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You are here: Home / Cricut Crafts / How To Put Vinyl On Tumblers

December 13, 2019 by Chris Butler

How To Put Vinyl On Tumblers

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Hi crafty friends!  Today you’ll learn an easy way to put vinyl on tumblers.   Applying vinyl to tumblers is pretty straight forward making this a perfect Cricut craft for beginners.   In the video below you’ll see that putting vinyl on curved surfaces isn’t so bad. 

 

Plus you’ll learn the answers to all of your questions like what sealer to use, and can vinyl tumbers go in dishwashers?

 

I love the different patterned adhesive vinyl that’s available today, you can customize your tumblers even more.    I’m doing a simple initial for this tutorial, but this method will work for any vinyl decal you want to add.   It will also work on mugs and glasses too.  

 

Let’s get started 🏃🏽‍♀️

 

Putting vinyl on tumblers pin

 

 

Quick Links to Information in This Post

  •  
  • Supplies Needed to Apply Vinyl on Tumblers
  •  
  •  
  • Apply Vinyl to Tumblers Video
  • How To Put Vinyl On Tumblers
    • Cutting the Vinyl
    • Weeding the Vinyl
    • Applying Transfer Tape
    • Clean the Tumbler
    • Apply the Vinyl
  •  
  •  
  • What Vinyl is Used on Tumblers
  • Does Vinyl Stay on Mugs and Tumblers
  • How Do You Seal Vinyl on Tumblers

 

Supplies Needed to Apply Vinyl on Tumblers

 

 
✔️ A Tumbler –Here’s the direct link to the one I used 
✔️ Vinyl – Love the Buffalo Plaid Vinyl found here 
✔️ Transfer Tape
✔️ Weeding Tools
 ✔️ Cutting Machine Like a Cricut 
✔️ Tape Measure  
✔️ *Optional Alcohol and Cotton Balls

 

Another supply that you’ll see me use in the video is a tumbler holder.    You can certainly apply vinyl without it, but if you end up making a lot of tumblers it will be worth it to make the tumbler holder here.   Bonus -they are cheap and easy to make!

 

Apply Vinyl to Tumblers Video

 

 

How To Put Vinyl On Tumblers

 

To get started you’re going to first need to measure your tumbler so you know how big to make your vinyl decal.  My tumbler measured around 3.5″ before the curve so I am going to make my decal 3″ high.  

 

measure the space you have to apply vinyl to your tumbler

 

Cutting the Vinyl

 

I chose Ariel Black as my font since it’s nice and chunky for these one letter decals.    To get your sizing just right go to the top menu in Cricut Design Space.   Where it says size type in 3.0 next to the height size and press enter.  (or whatever size you determined your decal can be) 

 

This will automatically adjust the width for you too.    Do this for each vinyl decal you are going to make and then hit the make it button.  

 

making . a decal in design space for tumblers

 

 

Need more help with your Cricut?   Get my step by step guide +tips to all the things you can do in design space.  Plus you’ll get a whole lot more, check out the Ultimate Cricut Guide here. 

 

 

 

Next place your vinyl on the green or blue cut mat.  Line it up with the top left corner and set your dial to vinyl or choose vinyl from the materials list.  

 

Then load your mat and push the start button when prompted. 

 

cut the patterned vinyl with a Cricut to put on your Tumbler

 

After your vinyl is cut, press the unload mat button to release your mat.  Flip your mat over and remove the mat from the vinyl to help prevent your vinyl from curling. 

 

Weeding the Vinyl

 

To weed the vinyl, use your weeding tool to help you pull up a corner of the vinyl and remove the excess vinyl from your design.  

 

Repeat the process for any inside pieces you need to remove until just your design remains. 

 

weeding the excess vinyl before applying to a tumbler

 

 

Applying Transfer Tape

 

The easiest way to get your vinyl onto anything is with transfer tape.  This keeps your design all together and even with just one letter decals, it will keep the vinyl from stretching and warping your letter. 

 

I just use regular clear contact paper that you can get at places like Walmart.  I find it’s the perfect amount of sticky.  Unless of course you are working with glitter vinyl, then you’ll need a strong grip transfer tape.  

 

apply transfer tape to your vinyl decal to transfer the vinyl to the tumbler

 

The easiest method I’ve found is to pull the backing off and fold back one edge of the transfer tape.   Stick that end on the edge of your vinyl decal.  

 

Next remove the backing with one hand at the same time that you’re smoothing down the tape with your other hand.    Doing it that way eliminates the transfer tape from turning into a big ball of sticky mess.  

 

transferring vinyl

 

Clean the Tumbler

 

Ok, your decal is ready, now you need a clean place to stick it to.   You can wash the surface with soap and water or grab some alcohol and cotton balls to clean the surface real quick.

 

 

Apply the Vinyl

 

With smaller decals like this, I remove the whole backing from the vinyl and line it up on the tumbler.   Since it’s a smaller size it’s pretty easy to work with, just make sure that the sticky parts don’t touch each other. 

 

Put your fingers around the center of the decal and place it on the tumbler.    If you hold the decal taught, just the center will touch.   Don’t press down on it yet, just take a look to make sure you have it straight.  

 

In the video above, you can see I repositioned the decal once or twice until I was happy.  So it’s easy to pick up and move again, as long as you just let the center touch don’t press it down.

 

place the vinyl decal on the tumbler

 

After you’re happy with the position press down the center.  Next, go from the center and smooth down one side, pressing firmly as you go.   

