Craft making used to be a tenacious task, but with the introduction of the Cricut machine, it has become a breeze. Over the years, these Cricut machines have gained much popularity among crafters. Choosing Vinyl for crafting can be daunting as various options are available, which is where this blog comes in. Knowing what is best for your Cricut can initially seem overwhelming, so this blog will break down what you need to remember while choosing Vinyl for your crafting needs. We will also give you a detailed list of some of the best Vinyl for crafting.
Most people assume that all types of Vinyl offer similar performance, but it’s wrong. Several factors affect their functionality, depending on what you plan to make. There are three different types of Vinyl, each with unique advantages and applications.
Its application method is similar to permanent adhesive Vinyl with less sticking power. As the name suggests, it can be removed easily, which is excellent for indoor use. Removable adhesive Vinyl has a matte finish. Removable Vinyl is not fully waterproof, unlike permanent adhesive Vinyl, so it won’t last for a year in harsh weather.
Its application method is similar to permanent adhesive Vinyl with less sticking power. As the name suggests, it can be removed easily, which is excellent for indoor use. Removable adhesive Vinyl has a matte finish. Removable Vinyl is not fully waterproof, unlike permanent adhesive Vinyl so it won’t last for a year in harsh weather.
Also known as iron-on-vinyl, it is designed for custom garment decoration. And can be applied with either a heat press or a standard iron. Custom T-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, and tumblers are created using HTV. It can last longer than permanent adhesive Vinyl.
You must consider several factors before purchasing a vinyl sheet for craft making. Although several Vinyl manufacturers exist, a handful of brands manufacture quality vinyl sheets.
When choosing Vinyl for craft making, ask yourself what you intend to use it for. As mentioned earlier, permanent adhesive Vinyl is perfect for outdoor use as it won’t budge even in harsh weather. Removable adhesive Vinyl is better for indoor applications such as wall decals, temporary decorations, and scrapbooking. Lastly, HTV is for soft fabrics, garments, and accessories.
Cutting the design out of Vinyl and transferring it to the medium is pretty simple, but weeding can be tricky. So, choose a thinner vinyl sheet as it is easier to weed than thicker sheets. Choose a vinyl with a thickness of less than 0.25 mm.
Fortunately, crafting Vinyl comes in various colors and is available in various finishes, such as glitter, metallic, and iridescent. Printed Vinyl has stripes, polka dots, camouflage, animal prints, and more. The Vinyl is sold in single-color rolls and multipacks. Multipacks offer a variety of colors that you can experiment with where, and single-color rolls offer a higher quantity of Vinyl, making them an ideal choice for larger projects.
Oracal 651 is the permanent glossy Vinyl ideal for most craft projects. The Vinyl is scratch, scuff, and water-resistant. It comes in 60 beautiful, bright, and dark glossy colors, with a highly durable, solvent-based adhesive. Oracle 651 is designed to stick to flat surfaces like wood, metal, and glass. The vinyl sheets are incredibly thin, measuring just 0.6mm thick.
HTV allows crafters to adhere designs permanently to various fabrics, garments, and accessories. Siser is the top brand for heat transfer vinyl that offers a high-quality product that can often outlast the fabric to which it is applied. Siser EasyWeed is made from a polyurethane-based material. It's much thinner than other companies. It simplifies the task of removing excess Vinyl. It is sold as a set of five sheets; crafters can choose the color according to their preferences.
Although removable adhesive Vinyl is not used as much as a permanent adhesive, it is still useful for crafters. Oracal 631 is very easy to remove and reapply. It is less durable than permanent adhesive Vinyl but can stick to any flat surface. It is available in various color options with a matte finish. An applicator also comes in the box, which makes the application even simpler.
Although several sellers and manufacturers sell different types of Vinyl, there are a handful of brands you can trust. These brands are Oracal, HTVRONT, and Siser. All these are well-reputed brands, and their price may seem a little pricier, but you can trust their product quality.
The best Vinyl for creating custom T-shirts is Siser EasyWeed Heat Transfer Vinyl. You must have guessed from the name that it is easy to weed and durable. It can survive regular wash and drying. If the Vinyl is applied properly, then it can outlast the fabric it is printed on.
The best Vinyl for outdoor decorations is Oracal 651; it’s a permanent adhesive vinyl that is super sticky and durable. It can last for six years or even longer. We don’t recommend it for indoor decoration because it can cause damage to the surface if you try to remove it.
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