The Best Material for Cricut Car Decals

I am doing some tests with different materials to make Cricut car decals. From adhesive vinyl to printable vinyl with a laminate, what material should you use when making car decals with your Cricut? Which stickers are waterproof? What about UV resistance? I am testing all of that for you so that you can have the knowledge you need for making the decals you make for your car last as long as possible.
Materials for these tests are at the following affiliate links:
Cricut Permanent Vinyl www.thecountrychiccottage.net...
Oracal Permanent Vinyl www.directvinylsupply.com/col...
Cricut Printable Vinyl www.thecountrychiccottage.net...
Orajet Printable Vinyl www.directvinylsupply.com/pro...
Oraguard Laminate www.directvinylsupply.com/pro...
Starcraft Printable Vinyl www.directvinylsupply.com/pro...
Starcraft UV Laminate www.directvinylsupply.com/pro...
Printer I recommend is here amzn.to/34zOzYN
You can find the cut file for this project here if you need it: shrsl.com/2gkmu
Here are a few other videos that may be of help:
Print then cut: • Print then Cut Feature...
How to use flatten: • The Cricut Flatten Fea...

[@SassKatt71]

Whenever I use a clear cover over the top of the printable vinyl, I make the clear slightly larger than the base design. Now that we have the offset available, I do just about 1/8" offset to totally seal the edges of the printable to prevent any water seepage. It works great and I have had no problems. Of course, this means you have to cut separately.

[@rcggiusto78]

What clear cover do you use?

[@MariaNyceDesigns]

You’re such an amazing person Angie!!! I am so very grateful to you for testing out so many aspects & techniques for us!!! Seeing blessings & hugs!!!

[@annehamilton7233]

This is EXACTLY the video I was searching for!! You did an amazing job and answered all the questions that I had about each sample! Thanks so much for putting this out there.

[@tinaanderson200]

Yes, I sub yeap

[@uraniumu242]

Absolutely fantastic. Your thoroughness is very effective. Other channels I have watched do not have this level of attention to detail.

[@gerryannbrown9645]

Great review on car decals. I really like just like the plain permanent Vinyl. Looks the best. Thanks, Angie.

[@craftybeez8668]

Thanks for putting this great video together! I am ordering the products you suggested (printable + laminate) and am excited to test them out! I always refer to your videos when looking for different Cricut methods :)

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@craft1305]

Literally the video I needed! I had questions about protecting the vinyl for car decals and you described everything. Outstanding experimental video! Thank you so much!!!!! Subscribed!😉

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@janelandry6584]

So glad I found your channel! I am going back through old videos. This is so helpful!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sherryspence9128]

Thank you Angie for another informative video. I love how you compare several different options and you make your videos so easy to follow.

[@AngieHolden]

You are so welcome!

[@gprewett9036]

A very thorough demonstration of the different products, and very helpful for future projects!

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks for watching!

[@Klove319]

Wow, thank you for all of your hard work! This is a great experiment!

[@AngieHolden]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@kristapatricio2114]

Thank you for taking the time to do this! Very helpful!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patnichol1275]

This was so educational for me! Other videos just sprayed the decal with a sealer.

[@orlandoarciaga800]

Thanks a lot! You are truly dedicated to your craft. Hat off.

[@KINGH4L0]

You went to a lot of work for this demonstration. I really appreciate the thorough information.

[@carlacera928]

Wow this video was great! Really loved the comparison of the different types of material, it was honestly exactly what I needed!

[@AngieHolden]

I'm so glad!

[@robinthompson198]

Super helpful!! Thank you for putting in the time to do this and for sharing what you discovered!!

[@tanadiaz-margerum8313]

Great tutorial. Thank you for your attention to detail!

[@TerminatorFiles]

This is by far the best review I have seen about the Cricut results. Thank you very much!

[@AngieHolden]

Wow, thank you!

[@huxy6719]

Great video with tons of useful information. Thankyou!

[@Ucmirolln]

Excellent this is exactly what I was looking for thank you. This was very helpful!

[@AngieHolden]

Great to hear!

[@GeeBoggs]

Invaluable tips! Thank you so much.

[@arewethereyet-lifeoffgrid]

Great video thank you. Just what we are looking for. We just bought a cricket and it’s very overwhelming. My daughter was wanting to print and we didn’t know there was print vinyl. Thank you so much perfect!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@petrovski1948]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you.

