third-party certified, sustainably managed forests.
This paper is only one compatibility decision. The blank must also be suitable for Infusible Ink. Cricut’s own blanks are engineered and tested for the process; generic sublimation-compatible blanks may work, but Cricut does not guarantee their results. Infusible Ink will not transfer to 100% cotton.
What to buy—and what not to substitute
| Paper | Role | Use it for Infusible Ink pen or marker drawings? |
|---|---|---|
| Laser copy paper | Drawing and transfer carrier sheet | Yes. This is Cricut’s specified category. |
| Cricut Sublimation Printer Paper | Coated printable paper for sublimation inks | No. Cricut describes it as a separate print-and-transfer product and says it is not for laser printers. Read the Sublimation Printer Paper guidance. |
| Butcher paper | Protective barrier during pressing | No. It is not the drawing carrier. |
| White 80 lb cardstock | Project-specific protective layer or work-surface material | No. Use it where the project instructions call for it. |
Cricut does not state a required brand, weight, or measurable coating specification for the laser copy paper itself. A higher price or a product labeled “sublimation paper” is not evidence that it will transfer a pen drawing better.
How to use the paper with Cricut Infusible Ink
-
Create and size the design
In Design Space, create the artwork at the final size and set the operation to Draw.
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HP Printer Paper | 8.5 x 11 Paper | Copy &Print 20 lb | 1 Ream Case - 500 Sheets| 92 Bright | FSC Certified | 200060- HP Papers is sourced from renewable forest resources and has achieved production with 0% deforestation in North America. Each ream is wrapped in a polyurethane coated paper wrapper to protect the cut sheets from moisture damage
- Sheet size – 8.5 x 11; Thickness – 20 pounds; Brightness – 92 bright white
- HP Copy&Print20 20 pounds printer paper is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified and contributes toward satisfying credit MR1 under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
- All HP Papers provide premium performance on HP equipment, as well as on all other printer and copier equipment; 100% satisfaction guaranteed; ColorLok technology provides more vivid colors, bolder blacks and faster drying
- Superior quality, reliability, and dependability for high-volume printing at home, at school and in the office; HP Copy&Print20 print and copy paper prevents yellowing over time to ensure a long-lasting appearance for added archival quality
-
Mirror before drawing
Turn on Mirror before sending the project to the machine. This is essential for text and directional artwork.
-
Select the machine material
Choose Laser Copy Paper in Design Space and place the sheet on a LightGrip mat, following Cricut’s current Infusible Ink instructions.
-
Draw the design
Load the Infusible Ink pen or marker and let the machine draw. If you color by hand, put another sheet of paper beneath the artwork to protect your work surface from bleed-through.
Rank #3
Amazon Basics Multipurpose Copy Printer Paper, 8.5 x 11 Inches, 20 lb, 92 Bright, White, 1 Ream (500 Sheets), Jam-Free- 1 ream (500 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
-
Prepare the blank
Use a compatible Infusible Ink blank. Remove lint and follow the project directions for positioning and, if needed, heat-resistant tape.
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Press with the correct settings
Place the drawing against the blank and use the Cricut Heat Guide or Heat app for that blank, press, and combination. Do not substitute a generic time or temperature setting.
Why the protective papers matter
Infusible Ink becomes a gas during transfer. Cricut says butcher paper and cardstock help keep that pigment from bonding to adjacent layers. Butcher paper also captures moisture; Cricut recommends a fresh sheet for each project because captured pigment can transfer elsewhere. Keep these barriers separate from the laser copy paper that carries the drawing.
Rank #4
- 3 ream case (1,500 sheets) of 8.5 x 11 white copier and printer paper for home or office use
- Multipurpose letter size copy paper works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers and fax machines
- Smooth 20lb weight paper for consistent ink and toner distribution; dries quickly and resists paper jams
- Bright white paper (92 GE; 104 Euro) offers great contrast for crisp printing and vivid color
- Virgin copy paper providing professional quality results; acid-free to prevent yellowing
Typical supporting materials
- Infusible Ink pens or markers
- Laser copy paper
- Compatible blank
- Heat press and pressing mat
- Butcher paper
- White 80 lb cardstock, where the project instructions specify it
- Lint roller
- Heat-resistant tape, when required for the project
How to judge a package on the shelf
- Look for the exact category name laser copy paper and a stated laser-printer use.
- Choose clean, uncoated-looking office copy paper only when the package identifies it as laser copy paper; do not assume inkjet paper is interchangeable.
- Check sheet size and quantity against your design and mat setup.
- Ignore claims that a brand is “best” for Infusible Ink unless they provide comparable, attributable testing. Cricut’s cited guidance does not endorse a manufacturer.
The official Cricut material list also includes Laser Copy Paper as a selectable machine material. That setting tells Design Space how to handle the sheet; it is not a ranking of transfer performance. See Cricut’s materials list.
Common mistakes and their fixes
Using sublimation printer paper for a pen drawing
Sublimation printer paper belongs to a printed-ink workflow. It does not replace the laser copy paper Cricut specifies for Infusible Ink Pens and Markers.
Skipping mirroring
Unmirrored text or directional art transfers backward. Enable Mirror before drawing.
Best Value
- Multi-purpose copy printer paper; works with laser/inkjet printers, copiers, and fax machines
- Includes 3 reams (500 sheets per ream, 1500 sheets total) of 24 pound copy paper
- Bright white for better contrast; 97 GE brightness level
- Acid-free material prevents the paper from yellowing over time
- Product dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches (WxL, per sheet)
Pressing onto an unsuitable blank
Paper cannot compensate for an incompatible surface. Use a Cricut-tested Infusible Ink blank or accept that Cricut does not guarantee generic alternatives.
Reusing contaminated butcher paper
Replace it for each project so captured pigment does not migrate to another surface.
Guessing heat settings
Settings vary by blank and press. Use the Heat Guide or Heat app for the exact combination instead of copying a setting from another project.
Is any brand proven better?
Not from Cricut’s published guidance. The available official references identify the laser copy paper category but provide no controlled brand comparison, transfer measurements, or winning model. Until comparable testing is published, the defensible recommendation is category-level: buy laser copy paper, use it with the specified workflow, and evaluate your results by line clarity, bleeding, handling, and consistency.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
