We are continuing our series today and tackling the topic of vinyl on glass! Specifically, we asking what Cricut vinyl should we use on glass. A few weeks ago, we started the series with will Cricut vinyl stick to wood? Now we are moving onto Cricut vinyl on glass. So, should you use regular or heat transfer vinyl on glass? Which will last longer? Will Cricut vinyl stick to glass? Can Cricut vinyl go in the dishwasher? Which Cricut vinyl is good for car decals? We will answer these questions and so much more!
What are the types of vinyl?
Now, before we talk about vinyl on glass, let’s talk about the types of Cricut vinyl you can use on glass.
You can actually use two different types of vinyl on your glass projects. Sticky vinyl and iron-on both work. There are pros and cons to both of these varieties, however.
- Sticky Vinyl: Be sure to use permanent vinyl when adding to glass instead of the removable version. Unless, of course you are doing something for, say, a party where you want to remove it later. Permanent vinyl has the best results for lasting as long as possible.
- Iron-On Vinyl: Yes, you can use heat transfer vinyl on glass! It is permanent but requires some knowledge that I will go over below. You need to be cautious when heating glass to make sure it doesn’t break. I will also share a few resources for what to use to add your iron-on to the glass below. But which of the iron-on products should you try? I have the best luck with EveryDay iron-on for glass.
What type of transfer tape should I use?
First, what is transfer tape? For sticky vinyl, transfer tape makes it easier to remove the design from the backing paper to the glass surface with your design intact. And yes, there are different types of transfer tape!
You want to use the regular transfer tape in most cases, as the strong grip version will definitely make your transition harder; however, the strong grip should be used if you are using glitter vinyl.
Will Cricut vinyl stick to glass?
Want to make these garden mason jars? Click here to see the project!
The answer is definitely yes!
First, let’s talk about adding regular sticky vinyl on glass that is plain without any finish. Again, I would definitely use permanent vinyl for projects like these unless you want to be able to remove it easily later. Use transfer paper to remove your vinyl from the backing and put it on your glass. You can tape a piece of graph paper or grid to the inside of your glass to help with alignment. You will also want to be sure to burnish well after application to ensure good adhesion. Keep reading below to see if this method will make your projects dishwasher safe.
Will Cricut vinyl stick to glass? Give it a try for yourself with these projects.
- Cookies for Santa Plate
- Strawberry Decor for a Party
- Graduation Advice Jar
- Baby’s First Christmas Ornament
- Halloween Jar Snack Craft
- Pineapple Cocktail Glasses
- Disney Vacation Countdown
Will Cricut vinyl stick to painted glass?
Want to make that mason jar tissue holder? Click here for the project!
What about vinyl on glass that is painted? The same rules apply as far as type, and use of transfer paper, but I do have a few tips:
- Use a good-quality paint recommended for glass and follow all instructions. You may need to bake the project after painting but before vinyl application.
- Clean your glass well before painting. I like to use rubbing alcohol. Then, allow it to dry, and be sure not to touch the surface with your hands before painting. The oils from your hands can prevent the paint from sticking.
- Allow the paint to cure completely before adding the vinyl. Yes, it may be dry to the touch in less time, but cure time is completely different. I would allow it to cure at least 24 hours before application.
- Make sure you have the position correct before putting the vinyl down on the glass. You don’t want to pick up the vinyl and reposition, as this could damage your paint.
Using these tips, applying vinyl to painted glass should be easy! Find out what Cricut vinyl to use on glass with these project ideas.
- Decorative Glass Jars for Fall
- Christmas Jars Nativity Scene
- Simple Glass Jar Jack-o-lantern
- Ghost Mason Jars
- Frosted Glass Block Nightlight
Will heat transfer vinyl work on glass?
Love this flamingo mug? Click here to see how to make it!
Yes, it will! Plus it is easier to weed and transfer to a glass surface. It is great for use in the kitchen for trivets and mugs that will see heat over time. But how do you use heat transfer vinyl with glass? Here are a few of our best tips and tricks:
- Lower heat and time with multiple passes over the glass usually work best.
- The glass does have a higher chance of breaking when heated so you want to use caution.
- Protect your hand from the heat and also from any potential breakage.
- Be sure to check the product you are using for time and temperature recommendations.
- Look for a mini-iron or Cricut EasyPress Mini at your craft store to help you apply to curved surfaces but you can also try a heat gun.
Want a few projects to try this method out on? Head to the links below!
- Tile Trivet
- Hug in a Mug Iron-on Design
- Better Together Mugs
- A Cup of Tea would Restore my Normality Mug
Can Cricut vinyl go in the dishwasher?
So, now the real question is, which of these methods will be dishwasher safe? What Cricut vinyl to use on glass to get the maximum life? I actually tested it on mugs here, and you can read all about my tests and results. You can also add dishwasher-safe decoupage over the top. See this post for instructions on how to do so. Either way, you should be able to find a dishwasher-safe method for application on the glass, but it may shorten the life of your project.
Which Cricut vinyl is good for car decals?
Love the project above? Click here to see how to make it!
So, you can make it dishwasher safe, but what about adding it to the outdoor elements? You can do that as well! Be sure to use vinyl marked for outdoor use, and go crazy! Here are a few project ideas to get you started.
- My Other Ride Is A Unicorn Car Decal
- Make a Car Window Sticker
- Multi Color Car Decal
- Custom Car Window Decal
What Cricut vinyl to use on glass?
I think the answer depends on your application. Try our ideas above, and you may just find that glass is your new favorite surface when working with your Cricut machine. We would love to hear your results in the comment section below! Have you used Cricut vinyl on glass? Which do you find lasts the longest?
Vinyl on Glass Recap
I know I just threw a ton of information at you about vinyl on glass. So, below are the 7 most important things to take away from this post.
- There are two types of Cricut vinyl you can use on glass – Sticky Vinyl and Iron-On Vinyl
- You should always use regular transfer tape when adding vinyl to glass.
- Cricut vinyl will stick to glass.
- Cricut vinyl will stick to painted glass, but it’s important that you follow some extra steps so you don’t pull up the paint.
- Cricut heat-transfer vinyl will stick to glass.
- To see what vinyl on glass is dishwasher safe, check out our Vinyl or Heat Transfer Vinyl on Mugs blog post.
- Cricut vinyl can be used to make car decals, but you will need to make sure that the vinyl is for outdoor use.
10 Additional Vinyl Resources
Hopefully, this helps when adding vinyl on glass or when using vinyl in general for your projects!
Also, if you loved this post about vinyl on glass and want to learn more about vinyl, check out the resources below!
- 10 Types of Cricut Vinyl You Never Knew Existed
- How to Apply Large Vinyl Decals to Walls
- Cutting Vinyl with a Cricut: Tips for Small and Intricate Designs
- How to Use Iron-On Vinyl
- How to Remove Heat Transfer Vinyl
- How to Use Cricut Transfer Tape with Cricut Vinyl
- My Best Layering Vinyl Tips and Tricks with a Cricut
- Layering Iron-On Vinyl Beginner’s Guide
- How to Use Color-Changing Vinyl with a Cricut
- Cricut Vinyl Storage: Options that work!
New to Cricut?
Sign up for our email list to download the Beginner's Guide to Cricut Design Space for FREE today!
Sign up to get the guide emailed to you!
You are an great writer! I just bookmarked your site.