Are you interested in finding out which vinyl cutting supplies are needed for great cutting work?
Do you know which are vinyl cutting tools you should have with you all the time?
Then you’re reading the right article!
Here we will list 5 vinyl cutting tools for cutting machines that are offered on the market and another 5 vinyl cutting supplies which you should have for fast and high-quality cutting or/and sketching process.
The difference between tools and supplies and their importance
No matter if you’re needing them for the hobby or professional business, both are needed if you want to have a quality-made project. The tools help you handle the material when you’re cutting it, but vinyl supplies make sure that your machine provides you the best performance.
Usefulness of the vinyl supplies
The blade holder and the pen holder are one of the main parts of the cutting machine. Many come with the dual carriage for using both, so you will be faster. The pen allows you to sketch the design and then cut it after.
Important vinyl supplies
It’s important to have materials that are suitable for the project you want to do. There are many vinyl material types that are specified for different projects such as sticker-making, crafting, embossing etc. Vinyl cutter blades are also important parts which cut the length and ensures the quality of resulted projects. That is why you have to be sure that you have the right blade on your machine.
The vinyl tools help finish the project
The market offers other vinyl tools that will help you with creating vinyl DIY projects or other more professional jobs. These are the hooks, scissors, and weeding tools. They are used to eliminate the excess part of the vinyl or to transfer it to the surfaces such as walls, fabrics, glass etc.
Vinyl cutter packages
Many cutter packages already include vinyl rolls for cutter and vinyl cutting tools that you can use for your first jobs. There are many types of tools that are helping with managing the working process, protecting the resulted media, handling the material or the produced waste etc.
Vinyl Cutting Tools & Supplies
Blade Holderand the Pen Holder
The most used vinyl supply is the blade holder which holds the vinyl cutter blades. The blade holder is one of the main parts in the cutting machine, therefore the performance will depend on it. Except for the blade holder and the blades, some devices have a pen holder too. For example, cutter plotter models have them and they can perform both cutting and sketching, therefore you can do more creative jobs.
To buy universal or specially-made model?
Both can be made for a specific brand such as Cricut, Silhouette or other. If you had one particular model and it broke, you have to replace it with a good one. We recommend you to buy it from the same brand rather than search for a universal one.
The specifications of blade holders and pens
The blades on the blade holder can come in different sizes and angles. Therefore, there is 30-degree, 45-degree and 60-degree made blades which can cut different materials according to their size. The blade holders are often made from aluminum which doesn’t rust so you can expect it to last a long time.
The specifications of the pen holders and pens
The pen holders are suitable for a wide range of pens depending on their style and color. The pen is sketching the images or designs created in the software or downloaded from the online design stores.
Ratchet-Style Blades
These blades enable precise adjustment of the cutting depth, according to the material. They are made for models with a slot on the cutting machine and you have to put this vinyl supply in it.
Carbide make them last long
The Ratchet slot can be manually controlled. The blade’s cutting length can be adjusted in a certain range. They are made from Carbide which guarantees durability and good performance of the device. This type of blade ensures that you have the most precise cut material. It can cut a wide range of materials depending on the thickness and type.
Specific or universal
They can be made by a certain brand such as Silhouette, Cricut, USCutter etc. or they can be universal. If you have more than one cutting device and they are different models, will recommend the universal replacement part.
Heat Transfer Vinyl
This is the vinyl supply that is often included in the bundle or the starter kit package of the cutting machine. They are often sold as vinyl rolls for the cutter and they are an extremely useful part of any vinyl cutter machine.
They had to be transferred with the iron or press machine
You can create the wanted design, image or pattern in the software which you would like to cut and have on the t-shirt, bag, wall or another surface. The designs can be also downloaded from the online website or already made projects preloaded into the software.
You can use them to create a variety of DIY projects
Anyhow, this vinyl is ideal for birthday parties, Halloween, sign-making or t-shirt making, custom apparel, home decoration etc. It’s desirable for them to be high-quality and durable because this ensures the sign on the surface is long-lasting.
Cutting Mat
This is a very important part of the working process. The cutting mat ensures that you position your project well and avoid too much material waste. Take notice that the material you’re using has to be smaller than the cutting mat.
They have different sizes of grids
They often come with grids because it’s easier for you to place the material on the mat. The packages of the cutters almost always include this vinyl supply. It’s produced in the different sizes and different size of grids. Some cutting machines have cutting mat preview so you can find optimal position of the material on the mat with the software.
The main characteristics are stickiness
Also, cutting mats are made from sticky material that ensures there is no moving of the material during the work. The material is also sticking on the mat so there is no slipping. It can be used many times until it’s stickiness is reduced. You can try to wash it before the use, so the mat becomes re-sticky, but do it only in a controlled environment.
Catch Media Basket
This is one of the most practical vinyls cutting supplies that are great for long period jobs. These are often in big firms and companies that have many big and professional projects to do.
Protects the resulted project
You can put it in front of the device and when the project is cut, it will be sorted into the basket and protected. This is practical because sometimes long work can get unattended so it’s important to have the item that ensures that the resulted material is protected from damage, dirt etc.
The great supply if you have a professional business
If you’re having a professional business and a lot of work, this is one of the best accessories for your cutting machines. It can be included in the package with the device, but often it isn’t, so you have to buy it separately.
Heat Press Machine
If you’re in the t-shirt making business, this is one of the most useful vinyl cutting tools you should have. It uses a vinyl heat transfer process to decorate the fabric. They are produced in different sizes and shapes, so you can adjust them to your business.
It’s desirable to have it included in the package
It’s ideal if the cutting machine’s package includes the heat press machine. This is often offered in the bundles that are intended for t-shirt and sign making. The machine is made to last long, so it will be nice accessories for your cutting machine. The market offers some models for beginners that are simple to use and don’t have to be intended for professional businesses.
Better than the iron
We recommend you to buy it because it will work better than iron. With the iron, you have to press the vinyl 2-3 times for material to adhere on the fabric. This is because you will rarely cover all the material area with iron, while with the heat press you can. This will prevent the material for overheating or underheating which ensures the best result.
The Starter Kit With Tools and Materials
Many cutter models such as Silhouette and Cricut offer the starter kits with their cutting machines. The kit includes vinyl rolls for the cutter, vinyl cutter blades, vinyl cutting tools and other vinyl cutting supplies.
It’s more affordable and specific for certain jobs
We would recommend buying the model with the starter kit because it’s more affordable. You don’t have to search for all accessories separately which is very practical. Some of the kits are specifically made for certain projects, so you can choose according to your needs.
The tools and supplies in it allow you to start the project immediately
The tools included are helping you with the project, such as the hook, the trimmer, tools for weeding out the cut-out image, tools for applying the project on the surface and other. These packages also include other vinyl supply such as cutting mat. It means that you can start with your work immediately.
Vinyl Rolls For Cutter
There are different vinyl rolls offered on the market depending on the type of vinyl. There is sign vinyl such as oracal, edura and SISER. They come in different colors, and every rolls contains a sheet of one color. Also, they come in different sizes.
The wide application area
You can use them in your company to make signs, logos or banners that are later used in an advertisement field or car industry. Also, you can make letterings, monograms or home decorations for your personal needs or as a part of your hobby.
The benefit of buying the rolls in the packages specific for certain job
They have different thickness and material type, and when you buy them you should know which project you want to design so you know which material you’ll need. The rolls are often sold in the packages with cutting machines. A big advantage is when the manufacturer offers the starter package for a certain job so you can be sure you have all needed materials.
