9 Best Sublimation Pens for Cricut (October 2026)
The best sublimation pens and markers for Cricut include the Cricut Infusible Ink Pens for fine black designs, the Xinart Pens for Cricut Joy Sublimation Ink for Cricut Joy users, and the KEARTN 15 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank for a small pen batch.
On this page (6 sections)
- How we chose sublimation pens and markers for Cricut
- Compare the best sublimation pens for Cricut
- Best sublimation pens and markers for Cricut projects
- What should you check before choosing Cricut sublimation markers?
- Are Cricut Infusible Ink markers different from sublimation markers?
- Which sublimation pens for Cricut should you choose?
The best sublimation pens for Cricut depend on whether you want to draw a transfer or decorate a blank pen. Cricut Infusible Ink Pens suit fine black designs, while Xinart, DOOHALO and Welebar offer machine-compatible marker sets; separate blank pen bundles are for printed wrap designs.
Check the machine model and the blank you plan to decorate before buying. A Cricut compatible marker does not automatically work with every machine or every heat transfer surface.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
Best for Cricut Joy usersXinart Pens for Cricut Joy Sublimation Ink
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itPYD Life 20 Pack Sublimation Pens No
Best for clip-free bulk gifts - 5
Check itZhouBoat 24 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank
Best for clip-on pen design - 6
Check itKEARTN 30 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank
Best for the largest clipless batch - 7
Check itXinart Sublimation Pens for Cricut Maker 3/Maker/Explore
Best for Maker and Explore compatibility - 8
Check itDOOHALO Sublimation Markers Infusible Pens Compatible
Best for a broad color selection - 9
Check itWelebar 12 Pack Infusible Pens Compatible
Best for a compact color set
How we chose sublimation pens and markers for Cricut
We compared the stated machine compatibility, pen type, set size and transfer workflow for each option. We favored products with a clearly described use, then included blank pen bundles for readers who mean finished personalized pens rather than markers.
A marker set and a blank pen pack solve different jobs. If you prefer a pre-made design, compare ready-to-press sublimation transfers.
For Cricut drawing, focus on machine fit and ink type; for finished pen gifts, compare blank count, wrap supply and the heating method you already have.
Compare the best sublimation pens for Cricut
The table separates drawing pens from blank pen bundles so you can match the item to your project. Compatibility claims and equipment needs are product specific, so confirm the instructions for your exact machine and blank.
| Product | Best for | Set size | Tip | Ink color | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cricut Infusible Ink Pens | fine black designs | 5 pens | Fine point, 0.4 mm | Black | 9.7 |
| Xinart Pens for Cricut Joy Sublimation Ink | Cricut Joy users | 9.6 | |||
| KEARTN 15 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank | a small pen batch | 9.5 | |||
| PYD Life 20 Pack Sublimation Pens No | clip-free bulk gifts | 9.4 | |||
| ZhouBoat 24 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank | clip-on pen design | 9.3 | |||
| KEARTN 30 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank | the largest clipless batch | 8.9 | |||
| Xinart Sublimation Pens for Cricut Maker 3/Maker/Explore | Maker and Explore compatibility | 8.8 | |||
| DOOHALO Sublimation Markers Infusible Pens Compatible | a broad color selection | 1.0 mm medium brush | 8.4 | ||
| Welebar 12 Pack Infusible Pens Compatible | a compact color set | 1.0 mm | 8.3 |
Best sublimation pens and markers for Cricut projects
The Cricut set leads for a fine black line, while the remaining picks cover machine-specific marker choices and finished blank pens. Each product below is matched to one use to help you narrow the options.
Cricut Infusible Ink Pens: Best for fine black designs
- 5 fine-point pens
- 0.4 mm point
- Black ink
- Use with compatible Infusible Ink blanks and Cricut EasyPress 2 or later
A focused black-ink set for drawing designs with a compatible Cricut machine or by hand. The set also includes transfer sheets and butcher paper.
