My Vinyl Designer has compiled a high-quality, pleasantly designed, printable PDF catalog for each collection on the website.  Although the pages can be compiled in any type of binding system, we like using white cardstock and top-loading sheet protectors best.  We especially like using the standard white vinyl presentation folders that come with 12 attached sheet protectors because they are slim, trim, and easy to handle and store.

These catalogs are meant to offer home-based and storefront businesses more vinyl sale opportunities, as well as be a quick fingertip reference for do-it-yourselfers. When a customer expresses an interest in a particular design, you simply determine the measurements, find the cataloged ready-to-cut vector image, cut, and presto, an instant sale!

CLICK HERE for specific information about the Stick Family catalogs

Alternatively, you may electronically offer the catalogs to your customers on blogs, web pages, and websites.  Catalog page jpgs and downloadable PDFs accompany each collection and Add-OnPage lot.

Razor blades work well for removing vinyl off glass; products like Goo-B-Gone and OOPS! help remove stubborn, sticky vinyl residue (be sure to test a small area of the surface beforehand --- they also remove paint); and, the heat of blow dryer can help soften the hard-to-remove vinyl for easier peeling.

Vinyl lettering adds richness, focus, and interest to your home in an endless number of ways.  For walls, a vinyl lettering "stencil" can be used within a plaster for an embossed look, reversely hung with different finishes, or directly hung on a finished surface. Try using vinyl lettering on or around surfaces with a faux finish (French for fake), trompe l'oeil (an old European painting technique that implies a three-dimensional illusion), crackle, aging, stain, or paint. Not all paints have the same tactile performance, so vinyl lettering will not adhere well to every paint, glaze, and wallpaper. Flat paints usually don't adhere well, but give it a try on small samples. The effects are visually stunning!

Besides the finished walls of a home, vinyl can be placed on most finished woods (ie. painted, crackled, sanded, stained), cabinet doors, old windows, the glass in picture frames, glass blocks, mirrors, shadowbox pictures, tiles, shower doors, lockers, doors, decorative plates, plexi glass, sheet metal, mailboxes ... to name a few!

CLICK HERE ... to see many more ideas for using vinyl in home decor

We highly recommend using the Transfer Rite Ultra Transfer Tape (high tack) or R-TAPE Conform 4075-RLA for all your Oracal 631 vinyl projects. If you or a customer have difficulty hanging a project using this transfer tape, there are really only two reasons why it might be difficult:

1- The vinyl is being cut too deep. The cutter blade should only lightly score the glossy side of the vinyl backing. If it cuts too deep, it will be very easy to weed, but very-very difficult to hang. Check often by lifting up letters and hanging sample letters on walls where vinyl is already hung. Then adjust the depth of your cutter blade to see if this resolves the problem.

2- The surface of the wall has poor tactile properties. Vinyl lettering does not adhere well to all flat and satin finishes. It is best to encourage customers to hang a couple sample letters on a new wall first, before hanging a finished design, just to see if the vinyl lettering will hang well there. It's a great way to use those letters in the designs that were "messed" up during the cutting or weeding process! Occasionally, the wrong type of vinyl and transfer tape is made available for home decor. However, if you use the true combination of Oracal 631 vinyl with the the Transfer Rite Ultra Transfer Tape (high tack) or R-Tape, you'll have the perfect combo for home decor vinyl projects.

If your vinyl is meant to be outdoors for more than six months at a time, such as on car windows, boats, mailboxes, and signs, we highly recommend that you use the Oracal 751 Premium Cast Vinyl. Regular Oracal 631 Vinyl states there is a 3 year outdoor usage, but it will quickly crack and fade in extreme temperatures. White exterior vinyl looks best on car windows because it is the best seen from far distances. Silver, gold and light gray follow right behind ... just with a little more subtle color. Be sure that you charge your customers more for exterior vinyl because it will cost you more and take longer to weed. It is not as forgiving as regular interior vinyl.

The best way to remove little bubbles that don't press out under your vinyl, is by using a fine straight pin or safety pin. Just poke a little hole, and press it smooth.

Vinyl can be purchased from a variety of places, from craft stores to the wholesale outlets that sign makers order from. You'll certainly save more money when you purchase directly from the supplier  Personally, we like to purchase our vinyl supplies from REGIONAL SUPPLY in Salt Lake City, Utah, at 1-800-365-8920. Their prices are very competitive, and their customer service is exceptional. Be sure to ask about their free shipping minimums.

For the vinyl film, we recommend the Oracal 631 vinyl for interior usage and the Oracal 751 Premium Cast Vinyl for exterior usage.  This kind of exterior vinyl is meant for projects that are meant to be outdoors more than six months, such as on car windows, boats, mailboxes, and signs. The regular Oracal 631 vinyl states there is a three-year outdoor usage, but it will quickly crack and fade in extreme temperatures. In Idaho, we've seen the vinyl change as soon as eight months.

