A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Cricut Vinyls
Vinyl is among the most common materials that Cricut users prefer to create various projects. If you have just started dabbling in craft making, the different types and varieties of Vinyl may overwhelm you. You might get confused about which Vinyl to use on the mug, shirts, wood, or glass etching. This blog will give you all the relevant information on different types of Vinyl and how to use them. There are two types of Cricut Vinyl: Adhesive and Heat Transfer Vinyl. Within each of these categories, there are different types and styles, which we will discuss later in this blog.
ADHESIVE VINYL AND ITS TYPE
Adhesive Vinyl is a thin, flexible material with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that adheres to smooth, hard surfaces. It easily adheres to surfaces without the application of heat. Adhesive Vinyl comes in different colors and finishes but always has a paper backing. When that backing is peeled off, its adhesive surface is exposed and sticky. It has two types:
Permanent Adhesive Vinyl: You must have guessed by the name that this Vinyl tends to adhere to surfaces permanently. It can withstand harsh weather and stress, making it an ideal choice for outdoor projects.
Removable Adhesive Vinyl: It’s a great choice for indoor projects like wall decals as it can be easily removed.
WHICH TYPE OF ADHESIVE VINYL SHOULD YOU USE?
Permanent Adhesive Vinyl is best suited for outdoor applications, whereas Removable Adhesive Vinyl is best suited for indoor applications. Normally, permanent Vinyl comes in a glossy finish, while removable Vinyl comes in a matte finish. Permanent Vinyl is perfect for car decals, outdoor signs, mugs, and other items. Permanent Vinyl should only be used if you don’t tend to remove it shortly; otherwise, if you try to remove it, it may cause damage to the surface it was sticking in.
The permanent Vinyl is designed to outlast the removable Vinyl. It can easily last for at least three years, and some can even last for over eight years. Oracle 651 is the most common and popular brand of permanent Vinyl that you can purchase from various shopping sites. Oracle 751 is an extra long-lasting permanent adhesive vinyl and is perfect for mugs and cups as they will be washed often.
Removable Vinyl is a great option for indoor signs, wall decals, stencils, and temporary applications. Oracle 631 is a popular removable vinyl brand you can easily find at various shopping sites. We suggest using removable Vinyl for the first project, which is easier to work with and remove.
WHAT ARE HEAT TRANSFER VINYL AND ITS TYPE?
Heat Transfer Vinyl or Iron-On-Vinyl is a specialty vinyl polymer with a heat-activated adhesive that works with fabric surfaces. Unlike Removable Vinyl, Heat Transfer Vinyl has no paper backing; it has a clear plastic carrier sheet covering the Vinyl’s top. Requires heat for application and will not adhere to any surface if no heat is present.
Like adhesive Vinyl, heat transfer vinyl comes in various colors and styles. But what makes it confusing is that each company has its list of Heat Transfer Vinyl. However, we have completed this excruciating task and devised eight types of HTV and their purposes.
STANDARD HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
The most basic type of Vinyl can be applied to cotton, polyester, and blends for basic needs and classic designs. We recommend you use Siser Easyweed’s HTV. Besides the fabrics, it can adhere to the leather.
UNIVERSAL HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
It is also called Low-Temperature Universal Vinyl. It gets this name because it only needs low temperature to cling to the surfaces and is quite the universal type. It can adhere to cotton, polyester, spandex, nylon, and genuine leather.
STRETCHABLE HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
It’s very lightweight and perfect to glam up your sports jersey or trousers, as it can easily match the stretchy polyester fabric. It is similar to the Siser Easyweed, but it’s a lot more stretchable.
GLOSSY HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
As the name suggests, this type of HTV has a glossy finish and looks more attractive than oyster HTVs with a standard matte finish. You can use it with cotton, polyester, and other similar fibers.
GLITTER HEAT TRANSFER
If the glossy finish doesn’t work, try Glitter HTV. It will amp up your look, and this category has many variations ranging from textured to holographic.
METALLIC HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
Certain designs need a bit of spark, and Metallic HTVs help you achieve that. These HTVs boast an opalescent shine and are similar to chrome.
FLOCK HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
This unique HTV boasts a suede-like texture that can amp up your HTV designs. It can be weeded quickly and layered to create amazing multi-colored designs. It’s a great alternative to embroidery, giving a raised look to your design.
PATTERN HEAT TRANSFER VINYL
It is similar to other HTVs but has a pattern. These patterns include camouflage, ombre, animal prints, and more. This type of HTV adds a style quotient to your designs.
WHICH TYPE OF HEAT TRANSFER VINYL SHOULD YOU USE?
Generally speaking, all Heat-Transfer Vinyl should work on all fabrics and materials that can handle the heat and pressure from an iron or heat press. So the main point you need to consider is what type of look you want. However, certain types of Cricut Vinyl work better for different types of fabrics or designs.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
WHICH CRICUT VINYL SHOULD YOU USE?
In general, for hard and smooth surfaces, such as mugs, bottles, walls, picture frames, mirrors, and boxes, we suggest you use adhesive Vinyl. Heat transfer vinyl will be a better choice for soft surfaces that can withstand heat, such as clothes, books, shoes, and tote bags.
WHAT ARE THE BEST REMOVABLE VINYL BRANDS?
Cricut has some beautiful removable vinyl for crafters. The Cricut Removable Vinyl is available in seventeen colors and lasts over 1 year. Besides Cricut, other well-known brands are Oracle Removable Vinyl, EZ Craft USA, and Craft E Removable Vinyl.
HOW TO MAKE REMOVABLE VINYL LAST LONGER?
With a simple trick, removable Vinyl can last longer. You must use a sealer to make the Removable Vinyl last longer. The sealer protects the Adhesive from moisture and harsh weather condition. The popular Mod Podge can brush a seal layer over your decal or spray-on sealer.
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Source: A Beginner’s Guide to Different Types of Cricut Vinyls
