what kind of vinyl to use for wall decals

Are you overwhelmed by the many different types and varieties of vinyl? Are you not sure which vinyl to utilize on a mug, on forest, on shirts, for drinking glass etching, etc.? Then, this is the post for yous! Acquire all about the different types of vinyl, and find out what y'all need. This mail service contains affiliate links, which help to support this site at no extra cost to you.

I absolutely love crafting with vinyl, but I completely understand that it tin can be really overwhelming when you just starting out in the wonderful world of vinyl crafts.

Years ago, when I was only starting to effigy this whole vinyl crafting thing out, I got a grab bag full of random vinyl pieces from Expressions Vinyl (one of my favorite online vinyl shops). While it was a great way to try out lots of different types of vinyl on the cheap, because I was unfamiliar with vinyl, I had no idea which vinyls should exist used for which projects or how to use whatever of it! What type of vinyl should I used for shirts? Which vinyl works on wood? What kind of vinyl is that? I had no idea.

At present, after lots and lots of vinyl crafting, I feel similar I have a pretty proficient handle on vinyl (I fifty-fifty made an entire online class all well-nigh crafting with vinyl and your Silhouette), and I want to share that with you all. Hopefully I tin help you figure out which vinyl vinyl to use for whatever project you take in mind. Let'south start off past talking a bit near what the dissimilar types of vinyl are.

PSST – If you are brand new to crafting with vinyl, exist sure to check out my Vinyl 101 page to find all of my vinyl resources for beginners.

TYPES OF Craft VINYL

There are ii bones types of vinyl –Adhesive Vinyl andOestrus Transfer Vinyl. Within each of those two larger categories, there are different types and styles, which I will talk more near in a scrap.

Adhesive vinyl (sticker vinyl) is a thin flexible fabric with apressure-sensitive adhesive that can be cut in any design and applied to all kinds of polish, difficult surfaces.Rut Transfer Vinyl (fe on vinyl, t-shirt vinyl, or HTV) is a similar cloth with  aestrus-activated adhesive that is designed to piece of work with cloth surfaces (or whatsoever surface that can stand the oestrus). Both types of vinyl are available in either rolls or sheets, usually 12″ wide.

ADHESIVE VINYL VS. Rut TRANSFER VINYL

If you ever happen to be in the same position I was with my vinyl catch bag, holding a slice of vinyl not certain what kind of vinyl it is, then I promise this little explanation will aid you effigy it out!

Adhesive Vinyltin come in all kinds of colors and finishes, simply it will always have a paper backing and be sticky to the touch when that backing is peeled off.Heat Transfer Vinyl, on the other hand, doesnon have a paper backing. Instead, HTV, has a articulate plastic carrier sheet that covers the top of the vinyl. The other side is where the adhesive is (it is not sticky or tacky to the bear on), and this is the side of the vinyl that you will cut on.

Now you know what the two basic categories of craft vinyl are, simply at that place are lots of types within each category. Let's talk a lilliputian more about types of adhesive vinyl, and and so we volition motion on to heat transfer.

Which type of Adhesive Vinyl should I use?

Some adhesive vinyl is meant for permanent, outdoor awarding and some is designed to be removable for indoor application. Usually (although not always), permanent outdoor vinyl has a glossy terminate while removable indoor vinyl has a matte finish.

Permanent outdoor vinyl is perfect for outdoor signs, car decals, mugs or other items that will go through the dishwasher. Most permanent vinyl has a glossy cease, just not all (Oracal 641 is a matte vinyl with a permanent adhesive). Permanent vinyl can be removed, simply it may exercise damage to walls, paint, etc. I of the most common and popular brands of permanent outdoor vinyl is Oracal 651, which y'all tin purchase from Amazon, Expressions Vinyl, Swing Design, Consumer Crafts, and I've even seen it in my local Michaels. Oracal 751 is an extra long lasting permanent adhesive vinyl. This may be your all-time bet for products that will be washed or that you want to really terminal a long fourth dimension.

Removable indoor vinyl is great for wall decals, indoor signs, stencils, and any time you want a temporary awarding. Removable vinyl often has a matte cease. Oracal 631 is a popular type of removable vinyl that you can find at Amazon, Expressions Vinyl, and Swing Design.

