Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Vinyl Tutorial


As promised, I'm going to show you how to cut vinyl on your Cricut. If you have a different cutting machine, the application process should be the same.

The picture above is a quote that I put in my classroom this year, and I love it.

The tutorial that follows is for doing smaller projects. To do something like the quote I have above, you probably want to use a software program like Sure Cuts A Lot. It will use less vinyl that way because you can squish your letters closer together. You can also stretch and squash them vertically and horizontally. Also, you'll want to use the 12" x 24" cutting mat for the larger projects.

But for our purposes today, I'm just using the 12" x 12" cutting mat.


Once you decide what you want to cut out of your vinyl, you just smooth your vinyl down onto your cutting mat the same way you would with card stock. Please, do not peel the sticker backing off your vinyl sheet. That would be baaaaaaad.



Next, load your mat into your machine. So far nothing should be different than what you're used to doing with paper. Well, except that you're using vinyl. Doy.


This next step is so very important, so pay attention, okay? You are going to want to do a very small test cut on your vinyl. Just one little one inch letter would be sufficient. I want you to put your machine on low pressure, then do your test cut. 


The test cut is so you can make sure the blade cuts through the vinyl, but not the sticker backing sheet behind it.

Very, very important. Once you've tested this, you are free to cut. Here is a picture of my test cut. 


You can see that the sticker backing paper is still there when I peel away my test cut letter. Feel free to use a scrap piece of vinyl for this step. Vinyl is expensive and you don't want to waste it. I've cut a lot of vinyl on my machine, and low pressure is my sweet spot. Yours might be different. I'm sure it depends on how sharp your blade is.



Here is a word I cut on a piece of vinyl. After I cut it, I cut a rectangle around the word so I know how big a piece of Transfer Tape I need to transfer my lettering.



The Transfer Tape is on the left and the vinyl is on the right. You can find it wherever Cricuts are sold. Lately I've been buying my vinyl at Wal Mart because it's $9 a package there vs. $10 at Michael's. I've been buying the Transfer Tape at Michael's because my Wal Mart never has it. It makes me crazy. My Michael's also has a serious problem keeping it in stock. Lucky for me, Girl Genius works there so I just have her snag it for me when the truck pulls up. I'm a Transfer Tape Junkie and she's my pusher. I love her so much.


The next step is my favorite part. I grab my Cricut Captain Hook tool and start pulling away the extra vinyl. You have to do it slowly and pull at a 45 degree angle so you don't tear your letters, but it is oh so satisfying. I like to peel skin from sunburns though, so that might just be me.

I'm easily entertained.


Here you can see my image with all the excess pulled away.


Here I've cut a piece of Transfer Tape that is about the same size as my image. Sometimes I piece scraps together. You don't have to have a continuous piece of Transfer Tape like you do vinyl. Feel free to be frugal.


Next, start peeling the Transfer Tape from its sticker backing sheet. Don't pull it all the way off though. It's like Fly Paper and it sticks to everything. It's kind of like the clear scrapbooking stickers in that when you get close to something with it, it has a magnetic force that sucks it into exactly the place where you do not want it. It's extremely annoying.

So, as I was saying, just pull back enough to get it started.


You can see here how I've started sticking the Transfer Tape to my lettering. Take it slowly and ease it onto the vinyl.


I didn't take a picture of this next step because I don't have three arms, but you want to use something to smooth the Transfer Tape onto the vinyl. Okay, that's a lie. I forgot, okay? Nobody's perfect.

A credit card would work fine. The idea is to run the edge over the surface to make the Transfer Tape stick to the vinyl so it will pull it off the sticker backing sheet without tearing the vinyl. It's a tricky, slow process.


After smoothing the Transfer Tape down, you can start peeling the Transfer Tape away from the sticker backing sheet, making sure that the vinyl is coming up with it. Again, go slow at a 45 degree angle. If you have sections that don't come up with the Transfer Tape, back it up just a tad, smooth it down, and try that spot again. Sometimes it's a process of two steps forward, one step back.


Ta-Da!




