How to Use Transfer Tape with Cricut Vinyl Decals

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE VINYL DESIGN FILES

First, download my free "How to Use Transfer Tape" SVG/PDF/DXF files from my resource library -- it's Design #491.

The download folder includes a PDF to cut by hand, and DXF or SVG files for use with a cutting machine. I'll show you how to use the SVGs with a Cricut.

You will see designs for "Stay Cool" and "Good Vibes" in both one, and two color versions. Upload the SVG file of your choice to Cricut Design Space and add it to the Canvas.

Today, I’ll be making the “Stay Cool” design in blue holographic and yellow permanent vinyl. I’ll also be making the “Good Vibes” design in yellow permanent and blue shimmer vinyl. I'll also show you how to layer your two color designs using either registration marks, or parchment paper.

Specialty vinyls, like shimmer, require Strong grip transfer tape, while permanent vinyl requires Standard grip transfer tape. The two color designs will need to be combined. If they use the same type of transfer tape, they can be combined on the bottom layer’s liner. If they use different types of transfer tape, they will need to be combined on the blank, with the vinyl using Strong grip transfer tape applied first.

TIP: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series made. If you are on an iPad or iPhone, here is how to download and upload SVG files to the Cricut Design Space app.

EXAMPLE 1: “STAY COOL” IN BLUE HOLOGRAPHIC AND YELLOW VINYL

STEP 2: PREPARE THE DESIGN FILE

This is what my "Stay Cool" SVG file looks like on the Canvas. You can zoom in or out to see all of the design by clicking on the plus (+) or minus (-) sign on the lower left.

I'm making the "Stay Cool" top layer in blue holographic, and the bottom layer in maize yellow permanent vinyl.

Tip: Visit my previous tutorial on layering vinyl, for more information on layering multiple color vinyl designs.

Let's add registration stars. Adding registration marks makes it a lot easier to apply the top layer in the perfect position. You can skip this if layering with parchment paper.

Make sure to size the design according to the blank you will be applying. 3.52" wide is recommended for the 5" wood sign. Make sure and measure your blank if you are using a different one.

Click "Ungroup" to separate the layers.

Click on "Shapes" and select one of the stars.

Drag the star off to the side. Click and drag the resize handle to make the star smaller. The stars will be removed later.

Right click and select "Duplicate". Click and drag to separate them so you can see both stars.

We need to change each star color to match one of the layers. Select one of the stars, and click on the "Color Menu" box. Select blue to match the top layer.

Change the remaining star to match the yellow layer. ––

Select both stars and click "Align" and then "Center".

Move both stars closer to the design so that it will be easier to line everything up.

We need to attach each star to its matching layer. Since you can only see one of them, we'll use the layers panel.

While holding the Shift key, select the first star and its matching layer, while holding and click "Attach".

Repeat with the second star.

Each layer that gets attached will automatically move to the topmost position, but you can click "Arrange", and send the layer to the back, for better visibility.

STEP 3: CUT AND WEED THE DESIGN

When you are ready, select your Cricut machine — I selected Maker 3 — and then click the green “Make It” button in the upper right corner.

If prompted, select "On Mat" and 12" x 12". Then click the green “Confirm” button.

On the Prepare screen, keep the "Material Size" at 12" x 12".

Make sure the correct design pieces are on the right mats. If you see a mistake, click Cancel to go back and fix it.

Click Continue.

On the Make screen, for the blue layer, set your Base Material to "Holographic Vinyl" and set the Pressure to "More."

For the yellow layer, set your Base Material to "Premium Vinyl - Permanent" and set the Pressure to "More."

Cut your vinyl with scissors down to 4" X 6" to save material.

Place your vinyl onto a clean, green StandardGrip Machine Mat and adhere it well with a brayer, liner side down.

Note: If using smart vinyl, you will not need to brayer the vinyl to the mat, since it loads directly into the Cricut Maker 3.

Make sure your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in clamp B. Load the mat into your Cricut and press the flashing button to load the material. Press the "Go" button to cut the vinyl.

When the cut is compete unload it, flip it over, and peel the mat away from the vinyl. This helps prevent any potential curling.

TIP: If you have any trouble cutting the vinyl, check out my Cricut Tips & Tricks for Cleaner Cuts.

Now, it is time to weed!

Using a weeding tool, pull up a corner of the vinyl.

Note: Holographic is prone to ripping and getting scratched if not weeded carefully.

I like to work from larger to smaller sections during weeding. Using a weeding tool, carefully peel away the extra background vinyl.

Make sure and remove the smaller pieces inside of the letters.

Now, weed the second vinyl layer the same way we did the first.

Here's how the design looks fully weeded.

STEP 4: HOW TO LAYER AND APPLY YOUR VINYL DESIGN

You will be amazed at how simple it is to layer your vinyl designs with registration marks or parchment paper!

