Cricut Removable Vinyl DIY - Why Choose Removable?
Do you know the difference between permanent and removable vinyl and when to use each type for your Cricut crafts? If you are new to Cricut die-cutting machines like I am, you might just be wondering about that. I had the wrong idea about removable vinyl, and I wanted to share what I learned in case any of you do, too.
So far, I have only used permanent vinyl with my Cricut projects and have not tried removable vinyl yet. I somehow thought that removable vinyl was only meant to be temporary and would naturally start to peel off after a while. That may happen over time, but it depends on how much you handle it. I had seen project posts using permanent and removable vinyl interchangeably, and I wanted to know why anyone would use removable vinyl for a project that was meant to be permanent.
I discovered the main reasons that crafters use removable vinyl, some of which surprised me. It is often used when making a stencil to apply paint or other medium to a project, in which case you would remove the vinyl afterwards. Removable vinyl is less likely to pull off any of the paint than permanent vinyl. See below for several projects that use removable vinyl as stencils.
DECORATE A WOOD TRAY USING VINYL AS A STENCIL
This is such a cute tray. It looks like it would be difficult to make, but the directions are quite easy. In a short amount of time, you could have a tray unlike anyone else's. You can use as many layers of paint as you want, depending on the look you're going for.
JOY CHRISTMAS SIGN MADE WITH A CRICUT
Here, a simple piece of wood becomes a 3D sign to decorate your home for Christmas. Hopefully, you have a handy guy around to cut the circle out of the wood. Or, maybe you are no stranger to woodcutting and can do it yourself. How hard can it be? You can choose any type of ornament you'd like to hang inside the hole.
DIY PERSONALIZED LEGO TRAY WITH CRICUT
What a great idea for those little boys (or even girls) who love to play with Legos. Now they can keep all the pieces contained while they construct their current set. Not only will it help them not to lose pieces, it may also keep you from stepping on them.
HOW TO MAKE A WOOD SIGN WITH YOUR CRICUT
Make a cute welcome sign for your house using vinyl as a stencil over painted wood. Just decide on your words and your paint color, and you will have a new sign in no time. This post contains written directions as well as a YouTube video, so you can watch the project being made, if you wish.
Although all of these projects use vinyl as a stencil on wood, you can use vinyl stencils on many other materials as well.
Another reason to use removable vinyl is for projects that you may want to redo at some point. Perhaps you want to make labels for categories that my change over time, or you may want to reuse containers and change the names on them, say for Easter baskets or something similar. Or maybe you're like me and enjoy variety, so you want to change things out just because you can. Below are some projects that fit these conditions.
Create your own Easter baskets on a budget. Pick up some inexpensive buckets, grab some removable vinyl, fire up your Cricut machine and get making! Then, if you want to go with a different color scheme or use the baskets for something else, you can simply remove the vinyl labels and put new ones on. The nice thing about removable vinyl is that it does not leave a residue when it is removed.
HOW TO MAKE A VINYL DECAL WITH CRICUT JOY
Need a cute idea for a storage container - for yourself or for a gift? How about using a simple glass jar and applying a vinyl decal to personalize it? If you use removable vinyl, you can repurpose the jar at a later date and make a new decal for it then. This project was made with a Cricut Joy and was done very quickly. This would be perfect for those times when you just want to make something, but you don't have a current project in process. Or does that only happen to me?
COVID-19 VINYL HEART WINDOW PROJECT
Have you heard about the way people are reaching out and connecting during the COVID-19 pandemic by putting hearts on their windows to share the love with others? I didn't know about this until I came across this project post. It's such a great idea and couldn't be easier. Did you know that you can use removable vinyl as a window decal? Just cut out some hearts and stick them on your window. They can be removed later without leaving a residue.
HOW TO MAKE A WOOD SIGN WITH A CRICUT AND VINYL
Here is another wood sign made using a different method. No matter what kind of event you are decorating for, having a wooden sign like this would be so handy. Using removable vinyl for the letters would allow you to change it up for multiple occasions. It would be great to have a few different signs in different shapes and colors prepared ahead of time and then just switch out the words and/or images, depending on the event you are currently celebrating.
DIY: BACK-TO-SCHOOL ORGANIZER WITH VINYL
Feel the need to get organized? That doesn't only happen at back-to-school time, although that is a fantastic time to make this project. Take any tote with dividers and add labels to it with Cricut vinyl, using removable vinyl so you can re-label in the future, if necessary. I love how this one uses holographic vinyl. I am definitely a fan of all things shiny!
HOW TO MAKE A CELL PHONE DECAL WITH CRICUT JOY
So many cute phone cases are available now, but what could be better than designing your own? I love the idea of having a case that no one else has with my very own design on it. You could even have your name on your phone case. You wouldn't be stuck using the same one forever, either, if you use removable vinyl. When you're ready for a change, just make a different one and swap them out. How fun!
Sometimes people use removable vinyl because they are doing a project and they only have removable vinyl on hand, or at least in the color they want. Maybe it's a project they don't anticipate handling a lot. Removable vinyl can even be chosen because it has a matte finish instead of a glossy finish like permanent vinyl. That was the reason that surprised me, only because it had not occurred to me (I didn't know removable vinyl has a matte finish because I had not used it). The following projects fit under this category.
LAST MINUTE GIFT WRAPPING WITH CRICUT JOY
Here is another project you can do with a Cricut Joy. The advantage to this is that you don't even have to use a mat if you're using Smart Vinyl. For this gift wrapping project, all you need to do is type the names you need in the Text box in Design Space, choose a font and cut them out with the Joy. Then stick them on whatever you are using for wrapping paper. I bet it would be cute to use newspaper and stick on a bright colored name. You don't have to use a Joy, though. You could do this with any Cricut machine.
CRICUT EASTER PROJECT: APPLYING VINYL ON EGGS + FREE SVG!
I love this idea! The eggs are so cute with the words on them, and I can't even tell they aren't real from the picture. This project even includes a free SVG you can use. I thought about putting the vinyl on real hard-cooked eggs and looked that up to see if it could be done. It sounds like it might work if the eggs are not too cold. Either way, you could put names on the eggs or images instead of words. Use your imagination!
DIY PAPER SCROLL + THE CRICUT MAKER WAVY BLADE
Do you have a favorite quote you would like to display in your home? This simple project would be a great way to do that. Just use your Cricut to cut the words out of vinyl and apply them to some paper and roll the ends. This would be a great opportunity to try out the wavy blade with your Cricut Maker, if you like the scalloped edges. This project could also be used for an event like a bridal shower or party.
UPDATING A CEILING FAN: A CRICUT RESCUE STORY
How about decorating a ceiling fan or other item in your home that needs a facelift? This is a fantastic idea! Choose any design or image you like to cut out of vinyl with your Cricut and apply to your décor. Give a room a whole new look without spending a ton of time or money. Then just wait for the compliments you are sure to receive.
While researching removable vinyl, I checked out the price of removable versus permanent vinyl and did not see much of a difference. Comparable packages appear to cost the same, so there would be no advantage to using one or the other in that way. Do you have a reason for using removable vinyl that I have not mentioned? I am sure there are probably others.
How to Cut Multiple Colors of Vinyl at One Time with a Cricut
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1 comment
Very great!