Since this piece is relatively small, I was comfortable enough hovering over the spot where I wanted to stick it, then smacking it down before I could lose my nerve.


You could say there's no turning back now.


The final step is to slowly and carefully peel the Transfer Tape away. You sometimes have to back up, smooth, and ease sections off with this step as well.


Whew! That was a little stressful, wasn't it?

I assure you, it gets easier the more you do it. Just dive in and give it a try.




This bucket was a little trickier and I had to notch my word so it would wrap around the curved surface of the bucket without puckering the letters. Sadly, these notches were not enough.


I started peeling my sticker backing sheet away and it was too hard to keep the word from sticking to me and the spot I didn't want it to go.


So I ended up cutting the word into three separate pieces so I could have a little room to work. It worked much better this way.


Pretty nifty, eh?

Now that you've suffered through this little tutorial, I have a little surprise for you. Back in April, I joked in this post about how I wanted to put up a bunch of vinyl sayings in my house, and one of them was going to be "PICK UP YOUR CRAP!" Well, some of you thought it was a splendid idea so I went ahead and did it.



I put it in Peanut Head's Man Cave because it's such a pigsty. Pigsty with a capital "P."

I kid you not. When Stinkerbell was five she walked into Peanut Head's shop and exclaimed "Daddy, pick up all this crap! It's a disaster in here!" I promise you, I am not lying. It even made it into our Christmas letter that year. These are the sorts of proud parenting moments we brag about in our annual holiday letter.

It's that juxtaposition thing that I'm so fond of.



See what I mean about the mess? Actually, this is a horrible example. He just cleaned it up. But it will not stay like this, mark my words.

So what I'm saying is that Peanut Head deserves this little gem.

And he needs to stop talking like a sailor because Stinkerbell has been using inappropriate language appropriately since she was three. And it's very hard to discipline your child when you're laughing hysterically and rolling around on the floor. Very hard.

85 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for this tutorial! I have not gotten a cricut yet, hoping I will get one for Christmas, and now I know how to use vinyl! It's not nearly as hard as I thought it would be! Thanks again! Chris

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  2. Thanks for posting this. I've had a Cricut for a while...actually I have 2 and I have just been too chicken to try the vinyl. With your great tutorial, I'll have to give it a try ;o)

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  3. This is a great tutorial...just what I need. I'd love to add something to the wall in my kitchen. Thank you for taking the time to share.

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  4. While I appreciate the tutorial and all, I would rather you just make the dang vinyl labels for me. For that matter, you can come apply them for me too. Make sure they are straight, though. You know I cant stand crooked things.

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  5. Very nice!! I also like the "Welcome" banner by your door. Did you make it also?

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  6. LF, yes, I did make the "Welcome to 6th Grade" banner last year when I went back to the classroom. It was a lot of fun.

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  7. You are so funny that I just read this entire post and had no frigging idea what a Cricut was until now. Thanks for the laughs and the education. I don't think I'd have the patience, but man, those buckets look great! (I dream of someone organizing my life and home... sigh... a place for everything...; although who am I kidding? A week later it'd be the same old thing. Piles everywhere.) And Peanuthead's lair looks very neat to me.

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  8. Girlfriend, that $10 item at Michael's is only $6 when you use your %40 off coupon, which you can almost always find online and print out AS MANY AS YOU NEED THAT WEEK. try here: http://www.mycraftcoupons.com/

    or just do a google search

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    1. You can not buy Cricut products with the Michael's coupons, it says it right in the coupon. No Cricut Brand. I called and that means nothing that is cricut.

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  9. You make my day everytime you post something new. I am such a follower of your blog that I tend to look several times a day. Perhaps you could quit your job so you could entertain me more full time!
    I darn near wet myself with excitement when I see a new post! Your humor and awesomeness make me happy! Thanks

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  10. Thanks, Carolyn. What a sweet thing to say. :)

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  11. Oh I agree with Carolyn. Who needs a job? I check your posts often for new little insights. Absolutely love the tutorial and cannot wait to try it out. Thinking of going to Michael's today. Now if I can just decide on one quote! Thanks again.

