Vinyl 101: A Beginner's Guide to Cutting Craft Vinyl with your Silhouette or Cricut (2024)

If you have been wanting to learn how to make your own vinyl stickers, custom t-shirts, and other fun craft vinyl projects, then you are in the right place! This beginner’s guide to crafting with vinyl will get you started creating with vinyl in no time!

I know that vinyl can be a little bit intimidating if you have never worked with it before, but don’t worry! I am here to walk you through it all step by step, and I know you are going to love working with vinyl because it makes it so easy to create custom, professional-lookinghome décor, apparel, and more. To give you an idea of all the things you can make with vinyl, check out all ofmy vinyl projects right HERE.

Pin this page so you can refer to it later!

Cricut and Silhouette Vinyl Basics

See Also

EasyPSV® Printable GlossWhat is digital vinyl printing?The Best Permanent Vinyl for Cricut Updated Fall 2023!Heat Transfer Vinyl vs. Printable HTV - Craft Vinyl

You do not have to have an electronic cutting machine to work with vinyl. You can always cut your vinyl by hand using a pair of scissors or craft knife. In fact, one of my favorite vinyl projects that my kids and I did together was entirely cut by hand. However, to make things easier and to get super clean cuts and intricate designs, you will want an electronic cutting machine like a Silhouette or a Cricut.

I personally use a Silhouette Cameo 3 and love it, but you can cut craft vinyl with great results with lots of different machines. The information on this page will help you to work with vinyl whether you are using a Silhouette, Cricut, Brother Scan N Cut, or any other electronic cutting machine.

First, let’s start off by talking about all the different types of vinyl you can craft with.

Types of Craft Vinyl

There are so many types of vinyl out there, it can be really overwhelming when you are staring out in vinyl crafting. I created this guide to explain all different kinds of vinyl and help you figure out which vinyl is just right for your project. Click HERE to read more about which vinyl you should use for your project.

Once you know what type of vinyl you need, where do you get it?

Where to Buy Vinyl

Vinyl Tools and Supplies

Aside from the vinyl itself, there are a few more supplies and tools you will need to get started.

I have rounded up all the basic supplies and tools you will need as well as my favorite brands and products that I use constantly. Find the list of my favorite supplies and tools right HERE.

So now we have our vinyl and our supplies, I think it’s time to get crafting. Why don’t we start off with adhesive vinyl?

How to Use Adhesive Vinyl

My beginner’s guide to working with adhesive vinyl will walk you through all of the basic steps of cutting and applying adhesive vinyl to make your own awesome vinyl decals. Check out the beginner’s guide to adhesive vinyl HERE.

Next up, Heat Transfer Vinyl!

How to Use Heat Transfer Vinyl

If you have always wanted to make your own professional-looking t-shirts, home decor, and more, then you have got to try crafting with heat transfer vinyl.

This beginner’s guide to iron on vinyl will walk you through all of the basic steps of making your own vinyl t-shirts. Read the full heat transfer guide right HERE.

More Vinyl Crafting Techniques

If you are looking to try out even more vinyl crafting techniques and project ideas, don’t miss these:

• Learn how to make multi-colored vinyl decals easily with registration marks.
• Learn how to use the hinge method for precise application and smooth application on curved surfaces.
• Learn how to make colorful and detailed vinyl stickers with printable adhesive vinyl.
• Learn the knockout technique for layering heat transfer vinyl without extra thickness.
• Learn how to apply heat transfer vinyl to wood.
• Learn how to apply heat transfer vinyl to leather.
• Learn how to apply HTV to shoes.

I hope this resource helps to get you started with vinyl crafting. I love working with vinyl and I hope you will too!

Happy Making!

Check out some vinyl projects to get you crafting right here: