I love crafting and I love being able to add personalisations to things, either for myself or as gifts. In this blog I will be sharing with you how to apply vinyl to a mug. This will allow you to make your own personalised items or gifts.
For this craft you will need the following supplies:
Microfibre cloth - Wilkos/Home Bargains
Mug - Any Supermarket
Scissors - Wilkos/Home Bargains/Ikea
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Getting started
Load up design space and click on the text icon located on the left hand side of the screen.
This will bring up a text box. In that box start typing the words that you wish to put on the mug.
I started with the word Summer.
Cricut defaults the font to be Cricut Sans. If you wish to chose a different font then just click on the font box. This will take you to the next screen where you can select a font you want.
You can select cricut if you want a cricut font or search system for a font you have purchased. If you are looking for a font you have purchased, click on system. Then you can start typing the name of the font if you know it or select one from the list.
Once the font has been selected, click on the font and it will change the text on your canvas.
For the second word I chose the word vibes. As you can see it has selected the same font for that word too. I am going to change the font by repeating the steps I have just followed for the word summer.
I knew the name of the font I wanted so I typed the name into the search box.
Now I have both of my words on my canvas in the fonts that I wish to use.
Measuring the mug
To make sure that your words are going to fit, measure the front of your mug.
With your measurements you are now able to change the size of your design. To do this head up to the size boxes at the top of the canvas. Click in the box and change the size to the size you require. As cricut changes the sizes to keep the design in proportion, this might not be the size you require. If this is not the case simply click on the padlock icon to unlock the padlock. This will then allow you to put your required size in both the width and height boxes.
Selecting the mat and materials
When you are happy with your design, simply click on make it in the top right corner of the canvas. This will then show you a screen where you will need to select how you are cutting your materials.
If you are cutting your materials on the mat like I am, then select on mat. Once selected you will see a green box around the option. Click on continue.
Now you will see how your design will be cut out. I used two colours of vinyl for my design. Rather than changing the colour of the vinyl on the canvas I just placed 2 different coloured pieces of vinyl on the cutting mat. I then made sure that my words were located where the vinyl was placed so they cut out correctly.
Once you are happy with the position of design, select the material you wish to use. I like to use premium vinyl as it gives consistent cuts.
You can also change the cutting pressure if you wish. I like to change the pressure to more.
Preparing the mat and cutting the vinyl
As you are using Self adhesive vinyl this just needs to be placed on the mat with the coloured part of the vinyl facing up. With Self adhesive vinyl you don't need to mirror the design on your mat either.
When the mat is ready and the cutting settings have been changed you are ready to load the mat into the cricut. Load the mat by placing it into the cricut and press the flashing arrow key.
Cleaning the mug
Whist the vinyl is cutting start to prepare your mug. Place a small amount of the rubbing alcohol on the microfibre cloth and wipe all the front of the mug.
This will remove any grease thats on the front of the mug which might stop the vinyl sticking.
Removing the vinyl and weeding
Once the vinyl has finished cutting, eject the mat from the cricut by pressing the flashing arrow button. To remove the vinyl, flip over the mat and remove the mat from the vinyl. This will help prevent the vinyl from curling up.
To save time weeding and to save vinyl, cut around the edge of the design.
Weed the design so all you are left with is the words that you wish to put onto your mugs.
Applying the vinyl
Place a piece of transfer tape over the words and burnish well to make sure that the letters are attached to the transfer tape.
Carefully remove the backing paper of the vinyl, if the vinyl is not quite stuck down then burnish again.
If the mug is dry, carefully place the vinyl onto the front of the mug. An easy way to do this is to make a taco shape and place the centre of the vinyl down first.
Burnish the design down well. Try and remove any air bubbles.
Carefully remove the transfer tape. If the vinyl has not stuck down then place the transfer tape back down and burnish again.
Now your mug is all completed. I love how these mugs turn out, you really can have lots of fun with them. You could have different mugs for every season and wow your friends. Alternatively they will make really great personalised gifts.
If you have enjoyed reading my blog how to apply to vinyl to a mug then please take a look at my other blogs:
How to etch a glass using armour etch cream
Check out the video below to watch how I made these cute mugs