Easy Spiral Betty Vinyl Photo Project + Fun Ideas!

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SPIRAL BETTY DESIGNS

First, download my Spiral Betty design files from my free library – look for Design #686. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find three already made for you designs: a mandala, a snowflake, and a sunflower. There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

I’ll show you how to create a spiralized photo using special software online, as well as how to cut and apply your spiral photo to canvas.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: CHOOSE AN IMAGE FOR YOUR SPIRAL BETTY

You can use any of the designs I’ve provided to create your Spiral Betty. You can also choose one of your favorite photos for your design. Here are a few tips for choosing a photo that will work well with the Spiral Betty website:

1. A simple photo works better than a busy photo. Straightforward, line drawing images are easier to recognize in spiral form than complex ones.
2. The higher contrast, the better. This helps the Spiral Betty software choose which areas to emphasize.
3. Subject matter counts! Look carefully at your photo. If the subject of the photo is too close in color to its surroundings, the Spiral Betty won’t look as good.

STEP 3: UPLOAD YOUR IMAGE TO THE SPIRAL BETTY WEBSITE

1. Open the SpiralBetty.com website in your computer’s web browser.
   
   
   
2. Click the “Upload An Image” button.
3. Select the image you want to use. You can upload most image filetypes, including PNG, JPG, and even SVG files.
   TIP: You can also drag and drop your image right onto your browser page where it says “Upload Image.”
   NOTE: I’ll demonstrate with my “sunflower” to create a simple design first, and then show you how to use the software’s settings to create a Spiral Betty from a more complicated personal photo.
4. Once your file is uploaded, drag the slider under the image preview to zoom in or out so the subject is sized the way you want it. Then drag the photo to choose which part should be in your spiral image.
   TIP: Be careful not to drag your cursor outside the slider area–this can apply your settings before you’re ready!
   
   
   
5. Click on the check icon to the right of the slider to automatically spiralize your image.
   
   
   
6. Select one of the color options to the right (or bottom, depending on your screen size) to help visualize your project.
   NOTE: Since I’m using black vinyl on white canvas, I’ll click the black and white option.
   
   
   
7. Next, click the down arrow to the right of the preview window to open the download options.
   NOTE: Your image is free to download, but you can click the “Buy Betty a Coffee” button in the top right corner to leave a tip if you like.
   NOTE: If you plan to sell or share your images, please purchase a license from SpiralBetty at https://buymeacoffee.com/shalanah/extras.
8. Click on “SVG” to save your image and check the box next to “Clear Background” to remove the background from your image.
   
   
   
9. Click the “Download” button to save your Spiral Betty image.
10. To use a personal photo, reset the website by clicking the “Trash Can” icon, then follow Steps 1-6 to add your photo and choose a color layout for your Spiral Betty image.
11. Below your image upload there are four settings options: “Rings,” “Scale,” “Lightness,” and “Contrast.”
    
12. Click on the “Rings” section and drag the slider to adjust the density of your rings. Drag the slider to the left for thicker rings with more space between them, but a less defined image. Drag the slider to the right for finer rings and a more detailed image.
    NOTE: I’ll use the default setting as I find it has the best balance between thickness and definition for this project.
    
    
    
13. In the “Scale” section, use the slider to change the zoom level of your photo. Sliding to the right zooms in, while sliding to the left zooms out.
    
    
    
14. In the “Lightness” section, use the slider to control the amount of white space between the details in your spiralized photo. This setting can help add definition to your photo’s details.
    
    
    
15. In the “Contrast” section, use the slider to make your detailed areas bolder and pull more into focus.
    
16. You can also click the image from any of the sections to crop your photo and adjust the scale or focus on a different area of your photo.
    
    
    
17. If you’d like for your line and white space to switch places, click the button with two colored squares and the curved arrow to invert the color options.
    
    
    
18. To switch between the default circular shape and a square shape that takes up the full design area, click the button with the arrows pointing outward at the corner.
    
    
    
19. Once you are happy with your design, follow Steps 7-9 to download the Spiral Betty image of your personal photo.

STEP 4: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR SPIRAL BETTY IMAGE

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select your downloaded Spiral Betty SVG file.
5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   
   
   
7. Click the minus (-) icon in the lower left corner to zoom out and see your entire spiralized image.
8. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
9. Select your image. With the “Lock” icon closed to maintain proportions, adjust the “Width (W)” field in the Size Menu to fit the image onto your canvas.
   NOTE: I’ll enter 10 in the “Width” field so my design will fit on my 12” x 12” canvas with a 1” margin. Design Space will automatically adjust the number in the “Height (H)” field.
   NOTE: You can follow these same steps to prepare your spiral personal photo, as well.
10. Your project is ready to cut!
    
    
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your mat.
   NOTE: I’ll use the “12 in x 12 in” option.
   
   
   
4. If you’re cutting your spiral image from (iron-on) heat transfer vinyl (HTV), toggle on “Mirror” since heat transfer vinyl is cut from the back side of the material.
   
   
   
5. Click “Continue.”
6. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your mat.
   
   For my sunflower Spiral Betty, I’m using the “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy” setting with “More” pressure.
   NOTE: If you don’t see “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy” in your list, click on “Browse All Materials,” type in “Glossy” and select “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy.”
   
