In this article, we will show you how to make clear printable vinyl stickers using Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature.
Clear printable vinyl stickers are a great way to add a personalized touch to your belongings.
They are durable, waterproof, and can even be dishwasher safe when laminated.
So let’s get started!
Materials Needed
Before we begin, make sure you have the following materials:
- Clear printable vinyl
- Laminating sheets
- Matte tape
- Tools (such as a squeegee or a credit card)
- Scissors
- Cricut Explore Air 2 (or any other Cricut machine)
- Inkjet printer (we used an HP Deskjet 3755)
Table of Contents
Step 1: Prepare Your Design
To start, open Canva or any other design software and upload your custom images.
Arrange them on an 8.5″ x 11″ sheet of paper and select the sticker design you want to use.
Download the images as transparent PNG files so that only the sticker portion is cut out, not the whole page with a white background.
Step 2: Upload and Resize Images in Cricut Design Space
Next, open Cricut Design Space and start a new project.
Upload the transparent PNG files of your sticker designs.
If you receive a notification that the image is too large or low resolution, resize it to the correct size.
Don’t worry, the stickers will still print out beautifully.
Step 3: Print Your Stickers
Now it’s time to print your stickers using the Print Then Cut feature.
Load a sheet of clear printable vinyl into your inkjet printer.
We used an HP Deskjet 3755 and printed one sheet at a time to avoid any jams.
Let the ink dry for a couple of minutes to prevent smudging.
Step 4: Laminate Your Stickers
Clear printable vinyl is already durable, but adding a laminating sheet makes it even more waterproof and dishwasher safe.
Place a laminating sheet over your printed stickers and use a squeegee or a credit card to remove any bubbles.
You can also use matte tape to cover the cut lines.
Step 5: Cut Out Your Stickers
Now it’s time to cut out your stickers using your Cricut machine.
Load the laminated sheet with the clear printable vinyl into the machine and select the thickest setting possible.
We recommend using the “Cardstock Plus” setting to ensure that the machine cuts through the laminate, clear printable vinyl, and backing sheet.
Once the machine finishes cutting, peel off the backing sheet to reveal your stickers.
Step 6: Apply Your Stickers
Now that your stickers are ready, it’s time to apply them to your desired surface.
The clear printable vinyl stickers look vibrant and pop against a white background.
Smooth out any air bubbles and make sure the stickers are properly adhered.
You can even put them through the dishwasher without any issues.
Step 7: Experiment with Different Surfaces
To showcase the difference in appearance, try applying the clear printable vinyl stickers to different colored surfaces.
You’ll notice that the stickers look more vibrant and stand out better on a white background compared to a darker background.
If the surface is black or very dark, the colors may appear faded because the stickers are printed on a clear surface, not a white one.
Conclusion
Creating clear printable vinyl stickers using Cricut’s Print Then Cut feature is a fun and easy way to personalize your belongings.
With the right materials and a Cricut machine, you can make durable, waterproof, and dishwasher-safe stickers that look vibrant and professional.
Whether you want to decorate tumblers, laptops, or any other surface, clear printable vinyl stickers are a versatile option.
So give it a try and let your creativity shine!
Make sure to check out our shop page at Royal Elements for the materials mentioned in this article.
And don’t forget to subscribe to Royal Elements on YouTube for more helpful tutorials.
Happy crafting!