Vinyl comes 
in a number of forms. The common used varieties in the CraftLab are Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) or Adhesive Vinyl.
HTV can be used to create custom T-shirts.
Adhesive Vinyl can be used to create stickers, decals, stencils, and more.
We have two different cutters which use different software. Which one you use will depend on the project you are attempting.
The print and cut technique can be used on a variety of printable vinyl materials. The one that gets used the most frequently is our sticker material. You can use this material to create custom stickers.
To use the Print and Cut technique on the Cricut your design must be 9.25 x 6.75 inches or smaller.
When using the Cricut Design software you must be sure to import your images as print images and the entire design must be flattened in the software prior to printing.
Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is used to apply vinyl to a variety of fabrics.
The designs typically need to be primarily monochrome. The designs are uploaded into the software and cut using one of our vinyl cutters. Then you will need to weed the design. This means you remove all the vinyl that is not part of your design using special tools.
HTV vinyl is typically on a sticky backing which will allow your design to stick to your material. It is then attached to your fabric using the heat press. The time and temperature vary depending on the brand of the HTV and the material it's adhering to.
Create your own custom vinyl decal. Design something small (decal for a mug or your car window,) or large (signage for a window or on equipment). Adhesive Vinyl comes in permanent and temporary levels of adhesive is available in a wide variety of colors. The CraftLab has a small selection of colors.
After cutting the design you will weed out the vinyl that is not part of your design using special tools. This can be a time-consuming process depending on the intricacies of your design. Transfer tape is used to help transfer your design from it's backing to your material.
Some types of vinyl can be used to create stencils. Stencils are useful for creating etched glass or for painting the design.
Looking for assistance with using the sewing machine, Cricut, jewelry making, sublimation and more? Monika can help!