Pros
- Cricut-branded Infusible Ink system
- Fine 0.4 mm point
- Includes transfer sheets and butcher paper
Cons
- Black only
- Requires a compatible Infusible Ink blank
Cricut Infusible Ink Pens are the clearest choice when you want fine black lines and prefer to work within Cricut's own Infusible Ink system. The set has five 0.4 mm fine-point pens, plus two 12 x 12 in transfer sheets and two sheets of butcher paper.
You can draw with a compatible Cricut machine on plain laser copy paper, or draw freehand. The design is transferred with a Cricut EasyPress 2 or later, or a heat press, to a compatible Infusible Ink blank.
This is a black-only set, so it fits names, outlines and monochrome artwork better than multicolor illustrations. Cricut says the ink design becomes part of a compatible blank after heat transfer.
Choose it when you want a fine tip and the Cricut blank workflow. If you need multiple marker colors, look at the Xinart or Welebar sets below.
Xinart Pens for Cricut Joy Sublimation Ink: Best for Cricut Joy users
- 36-piece marker pen set
- Made for Cricut Joy compatibility
A 36-piece set aimed at Cricut Joy users who want a larger marker selection. Confirm the pen type and transfer process for your project before use.
Pros
- 36-piece set
- Designed for Cricut Joy
Cons
- Tip details are not specified
Xinart's 36-piece set is aimed at Cricut Joy owners who want a larger pen selection than a small basic pack. Its name identifies it for Cricut Joy compatibility, which makes checking your exact machine especially important.
The available details do not specify tip size or ink colors, so don't choose it based on a particular line width or palette. Match it to a project where Joy compatibility is the main requirement, and confirm the recommended paper and heat transfer steps before use.
This is a drawing pen set, not a bundle of blank pens to sublimate around. If you are choosing a marker set for Maker or Explore instead, compare the other Xinart option below.
KEARTN 15 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank: Best for a small pen batch
- 15 blank clipless pens
- 15 shrink wraps
- Aluminum sublimation-coated metal tube
This bundle is for making finished sublimation pens from printed designs, rather than drawing directly with machine-held markers. Its clipless barrel leaves the design area unobstructed.
Pros
- Includes matching shrink wraps
- Clipless barrel
- 15-piece quantity
Cons
- Requires printed sublimation paper and a convection oven
KEARTN's 15-piece bundle is for making custom finished pens from printed sublimation designs. It includes 15 blank pens and 15 shrink wraps, and the clipless barrel leaves the design area open.
The stated workflow is to print a design on sublimation paper, wrap it tightly around the barrel, shrink the wrap, then use a convection oven. The pen barrel combines plastic with an aluminum sublimation-coated metal tube.
This bundle makes sense for a small gifting batch or a first project where you want one wrap per pen. It does not replace Cricut drawing pens, since the artwork is printed on paper before heat transfer.
For a larger set of the same style, the 30-piece KEARTN bundle later in this guide doubles the pen count.
PYD Life 20 Pack Sublimation Pens No: Best for clip-free bulk gifts
- 20 blank clip-free pens
- 25 shrink wrap films
- Use with a pen heat press or sublimation oven
A clip-free blank pen bundle for making several personalized gifts. It includes more shrink wrap films than pens and can be used with a pen heat press or sublimation oven.
Pros
- 20 pens and 25 films
- Clip-free design
- Two stated transfer equipment options
Cons
- Needs printed sublimation designs and heat equipment
PYD Life supplies 20 clip-free blank pens with 25 shrink wrap films, making it a practical choice when you want extras for practice or a few replacement wraps. Each pen is 5.5 x 0.3 in.
The brand describes two heating options: a pen heat press or a sublimation oven. Its suggested settings differ by method, so follow the method-specific instructions and use the shrink film as directed.
This is a blank pen project, not a set of machine-held markers. Print your artwork with sublimation ink and paper, tape it to the pen, then transfer the design using suitable equipment.
Choose PYD Life when you want a medium-size batch and the flexibility to use either of the named heat methods.
ZhouBoat 24 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank: Best for clip-on pen design
- 24 blank pens
- 24 shrink films
- Aluminum sublimation-coated barrel
A larger blank-pen bundle with clips and matching shrink film. The barrel's white coated surface is the part intended for sublimation.
