Craft Vinyl Films 3M™ | Avery™ | ORACAL® | RCal™

Craft Vinyl for Silhouette, Cricut and Every Vinyl Cutter Under the Sun

Craft vinyl is an exceptionally versatile film product for crafting, decoration and scrapbooking. Have you been interested in making custom T-shirts, stickers and other craft vinyl projects, but don't know where to start? Keep reading to learn about the different types of craft vinyl, its many uses and the best brands and products for your application and budget.

The advent and popularity of the personal electronic cutter has changed the face of crafting and scrapbooking forever. At Rvinyl, craft and sign vinyl may not be in our blood (that would probably be pretty fatal) but it's certainly in our name and proudly carry one of the largest selections of craft vinyl for all your scrapbook vinyl and vinyl crafting needs. Not only do we sell the same quality craft vinyl that Provo Craft sells for their Cricut vinyl, we also offer a number of other premium vinyl films tat you won't find anywhere else. So, not only do we bring you a full line of ORACAL®, Avery™, 3M™ and Rwraps™ craft, sign and wrap vinyl but we've  cut out the fancy Cricut vinyl packaging and distribution system to bring the same high-quality Cricut vinyl tot you for just pennies on the dollar.

Craft Vinyl for Your Machine

No matter what type of vinyl cutter you own (even if it's a pair of scissors), you can be sure it will cut any of the craft vinyl we sell. Listed below is a brief list of some of the more popular electronic cutting machines you can use with our vinyl:

• Cricut Machines
• Silhouette Cameo, Curio and Portrait Cutting Machines
• Graphtec - Craft Robo, CE6000-40 PLUS 15"
• Quickutz - Silhouette
• Pazzles - Inspiration
• Xyron - Wishblade
• Any other cutter/plotter

What is Craft Vinyl Anyway?

The word "vinyl" can describe many different materials, depending on the industry. In the arts and crafts world, vinyl refers to a film product with a self-adhesive, pressure-sensitive layer you can use to make a design on a temporary surface before transferring it to a more permanent location. Popular uses of craft vinyl include personalized greeting cards and iron-on T-shirts, though the applications are nearly endless.

Craft vinyl is a highly versatile PVC film product that is perfect for crafting, decoration, and scrap booking. This type of vinyl film has a pressure-sensitive, self-adhesive layer on the back that will allow it to adhere to many surfaces from smooth to semi rough. Rvinyl currently carries a wide variety of sign, craft and wrap vinyl but the one which Provo Craft sells as Cricut Vinyl is actually ORACAL® 631. This calendered Cricut vinyl is compatible with any electronic craft cutter, not just the Cricut and is also available in comparable Avery™ Promotional Cal PC500 and 3M™ Scotchcal™ 50 craft vinyl versions.

How to Use Craft Vinyl

When creating a project with craft vinyl, follow these steps.

1. Gather supplies: The first thing you should do is buy all the supplies you'll need.
2. Conceptualize your design: Sketch and refine until you're confident enough to do the real thing.
3. Cut out your shape: Cut the vinyl into your desired shape, adding flourishes and finishing touches until you've got it the way you'd like.
4. Transfer your design: After you've perfected the design by molding and shaping it, move it to the permanent surface. This step varies depending on what vinyl type you're using, which we'll discuss later on. What's crucial to know now is that the vinyl will adhere securely and firmly to the new surface.
5. Allow the vinyl to cure: Most vinyl has adhesive properties helping them stick to the new surface, but these glues often require time to adjust to the new surface and harden. While it depends on the surface, allow at least 72 hours for the vinyl to cure.

Different Types of Craft Vinyl

Vinyl comes in two forms - adhesive and heat transfer - each of which has many options. We'll explain each type in detail below.

1. Adhesive Vinyl

Adhesive vinyl features a sticky side, which allows you to transfer it to other surfaces like paper, plastic, metal, etc. It's an ideal material for personalizing many kinds of items, from mugs to windows. Adhesive vinyl products fall into one of two categories - removable and permanent.

Removable Vinyl

If you want to make something for indoor use, where it won't encounter harsh conditions, we recommend adhesive removable vinyl. It's easy to use and looks great on doors and windows, and you can use it to make beautiful monogram designs for your bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.