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  12. Ohhhh Jill, you make me want a Cricut so badly!!!!!

    that is soooo awsome. I bought a sign on vacation once, it's just vinyl on a board, but it says "Pirates don't take baths." I'll have to take a pic once it's up in my bathroom.

    I agree, when kids say something inappropriate, it's really hard not to laugh. Darn sit com television, ruining our parenting!!! :-P

    As always, thanks so much for sharing!

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  13. Great tutorial!! LOVE the Christopher Robin Quote as we use this one often around here:)

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  14. Fantastic tutorial!! Now I want a Cricut!

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  15. I stumbled across this post from Tip Junkie....I love this idea for classroom use! I'm an Elementary School Teacher and while I'm currently staying home with my twin infants, I SO plan to do this when I go back. Do you have a post with pictures of your entire classroom? I would love to steal....{ahem} borrow more ideas from you! It looks like you made a sign using your cricut as well? SO many classrooms are bare, hospital-like spaces. I'm betting yours is nice and cozy. I would love to see it! :-D Most of my experience is with the 5th Grade, so your ideas would probably work really well in my classroom!

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  16. I love that saying at the top of this post!! After this tutorial I want a cicut more than ever!!

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  17. I could scream I'm so excited you posted this. I just got a personal cricut on black friday 2010 and have used it about 5 -7 times and still learning but one ting was we wanted to try Vinyl.. but had no idea how.
    Your tutorial was awesome!! thank you so much!!!
    thanks for all the tips on pressure and where to buy stuff. I mean you were great on the details, thank you thank you thank you!!!!

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  18. Quick question please...instead of buying vinyl and transfer tape could you use contact paper?

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  19. you should check out the prices of vinyl on this website, it is my favorite!!


    expressionsvinyl.com

    signup for their newsletter too, they send out coupons for 10% quite often!

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  20. I love the quote! Would you be willing to sell me one? I dont have a cricut!

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  21. I Love the quote... do you know where I can get a wall decal like that or are you wiling to sell them? I dont own a cricut!

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  22. Alicia, You didn't leave your contact information so I have to respond to you in the comments. You can order it from Thoughts in Vinyl. I give the details and the direct link in this post:

    http://www.controllingmychaos.com/2011/09/vinyl-crazy.html

    Janae sells it for $24.50 and her quote looks a lot better than the one I cut myself.

    I hope this helps.

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  23. I love the quote for your students. I was wondering how you made your welcome banner? That is so cute.

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  24. I just came across this through Pinterest and love it! Also, the welcome sign below it is great too, where did you get that?

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  25. @Heather and Lisa, I made the welcome banner for my classroom. I've made several paper banners like this, and I have a tutorial for a Halloween banner at the following link: http://www.controllingmychaos.com/2010/10/spooky-halloween-banner-tutorial.html

    I hope this helps!

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  26. Does the "Sure Cuts a Lot" still work with the Cricut? I had read somewhere that it will not work. Just checking with you since you mentioned it. Also, great tips and fun to read. THANKS!!

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  27. @Shaelynn, The Sure Cuts-A-Lot program no longer works with the Cricut. Apparently there was a lawsuit and they are no longer able to sell their software. I'm sorry. :(

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  28. I just found your blog! I love it! I would like to know where you got your Welcome to 6th Grade sign below the pooh quote. :)

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  29. This is SO great! I love the tutorial! I will be pinning for sure..

    Becky B.
    www.organizingmadefun.com
    Organizing Made Fun

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  30. Did you know you can use contact paper from dollar tree for cheap vinyl? you have to be careful with blade depth though.

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  31. Hi, love your stuff! Just stumbled across you on Pinterest and am wondering if there is a simple to follow tutorial for cutting the letters to use for vinyl. How do you set it so they are spaced right and the same size as each other. I would really love to etch glass using the vinyl negative space. Any ideas? Please email me if possible. kmeddy@centurytel.net Thanks in advance!