Pros
- 24 pens and films
- Includes pen clips
- Replaceable ballpoint refill
Cons
- Requires a convection oven and heat transfer supplies
ZhouBoat includes 24 blank pens and 24 pieces of heat shrink film. Unlike the clipless bundles, these pens have clips, and the 5.5 in barrel has a white sublimation-coated surface intended for the transfer.
The described process uses printed sublimation paper, heat transfer tape and shrink film, followed by a convection oven. The set also has replaceable ballpoint refills, so the completed pen is made for writing as well as display.
This pick suits a batch where clip-on pens are preferred. Check that your printed image covers only the white coated area, and follow the heat and handling directions for the equipment you use.
KEARTN 30 Pcs Sublimation Pens Blank: Best for the largest clipless batch
- 30 blank clipless pens
- 30 shrink wraps
- Aluminum sublimation-coated metal tube
This 30-piece KEARTN set suits projects that need more blank pens than the 15-piece bundle. It uses the same general printed-paper and shrink-wrap workflow.
Pros
- Largest blank-pen count here
- Includes one wrap per pen
- Clipless barrel
Cons
- Specific transfer settings are not provided
KEARTN's 30-piece set is the larger clipless option for a classroom, event or gift batch. It contains 30 blank pens and 30 shrink wraps, with aluminum sublimation-coated metal barrels.
The workflow starts with printed sublimation paper wrapped around the barrel. The product information does not specify a particular time and temperature, so use the instructions for your chosen oven or pen press rather than borrowing settings from another model.
Its main advantage over the 15-piece KEARTN set is quantity. Both are clipless and include wraps, so choose the smaller pack if you need fewer blanks or want to limit leftover supplies.
Xinart Sublimation Pens for Cricut Maker 3/Maker/Explore: Best for Maker and Explore compatibility
- 36-piece dual-tip marker pen set
- Designed for Cricut Maker and Explore models
A broad Xinart set for users with compatible Cricut Maker or Explore machines. Check the exact machine and transfer method before starting a project.
Pros
- 36-piece set
- Dual-tip design
- Made for multiple Cricut machine families
Cons
- Tip sizes and ink colors are not specified
This Xinart 36-piece set is designed for Cricut Maker and Explore family machines, including Maker 3, Explore 3 and Air 2 in its name. It has dual tips, which can give you more than one drawing style within a set.
Tip sizes and ink colors are not specified in the available product details. Confirm that your machine model is covered and that the tip arrangement suits your artwork before relying on it for a specific line width.
Choose this set when Maker or Explore compatibility and dual tips are the priorities. For a set with a stated medium brush tip, consider DOOHALO instead.
DOOHALO Sublimation Markers Infusible Pens Compatible: Best for a broad color selection
- 33 sublimation ink pens
- 1.0 mm medium brush tips
- Water-based ink
The DOOHALO set offers a broad color mix and a 1.0 mm brush tip for coloring and drawn designs. It is described as compatible with several Cricut Maker and Explore models.
Pros
- 33 pens
- Medium brush tips
- Compatibility includes Maker and Explore families
Cons
- Color can look different after heat transfer
DOOHALO offers 33 sublimation pens with 1.0 mm medium brush tips and water-based ink. Its stated compatibility includes Maker 3, Maker, Explore 3, Air 2 and Air, and the brand describes drawing patterns before heat transfer.
The broader color mix suits filled shapes, lettering and colorful designs better than the Cricut black-only fine-point set. The brand notes that colors can look different after transfer, so plan around the transferred result rather than only the ink appearance on paper.
Use this set when you want a medium brush tip and a wide range of colors. Check your exact machine and blank compatibility before starting.
Welebar 12 Pack Infusible Pens Compatible: Best for a compact color set
- 12 assorted colors
- 1.0 mm tips
- Water-based ink
A 12-color set for buyers who want a smaller selection of machine-compatible sublimation markers. The brand describes them for use with Maker, Explore and Air models.
Pros
- 12 assorted colors
- 1.0 mm tips
- Capped pens for storage
Cons
- Smaller set than the other colored marker options
Welebar's 12-pack is a smaller multicolor choice with 1.0 mm tips and water-based ink. The stated machine range includes Maker, Explore and Air models, making it an option for color work without storing a large set.