The best way to apply transfer tape to vinyl is using the "taco" method. Cut a piece of transfer tape slightly larger than your vinyl. Remove the backing from the transfer tape. Hold the transfer tape in the shape of a taco, or a "U" shape. Then, put the bottom of your “taco” onto the middle of your design. Smooth the tape over the decal from the center outward to minimize wrinkles and bubbles.

Variation: Registration Marks

For this design, the yellow layer is the bottom most layer. We don't need to do anything with this since we're applying all layers on top of this one.

Cut a piece of Standard Grip transfer tape for the blue holographic vinyl slightly larger than your design. Apply the transfer tape using the taco method and use your small scraper to smooth the tape over the vinyl.

Flip your vinyl over and gently peel away the backing from your vinyl.

Once the vinyl backing is removed, we will carefully line up the both stars.

If you don't line up the stars perfectly the first try, lift the top layer up and try again. If you are still having difficulties, try the parchment paper method.

Gently press the top layer on to the bottom layer. Use your scraper tool to burnish the second layer on to the first layer.

You should leave your transfer tape in place until you're ready to apply your layered vinyl design to your blank!

Remember, before applying your design, you'll need to remove the registration stars. You could leave them, or peel them off the blank, but I like to simply remove them.

TIP: If you are still having problems lining up your layers check out how I use  parchment paper to line up layers of vinyl in my How to Layer Vinyl on Cricut project

Applying to Blank

Peel the liner off of the transfer tape and design. If the vinyl is not sticking to the transfer tape, try burnishing again.

You can eyeball the design placement, but you can also use parchment paper to perfectly position the vinyl onto the blank.

Mark the center of the 5" blank with a pencil and ruler.

Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Use rubbing alcohol to clean plastic and glass surfaces. You can also use a lint roller, since we are applying our vinyl to wood.

Note: You can apply your design directly onto the blank, but I like to use parchment paper to help with positioning.

Using the "taco" method, place your design on some parchment paper, with a small area of transfer tape still exposed at the top.

Press the exposed section of transfer tape onto the blank in the center.

With one hand applying a little pressure to keep the transfer tape in place, use your other hand to gently remove the parchment paper.

Continue to press on the section of transfer tape that was exposed. This will help keep everything aligned. Use your small scraper tool to burnish the design on to the flat blank.

Once the design is burnished well to the blank, slowly remove the transfer tape at an angle. If the vinyl is not sticking to the blank, secure the transfer tape back down, and burnish again.

The two color design in blue holographic and yellow permanent vinyl looks great on this wood sign!

EXAMPLE 2: “GOOD VIBES” IN YELLOW PERMANENT AND BLUE SHIMMER VINYL

STEP 2: PREPARE THE DESIGN FILE

This is what my “Good Vibes” SVG file looks like on the Canvas.

I'm making the “Good Vibes” top layer in maize yellow permanent vinyl, and the bottom layer in blue shimmer vinyl.

Make sure to size the design according to the blank you will be applying. 3.52" wide is recommended for the 5" wood sign.

What if you want to layer a specialty vinyl like glitter, true brushed, or shimmer with standard permanent vinyl? The shimmer vinyl requires strong grip transfer tape, which is too sticky for the permanent vinyl.

Rather than combining on the bottom layer's transfer sheet, we will combine the layers directly onto the blank.

Specialty vinyls can be layered on top of other vinyls, but it is not recommended to to apply other vinyls to it. Other vinyls simply won't stick that well on top of specialty vinyls, but I have a workaround.

With both layers selected, click "Ungroup".

Select the two layers and click "Combine" and then "Exclude".

You will see the "Exclude" results on the Canvas. The inside letters are now excluded, or cut out, of the center of the shadow. This works great when we want to have our shimmer vinyl appear like it's on the bottom, since we cannot layer directly onto it.

Select the top layer, and click "Duplicate". Click on the "Color Box" and change the color to yellow.

Zoom in, and move the duplicated text layer within the excluded area you just created.

The new excluded design takes on the color of the bottom layer, so select the "Color Box", and change to blue.

We have now revised the colors to allow the shimmer vinyl to be used as the bottom layer.

STEP 3: CUT AND WEED THE DESIGN

When you are ready, select your Cricut machine — I selected Maker 3 — and then click the green “Make It” button in the upper right corner.

If prompted, select "On Mat" and 12" x 12". Then click the green “Confirm” button.

On the Prepare screen, keep the "Material Size" at 12" x 12".

Note: Select "Off Mat" if using SmartVinyl.

Click Continue.

On the Make screen, set your Base Material to "Premium Vinyl - Permanent" and set the Pressure to "More", for the yellow layer.

Set your Base Material to “Premium Vinyl – Shimmer” and set the Pressure to "More", for the blue layer.

Cut your vinyl with scissors down to 4" X 6" to save material.

Place your vinyl onto a clean, green StandardGrip Machine Mat and adhere it well with a brayer, liner side down.

Make sure your Fine-Point Blade is clean and in clamp B. Load the mat into your Cricut and press the flashing button to load the material. Press the "Go" button to cut the vinyl.