For the transfer tape, we recomment using the Oratape HT55 Transfer Tape (opaque/high tack) ..... or ..... the Transfer Rite Ultra Transfer Tape (high tack) for all your Oracal 631 vinyl projects. Some other specialty vinyl films include:

For etched-looking vinyl ... use Oracal 8510 etched glass vinyl

For a slight metallic colored etched-looking vinyl ... #90-fine silver, #91-fine gold, #94-coarse silver, #95-coarse gold

Frosted (etched-looking) vinyl costs quite a bit more than other films, so be sure to price your projects accordingly.

Using a glaze or a finishing product on top of the finished vinyl gives a different look to your project, but it is not necessary. We suggest that you avoid all aerosol (spray) finishing topcoats, as they cause your vinyl letters to curl upward.

Walls - Vinyl can be used on a multitude of surfaces, provided the surface is clean, dry, and basically flat.  There are some paints, glazes, wallpapers, and finishes that won't hold vinyl well, so make sure you try a sample before you begin a project.  High humidity, particles of cooking oil, dirt, grime, wall finishes, and texture will affect the "stickability" of vinyl.  If you need to wipe your wall down, just use a little dish soap and warm water.  Then make sure the surface is well dried before applying vinyl.

Glass - Also, remember that glass and mirrors aren't as forgiving as other surfaces, so be extra careful when you're laying the vinyl.cleaning the glass with a diluted vinegar/water mixture is better than using a household product like Windex; the vinyl tends to stick better. An application fluid like Rapid Tac is encouraged for high performance vinyl usage. Always make sure you wipe glass down well or dust particles will create bumps under your vinyl. Products such as Rapid Tac and Action Tac can be sprayed on the glass beforehand; they give you the ability to adjust vinyl on glass before it sets, and the ability to press tiny little bubbles which naturally form between vinyl and glass. The products then dry clear. They are somewhat spendy and certainly not a requirement for around-the-home glass projects.

Picture frames - To convert a favorite glass-enclosed picture frame into a see-through wall hanging, simply remove the backing and pull out the little metal holders. Then run a thin bead of clear silicone along the edge, place the glass on the adhesive, then run another thin bead of clear silicone on the glass, near the edge. With a wet finger, smooth the caulk and let harden, or cure, for 12 hours. Have the frame lay flat upside down. Then scrape off the excess caulk with a razor blade and clean the glass. The surface is now ready to apply vinyl.  Hot glue will work in a pinch when time is short!

Are you having problems viewing our website? Are you unable to remove items from your shopping cart? Does our website looks jumbled up or incomplete somewhere? When you try to enlarge a picture, does it disappear? If so, these problems are most likely related to the browser you are using. Our website should work well in the most recent versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Chrome.  The only browser to date that is not compatible with our website is MSN Internet Explorer.

So may we suggest the following:

1- For Internet Explorer users, please go to Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com) and download the latest version of Internet Explorer.  It's free and it doesn't take long to download.

2- Alternatively, you can visit Mozilla (http://www.mozilla.com) and download the free Firefox browser (our personal favorite).

If you continue to have problems, please let us know. Thanks!

Browser 101: For Newbies

Not sure what a browser is? A browser is like a set a glasses, or a lighthouse, that has a particular vantage point of the world wide web. It is perfectly okay to have multiple browsers on your computer. When you type a web address into a particular browser, you see the site the way the browser sees it. Sometimes, a browser cannot read all the coding in a website, especially if its a newer site. Hence, the need to update your browser from time to time with the latest upgrades.

To cut our SVG designs using a Cricut^TM , a third-party software called Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) is required. 

"Sure Cuts A Lot" is an easy-to-use program that allows you to cut premade custom artwork (SVG files) on your Cricut^TM machine and to use the True Type fonts from your computer to create a endless array of vinyl designs.  No special cartridges are required, and it is available for Windows and Macintosh computers. 

Features

• :: Works with the Cricut Personal and Cricut Expression Machines^TM
• :: Works with all the installed True Type fonts on your computer
• :: Works with thousands of free True Type fonts
• :: Works with hundreds of free True Type Dingbat fonts
• :: Allows you to import SVG files to create custom artwork
• :: Welds overlapping letters and shapes together
• :: Allows you to select styles, including Shadow and Blackout, to change the look of your letters and shapes
• :: No special cartridges are required 
• :: Has the WYSIWYG Interface - which means that what you see is what you cut
• :: Allows you to save your design layouts, so you can make changes over time
• :: Offers free 1.x updates

How many fonts are in this software?  The SCAL software is not meant to give you fonts.  It is a software that allows you to use the fonts on your computer.  If you wish to add more fonts to your computer, google or dogpile such words as "free fonts", "script fonts", etc.  There are thousands of fun fonts online ... many of them are free for personal projects. There is no need to buy special cartridges to obtain more fonts for your computer.

