Many of us want to personalize the everyday objects around us to make them look nicer,
Applying vinyl stickers is a personalization method that lets you stick whatever design you want onto solid objects such as windows, water bottles, frames, and so on.
Today we are going to look at how you can create your own sticker and then apply it to a surface.
1 - How to personalize vinyl stickers:
There are several methods for personalizing your own stickers, and here we are going to look at 2 different methods:
a - ordering ready-made personalized stickers
The first method is to ask a personalization company to create the stickers for you. If you want to personalize lightweight objects such as mugs, for example, you can ask them to apply the sticker directly onto the mug.
Companies such as flocage Express or Le bureau des goodies can handle this kind of request perfectly.
If you want to apply personalized stickers onto the walls or windows of your living room, you can order ready-made personalized stickers from a company so you can apply them onto the wall yourself.
For sticker personalization, sites like Hello Print or Sticker en Ligne can meet your needs.
b - Making your own sticker yourself
Ordering personalized stickers is nice, but making your own stickers yourself is even more fun!
To create stickers, you will need the following appropriate tools and machines:
1️⃣ - Adhesive vinyl
The first essential tool you will need to create your own designs is adhesive vinyl. This material is the consumable that will be used to create your design; it is this material that has to be cut to create your logo.
Adhesive vinyl is not very expensive, but you will need to buy it regularly like any consumable.
There are two main types of adhesive vinyl, glossy vinyl and matte vinyl.
2️⃣ - A cutting machine
As its name suggests, a cutting machine is used to cut the adhesive vinyl so that you end up with the design you have been waiting for.
The price of a quality cutting machine starts at around 350 euros. We generally recommend the Silhouette Caméo 5 machine, which is a professional machine and excellent for people who want to start their sticker personalization business.
3️⃣ - Transfer tape
Transfer tape is used to transfer the logo you cut out earlier so you can then stick it onto an object of your choice. Indeed, since the adhesive part of the vinyl is on the back, you first have to flip it over by transferring it onto tape before applying the sticker.
4️⃣ - Application squeegee
The application squeegee is a simple plastic squeegee with a felt edge that lets you apply the sticker and press it onto walls so that it sits properly flat. This tool costs around 3 to 5 euros.
It is important to note that these accessories and machines will let you create single-color vinyl personalizations. If you want to create a design with a color gradient, you will need to use a vinyl printer along with printable adhesive vinyl rather than standard adhesive vinyl.
Now that you know about the tools you need, we are going to look at how the creation of a sticker in adhesive vinyl works:
Choosing the design and cutting
First, choose the file for the sticker you want to create and upload it into the cutting machine's software. If you are using the Silhouette Caméo 4 machine, its software will be Silhouette Studio.
Then insert the adhesive vinyl into the cutting machine and start the cut from your software.
The machine will begin cutting the logo into the vinyl.
Weeding
Once the cut is finished, you need to weed away the parts of the adhesive vinyl that the machine cut but that do not belong to your design.
Weeding simply means removing the excess vinyl.
When this step is done, your sticker's design will be fully visible. You have now created your own sticker design!
But that's not all, you now have to apply the sticker onto a surface. So we are going to look at how to perform the application of the sticker onto the surface of your choice
2 - Sticker Application: How to apply your vinyl sticker?:
a - Transferring onto tape
Cut a piece of tape that is slightly larger than the size of your design (if your design measures 30cm x 30cm, take a piece of 35cm x 35cm.
Apply the tape evenly over the logo and use the application squeegee to push out the air bubbles. Your design must be perfectly applied onto the tape so you can then transfer it.
b - Applying and placing the sticker
The application step is similar to the transfer-onto-tape step. Let's say you want to apply your design onto your living room window: take your design that has been transferred onto the tape and gently apply it onto your window. Use the application squeegee and go back over your logo so that it stays firmly stuck to your window. Carry out this process for about fifteen seconds.
When everything is done, slowly peel away the transfer tape and your design will stay perfectly stuck to your window!
The sticker application is now complete. 😉
To create your own vinyl stickers and personalize all your everyday objects, you will need quality adhesive vinyl that lasts a long time, so feel free to take a look at the Adhesive Vinyls we offer in the shop! :
