What Is Permanent Vinyl Used For?

Updated By Teckwrap Craft On July 18, 2025

Permanent vinyl is a remarkable, versatile material that can be used in many ways. You just have to bring your creativity into play and you can make exceptional projects—from designing outdoor vinyl signages, car decals, and personalized drinkware to crafting wall hangings, ornaments, bookmarks, and so on.

For long-lasting decals that might have to face harsh elements, permanent vinyl is the best material to use. So if you’re a beginner in the crafting world, this guide is for you. We have enlisted different project ideas so you can gain inspiration from them and step-by-step instructions on how to work with permanent vinyl.

The Uses Of Permanent Vinyl

Permanent vinyl can be used on any hard, smooth, clean, and dry surface. It is ideal for long-lasting, outdoor applications like car bumper stickers, window signage, and so on. It is waterproof and is best used for drinkware that needs to be washed often, such as mugs, tumblers, glasses, cups, and more.

You can apply permanent vinyl designs on glass, metal, plastic, acrylic, painted wood, or even notebooks. If you want your design to last for a long time while maintaining its vibrancy and shine, this is the material for you. It cannot be used on fabrics.

Permanent vinyl adheres strongly once applied and is not designed for easy removal. It may leave adhesive residue or cause damage when purposely removed, particularly on walls, furniture, or coated materials. It’s best suited for long-term projects where durability is key. Always test on a small area first if unsure about surface compatibility.

Project Ideas Using Permanent Vinyl

You might be wondering, what kind of projects can you create using permanent vinyl? Brace yourselves because there are a lot of possibilities!

Beer Can Glasses

With permanent vinyl, you can print on almost any smooth surface, this includes glasses. So if you’re looking for gift ideas or summer party essentials, make things more interesting by using Color-changing Permanent Adhesive Vinyl on your drinking utensils.

Picture Frames

Do you know you can place vinyl decals on picture frames too? Take out the glass from the frame and print on it! This makes a great home decoration. A picture frame with permanent vinyl can even be displayed outdoors for garden weddings.

Tumblers Or Cups

Any merchandise that needs to be washed often can be personalized using permanent vinyl. Hence, you can apply it to drinkware such as tumblers, mugs, or cups. It is a water-resistant material; however, it’s not dishwasher-safe. If you want to make it dishwasher-safe, seal the design that you have applied on your drinkware with the Mod Podge sealant.

Outdoor Signs

Permanent vinyl is best used for outdoor signs. That includes car decals and business signage on windows or glass doors. Permanent vinyl is designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and prolonged sunlight exposure making it perfect for outdoor signs.

Decorations Or Ornaments

Permanent vinyl can be used on Christmas balls and acrylic blank ornaments. At TeckWrap Craft, you can get superb acrylic Christmas Ornament Blanks that can be easily decorated with different colors and finishes of permanent vinyl. You can use it for decoration on other special occasions too such as faux pumpkins on Halloween or eggs on easter.

Wooden Signs

Do you want to create long-lasting barnyard or direction signages? Permanent vinyl on painted wood works best! You can use permanent vinyl on finished wood and expect it to last through the rainy season, snow, summer, and fall.

Balloons

You can apply vinyl on balloons as well. Create your own balloon flower bouquet and decorate it with permanent vinyl to give as a gift to your loved ones on their special occasion. It will be special and something you have put a lot of thought and effort into. You can also use it for party favors, gift bags, and decorations for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, and holidays.

Notebooks

If you love your planners and journals and want to add a personal touch to them, you can paste permanent vinyl designs to make them unique and trendy. It will be different from something everyone else has, giving you a chance to flaunt your creativity. You can decorate your album, scrapbook, diary, or any other stationery item you love with permanent vinyl.

Customizing Accessories

If you want your phone cover or laptop skin to be different from what everyone else is carrying, designing one with permanent vinyl is an excellent idea. You can create any design according to the dimensions of your gadget and win admiration from friends and family.

