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VINYL ON CARDSTOCK
28th Sep 2022
CAN YOU PUT VINYL ON CARDSTOCK?
Cardstock is one of the leading materials we can use to create greeting cards or invitations card for a special occasion. Aside from writing or putting some stickers on your cardstock, why should we not try the vinyl on it?
So, can you put vinyl on cardstock?
Definitely YES!
Adding vinyl to cardstock is a game changer and opens the door to mixed media projects – all of which can be precisely cut on your Cricut machine. Vinyl can up your Cricut crafting game in three significant ways:
- Use vinyl to make your cardstock projects easier.
- Use one of the wide varieties of vinyl to add a wow factor (i.e., such as pattern, glitter, holographic, foil, or mirror)
- Use vinyl for thin designs that would be difficult to cut in cardstock.
Why would you want to put vinyl on cardstock?
For a couple of reasons, crafters commonly utilize vinyl while making crafts out of cardstock. First is when there are a lot of words or letters. If you cut letters out of cardstock, you would need to place each letter by hand onto your cardstock project. The advantage of vinyl is that you can transfer the design all at once, which maintains the alignment and layout.
The second reason crafters use vinyl on cardstock is if the design has a lot of delicate or small parts. Vinyl is often thinner than cardstock, making it more straightforward for your Cricut machine to make precise tiny cuts.
Lastly, adding different colors, shades, and vinyl textures over cardstock adds a new dimension to your projects.
WHAT VINYL SHOULD I USE ON CARDSTOCK?
Putting designs on your plain color cardstock is so fun to do! This medium is soooo affordable and easy to use.
But, why vinyl should you use on cardstock?
And the answer is, any adhesive vinyl AND Heat Transfer Vinyl!
Yes! You heard it right. Imagine having these simple craft materials- HTV vinyl, adhesive vinyl, and cardstock, and you can create fantastic outcomes and projects which you can sell or give as a gift! You can use these two types of vinyl.
Let's talk first about Adhesive Vinyl. Transfer tape is used to transfer the design onto adhesive vinyl. The issue with transfer tape is that it should not be used on paper and is extremely sticky. The regular vinyl transfer tape will damage, rip and tear cardstock when peeling back the transfer tape. An easy solution is making adhesive vinyl on cardstock a practical option. You need to use low-tack transfer tape to solve the problem of too sticky transfer tape. Low tack is meant for fragile surfaces that require a low removal force, like cardstock. Don't worry – you don't need to buy more transfer tape.
On the other hand, with Heat Transfer Vinyl or iron-on vinyl, the design is transferred using the carrier sheet of the HTV. The iron-on vinyl carrier sheet is low tact, which is good news because it prevents paper from tearing and damage. The trick to iron-on vinyl and cardstock is the heat transfer. Use the Cricut EasyPress on low heat and extremely light pressure, and avoid sliding the press over the cardstock when ironing on vinyl. Cardstock is not fibrous like a shirt, meaning the adhesive has nowhere to sink into. The iron-on vinyl may move around and leave glue stains if the heat press is slid over it.
Did you already decide what vinyl to choose for your cardstock? Keep on reading to know the proper application!
HOW TO APPLY VINYL ON CARDSTOCK?
Get ready to create your DIY cards using adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl. Learn how to apply these on your cardstock!
Did you realize you could use vinyl with a permanent adhesive on your cardstock? It's a fantastic way to create a personalized birthday card that is especially memorable and so simple to accomplish!
In this easy tutorial, we'll layer two distinct vinyl colors to create a classy birthday card design. To make it stand out, we'll add lovely decorations to a matching envelope.
How to make a Birthday Card using Adhesive Vinyl and Cardstock
You will also need:
* Cricut Design Space app installed on a laptop, PC, Tablet or mobile device, Cricut cutting machine, tweezers, and transfer tape.
Step 1: Start a new project using the Cricut Design Space application.
Remember to unlock the aspect ratio in the top menu bar before resizing the square to a 5 × 7-inch rectangle by clicking on Shapes and choosing Square.
This rectangle will be used as a guide to size the vinyl decal, but since we are utilizing pre-made card blanks, we won't need to cut it.
Step 2: The text layers will then be created; there should be one each for each word and number.
Click Text, then capitalize the word "HAPPY."
Repeat this process for "Birthday" and "30" – or however old your lucky recipient will be. And don't forget to choose the best font style for the celebrant!
Step 3: Resize the words and arrange them on the guide layer, using the 'Align' feature to center horizontally and vertically. If the birthday party has a theme color, you can apply this to your cardstock. You can also change the color to get an idea of the finished project.
Step 4: Let's add some pretty foliage details to the number!
Go to the image library on your Cricut Design Space and search "Leaves." There are a lot of options, so the choice is yours!
Step 5: Once satisfied, use the "Arrange" option in the menu bar to "Move backward" to see the finished card you will create. Duplicate the image a few times, resize it, and arrange it around the number.
Step 6: This next step is optional, but if you would also like to decorate the envelope – duplicate your chosen foliage image again, so you have an extra two.
