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Updated on July 23, 2024
How to Make a Cricut Vinyl Mug. Learn how and what type of vinyl to make a dishwasher-safe coffee mug or cup.
Custom mug designs are everywhere, but they can be expensive. Learn how to make your own mugs using your Cricut machine. You can create one for yourself, and they also make great gifts!
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How to Make a Vinyl Coffee Mug with Cricut
In today’s post, I will show you step-by-step instructions using the Cricut Maker 3 and Smart Vinyl. Still, you can complete this project using any older Cricut Explore, Cricut Explore Air, Cricut Joy, Maker machine, and any permanent adhesive vinyl.
Best Cricut Vinyl for Coffee Mugs?
If this is your first time working with vinyl, you may wonder what is the best type of vinyl to use for your mug project.
Permanent Vinyl
When choosing a vinyl to put on a coffee mug, tumbler, or other dishware items run through the dishwasher, the best choice is permanent vinyl. You can purchase different types of vinyl in various colors that can be used on any machine with a mat.
You can also use the new Smart Vinyl permanent vinyl with the Cricut Maker 3 and Cricut Explore 3. This vinyl can be used without a cutting mat.
Removable Vinyl
If you choose removable adhesive vinyl (rather than permanent), seal your project with Mod Podge Dishwasher-Safe Gloss.
To get the longest life out of any vinyl, it is recommended to hand-wash mugs with vinyl on them. However, using permanent vinyl does make the mug dishwasher-safe!
Note: Adhesive vinyl is different from iron-on (heat transfer vinyl). Adhesive vinyl sticks to your project using adhesive. Iron-on vinyl is applied with heat.
Supplies
Create Your Design
Start by opening Cricut Design Space and open a new project. Click on Image in the Design Panel.
You can use so many cute coffee mug sayings for your design. In the search bar, type “coffee” and click on Phrases under Project Type to pull up all the pre-made coffee-related phrases.
RELATED: How to Use Images in Cricut Design Space
I used design #M27381BAA. This design is pre-sized to fit on the coffee mug I purchased at Dollar Tree. I almost always purchase my mugs at Dollar Tree. They are only $1 each and come in various styles, colors, and sizes.
Note: You can also find an SVG file to download online for your design if you can’t find one you like in Design Space. My favorite place to find affordable SVG designs is Creative Fabrica.
Click the design below to open the project I created if you don’t want to choose your own design.
Cricut Design Space File: Maybe Coffee is Addicted to Me
After you have chosen your design and sized it to fit your mug, click Make It.
On the mat preview screen, choose Without Mat if working with Smart Vinyl, then click Done.
Make sure your design looks okay on the mat, and click Continue.
Set the material to Smart Vinyl – Permanent.
Cut Out and Apply Your Design
Load the smart vinyl into the Cricut Maker 3 cutting machine and click the flashing Go button.
Once the Cricut is done cutting, trim the excess vinyl around your design. Then, weed all the excess vinyl using a weeding tool or your fingers.
Clean the mug with rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry.
Cut a piece of transfer tape the same size as your vinyl. Apply transfer tape to the vinyl. Smooth the transfer tape using a scraper tool. Then, carefully peel the transfer tape away from the paper backing, making sure the vinyl has fully adhered to the transfer tape as you go.
Place the transfer tape with the vinyl design on the coffee mug, smooth it down, and peel at an angle to remove it.
Personalized vinyl mugs are a great addition to your kitchen for your morning coffee.
Custom mugs are also easy to make handmade gifts for friends and family.
You can even make cute custom mug vinyl decals to sell at craft fairs. Be sure to include transfer paper with the decal for easy application.
Save Video Tutorial on YouTube: https://youtu.be/klLbEbDVqyE
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