Using my Cricut machine to cut vinyl to decorate a travel mug.
I wanted to add a simple sunflower design to a cheap travel mug using metallic foil adhesive vinyl and permanent black adhesive vinyl. I made a couple mistakes, as usual, but managed to make my travel mug look good.
Finding a Design Online
I wanted to add a simple design to my $1 USD Dollar Tree travel mug. I decided to do a search for "sunflower line art" images to see what would be easy to manipulate once I worked in the Cricut Design Space.
My search led me to Pixabay.com where I found a colored sunflower vector graphic available for a free download. I liked that the Pixabay License labeled this as "Free for commercial use. No attribution required." If I ever decide to sell my artwork or craft projects, at least I can take comfort knowing I can use this simple design for commercial use.
Using Cricut Design Space
I uploaded the image as a "Simple" image type to my project in the Cricut Design Space application. I manipulated the design to create four different cut files: outline, head, petals, and stem.
To create the outline cut file, I used the "Select and erase" tool (looks like a magic wand) to omit the colors. This is done by clicking on a colored area to remove it. Once I omitted all colors, leaving a black outline of the sunflower graphic, I saved it as a cut file.
For the head, I used the "Select and erase" tool to omit the black outline and the colors green and yellow. This left the brown color of the head, but some outline marks remained. I used the "Erase" tool (looks like a black rectangle) to remove the unwanted outline 'residue.' I then saved it as a cut file.
I repeated the steps above for creating separate cut files for the petals and stem.
Once I "Inserted Images" onto my canvas in the Cricut Design Space application, I selected all files and resized the height to 6". This height would fit within the height of my travel mug.
I originally intended to use the outline cut file on one travel mug and the other cut files on a second travel mug. I later realized I only had one travel mug.
An "Oops" On My Part
There's a sticker on the bottom of the travel mug that states, "Hand wash only. Not microwave or dishwasher safe." I thought this presented a great opportunity to use my metallic foil vinyl.
I decided to use premium black permanent adhesive vinyl for the outline cut file, and metallic adhesive foil vinyl for the other cut files.
The metallic foil vinyl used were part of different sampler packs I bought on sale from my local Michael's or Jo-Ann stores. I bought the black permanent adhesive vinyl for a good price at my local Walmart.
In Cricut Design Space, I hid the outline file and clicked the "Make It" button. I referenced the screen that illustrates how the files would be laid out on the Cricut mat to determine what size to cut the three pieces of metallic foil I wanted to use.
I cut a gold piece down to about 5" by 4", a bronze piece to about 2" by 2", and a turquoise piece to about 2" by 3". I placed the metallic foil vinyl pieces onto a lightgrip machine mat and used a scraper to flatten the vinyl onto the mat.
In Cricut Design Space, I selected "Metallic Vinyl" from the materials list and "More" pressure. The screen suggested using a fine-point blade for this cut.
NOTE: With a Cricut Explore Air 2, you'd turn the dial on the machine to "Custom" and search for "Metallic Vinyl" in the Cricut Design Space application.
In retrospect, I should've used a standard grip mat. While the metallic foil vinyl remained flat on the mat once loaded, the two smaller pieces curled and shifted positions.
I paused in time to tape down the turquoise piece, but I ended up having to redo the bronze piece on a separate cut.
After the metallic pieces were cut, I went back to Cricut Design Space to show the outline file and hide the others. I clicked the "Make It" button and referenced the next screen to determine what size to cut the black vinyl. I cut a piece down to about 6" by 5" in size.
In Cricut Design Space, I selected "Vinyl" from the materials list and "Default" pressure. The screen suggested using a fine-point blade for this cut. Fortunately, the black vinyl stuck to the lightgrip mat well. The fine-point blade was perfect for this cut.
Weeding
Weeding the metallic foil vinyl required patience because the machine didn't achieve a clean, consistent cut. The vinyl tore where there wasn't a deep or clean enough cut along an edge.
I used a weeder and tweezers to remove the excess vinyl from the design I wanted to use. It took time and patience, especially when weeding the petals.
Next time I decide to cut metallic foil vinyl, I may try using a deep cut blade set to default or less pressure. Hopefully, that would make the weeding process easier.
Weeding the black vinyl was quick and easy. I could've used a light box to see the cut lines better to prevent accidentally pulling on a part of the vinyl I wanted to use for the design. Instead, I held the piece up to the light to see what areas to avoid while weeding.
Transferring the Vinyl
I used Con-Tact adhesive contact paper from a roll I bought at the Dollar Tree for $1 USD. It's less tacky than the Cricut brand transfer tape, but I found it works well with most vinyl.
Getting the metallic foil vinyl to stick to the cheap contact paper is a little tricky. I sometimes used the weeding tool to press the vinyl securely onto the contact paper. The regular black vinyl stuck to the contact paper with no problems.
I first applied the gold petals to the travel mug. I ran my fingers over the design to press it onto the travel mug, then used a scraper to apply more pressure. I peeled the contact paper off the vinyl easily.
I repeated the steps for the head, stem, and outline pieces.
I almost didn't add the outline to the same travel mug. When I realized I only had one travel mug to work with, I thought about storing the outline piece for a future project. Yet, I decided to place the outline on the other side of the travel mug. I figured at least I'd see a neat sunflower design no matter what direction the travel mug was facing.
My Thoughts
I like the way the metallic foil vinyl looks on the blue travel mug. I can barely notice the black vinyl, but I don't regret placing it on the travel mug.
In retrospect, I wish I used a lightgrip mat and deep cut blade for cutting the metallic foil vinyl. Luckily, I opted to use more pressure with the fine-point blade. I didn't waste much metallic foil vinyl.
What's Next?
I have a few Cricut projects in mind for the future, so check back within the next few weeks to see what I'll post next.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam