Reverse Canvas Tutorial

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I’ve recently started making reverse canvas projects with the help of my Cricut Easy Press. My family has drawers full of shirts, and so I needed another outlet for heat transfer vinyl.

One of my first projects was for my son’s bathroom. I applied the HTV backwards so that he can read them when he’s standing at the mirror. I have to say it was hard to do these “wrong” on purpose!

Supply list:

• Wrapped Canvas
• Utility Knife
• Hot Glue Gun
• Paint and Paintbrushes
• Heat Transfer Vinyl
• Cricut Easy Press or Heat Press
• Cricut Explore or Maker
• Centering Ruler (optional)
• Disposable gloves (optional)
• Command Picture Hanging Strips (optional)

Instructions:

1. Remove canvas from frame. I use a utility knife to cut around the outside edge of the staples. The extra layers at the corners will require a little more attention to cut through. Set the canvas aside.
   
2. Paint the frame. I like to turn it over and quickly paint the back (it will be covered up) and then put push pins in the corners to lift it up off the work surface. Set the frame aside to dry.
   
3. Cut and weed your design. With an 8″x10″ frame, you’ll end up with about a 5″x7″ area visible when the frame is on top of the canvas.

4. Apply the design to the canvas. I usually press the canvas flat before applying the design to make it easier to work with. I use the Easy Press with the Easy Press Mat, and so I press at 340 degrees for 40 seconds. Turn the canvas over and press the back for 15 seconds. Peel off the carrier sheet.

5. Attach canvas to frame. After removing the push pins from the frame, I carefully position the frame on the canvas. When I have the design centered, I tape the canvas to the frame, flip it over, and put two push pins in the frame to hold the canvas in place. I turn the opposite side up and hot glue it back down to the frame.

I glue down one side at a time, making sure to pull the canvas taut as I’m pressing it down on the hot glue.

Fold the excess canvas up and trim off.

7. Hang on the wall. I use Command Picture Hanging Strips. (#ad)

Here’s my tutorial video:

The above post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.