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You are here: Home / Learn Cricut / How To Layer Vinyl With Cricut and Make Vinyl Decals

October 16, 2018 by Chris Butler

How To Layer Vinyl With Cricut and Make Vinyl Decals

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. If you make a purchase through one of my links I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

*Updated June 2020

Quick Links to Information in This Post

  •  
  • How To Layer Vinyl
  •  
  • Layering Vinyl Supplies Needed
  •  
  • Layer and Apply Vinyl Video
  •  
  •  
  • How to Cut Layers on Cricut 
    • Making Guides For Each Color
  • Preparing to Cut the Vinyl for Layers
  •  
  • Layering Adhesive Vinyl with Transfer Tape
  •  
  • Layering Adhesive Vinyl Tips
  • How To Layer Vinyl FAQs
    • How many layers of vinyl can you layer
    • Can you layer adhesive vinyl
    • How do you layer a vinyl cup
    •  
    • How do you apply multiple layers of vinyl
    • Can you layer vinyl on top of vinyl
  • Grab the FREE Wine Time SVG

 

How To Layer Vinyl

 

Hello fellow crafters!  Today I’m going to show you how to layer vinyl an easy way.   It can be a little tricky to get multiple colors perfectly lined up.  When I first started I ended up with a big ball of sticky vinyl mess.  But I’ve learned a few things along the way to get multiple colors of vinyl layered quickly.

 

So today you’re going to learn how to create guides to make the layering process easy.  Next you’ll learn how to cut the layers with your Cricut.  And finally, we’ll apply the layered vinyl to a cup so you can see the full process.  

 

With the SVG I’m using we’ll be layering vinyl on top of vinyl, making it super important to get it right.   But with this process you’re about to learn and a little practice, you’ll be able to easily layer and transfer vinyl every time. 

 

I’m using my Cricut machine to cut the vinyl, but this process will work for any cutting machine. 

 

And finally, this tutorial is for adhesive vinyl, like the kind you stick to cups, cars or any other hard surface.  If you need help layering Iron-on vinyl or HTV see this post on How to Make Shirts with Cricut

 

Alright Let’s get to it.

 

layer vinyl on top of each other applied to a cup

 

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Please see our disclosure policy. 

 

Want help offsetting text in Design Space and creating that shadow layer?  Click here to find out how to do it. 

 

Layering Vinyl Supplies Needed

 

  • Transfer Paper -I prefer to use clear contact paper
  • Adhesive Vinyl -If you want your project to last it’s best to use Oracle 651 Permanent Adhesive Vinyl, you can find a great price on a starter pack here. 
  • Cutting Machine – I’m using my Cricut Explore 
  • Fun SVG Cut Files (I’m using Wine Time – you can use it too, it’s located in my free resource library, details at the bottom of this post)

 

If you also want to make the stemless wine glass, you can find them at places like the Dollar Tree or Walmart.  I bought the unbreakable kind (because I’m a clutz) at Walmart for a little over $2.00

 

If you’re putting the vinyl on a mug or anywhere you want it to stay forever, be sure to use Oracal 651 Vinyl like found here.  

 

Best Vinyl for Cricut

Layer and Apply Vinyl Video

 

 

 

 

How to Cut Layers on Cricut 

 

This part is shown step-by-step using Cricut Design Space.  However, the concept will work for any cutting machine. 

 

The first trick to layering vinyl happens before you even cut your design.   

 

So start with your multi-colored design in Design Space.  If you need help uploading SVG files to Design Space see this post. 

 

I’m using this wine time design with two colors, I’ll be layering one color on top of the other.   

 

layered vinyl design in cricut design space

 

 

After you have your design uploaded to design space we are going to add some guides to make the layering easy.

 

So go to the left menu and select shapes and then the square.  Reduce the size of the square and place it on the top left of your design.  By default the squares are grey.  Go over to the top menu and change the color to black, or the main color of your design.  

 

Add guide to your design to layer vinyl in Cricut

 

 

 

After the color is changed right click on the square and select duplicate.  Now you have two squares exactly the same.  Move the second square to the top right of your design.

 

 

 

From this point- we have two options.

 

One – You can select everything and click attach on the bottom right menu.   And then cut the whole design twice, once in each color.

 

After the design is cut in each color you just weed out all of the parts you don’t need for that color.   Be sure to leave the squares though.   I usually have to look at the picture to keep from messing this up and weeding the wrong things lol.

 

The second option is the one I prefer to use, I find it much easier and less wasteful in the long run.

 

Making Guides For Each Color

 

So to do the second option we need another set of squares for our second color.  Select one of the black squares and right click and duplicate it again.  You can also click duplicate on the top of the layers menu. 

 

Create a second set of guides in Cricut Design Space to layer vinyl

 

 

Change the color to red or the same shade as your second color.  And then duplicate the red square.  So now you have two black squares and two red squares.

 

If you have a design that is 3 colors or more, make two squares for each color. 

 

Next place your red squares close to your back squares.  Select one set of squares (1 red and 1 black).   Then on the top menu select ALIGN and from the drop-down select CENTER.

