Cutting Vinyl Rolls
PVC cutting vinyl rolls are a versatile and cost-effective material that can be used to create a variety of advertising materials. This includes banners that effectively communicate your message to your customers.
Place the vinyl, liner side down, onto a LightGrip Mat and smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles with your hand or a scraper tool (found in a Basic or Weeding Tool Set). Use the Make screen in Design Space to choose the correct machine settings for your type of vinyl.
1. Measure Your Surface
Vinyl is a sticker-like material that can be cut into almost any image and applied to a wide range of slick, non-porous surfaces like cups, cars, windows, signs, and Cutting Vinyl Rolls more. It’s available in a variety of colors, sheens, and textures. It is typically sold by the roll but can also be bought by the sheet in a variety of sizes, including six-inch by 24-inch sheets.
Before you apply your vinyl, make sure the surface is clean and dry. It’s a good idea to use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove any dust, dirt, or oil that might prevent the vinyl from adhering to the surface.
Once the surface is prepped, open your Cricut Design Space program and select the vinyl you are using for your project from the Materials menu (see note above). Once the image has been selected, click the green “Make It” button to send it to the machine. Place your vinyl liner-side down onto a new or used StandardGrip mat.
2. Load the Vinyl
Vinyl is a plastic, film-like material with adhesive on the back and comes in many different colors, finishes, sheens, and textures. It can be used to make everything from personalized mugs and cups to labels for bottles and pencil boxes. It is also available in iron-on, which is designed to adhere to fabric and other non-porous surfaces.
Open your design in Cricut Design Space and follow the prompts to set your base material – in this case vinyl. Click the star beside the vinyl setting to add it to your favorites list so you can quickly access it in the future.
Place your vinyl on the blue or green mat, with the paper liner side down. Try to align the straight edges of the vinyl with the white printed grid on the mat.
Once your design is cut, you will need to remove all of the excess vinyl from around the edges. This is called ‘weeding’ and you can use any kind of tool, like a weeding hook from Cricut (which is what I prefer to use) or even a sharp sewing needle.
3. Cut
Basically, vinyl is a large sticker sheet that can be cut into any design you want. It can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including cups, cars, windows, and signs. But it is most often used for decorative purposes, such as monograms on water bottles, school logos on car windshields, or names on pencil cases.
When working with vinyl, it is important to use the proper mat to avoid frustration and ensure clean cuts. A brand new LightGrip or StandardGrip mat is ideal, but you can also use one that has been used several times before. Just be sure that the vinyl is not stuck to it and try to smooth out any wrinkles or air bubbles with your hands, a scraper tool, or a brayer.
Once you have your mat and vinyl ready to go, load it Cutting Vinyl Rolls Manufacturer into your cutter using the instructions for your machine. Then, head back into Design Space and choose your material settings.
4. Weed
Weeding is the process of removing the negative space from your vinyl design after it’s cut with your Cricut or Silhouette machine. This removes the little pieces that are inside your design, making it much easier to get a clean transfer onto your surface.
There are many ways to weed your vinyl, but the most important thing is that you use a good tool and a clean work space. Also, it’s always helpful to have a scrap piece of carrier sheet nearby so you can keep your small bits and cavities confined.
Another helpful trick is to nest your designs on the carrier sheet so you can strategically place them in a way that takes up the least amount of material. Lastly, make sure your blade is sharp and set to the right depth for your material. It helps to have a light box or a light pad if you’re doing HTV, but even a bright overhead light will help you see your cuts better.
5. Transfer
Vinyl rolls are ideal for many projects including gym floor covers, equipment covers, athletic and recreational covers, scaffolding tarps, welding curtains and ground and dust control tarps. They can be used to protect surfaces from heat or chemicals, and are available in a variety of colors and finishes.
Before you apply your vinyl, it is important to make sure that the surface is clean and dry. Check for dust, lint, oil or anything else that could prevent your vinyl from adhering properly. If necessary, wipe the area with rubbing alcohol and a lint free cloth.
Once the surface is clean, place the transfer tape over your vinyl design and rub it down firmly. If it seems like the transfer tape isn’t sticking, try rubbing a little more vigorously. Next, weed away any pieces of vinyl that aren’t part of the final design using a weeding tool. Once you’re done, peel up the transfer tape and vinyl image.