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  32. Love this!!! I got a circuit on my Christmas list and this is amazing! Thank you

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  33. Thanks! I have a circut on my Christmas wants!! This is a great tutorial!

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  34. you are awesome! this is the first tutorial that i actually understand. and the visuals are great! btw, you have a great sense of humor!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thanks so much....i'll be a follower for sure!

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  35. Thank you so much for sharing. I received a Cricut Expression 2 for Christmas and haven't used it yet. My main reason for wanting one is so that I can do the vinyl on lot's of things. This post was so helpful.

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  36. Loved your tutorial! Quick question, when you are doing a multiple line quote do you use a large piece of transfer tape and transfer all words together or do you transfer each word seperately to the wall?

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    1. I transfer a line at a time, not a word at a time. I think it would be a nightmare to try to get the words lined up if you did it one word at a time. It's a long tedious process regardless. So yes, I do use a large piece of transfer tape to accomodate an entire line. Sometimes I'll piece a line together if I have a line that's longer than my transfer tape though.

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    2. Agree with you.

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  37. Thank you for the tutorial, but what caught my eye on this sight was your welcome to 6th grade sign. Did you make it or did you buy it? If you made it, how did you do it and if you purchased it will you please tell me where?

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  38. I made the banner. I did a post that was a banner tutorial here: http://www.controllingmychaos.com/2010/10/spooky-halloween-banner-tutorial.html

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  39. Wonderful instructions, finally!!!! Thanks for walking through it with pictures and explaining each step, I'm finally comfortable with moving forward with my projects now. I work full time and don't have the time to think some of these things through, this was a great help!

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  40. Great toutorial, I was surprised how well it adheared to the textured area of the bucket. btw I thought I was the only one who nicknamed her daughter stinkerbell, she's 24 now and finds it less cute.lol I try to refrane but long held habits are hard to break, every once in a while oops there it is.

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    1. I say don't hold back. Once a Stinkerbell, always a Stinkerbell. :)

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  41. Thanks for the info!
    is the vinyl permanent on glass? just wondering how that works for wine glasses!
    or do we need a special vinyl?

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    1. Vinyl isn't permanent on anything. It would stay on a wine glass for awhile, but with repeating washing it would erode and probably crack.

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  42. A great place to get vinyl is your local sign shop. I asked them if they had any scraps they were going to throw out. I left there with my arms loaded - for FREE!

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  43. Thank you so much for the tutorial!!! I think I had the pressure set too high. Bridgette

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  44. What do you set your needle depth to?

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    1. I keep my needle depth the same. I haven't ever changed it from its factory settings.

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  45. I love your honesty and I know I am new to using a cricut but why don't you just use clear contact paper from the dollar tree $1 a roll instead of expensive transfer paper?

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  46. I have used glad press n seal for small projects before

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  47. Thanks for the tutorial. I'll practice on some small things before tackling word art for the walls!

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  48. Thank you as I haven't been using it and my letters of course aren't perfectly straight, so I am going to get some from Walmart as theirs is cheaper than Michael's (can't use coupon on Cricut Brand). I didn't know all the how to's so this great. Thank you again.

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  49. Hey, Jill. Thanks for the great post. I LOVE cutting vinyl on my Cricut Expression 2 and I usually use the Cricut Craft Room... Many of my cartridges are digital. However, I seem to have difficulty keeping the settings consistent from 1 cut to another. Any thoughts on what might be happening?

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  50. Just a little note...if you want to be frugal, using regular contact paper works as well as the transfer paper sold for vinyl & it's a lot cheaper.

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  51. I use regular contact paper instead of the transfer paper that is sold for vinyl. It's a lot cheaper & works the same.

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  52. I just found this blog and loved the entire post.5 years later your post is going strong. I feel motivated to craft craft craft. I'm ashamed to admit I have owned a cricut expression for over 5 and have used it at a bare minimum it seems. Meaning the one and only thing I have tried is the vinyl; no cards, not glass etching, nada. I have done vinyls tons of time but never with transfer paper. so yes, 1 letter at a time :( yes yes tell me about it. Thank you for the tips. Since you were using the expression do you use a specific software or program? Possibly a free one or inexpensive one? maybe one that ties all the leters to make those beautiful custom joined/cursive words... I type out letter by letter on my mini screen. Not even sure if I can use a computer like with other machines such as the Cameo, Siluhette, etc.