Removable vinyl is an excellent choice for people who want to decorate their walls without leaving holes or damaging the paint. Adhesive removable vinyl is also ideal for decals you plan to remove soon. For example, if you're decorating mugs or other materials for a one-day event, choose removable vinyl. A "Just Married" sign on the back of your car is another example where removable vinyl is the better choice.

Permanent Vinyl

This vinyl type works well for decals intended for outdoor areas or surfaces that will see exposure to water, cold, heat and other harsh elements. Car windows, flowerpots and frequently washed mugs are all excellent examples of applications for permanent vinyl.

However, keep in mind that you shouldn't run mugs with permanent vinyl through the dishwasher, especially if your appliance is more powerful.

Adhesive vinyl is available in a wide array of finishes, including:

• Chalkboard
• Foil
• Holographic
• Glitter
• Glossy
• Glow in the dark
• Matte
• Metallic
• Mosaic
• Patterned
• Stencil
• Window cling

2. Heat Transfer Vinyl

Heat transfer vinyl, also known as iron-on vinyl, is a bit more complicated than its adhesive counterpart. The material is akin to adhesive vinyl, but instead of being pressure-activated, it is heat-activated. This vinyl type adheres well to fabric and any surface that can withstand the high temperatures required to make the vinyl stick. Wood, ceramic and metal also work, but avoid using it on plastic, which can melt.

Choosing the appropriate heat transfer vinyl for your application is critical because it will determine whether your project lasts. For instance, some HTV is best for stretchy clothing like workout shirts or leggings, whereas other HTV is for poly-blends and cotton.

The most common finishes for heat transfer vinyl are:

• Foil
• Glitter
• Holographic
• Metallic
• Mosaic
• Patterned
• Solid color

The Best Craft Vinyl Brands

As is the case with most products, craft vinyl is available from various manufacturers. However, the most reputable, popular and trustworthy brand names are the following.

1. ORACAL®

ORACAL® is a major force in the craft vinyl industry, and you'll surely come across their products while shopping. ORACAL® calendered films are available in eight distinct lines, and each comes in a range of colors. Some of these lines are as follows.

• ORACAL® 341: This affordable indoor vinyl comes in 21 colors.
• ORACAL® 651: This vinyl is suitable for items used both indoors and outdoors, as well as frequently washed possessions.
• ORACAL® 8710: This vinyl works well for decorating mirrors and windows.

2. 3M™

3M™ is another leading brand that dominates the vinyl wrap world and has equal capabilities in both calendered and cast vinyl. Here are some examples of products.

• Scotchcal™ 50: Available in over two dozen colors, this vinyl is ideal for making electronically cut graphics.
• Scotchcal™ 3630 Translucent: This vinyl closely mimics the stained glass look and features a matte finish.
• Controltac™ 180mC: This vinyl is suitable for simple curves and flat surfaces.
• Scotchcal™ 7125: This hardy vinyl boasts seven-year outdoor durability and is ideal for computer cutting.

3. Avery Dennison®

The third titan in the craft vinyl industry is Avery Dennison®, which manufactures a wide variety of calendered and cast vinyl products, as well as polyester. They offer these products.

• Avery® PC 500 Opaque Calendered: This product is compatible with many big name-brand vinyl cutters.
• Avery® PR 800 Translucent: This product is great for simple, easy weeding.
• Avery® SC 950: One of craft films' gold standards.

4. Rcraft™

Whereas craft vinyl films such as ORACAL® 651 offer a broad selection of solid-colored, opaque vinyl, Rcraft™ has more exotic finishes. At the moment, they make three primary kinds of craft film.

• Metallic films: These polyester films are ideal if you desire a textured appearance. They're exceptionally durable, and you can use vinyl cutters to create your desired shape.
• R3 carbon fiber films: This curve film mirrors vinyl films and is easy to install. It's not for extreme wrapping.
• Woodgrain films: These kinds of films are tinted and calendered in a wide variety of colors. You can use them to make graphics and decals.

Recommended Craft Vinyl Products

The best craft vinyl product for you will depend on your application and budget. Below, you will learn about leading craft vinyl brands and examples of their most popular products, which will help you decide which brand to choose.

Economy & Promo Grade Craft Vinyl

We will first recommend three products for a smaller budget. 

