Cricut is a company that manufactures a range of smart cutting machines. These cutting machines are designed to cut more than 300+ materials. Smart machines can help you to design, personalize, and create projects such as custom cards, graphic t-shirts, and almost anything you can dream of. Sometimes when working with vinyl materials or infusible ink projects, you need transfer tape. Because using a transfer tape is the best way to transfer vinyl. In this blog, you will understand what transfer tape is, the types of transfer tape, and how to use it. Additionally, you will also get some tips on using Cricut transfer tape.
What is Transfer Tape?
Cricut Transfer tape, or Transfer paper, is a material that has a removable adhesive on one side. It comes in rolls or sheets of paper or plastic film. Although some tapes come with a paper backing, and some do not. However, irrespective of size, appearance, or tackiness, all the transfer tape does the same function.
So, a transfer paper essentially acts as a carrier of adhesive vinyl cut to your actual project surface. With transfer tape, it is easier to apply the cut vinyl pieces from the mat to your project surface. Also, it helps in retaining the design without damaging or wrongly placing it on the surface. It is helpful in transferring the design to projects like mugs, signs, water bottles, wooden surfaces, and t-shirts, to name a few. So, using Cricut Transfer Tape is very important when you are working with vinyl.
What are the Different Types of Transfer Tape?
Let us see the kinds of transfer papers.
Cricut Transfer Tape is the most commonly used type of transfer tape. You will need this transfer tape for your everyday vinyl usage. It can be used for vinyl types Premium Vinyl, Permanent Vinyl, Foil Vinyl, or anything except heavy-duty vinyl like Glitter.
Cricut Strong Grip Transfer Tape, as the name suggests, is a super strong transfer paper used mainly for glitter vinyl, Shimmer, and True Brushed. Since the Glitter is a bit thicker and heavier material and needs sturdy transfer tape, that’s the reason you need this Strong Grip transfer tape.
Another type is Linerless Transfer Tape which is the same as normal transfer tape. Just with half the waste! It also has a smooth, non-textured finish.
What are the Basic Steps in Using Transfer Tape?
Let us see the steps in transferring the vinyl cuts onto a project surface.
The first step involved is to peel a liner from Transfer Tape.
Later, you need to attach a small area of the tape to your design. You can place it at the center or any one end of your design.
Next, you need a Scraper tool to burnish Transfer Tape onto your design, working outward from where you attached the small area.
Now, you need to turn your vinyl and burnish the back side.
Moving to the project surface, you should clean and dry the project surface. Tip: you can use alcohol to clean plastic and glass surfaces.
Further, you need a vinyl liner away from Transfer Tape and design. However, a tip is if the vinyl is not separating from the liner. You must simply burn the liner back onto the vinyl and peel it away again.
Now, you need to attach a small design area onto your project surface. You can either attach it at the center or one end of the surface.
After attaching the design to the surface, take a Scraper tool to burnish the design onto your surface. You need to work towards the outward to the attached area.
After burnishing the design, you need to peel off the Transfer Tape from your design slowly.
A Tip in peeling using Cricut Transfer Tape is that if the vinyl is also peeling with Transfer Tape, burnish it again. For this, Transfer Tape and vinyl should both be burnished down to the project surface and peel it again.
If you want the best results, you need to peel the Transfer Tape at an acute angle.
Conclusion
A Transfer paper is fundamentally a type that helps transfer the cut design onto a project surface. It is very crucial if you are working with vinyl material for your project. This blog will help you understand the using Cricut Transfer Tape. Also, learn the types and steps involved in applying the design to your project’s surface. Additionally, this blog will give specific helpful tips if you face issues working with a Transfer tape.
FAQs
1. Which is the best transfer tape?
There are many different brands and types of transfer tapes to choose from. One good way to know which is best for you is by experimenting with different types of Transfer Tape and seeing which suits you best. However, many people prefer using Cricut Transfer tape for their projects and claim that it is the best. Cricut also offers three types: Transfer Tape, Strong Grip Transfer Tape, and Linerless Transfer Tape. So, you have lots of options to choose from depending on your project.
2. What can you use in place of Cricut transfer tape?
You may need more transfer tape to work on your project. No worries, there are other options to select from. You can work with painter’s tape, contact paper, or Press and Seal Saran Wrap. Another great option is Clear contact paper, which is commonly used to protect and cover items such as books. It is an excellent alternative for using Cricut Transfer Tape.
3. Should I use transfer tape for iron-on vinyl?
You don’t need a transfer tape when working with Cricut Iron-On Vinyl. It is because the vinyl already comes with a plastic carrier sheet. It makes it really easy for you to transfer the vinyl to your project surface. But you need to cut the Iron-On with its shiny side down and mirror the design before cutting the material.
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