5 must haves to start cutting vinyl on silhouette portrait

Tonight I want to talk about vinyl decals and everything you need yo get started cutting your own. My vinyl decal business started with my son making the statement that he wanted to learn to make his own decals for his truck. So I got him a silhouette portrait cutter. He played with it a few times and then started telling me what he wanted, and I would cut them, and then he started telling me what his friends wanted and I would cut them, and then it got to a point where I had to start charging because I was going through a lot of vinyl, and that is how my vinyl business started, and then I took it to Etsy, where it's done well enough that I bought a heat press and started doing vinyl on t-shirts as well.

decal making as a home business everything you need to get started

If you are considering buying a vinyl cutting machine I just want to say it is one of the wisest investments I have ever made. Little did I know when I bought this machine for my son to make stickers with, that I would be starting a home based business but here I am. I'm not getting rich yet, but I've only been at it on Etsy since February, or March, But business gets better and better and I'm glad for this God send. He really does some amazing things in my life, he saw a need for a way to supplement our income and he provided.

The vinyl cutter I purchased was the silhouette Portrait, it will cut vinyl up to 9 inches wide, and as long as you'd like. The silhouette comes with software for creating and editing decals, you can use the free version that comes with it or upgrade to a paid version of the software, which I did for the added features it offered.

The silhouette portrait cutter doesn't only cut vinyl, I've only cut vinyl (both HTV and oracle 651 outdoor vinyl, and cardstock paper with mine, but I have read about people cutting fabric, cork, laminate, plastic, I even read about one lady who cut a gasket for her car on her silhouette portrait. I cannot vouche for how well it cuts those other things but I have read about it, and if it's true then it might be the best investment any crafter could make.

Now that I have sang the Silhouette Portraits praises I'll tell you what else you need to get started on your first vinyl decal.

you will need

1. a silhouette adhesive cutting mat

vinyl decal cutting mat, everything you need to start cutting vinyl decals

This is an adhesive mat that your vinyl sticks too and it keeps it from shifting while its being cut. Depending on how often you use one cutting mat can last from a few weeks to a few months. I have been cutting since January and I have only replaced my mat once in that time. But.. I'm not gonna lie, the sticky on my mat has been gone for quite some time, I just resorted to taping my vinyl to my mat using masking tape on the very edges because, the way my budget is set up i have to pinch those pennies until they squeal and that just hasn't been a high priority on my things I need list. I have read some things where people say they don't use a cutting mat at all.. But in my opinion the cutting mat is a must have. I've you've every had to throw away a mis-cut piece of vinyl because of slipping you know what I'm talking about.

2. Vinyl to cut

vinyl decal info, things you need to cut vinyl decals, everything you need to start cutting vinyl decals

There are several different kinds of vinyl, and if you are starting a decal business to make decals for yeti tumblers, or cars and trucks, boats, any outdoor use, or thing that will go into your dishwasher on the top rack only, the you are going to want Oracle 651 adhesive vinyl. It lasts for 6+ years outdoors, is top rack dishwasher safe, is fine on cars even through a carwash, will adhere to any clean smooth surface. It is not recommended that you get the decal wet for the first 24 hours to allow it to cure. But after that you are good to go for 6 years.

3. transfer tape

everything you need to start cutting vinyl decals

also known as transfer tape, transfer paper, transfer film, and Rtape, You can buy transfer tape in various sizes and it comes in clear, or a paper material that resembles masking tape. I prefer the type that is like masking tape, I just like the tack of the paper, its not to tacky to use in layered projects, but is tacky enough to withstand being mailed.

4. an extra blade

vinyl decal cutting essentials what you need to get started cutting vinyl

The silhouette Portrait comes with a blade and it will last again dependant on how much you use it and what you use it for. If you are only cutting vinyl with your blade it should last quite a while, but if you plan to cut paper and other materials with it also, I would recommend buying a second blade, one for vinyl and one for everything else.

5. The tools

what you need to get started cutting vinyl decals

You can buy fancy kits with lots of different things and they may be useful, But these are the only tools I have ever needed. An Exacto Knife incase the blade misses a spot, which is rare but it does happen from time to time when your blade needs cleaning, and crafters tweezers for weeding the vinyl.

If you have all of these things, and a silhouette portrait then you are set to cut vinyl decals.

Check out my Etsy shop to see some of the things I have made with my Silhouette Portrait vinyl cutter.

melissa

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