Best Vinyl for Cricut, Silhouette & Other Cutting Machines

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Do you have a Cricut or Silhouette cutting machine? If so, then you are probably looking for ideas for the best vinyl to use for your machine and project type.

I’ve tried all different types of vinyl for all different types of projects and am sharing all of my vinyl knowledge with you! Learn the best types of vinyl if you’re on a budget and my favorite vinyls that I craft with all the time.

Types of Vinyl for Cricut

There are multiple types of vinyl available. The vinyl that you choose, will depend on your project type and what material you are using. This will give you an overview of what each vinyl is used for and how to use it so that you can find the best vinyl for your Cricut projects. All of these vinyls can be used with your Cricut or silhouette machine.

Heat transfer vinyl
Permanent adhesive vinyl
Removable vinyl
Stencil vinyl
Printable vinyl

Heat Transfer Vinyl

You will use heat transfer vinyl (also known as HTV vinyl) when using fabric type materials. This will include your shirts, aprons, face masks, hats, hair bows, shoes, socks, etc. This type of vinyl is activated by heat and works best with cotton or cotton blends.

If using activewear made from polyester or nylon, you will want to use Cricut’s one of a kind SportFlex Iron-On Vinyl.

best iron on vinyl for cricut, best iron on vinyl

Note: You can find this vinyl storage organizer for the wall here.

You can either use an iron or Cricut Easy Press to apply heat transfer vinyl to your material. If using an iron, you will want to put the heat setting on a cotton or low linen heat setting. I prefer using the Easy Press because you don’t have to worry about the texture of the iron interfering with your design.

If working with unusual items like shoes, hats or bows, the Cricut Easy Press Mini is really the only way to go!

Do you mirror iron on vinyl?
Whenever you cut ANY type of heat transfer or iron-on vinyl, you must always mirror your design before cutting. When you mirror your design, you are flipping your image.

What side goes up on heat transfer vinyl?
When working with heat transfer vinyl, the shiny side of the material always goes face down for cutting.

My Recommendations for Iron on Vinyl

If you are just getting started, I recommend starting off with a variety pack. This way, you always have colors you need on hand. If you notice you go through a color quick, then replace it with a roll.

I recommend this HTV Vareity Pack for your solid colors.
If you love using glitter, this is a great variety pack for iron on glitter vinyl.

If you are on a budget, I recommend this HTVRONT brand. It’s great quality, and you won’t find this price anywhere else! Since black and white vinyl are used often, I purchase these colors in the larger roll size here.

If you are looking for the best iron on vinyl out there, then you will want to go with this EasyWeed Siser Heat Transfer Vinyl. This iron on vinyl really is the best that I have found! And if you like glitter iron on vinyl (which I do!) then you will love the Siser glitter iron on vinyl as well. It’s a lot thinner than other brands so the shirt doesn’t feel bulky.

Just look at this shirt below that I made almost 2 years! It’s been through the washer and dryer countless times and the vinyl still looks new.

Buying Iron on Vinyl in Bulk

If you craft a lot with iron on vinyl, then buying in bulk can be the smarter (save money) option. This is where I order my Siser EasyWeed vinyl in bulk or here if I don’t need quite that much. And this is where I get my Siser glitter vinyl in bulk.

Permanent Adhesive Vinyl

Permanent adhesive vinyl is used when you want a project to last! This type of vinyl is great for outdoor use, car decals, artwork, tumblers or any other type of dishware. Permanent adhesive is dishwasher friendly and although it’s not truly permanent, it will last for 8 years.

This type of adhesive is easier to apply when you use transfer tape. StrongGrip transfer tape works best with permanent adhesive vinyl. This is my favorite brand of transfer tape.

Do you mirror adhesive vinyl?
Whenever you cut ANY type of adhesive vinyl (permanent or removable), you DO NOT mirror your design before cutting.

What side goes down on adhesive vinyl?
When working with any type of adhesive vinyl, the finished side of the material always faces up for cutting. This finished side is the side that you will see face-up on your project.

Where to Purchase My Favorite Permanent Adhesive Vinyl

I recommend this Permanent Adhesive Vareity Pack for your solid colors.
If you love using glitter, this is a great variety pack for permanent adhesive glitter vinyl.

If you are on a budget, then I recommend this HTVRONT brand. It’s great quality, and you won’t find this price anywhere else! This color changing vinyl is so fun to use with cups!

But, if you are looking for what I think is the best permanent adhesive vinyl out there, then you will want to go with this Oracle 651 Permanent Adhesive Vinyl. And this is a great starter kit if you have a lot of projects that use adhesive vinyl.

I also am absolutely in LOVE with this Cricut Shimmer Adhesive Vinyl. Once you use it, you will see why!

Removable Vinyl

Removable vinyl is for your temporary projects. This vinyl is great for wall decals, indoor signs and can even be used as a stencil.

This type of adhesive is easier to apply when you use transfer tape. Standard transfer tape works best with removable adhesive vinyl.

Best Places to Purchase Removable Adhesive Vinyl

Removable Vinyl can be a little harder to find because not all brands carry this.

I recommend this Removeable Adhesive Vareity Pack for your solid colors.
If you love using glitter, this is a great variety pack for removeable adhesive glitter vinyl.