When the cut is compete unload it, flip it over, and peel the mat away from the vinyl.

Now, it is time to weed!

Make sure to weed the letters out on the bottom layer.

Using a weeding tool, pull up a corner of the vinyl.

Note: Use caution when weeding holographic, true brushed, shimmer and glitter vinyls. Shimmer is prone to ripping if not weeded carefully.

Using a weeding tool, carefully peel away the extra background vinyl.

Here's how the design looks fully weeded.

STEP 4: HOW TO LAYER AND APPLY YOUR VINYL DESIGN

We'll be applying the shimmer vinyl first, then the permanent vinyl directly on the blank. If we try and apply the shimmer vinyl last, or try to combine them on the liner, the Strong grip transfer tape will peel back the permanent vinyl.

Cut a piece of Strong Grip transfer tape for the shimmer vinyl, and Standard grip transfer tape for the permanent vinyl, slightly larger than your designs. I'll use my linerless StandardGrip tape this time, so only the StrongGrip will need its liner removed. Apply the transfer tape to your layers by holding the transfer tape in the shape of a taco, a "U" shape, then put the bottom of your “taco” onto the middle of your vinyl design.

Use your small scraper to smooth the tape over the decals from the center outward and burnish on both sides and both layers.

Peel the transfer tape and design off the liner of the shimmer layer. If the vinyl is not sticking to the transfer tape, try burnishing again.

You can eyeball the design placement, but you can also use parchment paper to perfectly position the vinyl onto the blank. This works great for the two color version without registration marks.

Make sure the surface is clean and dry. Use rubbing alcohol to clean plastic and glass surfaces. You can also use a lint roller, since we are applying our vinyl to wood.

Using the "taco" method, place your bottom shimmer layer on some parchment paper, with a small area of transfer tape still exposed at the top.

Press the exposed section of transfer tape onto the blank in the center.

With one hand applying a little pressure to keep the transfer tape in place, use your other hand to gently remove the parchment paper.

Continue to press on the section of transfer tape that was exposed. This will help keep everything aligned. Use your small scraper tool to burnish the design on to the flat blank.

Slowly remove the transfer tape at an angle. If the vinyl is not sticking to the blank, secure the transfer tape back down, and burnish again.

Using the "taco" method, place your top layer on some parchment paper, with a small area of transfer tape still exposed at the top.

Press the exposed section of transfer tape onto the bottom layer and blank, where you excluded the areas for the letters. Good thing we can see through parchment paper!

With one hand applying a little pressure to keep the transfer tape in place, use your other hand to gently remove the parchment paper.

Continue to press on the section of transfer tape that was exposed. This will help keep everything aligned. Use your small scraper tool to burnish the design on to the flat blank.

Slowly remove the transfer tape at an angle. If the vinyl is not sticking to the blank, secure the transfer tape back down, and burnish again.

The shimmer vinyl is strong enough to withstand peeling StandardGrip transfer tape from it. That is why we applied it to the blank first. The permanent vinyl would be pulled off the blank if we tried applying it before the shimmer vinyl and StrongGrip transfer tape.

The two color design in yellow permanent and blue shimmer vinyl looks great on this wood signs! I love mixing permanent and shimmer vinyl. The shimmer vinyl looks especially good as the bottom layer.

ALTERNATIVES

You can use "Press N Seal" or painters tape, as an alternative to transfer tape. These alternatives are slightly less sticky than Standard grip transfer tape, and can be used with permanent vinyl. Shimmer, Glitter, and True Brushed vinyls will not work well with these alternatives since they require Strong grip transfer tape.

If you run out of transfer tape, you can use painters tape to transfer the one color design. Painters tape is less sticky than transfer tape, and works great in a pinch.

Try painters tape on the one color "Stay Cool" design, if you don't have any standard grip transfer tape on hand. You can layer strips of painters tape to cover the design. Make sure and use permanent vinyl.

Cricut also offers standard grip Linerless Transfer Tape. This works great and has less waste than the other transfer tapes with liners. This does not work with Shimmer, Glitter, and True Brushed vinyl.

You can also de-stick your standard grip transfer tape if you find it is too sticky, by applying it first to a soft surface a few times. Or simply re-use the transfer tape, as it losses its stickiness after multiple uses.

HARDWARE FOR WALL HANGING - OPTIONAL

Lay your wood sign on a flat surface, face down, and make sure the design is facing upward. Use a small screwdriver, and the two provided screws, to secure the sawtooth hanger to the back of the frame. Don't screw them too tight.

You can now mount the wood sign on the wall, or skip this step for a stand-alone version that looks cute on a desk, or any surface.

STEP 5: SHOW IT OFF

These signs work great free-standing or wall-mounted, and can be made with a variety of vinyls and transfer tapes. Always keep in mind, the type of vinyl dictates which type of transfer tape to use. Remember, you can use transfer tape multiple times before throwing away.

Now, remember to always "Stay Cool" and have "Good Vibes"!