1. ORACAL® 631

ORACAL® 631 Exhibition Calendered Film is an adhesive-backed film meant for short or medium-term indoor applications. Application examples include decoration and lettering for trade shows or in exhibition buildings. It's also excellent for use on painted drywall, making it the go-to product for wall decor.

ORACAL® 631 comes in 60 matte colors.

2. Avery™ PC 500 Vinyl

This vinyl is highly suitable for sign making and crafting and blends durability, affordability and easy weeding. It's available in 30 vibrant colors, features a high-gloss finish and has five-year durability. Typical product applications include the following.

• Bus graphics
• Die-cutting
• Drum roller sign-cut
• Flatbed sign-cut
• Indoor signage
• Outdoor signage
• Striping

3. 3M™ SCOTCHCAL 50

3M™ Series 50 Scotchcal Graphics Films are colored, general-purpose films specially made for cutting electronically. Because they're intermediate, calendered vinyl, they're more cost-effective for flat signage, crafting projects and commercial applications. This product looks and performs well both indoors and outdoors and receives top marks in affordability, though if you want an extended lifespan, we recommend you buy something like Series 7125 cast vinyl.

Use 3M™ Series 50 Scotchcal films in the following applications:

• Buildings and walls
• Cars, vans and displays
• Labels
• Opaque signs
• Public transport
• Trucks and trailers
• Windows and glass

Need an "Outdoor" Grade Craft Vinyl Film?

Looking for a slightly higher grade craft vinyl. Try our so-called outdoor Cricut vinyl which is ORACAL® 651 which gives you longer durability, performance and is better suited for outdoor applications. Other great, higher performance craft and Cricut vinyl films are ORACAL® 751 as well as Avery™ HP750 and 3M™ Scotchcal 7125 series films.

Intermediate & Outdoor Grade Craft Vinyl

If you're searching for a somewhat higher-grade craft vinyl product that can withstand the harsh outdoor elements, consider some of the film products below.

1. ORACAL® 651 Craft Vinyl

This intermediate calendered vinyl product is the gold standard for sign and crafting vinyl. Series 651 provides outstanding durability, weedability and a wide variety of colors. Its thickness is 2.5 mil, meaning it's thick enough to withstand the harsh elements without peeling, cracking or discoloring, but still thin enough to ensure ease of cutting and weeding. This film lasts roughly six years, meaning it won't fade a few weeks after installation.

Series 651 comes in 60 high-gloss colors and is most suitable for the following applications:

• Custom vase and cup decals
• Die-cutting
• Marking and decoration
• Medium-term outdoor and indoor lettering
• Signs

2. Avery HP 750 Vinyl

Avery Dennison™ HP 750 Series' high-gloss films are especially for use with plotters and cutters. With over 100 colors available, HP 750 Series films have the broadest palette of colors in the entire industry. These craft vinyl films are durable, affordable and easy to weed. You can use the HP 750 right out of the box without adding chemicals or laminates.

3. 3M™ Series 7125 Scotchcal Electrocut Film

If you want sign or craft vinyl with an outstanding performance, you'll want to consider Series 7125, vinyl films' gold standard. It's great for use in Silhouette or Cricut machines and professional-grade plotters. It comes in a broad range of solid colors and has a seven-year durability rating and a high-gloss finish.

Some recommended applications for Series 7125 are:

• Commercial vehicle graphics, striping or emblems
• Signs and labels
• Standard car graphics, decoration and detailing

Applications for Craft Vinyl

Craft vinyl has a wide variety of uses that let you add your flair to projects. You can apply this material to a virtually endless list of things, including homemade cards - one of the most memorable gifts someone can receive. Other ideas include the following.

• Drinkware: Craft vinyl is a great way to customize your tumblers, mugs and wine glasses. If you're throwing a dinner party or other special event, outfitting your drinkware with craft vinyl will enhance the experience.
• Pantry labels: Your pantry will look better and more organized with some craft vinyl labels, which can fit around jars and other containers and help you find what you're looking for.
• Signs: Signs are one of the most popular applications of craft vinyl. You can stick craft vinyl on everything from little tabletop signs to gigantic banners hung above a building's entrance. Vinyl is attention-grabbing and long-lasting, two qualities that make it well-suited for creating signage.
• Window graphics: Graphics on your window are another effective way to get out your message. You can use craft vinyl on a storefront window to display store hours and attention-grabbing imagery. You can also decorate your home's windows with graphics for the holidays.
• T-shirts: If you want to make custom T-shirts, you can do it with heat-transfer vinyl. Use your computer to create an on-trend design, use a cutting machine to cut it out, then iron it onto a T-shirt.
• Labels and stickers: If you'd like to decorate your laptop, mirror or other belongings with a custom sticker, it's possible with vinyl crafting methods. It's also great for making useful labels to embellish things around your office or home.
• Car wraps: Cars are another possession that can use a little decorating. With a high-quality vinyl cutting machine, it's easy to design whatever pattern, shape or logo you'd like before you cut it out and stick it to the exterior of your car. In most cases, the vinyl used on cars will be the self-adhesive kind, not the heat-transfer type.