 

After that side is down, return to the center and smoothe down the other side.  

 

smooth the vinyl over the curve of the tumbler

smooth vinyl over the curve of tumbler

 

Continue to rub firmly over the decal, especially around the edges.  You can use a scraping tool too if you wish.  

 

After the vinyl is all stuck it’s time to remove the transfer tape.   Start on one corner and peel back the transfer tape.   It’s better to keep the transfer tape down and peel back versus pulling straight up.  

 

If any part of the vinyl decal tries to come up with the transfer tape, just lay the tape down again and rub really hard over that area and try again. 

 

remove the transfer tape from the vinyl on the tumbler

 

And it’s that easy.    And I do recommend starting with something easy like a one letter decal and once that goes well, you know everything you need to know and the sky is the limit.  

 

Be sure to keep scrolling- I cover some frequently asked questions below  like washing instructions and sealers.  

 

finished tumbler

 

 

What Vinyl is Used on Tumblers

 

To put vinyl on tumblers you’re going to want to make sure you are using a permanent adhesive vinyl.  If you try this with removable vinyl, it will fall off pretty quick.  

 

There are several different types of permanent adhesive vinyl including patterned, glitter, glossy, matte, and more. 

 

You can apply any of them to a tumbler or mug, but keep in mind none of them are dishwasher safe.   That said….. I put mine on the top rack of the dishwasher and they are fine, but your results may vary.  

 

Does Vinyl Stay on Mugs and Tumblers

 

Yes -vinyl will stay on mugs and tumblers provided you are using permanent adhesive vinyl.  I haven’t had vinyl come off a mug or tumbler yet, but to guarantee longer-lasting results, be sure to hand wash only.   

 

How Do You Seal Vinyl on Tumblers

 

I do not seal my vinyl on tumblers.   Most vinyl manufacturers actually recommend that you don’t apply a sealer over the vinyl.   The exception to this would be if you want to go through the process of sealing your tumbler with epoxy.  This is usually done with glitter tumblers. 

_________________

 

Thanks for crafting with me today!  Now you have the knowledge to apply vinyl on tumblers and other curved surfaces.  Plus you learned how to care for your tumbler to get long-lasting use out of it.  Enjoy!

 

 

buffalo plAID PAttern vinyl on tumblers

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. Maryann says

    December 13, 2019 at 4:54 pm

    Great idea and easy to do! thanks. Still looking for how to make the tumbler holder though.

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      December 14, 2019 at 10:34 am

      Hi Maryann! It’s linked above, I need to find a way to make it stand out more…….. Here you go https://dailydoseofdiy.com/diy-tumbler-cup-holder-applying-vinyl/

      Reply
    • Melody Atchison says

      February 24, 2021 at 10:18 am

      I use a knee pillow and it works perfect!

      Reply
  2. Pat Johnson says

    May 26, 2020 at 8:52 am

    Wow these look pretty nice! A lot of this is starting to look time-consuming though. I am starting to get stressed out.

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      June 4, 2020 at 10:23 am

      It doesn’t take much time for this.

      Reply
  3. Sophie says

    June 10, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    Thank you!! I am only 13 and I love crafts so I am going to purchase a cricut to make tumblers for my friends and family. I was really concerned about sealing them too because epoxy can be very dangerous, and I am very relieved to know I don’t need to seal them! This whole thing was so helpful!

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      June 10, 2020 at 8:01 pm

      Thanks Sophie!

      Reply
  4. Stephanie Pittari says

    July 3, 2020 at 8:21 am

    Want to epoxy a painted tumble . Is it better to epoxy the tumbler then apply vinyl or epoxy over vinyl

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      July 7, 2020 at 8:40 pm

      If you’re doing epoxy I would vinyl first and then epoxy

      Reply
      • Arlene Muller says

        September 5, 2022 at 2:01 pm

        Can you vinyl, epoxy, glitter then epoxy again in that order? I have a cup with vinyl but would like to glitter it?!

        Reply
  5. Heather says

    August 22, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    Hey! I love the buffalo plaid vinyl. I noticed you said to use permanent vinyl when adhering to cups but if I’m doing the epoxy method and will be covering it, will it be okay to use a removable vinyl or will it not stay there while the epoxy moves and cures? I can only find a specific color I need in the removable right now! Lol

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      September 25, 2020 at 5:21 pm

      Yes if you’re covering it with epoxy you’re good

      Reply
  6. Loraine Barajas says

    September 1, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    Hello, I am using Siser EasyWeed as my vinyl. When I heat press or iron on the vinyl onto the tumbler the adhesive from the vinyl sticks as well. So the letters stay but also around it looks like a shadow of glue. What am I doing wrong a suggestions?

    Reply
  7. Lawanna says

    November 30, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Hello I’m using permanent vinyl on already pretty tumbler .wondering if I could only epoxy the vinyl and leave the rest of the tumble without epoxy.

    Reply
    • Chris Butler says

      December 2, 2020 at 1:41 pm

      If you’re using permanent vinyl you don’t need to put epoxy over it. It will stay.

      Reply
  8. Yamilet says

    August 30, 2022 at 6:46 am

    Good morning,
    Thank you so much for the detail information! The vinyl that you use and applying epoxy resin over to seal it, will work also for glass tumblers? I only would like to seal them so I can place them on the diswasher. Any advice?

    Reply

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