Best Adhesive Vinyl for Crafting
Let’s talk about the best adhesive vinyl for crafters, a versatile material used widely in crafting and DIY projects. There are so many options, and it can be challenging to choose the right one for your craft project. In this post, I’ll cover what adhesive vinyl is, how it differs from HTV Vinyl, PSV vinyl, and the best uses for each type when crafting with your Cricut or other cutting machines.
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What is Adhesive Vinyl?
Adhesive vinyl is a flexible and durable material with an adhesive backing. It’s commonly used for creating decals, stickers, and labels.
- Long Version: Adhesive vinyl acts like a sticker but is made from a plastic material that has an adhesive backing. It can be applied to numerous project surfaces, making it a staple in the world of vinyl crafts.
- Short Version: Adhesive vinyl acts like a sticker but is made from a plastic material that is adhesive.
Adhesive vinyl comes with a backing (a carrier sheet). You use a kiss cut, so it cuts the vinyl and not the backing.
Next, you’ll need a transfer sheet. This is a sticky product to transfer your item to its final destination (that sounds like it’s going on a airplane ride! haha)
The most common types of craft vinyl
Vinyl, is an easy-to-work-with and versatile product, comes in two main types: Adhesive Vinyl and Heat Transfer Vinyl.
Each type serves a distinct purpose in crafting, but don’t stress, it’s easy to decide what to use.
The Adhesive Vinyl materials adhere to various surfaces and is available in various colors and finishes, including glossy, matte, and even specialty textures like glitter (my fav) or even metallic.
Then there’s Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV), which is more permanent and often for outdoor vinyl, but also removable indoor vinyl, and good news, it comes in glitter vinyl sheets too; these are my most often used.
These types often come in glossy or matte finishes, glitter or star (sparkles? Yes, please), and various patterns and fun finishes.
how to store Vinyl
Storing all these fun colors can be challenging. I like to store mine in 3 ways. I also wanted to share this video of how I store some paper and other craft room organizational tips.
- Rolling cart (buy on Amazon here)
- Large 13×13 Zip lock bags(buy on Amazon here)
- In my office on a shelf.
Adhesive Vinyl vs. PSV Vinyl
PSV stands for Pressure Sensitive Vinyl (PSV). While both adhesive vinyl and PSV vinyl have sticky backs, there are a few key differences between them.
Adhesive Vinyl:
- Varieties: Comes in permanent vinyl and removable vinyl sheets.
- Removable Adhesive Vinyl: This can be repositioned and leaves no residue when removed.
- Ideal Use: Perfect for temporary projects or surfaces needing frequent changing.
PSV Vinyl (Pressure Sensitive Vinyl):
- Permanence: Always permanent.
- Bond Strength: Provides a stronger bond, making it ideal for long-term use.
- Removal: Not easy to remove and may leave residue or damage the surface when removed.
What is adhesive vinyl used for?
Adhesive vinyl is a sticky backed vinyl product that doesn’t require heat (unlike Heat Transfer Vinyl).
When crafting I find adhesive vinyl is perfect for a wide range of projects, including:
Home Decor:
- Wall Decals: Create vibrant colors and designs for your walls.
- Window Decorations: Add a personal touch to your windows.
- Personalized Home Accessories: Customize items like picture frames and planters.
Organization:
- Labeling: Label containers, jars, and bins for a more organized space. or just cut out the words and to smooth surfaced items.
Custom Gifts:
- Personalized Items: Customize mugs, water bottles, and phone cases with unique designs.
- Party Decorations: Create banners, signs, and temporary decorations.
Craft Projects:
- Scrapbooking: Add adhesive vinyl designs to your scrapbook pages.
- Card Making: Personalize cards with intricate vinyl details.
- Signage: Make Custom signs with Adhesive vinyl.
What Tools are best for working with Vinyl
The basics for me are a good scraper. Here are a few I use. I like the Siser® one because it has a felt edge and the vinyl or paper I’m using wont get scratched.
I also like the Pick Pen. (A pen with a needle in it instead of ink). I use this to pop the bubbles on surfaces like glass.
Transfer tape. This is good to help transfer your vinyl to the item your making.
Wrapping Paper Cutter. This tool works great for cutting the vinyl off the roll or cutting the transfer tape off that roll.
Craft Business and Adhesive Vinyl
You can sell things made from vinyl. Here are 9 things you can cut from adhesive or PSV vinyl to sell:
- Custom Decals: Create personalized decals for cars, laptops, water bottles, and more. Custom designs, names, and logos are always popular.
- Wall Art: Design and cut decorative wall art pieces, including quotes, geometric patterns, and nature scenes. These are perfect for home decor.
- Pre-Made Labels: Offer custom labels for kitchens, pantries, offices, and more. These can be used for jars, containers, and organizational bins.
- Phone Skins: Create custom phone skins with unique designs and patterns. These can be personalized with names or monograms.
