You are ready to craft mugs, shirts, and other items using vinyl. There is just one small problem. Which type do you use? After browsing all the wonderful products available online you probably feel more overwhelmed than anything else.
That’s normal. It turns out that there are many different types of vinyl out there. This article written by Cutting Machine Reviews, will help explain what the basic types are so that you can get a better idea of which types to start using for your projects.
Two Basic Types
The first and easiest thing to learn is that there are two essential types of vinyl heat transfer and adhesive. In these two categories, there are additional types and styles. There are a few questions you need to ask yourself in order to make the selection process easier.
What are you going to apply the vinyl to? What material is it, wood, glass or plastic? Will the item need to be exposed to heat or water? Is the application temporary or permanent?
Right away, you will know if you need to get permanent or temporary vinyl. Decorative items for a party may only need to be temporary but a mug or a phone case would need to be permanent. A mug would need to withstand a degree of heat, so the vinyl applied would need to be heat resistant.
Experts in the vinyl application craft world suggest using heat transfer vinyl on wood. It is easier to apply and it actually looks pretty realistic when it is compared to painted wood. Feel free to experiment on any of your first few projects by using removable vinyl. It gives you a chance to see how to apply it and how it feels when being affixed to different materials.
If a surface is capable of withstanding heat, heat transfer vinyl will be best. These surfaces include clothing or bags. If the surface is smooth and hard like mugs or mirrors are, adhesive vinyl will be fine.
Aesthetically speaking, you have a wide berth when it comes to choosing the colors, patterns or textures. Metallic vinyls are popular but so are glossy and matte.
Finally, think about how often your finished product will be exposed to UV rays. If someone will be wearing a jacket you have made, you need to be aware that glossy products can last up to 10 years while metallic products only make it to about five.