How does this work with the MyVinylDesigner designs?  A Cricut^TM machine, on its own, can only use the cartridges created for it.  This third-party software called Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL), connects your Cricut^TM machine and computer to the online world, and allows you access to thousands of fonts and SVG images.  It saves you a ton of money over time, and gives you limitless options for creativity.  Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) offers a trial version for those wishing to see how it works beforehand.  

To visit the Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) website ... click here 

We sell the premade ready-to-cut vinyl designs that you import into this software. Once you "import" the design, you simply resize it to the dimensions you need and cut. It's really quite easy and fun. The designs are like patterns that can be used again and again. All you need to do is purchase the vinyl, and voila, get ready for fun!

... to see a brief tutorial introducing the SCAL software (2:03min) ...

... to watch how how text is designed and created within the SCAL software (2:25min) ...

... to view how vinyl is cut on a Cricut (2:58min) ...

... to learn how to apply vinyl to a flat surface (3:41min) ...

Will these designs work on the smaller Cricut^TM models, like the Bug?  Yes, our smaller, less-intricate designs can cut on the personal Cricut^TM Machine.  It just needs to have the latest upgrade, and of course, the SCAL software.  Our designs are single, unlayered formats that can be separated as needed.  The only parts that will NOT separate are the parts that have been welded together.  For example, when loopy letters overlap other letters, the intersections are welded or joined together so that it can cut a professional finished vinyl design.

To determine which smaller, less-intricate designs cut best on this machine, imagine the finished vinyl size.  If you think that letters will size below a 1/4"-1/2" or so on the finished vinyl project, or have too thin of a line at a smaller size, it probably won't cut well.  It's just the nature of vinyl.  However, you can use the design for card making and printed projects.  You can also contact us beforehand to see if a particular design will work. 

Can I use the designs in other projects?  Absolutely!  Our designs can be printed, etched, engraved, routed, embroidered, and much, much more.  Just be sure to review our copyright section for all the details.

For cutting vinyl, where do I get vinyl?  What kind of vinyl do I use?  There are a number of great suppliers that sell the Oracal 631 Vinyl and appropriate transfer tape.  Just visit our website for some great resources.  You can also click here ... to obtain more vinyl information.

Is cutting vinyl like cutting a die-cut, cutting through the vinyl and its backing?  No.  Cutting vinyl is very, very different than cutting out die-cuts because the blade should only lightly score the glossy side of the backing paper.  Your cutter blade should NEVER EVER cut through the backing of vinyl!  Once the image is cut, and the backing remains as one solid sheet, remove the vinyl and it's backing paper from the cutter.  You are now ready to "weed", or remove the negative spaces from your vinyl design.

What is transfer tape and why should I use it?  Transfer tape helps you apply vinyl more easily and quickly, especially when several letters and fonts are involved.  Imagine your finished vinyl lettering like a sandwich: the glossy backing is one layer, the actual vinyl is a second layer, and the transfer tape is a third layer. Once the glossy backing is removed, it exposes the sticky side of the vinyl so that you can place it on a clean, flat surface. Once you press the sticky side down, remove the top layer of transfer tape. What remains is the beautiful, matte vinyl design you created!

Click here ... to see a quick video demonstrating how to "weed" vinyl and apply transfer tape.

To visit the Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL) website ... click here 

System Requirements

Macintosh
Power PC or Intel based Macintosh
Macintosh OSX 10.4 and up
512 MB of RAM
At least 50 MB of available hard disk space
USB Port 1.1 or 2.x
Cricut^TM Personal - Firmware v1.1 **
Cricut^TM Expression - Firmware v2.1 **

Windows
Pentium processor-based PC or compatible computer
Windows 2000/XP/Vista
512 MB of RAM
At least 50 MB of available hard disk space
USB Port 1.1 or 2.x
Cricut^TM Personal - Firmware v1.1 **
Cricut^TM Expression - Firmware v2.1 **

* "Cricut" is a trademark of Provo Craft & Novelty Inc.  This site is not affiliated with ProvoCraft™ CraftEdge™ Cricut™,  or their subsidiaries.
** In order to cut with this software, you must have Firmware version 1.1 on your Cricut* Personal machine or version 2.1 on your Cricut* Expression machine. For more information on checking your firmware version, or updating your firmware version, please see Sure Cuts A Lot FAQ.

*** You may also need to install a driver for your computer.

For more information about My Vinyl Designer ... click here!

To learn more about Sure Cuts A Lot  ... click here! 

To try a sampling of our artwork ... click here!