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    1. yes you can download the Cricut craft room on Cricut.com ...it is free and works great.

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  53. Thanks so much for your tips because I just got my cricut and this has been a huge help for me! You Rock

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  54. I am just learning to use my Cricut Expressions 2. I am frustrated with the fonts. I can' t get them the same size and I need different fonts than what came with the bundle. I am trying to make signs with vinyl letters instead of painting by hand.

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    1. I have had to do some experimenting myself. I have heard that many people prefer the Silhouette and that there is more versatility. I'm not looking to spend more money on another machine at this point though.

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  55. I don't have a Cricut either, but a friend/neighbor does and will help me work on stencils for tees. I hope to get some vinyl for my new office. I've seen many people say "no coupons" on this post - but http://www.joann.com has a sale now on cricut accessories. Check them out sometimes. Thanks for this tutorial!

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  56. Low pressure okay, what do you have the cutting needle at?

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  57. Hello Jill. I enjoyed you're quick tutorial. I recently bit the bullet and bought the Cricut Explore Air. My first design took me about an hour and a half. My problem, however, was getting the vinyl to stick. The quote I did cut out perfect with the machine, stuck perfectly to the transfer tape, but...I could not get the vinyl to stick to my glass window!!! UGH! No matter how much I rubbed or scrapped the vinyl absolutely would not stick to my glass. I clean my windows with a homemade solution of white vinegar, water and a drop or two of dish soap. My surface was as clean as a whistle and dry. NO LUCK!! So I thought, hey, lets see if it'll stick to one of my walls. Well guess what? IT WOUDLN'T STICK TO them either! Ok, by now I'm like totally stressed, frustrated, disappointed and in tears over this beautiful print that I can't get to stick..to anything! I chatted with Cricut. Evidently my vinyl was defective!! They're sending me a new roll. Do you have any suggestions for glass and surface prep prior to putting vinyl on? Any help would be appreciated!! Thanks so much.

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    1. That is bizarre. I've never heard of vinyl not sticking like that, so I'm glad to hear that there was an explanation. Vinyl sticks great to glass. Just make sure it is wiped clean before you put the vinyl on. I have some vinyl lettering on my vehicle windows that has stayed on for years--even being outside in the winter!

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  58. OMG thank you so much for this! I just got my cricut and no where on youtube did it say not to take off the backing of the vinyle - I have messed up 3 things already cause they will not transfer to the damn transfer tape - I simply can not think you enough cause even I understood how to do it after reading this LOL

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  59. check out dollar tree for clear shelf liner works perfectly for transfer tape and its only a dollar a roll!

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  60. Thank you for this simple tutorial! Worked perfectly!

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  61. I can't figure out why my transfer tape "won't let go" of the vinyl. It just makes a mess!

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    1. It's a tricky process. You pull the transfer tape away at a 45 degree angle, very slowly, and with a credit card or something thin and plastic, guide the vinyl onto the surface as you are pulling the transfer tape away. The 45 degree angle and the slow speed are very important.

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  62. GREAT tutorial. Have had my Cricut for a few years and I've never tried vinyl. Totally intimidated. But, now I think I will. I've read and read many tutorials and one gal suggested Glad Peel and Stick as backing tape. Might be another inexpensive creative suggestion. Thanks Again!

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  63. Hobby Lobby sells vinyl that isn't Cricut brand, so you can use a coupon there. It's usually about 7.99 before the 40% off coupon.

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  64. Finally!!! I have been googling and YouTubing and anything else I could think of to find simple instructions on how to cut and transfer vinyl using my Cricut!!! Thank you! I kinda figured out the basics by just looking at the products....but you spelled it out for me step by step!

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  65. Just got a Cricut and just found your blog. Your tutorial was awesome AND you are hysterical! Thank so much...keep writing!

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