Silver Bullet Cutters Forum

Denise Hill made a great video on her way of applying vinyl to a hard surface. I think it is a great method, which I am sure to try next time I do vinyl. I have great problems with centering and lining up vinyl. This video made a light bulb go off.

I thought I would post this as a help/tip to you guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo2JVF7d ... re=related

Pat

Thanks Pat! I just watched it and I really like the technique she uses.

That is a great technique, but one suggestion is instead of pulling the contact paper straight off, walk it off instead wiggle back and forth it works a lot better.

I so agree, Suzan. I did three cards last night - all the same but with different names /greetings on them and used vinyl for that (I know -- the Queen of "I have never used vinyl and don't want to!" is actually loving it! LOL)

But what I noticed was it was much easier to walk the contact paper or application tape off the vinyl rather than pull it. It was easier to be sure it was actually coming off the way I wanted it to!

And these are nothing exciting, but wanted to prove that I AM using vinyl!!

And Beanie - it's not your ten card system, but I have to say for me to put out three cards in one day is a record and I never do the same thing - until now!! Still need to do one more as two of the people will get their cards together and can't give them the "same" card!! But you opened my eyes to making life simpler. So it's a start!!

These are lovely, very nice. Ten cards? ummm, I'm thinking one a day is a goal I could realistically aim for

I am with you Whizzy - one a day is an accomplishment for me!

The cards look great Gigi!

I think I know what you mean by 'walk it off' but I'm not 100% sure. Do you mean when you have the tranfer paper flipped back on itself instead of at a 90 degree angle?

Thanks Jeannette (and Whizzy)

Yes that's what I meant - so you sort of pull it back parallel to itself (that way I can be sure the vinyl is going where it needs to go!) and slowly pull the transfer tape as I am holding the vinyl. I found this was even more "necessary" when putting vinyl on cardstock as it needs a little initial encouragement to hold. Remember I am a total novice with vinyl so I am experimenting and learning as I go.

At the risk of sounding like a total dunce (which of course I am), what is "walking off" the vinyl?

Pat

I tried to describe it above - it's just sort of pulling it back slowly and pushing the vinyl down as you go - so you are holding the vinyl with one hand and the transfer tape with the other and slowly pulling back on the tape and pressing the vinyl down as you go - so you are sort of walking along with your fingers. At least that is how I do it and understand it.

Suzan??? Want to give it a shot?!?

Those look great, Gigi! I love using the embellishment/indoor vinyl for that! It is also nice because if it is a small project, you don't really even need the transfer tape.

LOL Tyler - maybe YOU don't need the transfer tape, but I sure did!!! The lines were so narrow on some of the letters , especially the "Happy Birthday", that the tape was the only thing that kept it from sticking to itself for me!!

I am sure that someone with more vinyl experience would have a much easier time!

lol I have the ultimate paper piercer too, which helps a lot! It works better than a spatula and lets me remove things from a mat with ease as well as adjust small lines of vinyl without it sticking to me or the tool too badly. I got it from a Slice kit (they don't sell it individually), but it is heavy, pointed, and wonderful! :-p

Well..... I think I want one of those!! LOL But that's a good thought - I do have things around the kitchen that might work....

You've got me thinking now and that is always dangerous! Thanks for the tip!

Thanks Gigi. I figured that's what you meant. I do the same. I think it helps to avoid applying lifting pressure at that angle.

Welcome Jeannette! It's funny - you know how you do something but to put it into words to explain it to someone else is so often challenging!! (especially the way I do things!!)

Those look fab Gigi!

JeannetteC wrote:The cards look great Gigi!

I think I know what you mean by 'walk it off' but I'm not 100% sure. Do you mean when you have the tranfer paper flipped back on itself instead of at a 90 degree angle?

When you start removing either the back of your vinyl or transfer tape instead of pulling it straight off like the video did as you are pulling kind of wiggle it side to side. In other words combine what I said with what Gigi said. Pulling it straight off can cause the vinyl to lift. If you move the tape side to side as you go it works better. If yo have ever seen the cricut video showing them doing vinyl it is the perfect example.

Thanks Lisa!!

And great way to describe it Suzan - thanks for stepping in and clarifying what I was struggling to describe!!

Gigi, I love those cards.. You did an awesome job!!! I have yet to put vinyl on cards... may need to start thinking about that.. since I do have tons of it now, and haven't used it much at all... LOL So many ideas.. so little time.