The brand describes the pens for projects such as mugs and T-shirts, and says to replace the cap when a pen is not in use. As with other markers, use a suitable sublimation blank and follow the transfer instructions for the specific surface.
Choose Welebar if a compact color set is more useful than a 33- or 36-piece pack. For a larger selection, compare DOOHALO's brush-tip set.
What should you check before choosing Cricut sublimation markers?
Check three things first: machine compatibility, the drawing surface and the transfer blank. A marker set can be compatible with one Cricut family while a separate blank or heat method still determines whether the project will work.
For Cricut drawing, match the pen to your Joy, Maker, Explore or Air model. Then confirm whether the design should be drawn on copy paper, transfer paper or another surface, and what heat source the blank requires.
For a finished pen, you need a blank with a sublimation-coated area, printed sublimation paper, wrap or tape, and the specified heating equipment. A best sublimation pen holder can help organize completed pens, but it is a separate blank project.
Are Cricut Infusible Ink markers different from sublimation markers?
Cricut Infusible Ink is Cricut's branded system for compatible blanks, while third-party sublimation markers may have their own machine and transfer instructions. Both involve heat transfer, but don't assume their inks, paper choices or blanks are interchangeable.
If you're comparing Cricut's transfer sheets with drawn designs, see our guide to the best Cricut Infusible Ink transfer sheets. For a closer look at the ink systems, read Infusible Ink vs Sublimation Ink: Everything to Know.
A separate Difference Between Sublimation Ink and Inkjet guide explains why regular inkjet printing is not the same transfer process. For shirt projects, start with best Cricut Infusible Ink shirts and verify that the fabric blank is compatible with your chosen ink system.
Which sublimation pens for Cricut should you choose?
Choose Cricut Infusible Ink Pens for a fine black line and Cricut's compatible blank process. Pick Xinart if your main need is Joy, Maker or Explore machine fit, and choose DOOHALO or Welebar when you want colored marker tips.
For personalized finished pens, select a blank bundle by quantity and clip style: KEARTN for clipless barrels, PYD Life for 20 blanks and extra films, or ZhouBoat for pens with clips. To see another marker workflow, read how to use Artesprix sublimation markers.
The best sublimation pens for Cricut are the ones that match both your machine and the surface you plan to decorate. Confirm those two details before buying, then choose fine-point black ink, a color set or a blank pen batch based on the design you want to make.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
-
2
Best for Cricut Joy users
Xinart Pens for Cricut Joy Sublimation Ink
9.6/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
Can you use sublimation pens with a Cricut?
Yes, if the pens fit your Cricut machine and use an ink system suited to the transfer surface. Cricut Infusible Ink Pens work with compatible Infusible Ink blanks, while third-party sets name specific Maker, Explore, Air or Joy machines.
Check your machine model and the blank's compatibility before drawing.
Are Cricut Infusible Ink pens the same as sublimation markers?
Cricut Infusible Ink pens and sublimation markers both make designs intended for heat transfer, but their ink, machine fit and instructions can differ. Cricut's pens are designed for compatible Infusible Ink blanks and Cricut's transfer system.
For a broader overview, read Infusible Ink vs Sublimation Ink: Everything to Know.
Can Cricut draw a sublimation design?
A compatible Cricut can draw a design with pens made for that machine, usually on paper that is then transferred with heat. Check the pen maker's instructions for the correct paper, blank and press method.
For a step-by-step overview, see How to Use Sublimation Ink Pens.
Can sublimation markers draw directly on a shirt?
Follow the marker's instructions for its intended drawing surface and transfer method. Some workflows draw on paper and then transfer the design with heat, while a compatible blank and heat source are still needed for the finished result.
Compare best sublimation markers for heat transfer before choosing a marker set.
Can you sublimate a blank pen with Cricut markers?
Cricut markers draw designs, while blank sublimation pens are finished with printed sublimation paper, shrink wrap and heat. They are different project types, even though both involve customized pens.
See best sublimation pen holder blanks if your project needs a holder for completed pens.
