Save yourself time and money with this clever vinyl transfer hack!
To make a vinyl block, you'll need all your supplies:
- 2x4 wood cut into the length you want (mine is about 4 1/2 inches)
- Paint (I love this Americana Peony Pink)
- Vinyl cut into the design or quote you love
- Glad Press'n Seal
Start by painting your block. For best coverage, I paint between 3-4 coats. Let each coat dry completely before adding a new one. You can also sand the edges off of the block to give a more distressed look.
Now, here's the trick! Most vinyl transfer tape/paper can cost around $9.99 for about 6 feet, where you can purchase 70 feet of Glad Press'n Seal for only $2.96 at Walmart! Pretty sure we can all afford 4¢ per foot (saving around $1.62 per foot), right?!
Cut a piece of Glad Press'n Seal to fit your vinyl and grab a vinyl scraper or credit card.
Lay the tacky side of the Glad Press'n Seal down over the vinyl. Gently run the scraper over the Glad Press'n Seal to help it really stick to the vinyl. I also love that the Glad Press'n Seal is clear so that I can see what I'm doing!
Start at one corner and slowly peel up the Glad Press'n Seal. The vinyl sticks to it just like transfer tape. If you have some stubborn vinyl that isn't sticking to the Glad Press'n Seal, just lay the Glad Press'n Seal back down and scrape it a little more until the vinyl sticks.
Lay the Glad Press'n Seal with the vinyl sticky side down on the block. Put in on lightly so you can easily shift it if needed. Here's another time the Glad Press'n Seal being clear is super helpful. You can see exactly where you're placing it, so you are less likely to put it on crooked!!
Once you've got the vinyl in place, use the scraper and press the vinyl down. Scrape all over the vinyl so you get the entire design stuck to the block.
Start at one corner and slowly peel the Glad Press'n Seal. The vinyl should stay stuck to the block and the Glad Press'n Seal comes right off. If you have any vinyl that hasn't stuck to the block, lay the vinyl and Glad Press'n Seal back down and scrape the area until it sticks.
Now your vinyl block is complete! Feel free to reuse the Glad Press'n Seal pieces for other vinyl projects. I've noticed it starts to lose it's tackiness after about 3 uses, but at that price, I can afford to use a fresh piece every time!
I'd love to hear what you think of this trick, and if you have tried it yourself. As always, I would love to see your creations! Share yours on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest! #AFMCrafts
Don't forget to Pin, Like, and Share!
Genius! I'll have to get a roll of this to keep around in case I run out of transfer tape. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I love this block for Summer. I might need to make one.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I am SO not crafty.. but your vinyl posts always make me feel like i really need one of those machines! ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome... I needed this right now..
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea! I hate transfer paper, it has never worked for me! But I need to find some great vinyl...mine sucks!
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant! I love that you can see through this much better than the transfer paper.
ReplyDeleteWHAT?! This is SUCH an awesome hack and a serious savings! Andplusalso, I love the hot pink and white combo!
ReplyDeleteHow cool! I stopped using my vinyl awhile ago because I had the hardest time transferring it. Can't wait to pull it back out and try this!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Thanks for sharing such a great tip!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteOMG what a great hack. Diane
ReplyDeleteI DONT HAVE A VINYL MACHINW WHAT CAN YOU SUBSTITUTE WHAT ELSE CAN YOU USE IT ALSO INSTEAD OF WOOD KOVE YOUR BLOG JUST DISCOVERED IT
ReplyDeleteMy press and seal is leaving a yucky residue on my vinyl...Do you have this too? If so what do you clean it off with?
ReplyDeleteI am having the same issue! I used a bit of Dawn and it still wouldn't come off :(
DeleteHave you tried rubbing alcohol and a paper towel?
DeleteThe Press 'n Seal won't stick at all to my vinyl. I'm using Cricut's Premium Outdoor Glossy.
ReplyDeleteVery informative! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI tried this first and it works great!
ReplyDeleteWhat brand of vinyl do you use? thanks
DeleteI would also like to know what type of vinyl you use. Thank you.
DeleteAnd if you combine it with transparent Contact paper for stencils you're $$$ ahead of the game!
ReplyDeleteThank You! Never thought to use press and seal! Have to give it a try, use it all the time for left overs!
ReplyDeletewhat a clever idea
ReplyDeleteI couldn't get this to work for vinyl lettering. I liked the idea but I'm not sure it will work for everything.
ReplyDeleteI love using Press n Seal for my transfers! How do you get the residue off your vinyl though? Mine always leaves residue and texture on my vinyl when I take the press n seal off after transfer 😢
ReplyDeleteHi there! Not sure if you still need help with the sticky residue the press and seal leaves…I’d try 91% isopropyl alcohol but I would say use a stop and be careful not to let it drip all over the place (like on the wood or whatever material you add the vinyl to.)
DeleteHi! I just used the Press and Seal to transfer images I cut out on Dollar Store "vinyl". I made stencils to make some coasters. Worked great! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteDoes it work with color pictures? This is a great idea for next Christmas or a birthday or two in between.
ReplyDeleteDoes the press n deal work on the glitter vinyl? I know the transfer paper does not.
ReplyDeleteGlad I found this - perfect for putting a monogram on a paper/cardboard storage box for a gift. The press n'seal didn't ruin the box covering!!!
ReplyDeleteI have a huge vinyl project and decided to try the Press & Seal method. Nope. Wouldn't pick up the vinyl. Also tried the clear Dollar Tree contact paper and that was a big Nope as well. I'll stick with the Cricut transfer tape as a piece can be used multiple times before throwing it away.
ReplyDeletei tried it and works as well as the transfer tape. little bit hard to work with when you do a big piece, definitely will use for smaller pieces.
ReplyDeleteI have a Cricut Maker on my Christmas List and I'm doing Google searches to get ideas of what to make and found this hack. I'm so grateful to find money saving tips before I spend a lot of money. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice idea..but my trick is Dollar Tree clear contact vinyl... you get quite a bit in a roll for a dollar... and it works wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteWhat about with heat
ReplyDelete