[@SassKatt71]

Red colors are known to be prone to fading. Making the clear topping slightly larger will also mediate the water from wicking into the printable. Even simply transparent vinyl over the top will minimize the water seepage.

[@ShortFuse325]

You are such an awesome teacher, thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Wow, thank you!

[@meganrydman8152]

Wonderful video, so helpful and just what i was looking for! Thank you!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@anngillespie2677]

What a fantastic concise video! I learned so much. Thank you very much?

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks for watching!

[@mm0901]

This was great!! Thank you so much!!🙌🏻

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you liked it!!

[@LC-no5zx]

Thank you so much. I just placed an order and referenced you!

[@AngieHolden]

Hope you like it!

[@donnab218]

Great Comparison! Thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@johnnylubeck1145]

I found using a ruler to flatten the laminate and using the scraper on the BACK of the vinyl is better. The scraper scratches the laminate if you are rubbing the bubbles out.

[@bluemop34]

Love you detailed videos!!! Please do more

[@AngieHolden]

Twice a week every week!

[@toniwade4204]

Really awesome video; much appreciated!!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@shandrikaharris5893]

You have helped me so much with this video thanks so much 🥰

[@AngieHolden]

Happy to help!

[@stephss]

Super helpful. Thank you so much.

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cynthiavazquez468]

Thank you so much for this!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carlamhaight]

Great video. Saves us a lot of money .thanks for sharing.

[@AngieHolden]

Glad to help

[@naigigelenavazquezgonzalez7044]

Awesome experiment.... good job 👍 thanks.

[@AngieHolden]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@pilkjaer]

Great video and thorough work! I was impressed how permanent vinyl held up. Apart from limited colour choices on main difference is the effect decal will have. First of all - all those ridges will collect dirt. Second, delcal will have transparent lines which can be a huge deal when placing on a car panel or when having tinted windows. This can be solved by first cutting a white vinyl circle as a backing. I was also surprised that laminated variant with UV film on top didn't hold well. In any way rather interesting results. Next step is to attach decals to the real car to see how it will cope with salted roads, snow scraping and car wash brushes.

[@craft1305]

I was just wondering. So you put a white vinyl circle under the decal on the car and do you do this with non laminated or laminated vinyl? Thanks!

[@MyRudy45]

Thanks for this great video. I just started stickers and actually called a company about using the Starcraft Printable Permanent Adhesive Vinyl for car decals and didn't recommend it. What you did shows why it wouldn't work.

[@damianomartucci9814]

Nice experiment!

[@deilyn4086]

Great tutorial.

[@bunnyrabbit803]

This was amazing! Thank you!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lucyresendes5875]

Ty great information 👍

[@katherineadamson9519]

Thank you just what I needed to know

[@AngieHolden]

So happy it helped!

[@christymoreno4271]

This was the video I needed to watch. Thank you so much for all the info. Without this video I would have had to do all these experiments myself and lost a ton of 💰!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad it was helpful!

[@EllaL123]

Very helpful!!! Thank you!!

[@AngieHolden]

So glad!

[@MsGNotes]

Thanks!!! Awesome information!

[@AngieHolden]

You bet!

[@Theresa914]

Hi Angie, I didn’t know better and I printed my car decals on Neato sticker paper. Glossy, holographic and clear did great but the matte did not. Colors were not bright or correct. Testing is next and I will print on the cricut vinyl too. Thanks for this video, exactly what I needed.

[@andreagarofolo9431]

I have so much printable sticker paper I thought it was for car decals. But apparently I was wrong but I am wondering if I laminate it if it will work. Instead of printable vinyl I bought printable sticker paper to be clear

[@diannerobert3822]

Very nice explained car decal tutorial ! 😊👍

[@AngieHolden]

Thank you 👍

[@SewCool-Ideas]

Great video! Thanks

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you liked it!

[@stairmaster3001]

Pro level video. I was looking for a comparison like this. I am making some car decals and need to make them water and fade proof! Subbed!

[@stairmaster3001]

@Ida yes I did, oracal 1917 vinyl sheets and laminate with oracal 210 or 215 gloss or matte laminate, they will last year’s outdoors!!

[@stairmaster3001]

@Ida yep! I laminate by hand, small learning curve to get it good without mistakes but it comes out amazing and I have stickers I made over a year ago this way still looking amazing sitting out in the weather every day!

