How to Use Premium Vinyl: A Step-By-Step Guide

Premium vinyl or the permanent adhesive vinyl from TeckWrap Craft is one of the most preferred vinyl especially for outdoor or permanent applications. If you’re wondering how to use premium vinyl, it’s pretty easy.

To use premium vinyl, you’ll need a cutting machine, transfer tape, weeding tool, and of course an adhesive craft vinyl from TeckWrap Craft. All you have to do is cut, weed, and transfer the premium vinyl into the merchandise. That's easy! 

Don’t worry because you’ll get to learn the step-by-step instructions on how to use premium vinyl as you read further. After reading this post, you can personalize with premium vinyl any project you want! 

What is premium vinyl?

First of all, what is premium vinyl? The term premium vinyl was popularized by the product Cricut premium vinyl. It’s a type of permanent adhesive craft vinyl. Ever since, the term premium vinyl is used synonymously when talking about permanent adhesive craft vinyl. 

As mentioned, premium vinyl is best used for outdoor or permanent applications. A permanent premium vinyl is water-resistant, UV-resistant, and can withstand harsh weather conditions outdoors. 

Unlike removable vinyl, a type of adhesive craft vinyl that’s designed for temporary applications and indoor use. As expected, premium vinyl can last for many years to come even when used outdoors. But of course you can use it indoors as well. 

What are the projects you can do with a premium vinyl?

There are plenty of projects you can do with a premium vinyl. Since premium vinyl sticks well into almost any kind of project surface, there are plenty of crafts or artworks you do using a premium vinyl.

Premium can be used to personalize or create projects like:

• Mugs
• Car decals
• Glasswares (flower vase, wine glass,
• Window decals
• Outdoor sticker labels
• Craft paper (for Christmas cards or wedding invitations)
• Tumblers or plastic cups
• Metal surface
• Wood projects
• Acrylic surfaces
• Wall decals
• Beer can glass bottles
• And many more!

As mentioned, you can use permanent premium vinyl indoors and outdoors! Just a warning though, if and when you decide to use permanent vinyl, you have to remember that material adheres to the surface permanently. 

In short, if your project is for a one-time use, for instance, Halloween decorations on your windows, then using removable vinyl is recommended. Once you place permanent vinyl on a surface, it sticks there for years. 

Can you remove permanent vinyl once it was set in place? Yes, however, it will be challenging to remove permanent vinyl. Furthermore, it may damage paint on walls and may leave adhesive marks on window surfaces.

So once you use premium vinyl, make sure it’s for permanent application. If it’s a one-time thing or in case you want the vinyl decal to be replaced in the near future, it’s better to use removable craft vinyl. 

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Premium Vinyl

Now here comes the part that you’ve been waiting for, the step-by-step instructions on how to use premium vinyl. Whether you’re using Cricut vinyl or TeckWrap Craft’s permanent adhesive craft vinyl the instructions are similar. 

Here are the steps you need to know when working on premium vinyl:

Step 1: Collect the Supplies Needed

Of course, before anything else, you have to collect the supplies needed. This saves you the time and effort panicking looking for the materials you need. When you create a project using a premium vinyl, here are the supplies you need to collect:

• Silhouette or Cricut maker (or cutting machine)
• TeckWrap or Cricut transfer tape
• Cutting mat
• Premium vinyl of your choice
• Weeding tool (tweezer, weeding pen, or weeder)
• Squeegee

Step 2: Upload the Design on the Cutting Machine’s Design Software

Once you have all the supplies needed, you’re ready to start working. Start with creating or choosing your design, then upload it one the design space of the cutting machine. Where can you get designs? 

You can download SVG design files, export from the library of your cutting machine, or create one. Original designs are always awesome, and you can create one on the design software. Whether you want to use a vector, lettering or intricate designs, a permanent premium vinyl will cut, weed and transfer smoothly. 

Step 3: Cut Design

Once you’re happy with your design, it’s time to cut the design. But before you do that, to ensure a perfect cut, always use a cutting mat and test cut. Doing a test cut ensures the vinyl separates easily from the backing sheet for a smooth weeding. 

Additionally, choose the right material to ensure the correct settings. For instance, if you want to use a matte vinyl, choose the right material on the cutting machine (just like the screenshot below). By choosing the right material, the settings, like blade depth, force and speed automatically changes.

Most importantly, when working on permanent vinyl, since it’s an adhesive vinyl, do not mirror it on the design space. Only heat transfer or iron on vinyl is mirrored in the cutting machines’ design software. 

This step not only applies on Silhouette cutting machines, but on Cricut cutting machines as well. Most cutting machines have similar functions. 

