Make Easy Suncatcher Window Clings With Cricut Decals

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE SUNCATCHER WINDOW CLING DESIGNS

First, download my Suncatcher Window Clings designs from my free library – look for Design #620. 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 a file with three suncatcher window cling options: a hummingbird, a butterfly, and a ladybug.

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

Upload the files you need to Design Space to get started.

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: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR SUNCATCHERS

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. Open Cricut Design Space and click “New Project.”
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the “suncatcher” SVG file.
5. Click “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
   NOTE: Inside you will find three designs: a hummingbird, a butterfly, and a ladybug. Each design has an offset layer on the bottom for the window cling and a details layer on top for the vinyl.
   
7. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
8. Ungroup the design.
   
9. Delete any designs you don’t want to use.
   NOTE: I’ll keep the hummingbird and butterfly, and delete the ladybug.
   
10. If you want to use different window cling or vinyl for the designs, select the appropriate layer in the Layers Panel and use the Color Box to adjust it.
    
    NOTE: I used different vinyl for the two detail layers.
11. Your window clings are 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 mats. I’m going to trim my materials to fit the designs, so I’ll keep the 12” x 12” setting to use the whole mat.
   TIP: If you want to combine mats to save time and materials, follow the instructions in my Easter Egg Lantern tutorial.
   
4. On the window cling mat, move the designs so there will be some excess material on each side and you’ll be able to cut between them easily. This will be helpful later on.
   
5. Adjust any other mats as necessary.
6. Select the first mat again and click “Continue.”
7. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your mats. I used these settings, but since all machines are different, making some test cuts is a good idea:
   For the Window Cling I used the “Stencil Film - 0.4 mm” setting with “More” pressure
   For the Solid Vinyl, I used the “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy” setting with “More” pressure
   For the Holographic Vinyl, I used the “Holographic Vinyl” setting with “More” pressure
   TIP: Changing the Pressure to “More” results in a cleaner cut.
   
8. For the window cling mat, check the screen to see how large the piece needs to be to cover the designs plus an inch or so around them.
   NOTE: Each grid box is one inch. My piece needs to be about 12” wide and 6” tall to cover both designs.
9. If your cling is under 12” wide, I recommend trimming the length you need right off the roll.
10. Set up your Cricut Portable Trimmer with the extension pulled out.
11. Align one straight edge of the cling with the guide so the left edge is the correct length or width.
    
12. Lower the cutting ruler in place to keep the cling from rolling up, and pull the blade down to make a straight cut.
13. Depending on the dimensions you need, you can rotate the cling to make another straight cut.
14. If you don’t have a paper trimmer, or your window cling is really wide, you can use scissors.
15. Place a purple StrongGrip machine mat on your work surface.
16. Unroll some of the window cling with its carrier sheet in place.
17. Line up a corner of the free end of the roll with the corner of the mat’s grid and press it in place.
    TIP: I placed my roll of painters tape on the unrolled end of the window cling to keep it from rolling back up.
18. Use the mat’s grid to find the vertical grid line that matches the measure of length you need.
    
    NOTE: Remember that each grid box is one inch.
19. Cut along that line with scissors.
    
20. Find the correct horizontal grid line for your other measurement and cut along it the same way.
    TIP: If you have trouble getting a straight cut, it’s better to cut the piece a little larger than you need to make sure the design area is covered.
21. Place the cut cling carrier sheet down on the purple StrongGrip machine mat so it covers the design area.
22. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
    
23. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
24. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
25. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
26. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cut went through the film. If it didn’t, press the "Go" button again to make a second pass in the same place.
    NOTE: Cuts should go through the material, but not the carrier sheet.
27. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the window cling and its carrier sheet.
    
28. Use scissors to cut the window cling designs apart, leaving a roughly even amount of material on either decal.
    
29. Then use your weeding tool to remove the excess window cling from around each design, leaving the carrier sheet intact. The material might curl, it’s ok!
    
30. For your plain vinyl mat, remember to change your material to the “Premium Vinyl - Permanent Glossy” setting with “More” pressure.
31. Use your trimmer or scissors to cut a piece of vinyl slightly larger than your design so you can save the rest for a future project.
    NOTE: I’ll make mine 5” x 6” so the design will fit completely and still have extra space around it.
32. Place your vinyl shiny side up on a green StandardGrip machine mat so it covers the design area on your screen.
    
33. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
34. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
35. Press the flashing “Go” button to begin cutting.
36. When it has finished cutting, check the cuts and make a second pass if needed by pressing the "Go" button again.
37. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat. Flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the vinyl.
    
38. For holographic vinyl, follow the same process using the “Holographic Vinyl” setting with “More” pressure.
    NOTE: I used a purple StrongGrip machine mat for the holographic vinyl, but a very sticky green mat might work, too.
    
39. For each cut decal, use a weeding tool to carefully peel away the extra background vinyl. I like to work from larger to smaller sections during weeding.
    TIP: It can be easier to weed vinyl, especially small, detailed designs, while it is adhered to the machine mat.
    
40. Poke your weeding tool into each section of the design you want to remove. Gently lift it away from the design.
    TIP: Make sure you do not pull up any pieces you want to keep! If they come up, gently pat them back in place and try again.
    
41. After you’ve finished weeding, pair the matching window cling and vinyl decals and place them face up.
    
    
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR SUNCATCHER WINDOW CLINGS

1. Decide which design you want to work with first, then place the window cling offset layer and the vinyl decal in your work area.
   NOTE: I’ll start with the hummingbird.
   
2. Place your window cling on a machine mat carrier sheet down to keep it in place and flat.
   TIP: You can also use painter’s tape to secure it to your work surface.
   
3. Make sure your vinyl cutout is face up on your work surface.
4. Cut a piece of StandardGrip transfer tape that is slightly larger than your vinyl decal.
5. Remove the backing from the transfer tape.
6. 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.
   
7. Smooth the transfer tape over the decal from the center outward and burnish it down using the Scraper Tool.
   
8. Flip the design over and gently peel off the backing from the vinyl.
9. Use the taco method to place the center of your decal onto the window cling layer.
   TIP: Gently lift the decal to try again if the vinyl isn’t aligned the way you want it.
10. Using your finger, rub from the center of the vinyl outward, tacking the vinyl into place on the window cling.
11. Take your time and use a scraper to press out as many bubbles as possible.
    
12. Once the vinyl is well-burnished, hold the cling down and gently remove the transfer tape, leaving the vinyl on the window cling.
    
13. Repeat steps 1-12 to apply your other vinyl decals to their matching window clings.
    
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF!

When you’re ready to use your suncatcher window clings, clean your window for the best adehesion. Then, peel off the backing and stick the clings to your desired location.