Do I Need Transfer Tape? Buy Transfer Tape

The answer is YES!

While it is not impossible to create and apply vinyl lettering and graphics made with your Cricut or other craft cutter without transfer tape, it is however money well spent. Unless you like to do time consuming tedious tasks.

How Do I Use Transfer Tape?

When creating a vinyl project with your Cricut their are a few steps to complete the task.

Read below or watch the video.

  1. Cut your project - First you must use your Cricut or other cutter to cut your desired lettering or graphic.
  2. Weeding - After cutting the vinyl with your Cricut you must remove the unwanted vinyl from the backing. This is a process known as weeding.
  3. Apply transfer tape - After cutting and weeding it is now time for the transfer tape. At this point you have a piece that looks finished, the only problem is it is still attached to the backing material and not to the surface where you would like it. You could remove each individual element from the backing and apply it where you want it, or you can use transfer tape. Simply apply transfer tape over your vinyl piece and the backing material, then rub it lightly to ensure good adhesion.
  4. Remove the backing - The transfer tape will allow you to remove the vinyl from the backing and maintain the position of all the elements in your design.
  5. Apply your vinyl to the substrate - Now you have your design all held together and ready to stick to something. The transfer tape will also help you to position your project. The exposed areas of transfer tape can be pressed to the substrate to check positioning and repositioned if necessary. (Be careful here, if your vinyl makes good contact with the substrate it may not be repositionable.) When you have your piece where you want it push down in the center. Slowly work your way out to the edges pressing down your vinyl and working out any air bubbles (a plastic application tool is helpful for this).
  6. Remove the Transfer tape - Once you have placed the piece you must remove the transfer tape. Begin with one corner and work your way across. Pull back the transfer tape between 120 and 180 degrees. Pull slowly and watch to make sure your not taking any vinyl with it. If the vinyl begins to come up release the pressure and rub down on the spot trying to come up. Sometimes you will have to rub parts down as you remove the transfer tape.

There you have it! Your project is now complete. You have used your Cricut to cut precise lettering or graphics and with the help of transfer tape applied them where you want them all while maintaining that precision. Want to have even more fun? You can use transfer tape to make multi-colored layered graphics that transfer to the finished substrate in on shot. Simply cut all the elements, and then apply the transfer tape to the one you want in front, remove the backing and apply it to the next layer. Continue on with as many layers as you want, and when your done you have a beautiful multi-color graphic ready to go.