[@OFM21]

Such a great video thanks!!!

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you liked it!

[@AlainaWithanA]

Thank you so so SO much! This is SO helpful!! You've saved me a LOT of time and money!! Thank you again!! 😭🙏

[@jadensumler1846]

Vxpcxx' -pzx pxccpddprspsdfc39 a car sticker I'm watching a video of car stickers

[@BWebb-gd9qn]

You rock! 8mlearning so much from you!

[@LaceRedRose]

Thank you so much 🥰

[@AngieHolden]

You’re welcome 😊

[@vickywhite8586]

Thanks

[@snowwhite3194]

thank you for this video helps people safe money and time thank you for this awesome !!

[@AngieHolden]

You're welcome!

[@bigdawgaustindareseller9317]

Thanks for showing us this. Great vudeo

[@AngieHolden]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jetbossard7923]

My career has been in the Printing Industry, and it has included Label printing among other types. It is my experience that decals are best done applied from the inside of the window, rather than outside. Other than this, Silkscreen with a UV varnish or laminate Will be fade resistant. I am going to try sublimation for a full color decal, printed on a clear printable vinyl mirror image and test that, and apply it on the inside of a car window. Other than that, Silkscreen is the way to go if you want to protect it from the Sun and weather. Cling Vinyl is another suitable material for decals.

[@AngieHolden]

Generally sublimation ink is not UV resistant.

[@Aryah_Lynn13]

As a beginner using the cricut this was one of the best videos ive ever seen explaining the what to use for stickers...Thanks for your help and of course i subscribed....do you have a video about using sublimation printing vs. a photojet printer?

[@AngieHolden]

I have several actually. What are you looking to add sublimation to? Here is a comparison on a shirt: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYKmi4WkmaeHf5o

[@donnamalmlov4853]

I really appreciate this and other videos you've shared--I've been learning a lot from them! I got a Cricut Maker recently and my first project was some lettering I put on my kayak. Being new to this, and afraid of what it might do to my kayak, I used the removable vinyl instead of the permanent. A couple of friends asked me to print name decals for their kayaks. Is it OK to use the removable, or should I be using permanent vinyl for these? THANKS SO MUCH for sharing your expertise and sharing your research, like this!

[@AngieHolden]

I would use the permanent if it was me!

[@cduemig1]

Great video. This is just what I was looking for. I’m making high quality decals for atv’s so weather and UV resistance is key. I’m using a pigment printer that’s supposed to be more fade resistant so fingers crossed.

[@AngieHolden]

Sounds great!

[@athenamay30]

Thank you very much! You explain everything so clearly. Have you tried sublimating on laminated white Oracal 651 and testing it outdoors? I ask because I don’t live in the US and getting vinyls is so costly for me. If I were in the US I’d be testing way more than I do currently and that’s why your videos are soooo helpful, really appreciate everything you share!

[@AngieHolden]

I have not done that yet!

[@1dulceritmo]

This is a great video

[@jeremyjustinekrueger8485]

love your videos. but i love your shirt too i have the same in gray! ;)

[@nascar427]

I print all my printable vinyl on my Canon color laser printer and they come out beautiful and permanent. No needing for a sealer.

[@mmarshall1231]

What printable vinyl do you use?

[@emilyfisk558]

Thank you for this video! I have some cricut printable vinyl already, polyurethane spray, and Avery laminating sheets already. Is it possible to use both the spay sealer and and the laminating sheets? Would that help keep the colors protected?

[@chilloutsweet2601]

Great video

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks!

[@Precious-lx4xb]

I didn't notice the slight color change in the Cricut permanent vinyl I do believe because one of them is against the clear background opposed to a white one and made it appear like that so I don't think the color actually changed that maybe a factor

[@kimberlyburgy8817]

Hi Angie, I'm wondering if the color would not fade as much if we used a printer such as canon or epson with pigment inks? Great video and very informative. Thank you

[@AngieHolden]

Oh maybe! I used an HP.

[@candablo]

She's awesome

[@hazelann63]

Vinyl colour so much better at the start

[@cduemig1]

I got the Orajet and Oraguard. I’m unfortunately disappointed.The Orajet has a very matte finish and hard to get good colors onto it. It’s like printing on plain paper. The Oraguard is ok but has lines in it that you can see looking at the stickers. I tried another glossy print and cut vinyl by Neato which turned out much better, almost as good as photo paper. The adhesive is questionable though as I stuck it to a mirror and lightly sprayed with water leading to one small sticker starting to detach though it restuck when dry.

