If you’ve ever wanted to know how to make a tote bag that’s cute and perfect for Halloween, you’re in the right place, friend. Every year, I try to make something fun and personal for the season—something that feels a little extra. This year, I wanted a Halloween bag that wasn’t scary, just cute, sparkly, and full of personality. And that’s how my “Too Cute to Spook” tote bag came to life!
You know those store-bought trick-or-treat bags that all kinda look the same? Yeah, this one’s not that. I grabbed some Heat Transfer Vinyl in white, black, and glittery pink, opened up Cricut Design Space, and made a custom Halloween tote that’s both fun to make and easy to love. The best part? It’s beginner-friendly and takes less than an hour to put together.
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make a Halloween tote bag step-by-step using your Cricut machine. You’ll learn how to design it, weed the vinyl, and press everything onto your bag so it looks store-bought (but way cuter). Whether you’re making one for your kids, your students, or yourself, this DIY project is the perfect way to add some sparkle to your spooky season.
Why You’ll Love This DIY Trick-or-Treat Bag
Unique compared to store-bought Halloween bags
Quick, easy, and perfect for beginners
Great project for kids, teachers, and DIY moms
Makes trick-or-treating (or gifting) more personal
What You'll Need
Here’s everything I used to make my DIY Halloween trick-or-treat bag:
Cricut Machine (any model works, but I have a Cricut Maker 3)
Yellow Cotton Tote Bag (I used one from Make Market)
Scissors
Parchment Paper (Here is a similar variety)
If you’re using a different tote or vinyl brand, that’s totally fine—just double-check your heat settings in the Cricut Heat Guide (you can find it easily with a quick Google search).
How To Make Your Halloween Tote Bag
Step 1: Set Up Your Design in Cricut Design Space
Open up Cricut Design Space and start a new project. To make sure your design fits your tote, create a yellow square that’s the same size as the front of your bag — about 13.5 by 13.5 inches. This just helps you visualize your layout.
Next, search for a cute ghost in the Images section. There are a ton of options, so scroll until one makes you smile. Once you’ve got your ghost, resize it to fit nicely in the middle of your tote — not too big, not too small — and group all its layers so it moves as a single unit.
Now let’s add the fun part: text! Type “Too Cute To” above your ghost and “SPOOK” below it in all caps. I tested a few fonts before landing on Dokdo for “Spook” because it has those classic Halloween vibes, and BFC Flora Cloud for the top phrase — something soft and playful to match the “cute” theme. Then, add a .25-inch offset in black around each phrase to make those white letters pop.
This is a great time to save your project before moving on — trust me, nothing hurts more than losing a cute design halfway through!
Step 2: Add Some Sweet Details
I wanted to fill in a little more space on each side of the ghost, so I searched for “candy” in Cricut Design Space. I picked a simple one that was easy to cut, then resized it to about 0.74 inches tall. I made six total — two in pink, two in white, and two in black — and arranged them evenly on each side of the ghost. They add such a fun, balanced look to the design without being too busy.
Once you’re happy with your layout, click “Make It.” Make sure each vinyl color is set to a 12×12 material size and double-check your cuts before confirming. If you’re not a Cricut Access member, you may need to pay for the ghost or candy designs — but they’re worth it for the cuteness factor.
Step 3: Cut and Weed Your Vinyl
Now it’s time for the satisfying part: cutting and weeding! Load your white vinyl first, then your black and pink glitter vinyl. You can cut directly from the roll or use a mat — totally your choice.
Once your designs are cut, grab your weeding tool and carefully remove the extra vinyl around your words, ghost, bow, and candy pieces. Take your time here — it’s kinda like the craft world’s version of meditation.
Step 4: Press and Layer Your Design
Before pressing, preheat your EasyPress to 315°F (if your tote is 100% cotton). Place your tote flat on the EasyPress mat, and use the tote handles to eyeball the center. I also like to use parchment paper as a protective layer before pressing.
Start with your black vinyl offsets — this will be the base layer for everything. Press for 30 seconds, then let it cool a bit before peeling back the protective film. Next, align the white vinyl on top of those black offsets so it lines up perfectly all the way around. Press again for another 30 seconds.
Repeat this same process for your ghost and bow — press, peel, layer, repeat. The pink glitter bow and cheeks really make the whole thing pop!
Once your ghost is in place, finish by pressing the words “Too Cute To” and “Spook.” If you’re not sure about your heat settings, you can always check the Cricut Heat Guide online — it’s super easy to find and helps keep your vinyl looking crisp.
Finally, add your candy pieces on each side of the ghost. Play around with the placement until it feels balanced, then press each one for 30 seconds.
Keep the Creativity Going
Looking for craftier inspiration? No worries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you layer different colors of heat transfer vinyl easily?
Yes—just press each layer separately, let each one cool a bit, and you’ll get that crisp, professional look without the mess.
Can I wash my custom tote bag after using heat transfer vinyl?
Yep! Just turn it inside out, wash cold, and hang to dry—your design should hold up beautifully when done right.
How do I make sure the design on my tote stays centered and straight?
Use the tote handles or seams as visual guides, and place your design lightly with your hands first—once it stays put, press it for the full time.
Now Go Show Off Your Bag, Friend!
Learning how to make a tote bag that’s both stylish and Halloween-ready doesn’t have to be complicated — it’s really just about adding your own flair and having fun with it. Whether you used a Cricut or went freestyle with paint and fabric, you now have a one-of-a-kind DIY Halloween tote bag that shows off your creativity. It’s giving spooky, it’s giving cute, and it’s giving you did that, friend!
Now that your Halloween trick-or-treat bag is done, don’t stop the crafting vibes here. Share your finished tote on social and tag @DeAnnCreates — I’d love to see what you came up with! And if you’re ready for your next project, check out my other Cricut Halloween crafts and DIY tote bag ideas to keep that creativity flowing all season long.