Cutting Vinyl Rolls is Easy With a Few Tricks
Cutting Vinyl Rolls is an easy process with a few tricks that will make all the difference in your projects! Read on to learn my tried and true methods and simple tricks.
Start with a design in Cricut Design Space. Use the prompts to choose your base material and adjust your settings. Once you have your settings, click “Make”.
PVC
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride and is one of the most common plastics in use. Its rigid form can be found in piping, window frames, roofing and electrical cable insulation. It also serves as the substrate for many kinds of flooring, wall coverings and signage. Rigid PVC can also be found in tamper-resistant over-the-counter medication packaging and in clear plastic bags used for food storage. It is an important component of medical tubing, and blood-collection bags. PVC is manufactured using toxic additives that include harmful plasticizers like phthalates and stabilizers containing heavy metals, all of which can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled.
Before cutting, make sure that the surface you will be applying the vinyl to is clean and dry. This will help it adhere properly. Some surfaces, such as glass, will require a special adhesive that can be purchased from the manufacturer. If you are working with a curved surface, you may want to position it on a shim to keep it steady while cutting. When measuring and cutting, remember that vinyl will shrink slightly over time. This is especially true if it has been stored long term with the paper backing on. If you are working with a new roll, it is a good idea to let it rest and settle for a few hours before measuring and cutting.
Adhesive
Adhesive craft vinyl can be used to decorate almost any surface. It works best on smooth surfaces like glass, plastic and glazed ceramic, but rougher surfaces like wood or painted walls can work, too (just be sure to choose a durable, water-resistant adhesive). It’s also great for use as labels and decor for school supplies and binder folders.
It’s a good idea to do a test cut before applying your design Cutting Vinyl Rolls to ensure that your machine and cutter settings will work well with the material you’re working with. The goal is to cut the design cleanly without cutting through the paper backing, which would make it impossible to weed and apply the vinyl decal.
When you’re ready to apply your design, use an application tool or scraper to burnish the vinyl onto the substrate and pop out any air bubbles. If you notice any small wrinkles, try to push them toward the edge of the vinyl with your fingernail to smooth them out.
Vinyl rolls have had a bit of a makeover over the last decade, so they’ve ditched their old reputation as being flimsy or cheap-looking. They now come in an endless number of fashionable designs and boast a beefy wear layer that’s perfect for high-traffic areas. They’re also available in environmentally friendly low VOC and formaldehyde emissions and are UK allergy certified, contributing to healthier indoor environments.
Heat Transfer
Heat transfer (HTV) is a vinyl-like material that can be cut into designs with a cutter and applied to a base using heat. This allows you to create one-of-a-kind custom shirts, onesies, pillows, and other projects that Cutting Vinyl Rolls aren’t available anywhere else. HTV is available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and finishes. It’s also much easier to work with than screen printed transfers and can be used on a wide range of fabrics.
When working with HTV, you don’t need to use a transfer paper, as the design is already adhered to a clear carrier sheet. You can choose between a warm peel or cold peel, depending on your application. The warm peel option is a little more time-consuming, as you need to wait until the carrier sheet is warm enough to remove from your fabric.
The cold peel option is more convenient, as you can simply place your fabric on the koozie and press it for 10-15 seconds. Then, you can apply another layer and repeat the pressing process. It’s important to press for the correct amount of time, as too little won’t stick and too long will scorch your fabric.
To prepare for the project, mirror your design in Cricut Design Space and select Iron-on from the list of materials. Load the cutting mat with the vinyl into your machine and press Go. Once the project is finished, weed away any excess vinyl with a hook or a pair of tweezers.
Craft
If you have a Cricut or similar craft cutter, you can use your vinyl rolls to create custom-made designs for your home decor and other projects. The vinyl comes in a variety of colors and textures. Some are more elegant, while others are more funky or functional. Some even glow-in-the-dark. These are all easy to cut and apply to your projects. You’ll want to make sure your project base is clean and free of dust, lint, and oil before applying the vinyl. This will help it adhere to the surface of your project.
If your design has layers, it’s important to line up the layers before you start cutting. The easiest way to do this is to place parchment paper over your top layer, leaving one side uncovered. Then, transfer the top layer onto your vinyl. The parchment will help you scoot the vinyl around and align it properly before pressing it down.
Many crafters use thirteen inch cube shelves like the Ikea Kallax to store their vinyl and iron-on rolls. You can also buy dividers for the cubes to keep your vinyl separated and organized. For example, you can find a DIY divider for the Kallax that creates nine slots for wine bottles, and Etsy sellers offer inserts to separate the cubes into 25 slot increments for vinyl rolls.