Labels And Tags

You can use permanent adhesive vinyl for making labels for storage bins, containers, and jars in kitchens, pantries, and bathrooms. This makes it easy to organize things in your space and find them when needed.

Step-By-Step Instructions On How To Personalize Surfaces Using Permanent Vinyl

Now you’re aware of the vinyl crafts you can create with permanent vinyl, it’s time to learn how to apply designs made with it. Whether you intend to print permanent vinyl for car decals, coffee mugs, or water bottles, follow these instructions:

Supplies Needed

You will need the following supplies:

• Permanent vinyl from TeckWrap Craft.
• Cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut).
• Measuring tape or ruler.
• Transfer Tape.
• TeckWrap Craft Tool Kit (Weeding tweezer, weeding pen, cutting mat, and squeegee).

You can order these materials online from TeckWrap Craft’s website and have them delivered right to your doorstep. Now let’s see the steps:

Step 1: Cut The Design

The first step is to choose and resize the design. You can create your own design or use the free SVG files provided in the Cricut Design Space. Then, determine the right size of the decal, depending on where you want to place it.

As you’ve adjusted the size and changed the material type to permanent vinyl, then you’re good to go for cutting! Remember, do not mirror the permanent vinyl decal.

Note: It’s better to do a test cut to check your settings and if you can weed the vinyl easily.

Step 2: Weed The Excess Vinyl

Load permanent vinyl in the cutting machine and let it do its job. Now weed the excess vinyl by removing unwanted parts from the design.

Step 3: Transfer The Design To The Transfer Tape

Once you’re done weeding, remove the paper backing of the transfer tape. Use a squeegee to flatten the transfer tape onto the vinyl. Make sure it sticks well.

Step 4: Transfer The Vinyl Decal To The Merchandise

Clean the merchandise before the transfer. Use rubbing alcohol and a cotton pad. Remove the backing from the decal and align it to ensure proper placement before doing the actual transfer. Start transferring with one corner and work your way to the middle.

Use a squeegee to flatten the design into the merchandise. There you have it! You have now successfully transferred the permanent outdoor vinyl to your merchandise.

Where To Buy Permanent Vinyl From?

If you want an extensive collection of supreme quality, durable, and long-lasting permanent vinyl in many different colors and finishes along with the necessary tools under one roof, visit the TeckWrap Craft website and it will be delivered to your doorstep. Here’s a list of their variety:

• Matte and Glossy Vinyl
• Colorful Pearl Adhesive Vinyl
• Candy Color Craft Vinyl
• Opal and Holo Adhesive Vinyl
• Color Changing Vinyl
• Textured Metallic Vinyl
• Glow In The Dark Vinyl
• Shimmer & Glitter Vinyl
• Rainbow Stripes Adhesive Vinyl
• Reflective Adhesive Vinyl
• Smart Vinyl

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What surfaces can you use permanent vinyl on?
You can apply permanent vinyl on any smooth, clean, and dry surface like that of a ceramic mug, wall, car window, glass, drinkware, painted wood, notebook, and so on.

Q. Can you use permanent vinyl on shirts?
No, you can not use permanent vinyl on shirts or any other fabric. If you want to print on t-shirts, use heat transfer vinyl instead. Permanent vinyl is for smooth and hard surfaces and can be used outdoors.

Q. What is the difference between smart and regular vinyl?
The difference is that you do not need a cutting mat for smart vinyl. You can insert it directly into the cutting machine. It is also wider and lighter than regular vinyl.

Summing It All Up!

That’s everything you need to know about permanent vinyl. This durable material is best suited for outdoor use and for personalizing items where long-lasting designs are desired. It’s also commonly used on drinkware that requires frequent washing.

TeckWrap Craft offers a wide variety of adhesive vinyl in stunning patterns and colors. Simply visit our website, select the rolls and sheets you need, and proceed to checkout. Your order will be delivered to your doorstep in premium condition!