- Window Clings: Design seasonal or themed window clings for holidays, businesses, or home decor. These are easy to apply and remove. You can also cut words for local store owners (for example: store hours, directional signs, and welcome signs, or bathroom door signs)
- Trending Car Decals: Offer a variety of car decals, including family stick figures, bumper stickers, and custom graphics. These are great for car enthusiasts.
- Wedding Decor: Create custom signs and decor for weddings. Options include store hours, directional signs, and welcome signs.
- Stickers: Produce a range of stickers, from fun and whimsical designs to functional ones like planner stickers. These can be sold individually or in sets.
- Personalized Home Decor Items: Design and cut vinyl for decorating items like picture frames, mirrors, and vases. These can be customized with quotes, patterns, or monograms.
These products are not only popular but also versatile, allowing you to cater to a wide range of customers with different tastes and needs.
Tons of SVG Cut files
For Craft Business Owners
DIY Inspiration & Crafts
online Events to Join
What Adhesive Vinyl is Not Suitable For:
While adhesive vinyl is incredibly versatile, there are some items and surfaces it’s not ideal for:
Fabric: Adhesion Issues: Regular adhesive vinyl doesn’t adhere well to fabric and may peel off easily. For fabric projects, use Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) instead.
Textured or Uneven Surfaces: Adhesion Problems: Surfaces with a lot of texture or unevenness may prevent proper adhesion.
High-Wear Items: Durability Concerns: Items frequently handled or exposed to water, like outdoor signs or frequently washed objects, may need a more durable material like PSV vinyl or a laminate coating for added protection.
Tips for Using Adhesive Vinyl when Crafting
Prepare Your Surface: Smooth Surface: Ensure the surface is smooth and clean for better adhesion.
Dry Surface: Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying vinyl.
Use Transfer Tape: To help apply your vinyl designs when cut out, without distorting them.
Use a Brayer (shown below) to add the vinyl to your cutting mat. This ensures it’s on the mat properly and helps get a better cut.
What’s the best way to apply adhesive vinyl
Firm Pressure: Apply firm pressure to ensure the vinyl sticks well to the surface.
Remove Air Bubbles: Smooth out any air bubbles using a scraper (one with a soft edge is helpful) or credit card. If needed use a slim needle or Pick Pin to pop any bubbles you are unable to scrap out.
Is Adhesive Vinyl ‘OK’ for Outdoor Use?
For outdoor projects, it’s essential to use a vinyl that can withstand the elements. Outdoor vinyl is designed to endure UV light, rain, and temperature changes. Permanent vinyl is an excellent choice for outdoor use due to its strong bond and durability.
Best Vinyl For Outdoor Projects
- Car Decals: Create custom car decals that can withstand weather conditions.
- Outdoor Signs: Use PSV vinyl for long-lasting outdoor signs.
Creating Projects with Adhesive Vinyl
Adhesive vinyl opens up endless possibilities for creative projects. Check out the free cut file vinyl designs available in my shop. Here are a few ideas:
Proper Care for Adhesive Vinyl Projects
To ensure your adhesive vinyl projects last, proper care is essential. Avoid Excessive Handling. Minimize touching the sticky part of the vinyl to prevent it from peeling later.
For cleaning surfaces or items with vinyl, gently wipe surfaces with a damp cloth instead of soaking them in water.
Adhesive vinyl is a staple for many crafters, offering various uses and applications. By understanding the differences between adhesive vinyl and PSV vinyl, you can choose the right material for your project and achieve the best results.
Whether you’re working on home decor, custom gifts, or organization projects, adhesive vinyl provides excellent quality and versatility. Remember to choose the right type of vinyl for your project surfaces and consider the environment where your project will be displayed. Happy crafting!
Favorite Brands of Vinyl for Crafting
A couple of my favorite brands for adhesive vinyl are Siser® EasyWeed and Siser EasyPSV. These brands offer excellent quality and a wide range of colors, ensuring your vinyl crafts look stunning.
Thank you! The article is very informative.
Thank you for your session and this newsletter post regarding vinyl. I have had a Maker for almost 5 yrs but pretty much just use it to create cards for family and friends. My limited experience with vinyl has had one positive effect on me though – my cuss jar gets a lot of action!
I learned useful things from you today, and worked up a couple of projects.
Question though – one consistent problem is air pockets under the vinyl – is there a methodology to eliminate or at least reduce the probability of these bubbles forming? I try to roll the image onto the surface instead of just dropping it into place but I have yet to do a glass or other solid surface without these forming.
The surface is prepped with a good wash and then alcohol. I do poke the bubbles with my weeding tool but they tend to show.
Thoughts?
Thanks for the kind words, I’m glad you found it helpful! Have you tried a waterbottle with a light spray of water on the surface before applying the vinyl? That can help it slide around and work out the bubbles. Once it’s dried you can’t tell you sprayed the water (for things like glass, or smooth plastics or metals). ~Chelly