 

This will automatically move your red square to the top of your black square.

 

How to add guides in Cricut Design space so we can layer vinyl

 

 

Repeat that same process for the set of squares on the right.  When you’re done, both red squares should be directly above both black squares.

 

Now we have our guides in place, but if we click the make it button -it will all go to the cut mats in a jumbled mess.  Because that’s the way Cricut rolls.

 

So next we’re going to fix it so everything stays exactly where we want it when the design is cut.

 

Preparing to Cut the Vinyl for Layers

 

To make sure everything cuts together,  we are going to use the layers menu on the right.  You can select parts of your design right in the layers menu.  

 

 

What we want to do is have the black part of the design stay with the black squares.  And the red part of the design stay with the red squares.

 

So in the layers menus select the red part of your design first.  And while holding down the shift key, select each of the red squares.  All three parts should be that darker shade of gray.

 

cut layers in vinyl with cricut

 

 

Once all three parts are selected click the weld button on the bottom of the layers menu.  This will keep everything together when it’s cut.

 

Repeat the same process for the three parts of your second color.  Select them all by holding down the shift key and weld them together.  If your design has more than two colors keep going until all of the colors are welded or attached together.  

 

 

After you are done your layers menu should look like this. … …

 

cutting layer vinyl with cricut

 

 

 

Each color should all be in one group.   Now your squares will stay in place so you can use them as guides after it’s cut.

 

 

Go ahead and click the make it button and cut both of your colors.  When you’re weeding the vinyl after it’s cut be sure to keep the squares.

 

Want more Design Space tips?  Check out Conquer your Cricut -The Ultimate Guide to using your Cricut here.  It will show you step by step how to use Design Space including troubleshooting tips

 

Next we actually get to layer the adhesive vinyl for our project

 

Layering Adhesive Vinyl with Transfer Tape

 

Ok so your vinyl is cut, you have it weeded and now we’re going to put it all together.

 

Start with adding your transfer tape to the vinyl that will be the top layer of your design.  Burnish (rub real hard so it sticks) it well.

 

apply transfer tape to vinyl

 

 

 

Next you’ll want to remove one corner of the backing under one of the squares.

 

preparing the transfer tape to layer vinyl

 

 

Removing just one corner will allow us to easily line it up.  Otherwise you might end of with a big ball of sticky vinyl mess.

 

Now grab your second color of vinyl so we can put them together.

 

 

You need to place the squares directly on top of each other.   Take your time and get it as close as you can.  Typically once the vinyl touches, it’s stuck.   

 

Align the squares exactly on top of each other to layer vinyl

 

 

But since you only have one little corner of the stickiness exposed, you’ll have a much easier time concentrating on lining up your squares.

 

 

After your first square is lined up, pull the backing back just enough to expose your second square guide. 

 

Line those squares up directly on top of each other.  This one will be slightly easier to line up.  When I’m lining up the guides I like to start with one corner of the square

 

 

After you have the second set of squares lined up you’re gonna remove the rest of the backing.

 

As you’re pulling the backing off with one hand, hold down the squares with your other hand so they don’t pop off that backing.  

 

remove backing from adhesive vinyl to layer vinyl on top of vinyl

 

 

Next smooth the top layer of vinyl down over the bottom layer.  

 

layering vinyl on top of vinyl

 

And then rub everything down really hard with your Cricut scraper to get it ready to transfer.   You can go ahead and cut the squares off now too as you don’t want to transfer those to your project. 

 

Finished layered vinyl decal

 

Layering Adhesive Vinyl Tips

 

I’m leaving this in to show it’s not always as easy as it looks.  I’ve done this successfully dozens of times, but every once in a while you get a screw-up.  It just happens.

 

This one I did a while back is off by a fraction of a millimeter, but that gap sticks out like a sore thumb.

 

Tips for layering adhesive vinyl

 

So here are some tips to try to avoid that:

 

  • Start with smaller designs.  They’re easier to work with and you won’t cry so many tears over ruined vinyl if it doesn’t turn out.
  • Really take your time lining up those squares -try to have a distraction-free zone.  My kids kept pestering me when I was doing this which caused me to try to get it done faster.
  • If you can –avoid designs like this where one color has to match up exactly to another color.  It’s much more evident when they don’t line up.

 

Here is another design I did using the same technique for someone who ordered a mug.  I could be off by a millimeter here too.

 

But if I am you’ll never be able to tell.

Coffee mug design using the layering adhesive vinyl technique

 

 

There are a few different mistakes I could point out on this mug.  But fixing them is for another post.

 

How To Layer Vinyl FAQs

Now you know the trick to layering vinyl and some extra tips, let’s take a look at those frequently asked questions when it comes to layering vinyl. 

 

How many layers of vinyl can you layer

If you’re layering vinyl on top of each other I would probably stop at 3, maybe 4 colors.   You can use the layering technique to line up colors next to each other too, for that there would be no limit.  