Step 4: Weed the Design

Using a weeding tool, weed the vinyl. If you’re struggling with weeding the vinyl, there are several tips to make the weeding process easier. 

• Using a lightpad under the vinyl when weeding or a bright workspace helps with an easier weeding.
• Use proper weeding tools like a weeding pen, tweezer or weeder. Not using the proper weeding tool may cause the vinyl weeding to be more challenging. 
• Start weeding with the upper left corner of the vinyl. 
• Weed the inner cavities of the vinyl so you can easily see the design.
• While weeding, don’t forget to look at the design so you can have something to refer to and know the right places to where to weed it. 

For more tips on how to weed vinyl like a pro, here’s a guide you should check out. Knowing the right tips on how to weed vinyl saves correctly plenty of time and effort. Plus, you won’t have to worry about potentially ruining the project. 

Step 5: Transfer the Design on a Transfer Tape

Once you’re done weeding, prepare to transfer the design on the transfer tape. When working on the transfer paper, there are several tips you need to remember:

• Only cut a portion that’s at least an inch bigger than the actual decal. You don’t want to waste too much transfer tape. 
• It helps if you work with a transfer tape with a grid. This is to ensure proper alignment when transferring the decal. Check out TeckWrap Craft’s Purple Grid, Yellow Grid and Gray Grid transfer tape. 
• Place the vinyl decal on a flat surface so you can readily place the transfer tape over it. 
• Gently peel off the backing paper of the transfer tape. Save it for later so you can place the transfer tape back on it and reuse it. 
• When transferring the design onto the transfer tape, start with the upper left corner. 
• Use a squeegee to remove excess bubbles or unwanted air. 

Once you’ve successfully removed the air bubbles and have ensured the vinyl transfer onto the transfer tape, you’re ready to transfer the design onto your merchandise of choice. 

Step 6: Transfer the Design onto a Project Surface

Don’t get too excited just yet! Surely, you’re ready to transfer the vinyl decal on your project. But hold your horses! Don’t forget to clean that merchandise. You don’t want any fingertip prints or dust stuck beneath the vinyl decal, right?

So if you want to place the vinyl decal on a mug, tumbler, window, or any glassware, clean it first. Use a rubbing alcohol and clean cloth to clean the surface, and ensure to let it dry. Avoid touching the area where you want to place the vinyl after cleaning it. 

As soon as you’re confident in the proper placement of the decal, it’s time to transfer the design. Gently place the vinyl decal onto the project surface, and start with the upper left corner. Work your way to the center and flatten the design using a squeegee.

Once you’re confident that the design has transferred completely to the merchandise. Slowly peel off the transfer tape. Viola! You now have completed the project! If this is your first time creating a project with premium vinyl, there may be challenges along the way. But that’s okay!

Do it slowly, carefully and by following the steps and tips mentioned above. Practice makes perfect. In no time, personalizing projects using premium vinyl will be no sweat!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side goes down on premium vinyl?

The side that goes down on premium vinyl, or what faces the cutting mat is the dull side. The colored side of the vinyl should face the cutting machine’s blade. 

What is the best vinyl to use for car decals?

The best vinyl to use for car decals is premium vinyl or permanent vinyl. Car decals are exposed outdoors all the time, so you want to use an outdoor vinyl that’s water-resistant. 

Where to buy premium vinyl?

If you want to buy premium vinyl of the best quality, TeckWrap Craft has plenty of choices. TeckWrap Craft’s premium vinyl selection includes color-changing vinyl, glow-in-the-dark, reflective, and glitter to mention a few. 

Premium Vinyl Choices of TeckWrap Craft

TeckWrap Craft has plenty of premium vinyl selections. The products come in different colors, patterns and designs depending on the project you want to create. To give you an idea, here are several of the premium vinyl collections available at TeckWrap Craft:

• Glossy
• Matte
• Candy-color
• Opal & holo
• Color-changing
• Textured metallic
• Rainbow stripes
• Glow-in-the-dark
• Patterned
• Plaid
• Shimmer and glitter
• Smart vinyl

Holo Rainbow Pattern Adhesive Vinyl

Stock Up Teckwrap Craft’s Premium Vinyl Now!

Permanent vinyl comes in different brands but TeckWrap Craft’s collection is one-of-a-kind. Other than being reasonably affordable, you can expect the premium vinyl of TeckWrap Craft to be durable and easy to work with. 

Purchase a premium vinyl now and have it shipped directly to your doorstep! Aside from premium vinyl, TeckWrap Craft also has heat transfer vinyl, accessories, sublimation papers and many more. Check out the available products on TeckWrap Craft’s site now!