Oracle has the largest selection or removeable vinyl. This is great quality as well. You can find the Oracle 631 (removeable) vinyl here.

Stencil Vinyl

Stencil vinyl is made specifically to be used as a stencil. Its edges will seal to your project better than regular vinyl so there is less likeliness of paint seeping under the edge. This will give you crisper lines. Stencil vinyl acts just like adhesive vinyls when it comes to how to cut and mirror the image.

Do you mirror stencil vinyl?
Since stencil vinyl is an adhesive vinyl, you DO NOT mirror your design before cutting.

What side goes down on stencil vinyl?
When working with any type of adhesive vinyl, the finished side of the material always faces up for cutting. This finished side is the side that you will see face-up on your project.

Where to Get Stencil Vinyl

Depending on how much stencil vinyl you need, you can either purchase a smaller roll of stencil vinyl here. If you plan to use this often, you can get a much larger roll of stencil vinyl for not much more here.

Printable Vinyl

Printable vinyl is available in both adhesive and heat transfer vinyl. Adhesive printable vinyl is great for making stickers or when you have multiple colors that you don’t want to have to piece together. Heat transfer printable vinyl is great to use for fabrics when you have intricate designs. Just print your image on the vinyl and then your Cricut will cut the image out for you. This type of vinyl requires an inkjet printer.

You May Also Like: How to Make stickers with Your Cricut

Do you mirror printable vinyl?
You DO NOT mirror your design before cutting with printable vinyl, not even when using the printable heat transfer vinyl.

What side goes up with printable vinyl?
When working with printed vinyl, the printed side of the material always faces up for cutting. This is for both printable adhesive and heat transfer vinyl.

Best Printable Vinyl for Making Stickers

The paper that you use for stickers, depends on if you want them to have matte or a glossy finish. Here are my recommendations for each kind:

Note: If you are selling stickers, you may also want to add contact paper on top of your stickers before you cut them. This is the contact paper that works well for me.

Best Types of Vinyl by Project Type

Have a specific project in mind and need to find the right type of vinyl to use for it?

Best vinyl for fabrics (apparel, bags, towels)

The best vinyl to use for fabrics is heat transfer vinyl.

Best vinyl for wall decals

When creating wall decals, you will want to use a removable adhesive vinyl.

Best vinyl for tumblers (and other dishware that needs to be washed)

The best vinyl for mugs, tumblers, glass or any other dishware is permanent adhesive vinyl.

Best vinyl for wood and other outdoor signs

When using vinyl outside, you will want to use adhesive vinyl. If you want your wood signs to be permanent, adhesive vinyl is the way to go. If you only want a temporary wood sign, then use a removable adhesive vinyl.

Best vinyl for stencil

Although removable adhesive vinyl is a good choice for stencils, stencil vinyl will give you crisper lines with less spillage under the seams.

Best vinyl for car decals

Since cars are exposed to different weather types, it’s best to use a permanent adhesive vinyl for car deals. You will still be able to remove these when needed, but they will not be reusable.

Best vinyl for stickers

If using more than one color in your sticker design, you will want to use printable adhesive vinyl for your sticker designs. If you are only using one color in your design, printable or permanent adhesive vinyl will work.

Free Vinyl Cheat Sheet

You will want to go ahead and print or save this vinyl cheat sheet. Using this sheet will save you from ruining vinyl for forgetting to mirror or placing your vinyl the wrong side up. This vinyl cheat sheet shows you exactly how to use each type of vinyl and whether you should mirror your design. You can download the high resolution cricut vinyl cheat sheet here.

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions that Cricut users have when they are just getting started.

Can you use any brand of vinyl with Cricut?

You can use any brand of vinyl made for a cutting machine with your Cricut. However, I recommend either the HTVRONT brand (budget friendly) or the Siser brand.

What is the difference between Oracal 631 and Oracal 651?

The main difference between Oracal 631 and Oracal 651 is the adhesive stickiness. Oracal 631 is your removable vinyl and has a matte finish. Oracal 651 is your permanent vinyl with a glossy finish to it.

Can Cricut vinyl go in the dishwasher?

Permanent adhesive is dishwasher safe. I don’t recommend using the removable vinyl for items that will go through the dishwasher.

Is it better to use a heat press or is an iron just as good?

Both a heat press and iron will do the job. However, with a heat press, you don’t have to worry about the texture from your iron imprinting on your vinyl. The heat press will also give you more of a consistent heat for a better outcome. Cricut has their own Easy Press (heat press) in multiple sizes which work great for all of your heat transfer projects.

Where to buy vinyl for Cricut and Silhouette?

Vinyl for your Cricut and Silhouette can be purchased in stores like Michaels and JoANN or online at Cricut.com and Amazon. Unless there is a sale on vinyl, it’s typically cheapest to purchase your vinyl from Amazon.

I hope this was helpful for finding the best vinyl for Cricut and Silhouette machines. If you have any questions, you can always reach out to me on social media or my email.

Don’t forget to pin this vinyl guide for later so you can refer to it as needed!

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

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Best Types of Vinyl for Cricut & Silhouette Projects