BEGINNER VINYL TIP:

Try using removable vinyl for your outset project! It is easier to work with because the adhesive isn't every bit strong as permanent vinyl.

Glossy and matte are not the but kinds of agglutinative vinyl! You can find fun, specialty vinyls in all kinds of colors, patterns, and styles! (Be sure to bank check the description of the product when yous buy to determine if it has a removable or permanent agglutinative.) Here are just a few types you might want to try out.

• Stencil Vinyl
• Etched Glass Vinyl (learn how to use etched glass vinyl Here)
• Glitter Vinyl (I used glitter vinyl to make these phone cases and this pumpkin)
• Metallic Vinyl (I used a metal vinyl on this mug)
• Patterned Vinyl (Check out this post for artistic ideas for using patterned vinyl)
• Chalkboard Vinyl
• Glow in the Nighttime Vinyl
• Transparent Vinyl
• Printable Adhesive Vinyl (acquire all nearly working with printable adhesive vinyl Here)

As you can encounter, there are so many options! The well-nigh of import affair to consider when choosing an adhesive vinyl for your project is the type of agglutinative – do you need a removable adhesive or do you need something that will stand up to lord's day, water, and lots of handling? Once you take determined if you need a permanent or removable adhesive, cull whatsoever color or style you similar that has that blazon of adhesive.

Adjacent up, let's talk heat transfer vinyl!

Which blazon of Heat Transfer Vinyl Should I employ?

Simply like adhesive vinyl, oestrus transfer or iron on vinyl comes in lots of unlike colors and styles. For basic shine HTV, I recommend Siser Easyweed because it is easy to piece of work with, comes in tons of colors, and washes and wears well. Yous can find Siser Easyweed at Amazon, Expressions Vinyl, and Swing Design. Silhouette and Cricut both have smooth Iron-On material that works well too.
Let's check out a few unlike types of HTV.

• Flocked HTV is thicker than shine HTV, has a velvety texture, is super easy to weed, and is the HTV I recommend for beginners. (See a project using flocked HTV here.)
• Glitter HTV tin can be a little trickier to weed, but is super sparkly and looks groovy. (This pillow uses glitter HTV.)
• Metal HTV
• Holographic HTV (I used holographic vinyl for the lenses of the glasses on this shirt.)
• Reflective HTV (This mail is all nearly working with reflective oestrus transfer vinyl.)
• Stretch HTV is actress thin and stretchy. (I used stretch vinyl on a pair of leggings for my daughter.)
• Patterned HTV (Cheque out this postal service for creative ideas for using patterned vinyl)

In general, all iron on vinyls should work on all fabrics and materials that tin can stand up to the heat of your fe or oestrus press, and so when choosing an HTV you want to mainly consider the look you want. However, certain types of vinyl will work better for different types of fabrics or designs. For example, holographic and metallic vinyl is frequently stiffer and because of that it works best with designs made upward of smaller pieces rather than large stretches of vinyl. Similarly, stretch vinyl works better with stretchy knit, ribbed, or athletic fabrics. All HTV is washable, just following some simple guidelines will assist your finished piece to stay looking good for longer.

Then, Which Vinyl Should I Use?

Phew – that was a lot, right? Hopefully after reading about the different types of vinyl you have a good thought of what kind of vinyl you need for any project you are dreaming up.

Here is the basic rule: In full general, if your surface is hard and smoothen (things similar walls, mugs, bottles, flick frames, mirrors, boxes, etc.), then get with adhesive vinyl. If your surface is soft and tin withstand oestrus (clothing, shoes, books, tote bags, etc.), and so heat transfer vinyl will work best.

Nevertheless, there are some exceptions to this general rule. For case, I prefer to utilise estrus transfer vinyl on forest because I notice it is easier to apply to wood surfaces and looks closer to painted wood. (You can read all about that here.)

Now that you know which vinyl to use for your project, check out my post on the best places to find inexpensive vinyl to make sure you are getting it at a good toll! If you lot take any questions, go out them in the comments beneath.

Until adjacent time, Happy Making!

Cheque out my latest vinyl project posts:

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