   For my personal photo Spiral Betty, I’m using the “Everyday Iron-On” setting with “More” pressure.
   NOTE: I don’t recommend using permanent vinyl for personal photo Spiral Betty images because the fine details are difficult to cut, weed, and apply.
   TIP: Changing the Pressure to “More” results in a cleaner cut.
   
   
   
7. Place your permanent vinyl shiny side up on a green StandardGrip machine mat, or your heat transfer vinyl shiny side down on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
   
   
   
   
   
8. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
9. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
10. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
11. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
12. When your permanent vinyl has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the “Go” button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
    NOTE: Cuts should go through the material, but not the carrier sheet.
13. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the vinyl.
    TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.
14. Use your weeding tool to carefully lift an upper corner of the sunflower’s permanent vinyl, then peel away the excess vinyl around the design to find the start of the spiral in the lower left corner.
    
    
    
15. Use scissors to cut away the large background sections of vinyl that have already been lifted to keep it from re-sticking to your design.
    
    
    
16. Use your weeding tool to carefully pull up the vinyl at the start of the spiral, then use your fingers to carefully peel away the excess vinyl until you reach the end in the center of the design.
    NOTE: Start at the corner edge of your vinyl to make sure you weed its negative parts. Don’t start in the middle, or you might peel the wrong part off!
    TIP: Weed slowly to avoid breaking your design’s delicate lines. If any lines come up, gently pat them back in place and try again.
    
    
    
    

STEP 5: APPLY THE SPIRAL BETTY VINYL DECAL TO YOUR CANVAS

APPLY THE PERMANENT VINYL TO YOUR CANVAS

1. Lay the Spiral Betty vinyl decal face up on your work surface.
2. Cut a piece of StandardGrip transfer tape just larger than the decal.
3. Remove the backing from the transfer tape.
4. Hold your transfer tape in the shape of a “taco” sticky side down, then put the bottom of the “taco” onto the middle of your decal.
   
   
   
5. Smooth the transfer tape over the decal from the center outward and burnish it down using the Scraper Tool. Then flip the design over and burnish on the back as well.
   
   
   
6. Flip the design right side up again and gently lift the transfer tape and vinyl off the carrier sheet.
   TIP: If any pieces of the decal cling to the carrier sheet instead of transferring to the tape, lay the sheet back down, burnish the area with your scraper, and carefully try again.
   
   
   
7. Lay your canvas textured-side up on your work surface.
8. Lightly center your decal on the canvas, but don’t press down yet.
9. Use a measuring tape to make sure the decal is 1” away from all four sides. Adjust as needed to center the design exactly.
   
   
   
10. Once the decal is in place, burnish it firmly onto the canvas, starting in the center of the design and working your way out.
11. Starting in a corner, carefully peel the transfer tape away from the vinyl, burnishing down any vinyl that lifts from the surface as you go. The lines are delicate, so be patient!
    TIP: It can be helpful to pull your transfer tape parallel to the canvas while peeling it away.

APPLY THE IRON-ON DECAL TO YOUR CANVAS

1. Preheat your heat press.
   NOTE: I’ll use the Cricut EasyPress set to 340°F (171° C) with the timer set for 5 seconds. If you’re using a different heat press or type of iron-on vinyl, my HTV Cookbook has recipes for many combinations! You can find it at jennifermaker.com/htv-cookbook.
   
   
   
2. Place your canvas textured-side up on a pressing mat.
   
   
   
3. Use a lint roller to clean the front cover of your canvas.
4. Once your EasyPress is at temperature, cover the canvas with a sheet of white, uncoated butcher paper, then use the press to preheat the entire front cover for 5 seconds to remove moisture.
   NOTE: Always remember to place your press back on the base after use because it’s very hot.
5. Remove the butcher paper and allow the canvas to cool.
6. Center your Spiral Betty photo decal vinyl-side down on the canvas, making sure the decal is 1” away from the edge on all four sides.
   TIP: If your alignment isn’t quite right, lift up the carrier sheet to move and reposition the decal.
   NOTE: If you’re unsure of the design’s orientation, refer back to your Design Space Canvas.
   
   
   
7. Press down on the sticky parts of the clear carrier sheet to keep it in place.
8. Tape down the carrier sheet’s corners with heat-resistant tape to keep the decal in place while pressing.
   
   
   
9. Cover the canvas with a sheet of white uncoated butcher paper.
10. Make sure the temperature of your EasyPress is at 340℉ (171℃), and set the timer for 30 seconds.
11. Heat the entire decal on the canvas with strong pressure for the entire length of the timer.
    TIP: If you can’t heat the entire design at once, try to heat it evenly in sections without much overlap.
    
    
    
12. When the time is up, lift the press straight up and remove the butcher paper.
13. Allow the vinyl to cool, then slowly peel up the carrier sheet.
    
    
    
14. If any vinyl areas don’t stick well, replace the carrier sheet and re-press in 15 second increments until the vinyl is fully adhered, allowing time to cool between presses.
    NOTE: It can be easy to miss areas of the spiral’s thin vinyl that don’t adhere, so double check your pressing.
    
    

STEP 6: SHOW IT OFF

You now have an impressive Spiral Betty Canvas to hang on your wall!