Step 7: Time to cut!
Step 8: Select "Premium Vinyl" as your material setting on the machine setup screen. Use the Cricut Brayer tool to attach the vinyl once it has been cut to size on your cutting mat.
Step 9: Remove the excess vinyl by "weeding" – the Cricut Basic tool set is excellent for this, primarily the sharp-tipped weeding tool and precision tweezers.
Step 10: Cut a piece of Transfer Tape to size (5x7 inches) and reduce the stick by sticking and peeling off your clothes a few times – this will help prevent the blank card from tearing. Lay the tape over your decal and rub down (burnish) with the Cricut Scraper tool on both sides.
Top Tip: To ensure that you correctly apply the decal to the blank, align the lettering with the grid lines on the Transfer Paper.
Apply the decal on the blank card after removing the vinyl's backing paper. To establish a strong connection, burnish with a scraper. Peel the tape away slowly and with care.
Step 11: To apply the second vinyl layer, repeat the process (in step 10) but place some baking paper underneath the decal with only a tiny portion of the top, sticky part, exposed. This will help to correctly align the layer without accidentally sticking it down in the wrong place!
When happy, gently peel away the baking paper while pressing down the vinyl with your other hand.
Step 12: Repeat this process to apply the foliage decals to your envelope, and you're done!
We have completed the step-by-step instruction for creating a birthday card with adhesive vinyl. I'll now demonstrate how to apply heat transfer vinyl to cardstock properly.
How to make a Christmas Card using Heat Transfer Vinyl and Cardstock
We know that Christmas cards can get pricey for those who celebrate! We'll show you how to build your own Christmas cards in this blog using heat transfer vinyl and cardstock. You don't need a lot of vinyl because the design on a Christmas card is likely to be considerably smaller than the design on a shirt. You might have to lie around if you use the leftover vinyl pieces. This is a fantastic way to save money.
We will create a Christmas card for this cardstock project because I am super excited about this season.
Supplies needed:
- Cardstock
- Heat Transfer Vinyl
- Parchment Paper
- Weeding Tool/Tweezers
- Cricut EasyPress
Step 1: Since this card is for Christmas, let's put a Christmas tree on our card. You can browse Cricut Design Space's library or purchase SVG files if you want high-quality images.
Step 2: Don't forget the size of your card! Resize your Christmas tree design accordingly so that it will perfectly fit on your card.
Step3: If you are satisfied with the size of your design, get ready to cut it. Place your HTV vinyl on your cutting mat and load it on your cutting machine.
Pay close attention to your cut settings when cutting this project, as you will need to switch between "Everyday Iron-On" and one of the cardstock settings. Don't forget to mirror the HTV.
Step 4: W weed the excess vinyl carefully after cutting your design using tweezers.
Step 5: After weeding the HTV, position it on the card.
We will use Cricut EasyPress. The EasyPress Interactive Heat Guide gives the time and temperature recommendations for HTV on cardstock, which is 280 degrees for 30 seconds. If you don't have one, you must use Cricut Iron-On Protective Sheet between the press and the cardstock or parchment paper. Put barely any pressure on the heat press. Remember, this isn't going through the wash, so it doesn't have to be stuck on as well as on fabric.
If the card warps a little, turn it over and press on the other side for a few seconds.
Step 6: As you already put your Christmas tree, let's add a "Merry Christmas!" greeting on our card. I prefer to put the word "MERRY" on the Christmas tree and "CHRISTMAS" below. Repeat the process or the Steps from 2 to 5.
If you end up making a Christmas or Holiday card using HTV, we'd love to see your final creation!
Now, here are some special tips on how to apply adhesive vinyl to cardstock.
How to Apply Vinyl to Cardstock Tips & Tricks
Tip #1: Pick the correct type of Cardstock
Use cardboard that is highly smooth and hefty; 110 lb worked well for our project.
Avoid thin or textured cardstock and paper.
Tip #2: Type of Transfer Tape
Use a transfer tape with a low or medium tack to transfer the vinyl to the cardstock.
Use the same transfer tape more than once when transferring individual vinyl pieces. This will lessen its stickiness (and reduce the likelihood that the cardstock will tear!)
Tip # 3: How to apply the vinyl
The vinyl adhesive is super sticky. Apply gentle pressure over the cardstock - only over the vinyl areas under the transfer tape, not over the entire piece of transfer tape. Avoid burnishing the transfer tape to the cardstock.
Tip #4: How to remove the transfer tape
Please don't pull the transfer tape straight up off the cardstock; slowly and delicately roll it back.
Work slowly! While one hand rolls back the transfer tape, use the other to hold the cardstock onto your work surface.
You can customize your cardstock the way you want with the help of Heat Transfer Vinyl and Adhesive vinyl. Indeed, vinyl and cardstock are perfectly meant for crafting!
Do not forget to share these ideas with your family and friends. Also, share your crafting adventure with us on our pages.
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For your vinyl crafting needs, please check our website at xvinyl.com. We offer different Adhesive and Heat Transfer Vinyl, perfect for your next project.
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