By Savannah Sher | Published Aug 19, 2022 11:49 AM

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Cricut machines, which let users design and precisely cut out images for projects, have exploded in popularity in recent years. Using a Cricut or similar craft-cutter machine with either adhesive or heat transfer vinyl allows DIYers to adorn everything from T-shirts to cars with unique, intricate designs.

Buying craft-cutter vinyl online, however, can feel a bit overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best vinyl for Cricut machines and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while evaluating products. Use this guide for tips on choosing the ideal options, and explore our curated picks for some of the best vinyl for arts-and-crafts projects.

Although it’s easy to assume that all types of vinyl offer similar performance, several factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing vinyl for a Cricut machine.

The three primary types of vinyl used for crafting are permanent adhesive, removable adhesive, and heat transfer vinyl. All three types have their own unique advantages and applications.

Before choosing vinyl for a Cricut machine, users must consider what they intend to use it for. Permanent adhesive vinyl has a wide range of applications, from mugs to car decals. Because it won’t budge even when wet, vinyl can be used on both indoor and outdoor items. Removable adhesive vinyl, on the other hand, is better suited for wall decals, temporary decorations, and scrapbooking. Heat transfer vinyl is intended for use on soft fabrics such as clothing, bags, hats, and other accessories.

Durability is also an important consideration when choosing Cricut vinyl. For permanent applications, the vinyl should not fade, crack, or bubble over time, even when exposed to repeated washes.

Ease of use is a major consideration when choosing vinyl for crafting, especially for those new to working with this medium. Fortunately, cutting the vinyl and transferring it to the item being decorated are both fairly simple, but weeding—the term for removing unwanted vinyl from a design after it has been cut—can be tricky. This delicate process typically requires tweezers or a similar tool. Generally speaking, thinner vinyl sheets are easier to weed than thicker sheets, so look for vinyl with a thickness of less than 0.25 millimeters (mm). Pair it with one of the top Cricut machines for the best results.

After choosing the best type of vinyl for a particular project, it’s time to select a color and finish. Crafting vinyl comes in nearly any color imaginable and is also available in a range of finishes, including metallic, glitter, and iridescent. Along with different finishes, printed vinyl is also available with animal prints, camouflage, stripes, polka dots, and more. Some vinyl is sold in single-color rolls; others are sold in multipacks that offer a variety of colors to experiment with. Single-color rolls offer a higher quantity of vinyl, so they’re the ideal choice for larger projects.

Now that we’ve learned more about Cricut vinyl, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best vinyl for one’s next crafting project.

The top choice for permanent adhesive vinyl is the Oracal 651 Craft Vinyl Roll. This product is designed to stick to most flat surfaces, including wood, metal, glass, and walls. It’s incredibly thin, measuring just 0.6 mm thick, making it very easy to weed and transfer. It comes in a wide range of colors and finishes, allowing for plenty of creativity.

This roll measures 120 inches in length, but 300- and 600-inch options are also available. This vinyl is compatible with Cricut machines as well as craft cutters made by Silhouette, Xyron, Craft Robo, Graphtec, QuicKutz, Inspirations, and Pazzles.

Get the Oracal 651 vinyl for Cricut on Amazon.

Those looking for a more affordable permanent adhesive vinyl option will appreciate the excellent value offered by HTVRONT’s products. This vinyl comes in an economical 40-foot-long roll. It’s completely waterproof and weatherproof, and it won’t fade when exposed to direct sunlight; in fact, the manufacturer guarantees that it will last 5 years indoors and 3 years outdoors.

Many cheap vinyl varieties come with a paper backing that can be difficult to remove, but this product has a flexible plastic-based backing that’s much easier to work with. The downside is that compared with some other brands, HTVRONT offers a relatively limited color selection, with just 13 shades to choose from.

Get the HTVRONT vinyl for Cricut on Amazon.

Heat transfer, or iron-on, vinyl allows crafters to adhere lettering or designs permanently to T-shirts, caps, tote bags, sports uniforms, and more. Siser, the top brand for heat transfer vinyl, offers a high-quality product that is both easy to work with and durable. It’s made from a polyurethane-based material that’s very thin, making weeding a breeze.

Though sold as a set of five sheets, crafters can choose the colors they want to personalize the package. The selection of shades is wide, and both standard and glitter finishes are available. Sheets measure 14.75 inches in length by 12 inches in width for the standard colors and 12 inches in length by 9.75 inches in width for the glitter colors. Tip: See our reviews of the best heat press machines.

Get the Siser vinyl for Cricut on Amazon.

Removable adhesive vinyl has fewer applications than permanent adhesive or heat transfer options, but it’s still a useful material for crafters to keep on hand. This removable Oracal product is easy to apply and remove. It features a durable, solvent-based adhesive that sticks to any flat surface until it’s time to remove it. An applicator squeegee is included with purchase, making application even simpler.

This product is available in a wide range of shades.It is also available in a range of quantities and comes in lengths of 120, 300, 360, or 600 inches.

Get the Oracal 631 vinyl for Cricut on Amazon.

Cling vinyl is a removable option that doesn’t use any adhesive and can therefore be removed without leaving residue behind. Its peel-and-stick application clings to glass, mirrors, and widows via static electricity, allowing the sheets to be removed and reused multiple times. This makes it perfect for creating temporary holiday displays or doing arts-and-crafts projects with children.

The package includes six sheets of clear cling vinyl measuring 12 inches in length by 9 inches in width that can be painted, colored with permanent markers, or decorated with glitter. At just 0.17 mm thick, the sheets are incredibly thin, making them easy to cut with a craft cutter.

Get the Grafix vinyl for Cricut on Amazon.

Those who are just getting started working with Cricut vinyl will appreciate the range and color variety of this multipack of permanent adhesive sheets. The pack includes 52 sheets of vinyl with a total of 43 colors, including standard solids and more dynamic metallics such as rose gold, brushed silver, and brushed gold.

At 0.12 mm thick, this vinyl is easy to cut, weed, and transfer. It’s completely waterproof so is appropriate for use on both indoor and outdoor items. It’s important to note that this multipack does not come with transfer paper, which must be purchased separately. Though this vinyl is adhesive, the manufacturer recommends using Cricut’s “iron-on” setting when cutting it.

Get the Lya Vinyl sheets for Cricut on Amazon.

After reviewing this guide, crafters now know more about purchasing and using the best Cricut vinyl for their projects. We recommend Oracal 651 vinyl for Cricut as our top pick for permanent adhesive vinyl because of its thin yet durable nature. For those on a budget, the HTVRONT vinyl for Cricut offers excellent performance at a lower price point.

Years of experience covering home goods and crafting supplies, as well as extensive product research, went into creating this guide. We explored more than 25 vinyl options and weighed several practical considerations before making our recommendations.

If you’re a DIYer looking to experiment with vinyl on a craft-cutter machine, you may want even more information. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about selecting and using vinyl for crafting.

Some of the top vinyl brands include Oracle, HTVRONT, and Siser.

Yes. Though Cricut makes its own vinyl, many other brands make quality products that are compatible with Cricut machines.

The longevity of both permanent adhesive vinyl and heat transfer vinyl is dependent on how much the product is used and washed. Both types should last through dozens of washes and for at least 6 years.

No. Transfer tape is not required for heat transfer vinyl.

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