 

Can you layer adhesive vinyl

Yes you can!  That’s what this tutorial covers 

 

How do you layer a vinyl cup

 

For a cup you’ll use adhesive vinyl and you’ll use the guides as described in this tutorial to line your vinyl up before you transfer it to the cup.   Once your vinyl is layered, transfer it to the cup as normal.  

 

In the video above I also show how to prep a cup and apply the layered vinyl decal too it.  

 

How do you apply multiple layers of vinyl

 

To apply multiple layers of vinyl you’ll use the same technique as applying a single layer of vinyl as the vinyl is layered with the transfer sheet before you apply it to another surface.  

 

Can you layer vinyl on top of vinyl

 

Yes you can, I also showed how to that above using guides so that one layer of vinyl will go on top of the second layer of vinyl evenly.  

 

layered vinyl applied to a cup

 

Now you know how to layer adhesive vinyl like the pros.  You can make so many great things with this technique.  Just remember to go slow, start small, and choose easier designs in the beginning.

 

Grab the FREE Wine Time SVG

All of the free SVG files are in my Resource Library for your convenience.  It’s like a one-stop shop for all of the files.   To get access simply fill out the form below and the link and password will be emailed right away.  


 

Once you’re in the library all files are in alphabetical order, so scroll on down to ‘W’ where you’ll find this Wine Time SVG 

 

Thanks so much for crafting with me today =)

 

Chris Butler

Chris Butler has helped thousands of crafters learn how to use their Cricut machine without feeling overwhelmed.  She is a best selling author and an up and coming designer.    For fun Chris enjoys designing SVG Files, hanging out with her family (preferably at the lake), traveling,  and volunteering at her church.  She is a wife and mom of two crazy fun kids.

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Comments

  1. Leslie says

    December 1, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    Can you do this same concept with HTV vinyl? I’m new to this so still learning. But I’m so glad you posted above I wanna test it out ?.

    Reply
    • Chris says

      December 2, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      Hi Leslie!
      You can use the same concept to get all the colors attached together so it cuts as you see it. Getting the HTV onto your shirt is a bit different, you don’t need the guide marks because HTV isn’t sticky. So you would press your bottom color for 5 seconds and then remove the carrier sheet. And then since it’s not sticky you can take your time and line up the next color -and remove and reposition if you have to.

      Reply
  2. Carly says

    January 30, 2019 at 2:05 pm

    Im a bit confused… i understand the process for design space, but what about laying out the vinyl…

    Reply
    • Chris says

      January 30, 2019 at 6:56 pm

      Hi Carly! I’m not sure what you mean by that. Actually putting the vinyl together is where you remove just a part of the backing so you can line up the squares of the different colors and stick them together.

      Reply
  3. Melanie says

    May 16, 2019 at 5:59 pm

    If you weld in Design Space there is no going back to change something. Weld is too permanent. Next time select everything and use attach, and you can do it multiple times for as many different colors you have. Attach keeps everything in place when going to cut. If you want to change something later in a saved design you can unattach and change as needed, but if you weld and save or do something else there is no unweld or going back, once its done its done. Thank you for the awesome tutorial. I learnt a lot with layering.

    Reply
  4. Lyssa Spurgeon says

    March 24, 2020 at 12:26 am

    Would this work with Infusible Ink? I want to make an item with multiple colors but the pen drawings just aren’t coming out as bold as i would like. I could try cutting out the Infusible Ink And Layering those…..?

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      June 15, 2020 at 7:52 pm

      I have a post I’m editing on that, the process is a little different.

      Reply
  5. Amber Davis says

    March 29, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    What type of vinyl do you use on your mugs? Is it handwash only?

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      April 19, 2020 at 1:47 pm

      Technically all vinyl is hand wash only, but I’ve never had a problem with permanent vinyl (Oracle 651) on the top rack of a dishwasher

      Reply
  6. Jessica says

    May 6, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    Hi. I want to make that heart with the paw prints inside of it. There are like 50 pieces in that one. How the heck do I put those back together to look like the original picture? Thanks!

    Reply
  7. ashley says

    June 16, 2020 at 12:22 pm

    Hi! So I was doing some etching on a wine glass this weekend. Used my vinyl to make the stencil and weeded out the middles. My issue was the curve of the stemless wine glass. My vinyl came up in a few places and so there were a few ‘oops’ spots. How do you handle that when doing curved edges like that?

    Thank you!

    Reply
  8. sandy whaler says

    December 2, 2020 at 11:59 am

    Thanks for the great tutorial. I haven’t tried layering yet but now want to because of your video. So helpful – thanks so much.

    Reply
  9. Tanya says

    March 17, 2021 at 12:10 pm

    Chris I was wondering if you have to use a cricut press to heat it up so it stays on better
    Thank you for all your help..

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      April 10, 2021 at 10:45 am

      Not with adhesive vinyl. Adhesive vinyl already has sticky on the back, heating it up might melt it. With heat transfer vinyl you need heat to activate the glue to make it stick. Hope that helps.

      Reply
  10. Donna Petrie says

    September 15, 2022 at 7:23 am

    I need a tutorial on getting an SVG to my canvas>to my vinyl

    Reply

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