Vinyl Crafts Anyone Can Do

You don't have to be a professional sign maker or even particularly artsy or handy to make cool crafting projects with vinyl. We have literally hundreds of types of vinyl from metallic cast films, to Diamond Plate, carbon fiber, animal skins and more. You name it and we've got. Still, a lot of us go blank when faced with so many options. That's why we've come up with five, easy-to-do vinyl crafting ideas to get you started with your Cricut, Silhouette or off-brand vinyl electronic cutter.

1. Mugs, Tumblers & Wine Glasses

One of the all-time favorite vinyl crafts for new crafters into make custom mugs, tumblers, champagnes flutes and wine glasses. Although applying the vinyl to a cup or glass does take some practice, your options are endless when it comes to styling. Try using colored tumblers and holographic vinyl! You can make your own designs, find plenty of free pre-made graphics on Pinterest, or buy from the Cricut or Silhouette Design stores. They are awesome as bridesmaids gifts, party favors, teacher appreciation gifts or just as a way to dress up your boring water cup! I highly recommend checking Silhouette School for training, ideas and tons of how-to's for getting started with vinyl!

2. Pantry Labels

Everything just looks better with a fancy label but buying them at West Elm or Crate & Barrel can cost a fortune! Plus, once you design, create and apply these pantry labels you may actually find yourself wanting to spend more time in the kitchen and actually cooking or baking instead of ordering out (again). Get the organized and Better Homes and Gardens-worthy pantry you've always wanted with inexpensive glass jars and simple labels that'll make your kitchen cabinets look like a million bucks!

3. Rustic Wooden Sign, Custom Frames & Shadow Boxes

Artwork for your home can be costly, and if you cruise garage sales and antique shops look enough you realize that none of the so-called wood signs almost never say exactly what you want anyways. Using a cutting machine to cut out your own slogan, saying, inspiring words or graphics is ridiculously simple and applying them to wood is a great way to add texture and depth to your home decor. Paint or stain any sized wood to your liking, and then apply the graphic in colors that fit your home perfectly. The sky really is the limit here so go all out.

Who doesn't love the way art galleries artfully arrange portraits and pictures? Finding the right frame size, correct color and then variety of other designs like numbers and quotes can take a lot of time. With vinyl projects, however, you can transform an otherwise ill-fitting frame into the perfect piece for your gallery wall. Upgrade your home and show off your family photos in style with custom cornices made from gold or silver vinyl, etched glass vinyl and more.

4. Storage Labels

Honestly, this kind of feels like cheating (since we did pantry labels above) but storage labels are different because they usually meant to be applied on plastic bins. Who doesn't have tons of those Sterilite totes or Rubbermaid bins in our garage, holding our precious keepsakes, seasonal decorations, baby clothes and more. There's no reason you can't use some of your vinyl to make the totes not only look better with a fun font and image, but also to be more organized. This is a super easy craft that lets you put your crafty hand to use for something that will help the whole family stay organized.

5. Vinyl Decals You Can Cut by Hand (No Machine Required)

If you love the idea of making your own, custom decals but can't afford a machine you can still make your own. Just pick up a sheet of vinyl that's to your liking and follow the 7 steps below to make your custom-made decal.

Purchase Your Crafting Films From Rvinyl

When you shop for your craft vinyl on Rvinyl, you can enjoy several benefits, including a generous three-year warranty against peeling, fading and cracking. We also replace any defective films, replace botched film installations at a discount and, if you submit photos, you can get product rebates.

If you live in the United States, you qualify for free shipping on orders over $59. Start shopping now to find the perfect craft vinyl products for your next project.