[@justydoit31]

Hi , thank you for this amazing video ! Would you be able to tell me what setting you used on your cricut machine please ?

[@AngieHolden]

For which material?

[@jamesfojt3274]

For both please. I’m a cricut newbie

[@jennagirling2841]

I know late comment! But I was just wondering if you, or anyone else has had issues with the lamination sheets peeling off of the decal over time? This video was a lot of help!! Thank you for doing this experiment :)

[@AngieHolden]

I didn't have issues with the Oracal. I wasn't a fan of the Starcraft though.

[@barbarakorpi65]

So helpful. Thank you. If you put the orocal with oroguard decal on a metal car cup can it go thru the dishwasher? Thank you for all you do.

[@AngieHolden]

I am not sure about the dishwasher.

[@littlecncshop]

Great video....but there is a much easier, and faster way to cut it twice....just adjust your material settings to have it cut twice

[@heyjade7277]

Yes or set it to “more pressure” too

[@RachelMullerCreations]

Thank you for doing the test. I love your shirt! What does the bottom say?

[@AngieHolden]

It says do more of what makes you happy! Cause we definitely should don't you think?

[@kellyblinkhorn6088]

Any chance you can show how well each of those remove for the glass??!! Looking to do some window decals for a business and want to be able to take them off eventually. Thanks, otherwise this video was super helpful for what I want to do

[@AngieHolden]

I usually scrape them off then use like goo gone to remove any remaining adhesive. I actually need to take them off of this glass piece so I may film it really quick!

[@kellyblinkhorn6088]

@@AngieHolden thank you!! That would be awesome because the removal may dictate which material to use over color fading and vibrancy!!!

[@TxYelowRose]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful videos. Can you tell me where you get your printer ink? It seems ink could be a huge investment.

[@AngieHolden]

Try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX2WdaFrp9CEb6M

[@summerspinney5341]

What do you recommend for a tire cover?

[@normazaharioudakis115]

Would it work with sublimation printer? Love your videos thank you

[@AngieHolden]

No it would not.

[@PatDivaDzignsHunley]

What do you recommend to print a car magnet. I’d like something I could move around and also get off easily.

[@AngieHolden]

I think I would do the oracal shown here and stick it to some magnet material. You can buy printable sheet magnets that should work for this.

[@DIPU1036]

Hi Angie, Are these all the Water based ink Inkjet printable vinyls available on the market?

[@o-inaris7359]

I know this was 3 years ago, but I have noticed that blue sticks for a MUCH longer time than any other color. So for those here trying to figure out the best way to do things.. Maybe do not use blue for those tests.

[@jessicamckinley8732]

thank you for this info! Can you please do a video on printed pattern vinyl? I want to use it for car decals but not sure if i need to put a laminate or sealer or something over it. Not print then cut vinyl but regular patterned vinyl that I ordered from a website. I can't seem to find any information on it! I'm afraid the colors in the pattern will fade! Thanks!

[@AngieHolden]

That is probably going to depend on a ton of factors including the brand you purchased and how it was made. Putting a laminate over it won't hurt anything so I think I would especially to protect from UV exposure.

[@jessicamckinley8732]

@@AngieHolden oh okay! I purchased clear (transparent) vinyl, is that what it's for?

[@FranksDIY]

Great experiment. But I do have one question can they withstand a carwash

[@AngieHolden]

I would think so but I have not actually tried different materials through a car wash.

[@mimomime3190]

thx so much for this helpful Video ❤.. if i make logo (alot of Details and pieces) on printable vinyl & i add laminat ... can i use transfer tape ? or is not work i need answer plz

[@AngieHolden]

The issue with use transfer tape over laminate is that you run the risk of pulling the laminate off of your print with the tape. You might be able to do it but I would be really careful.

[@mimomime3190]

@@AngieHolden thx u ❤❤❤❤❤

[@gailevans5694]

great video. Can I put the vinyl design on another piece of vinyl, say a white rectangular vinyl.?

[@AngieHolden]

Yes you can.

[@grahamchiz6076]

Good video. I have a HP printer but when I print onto Printable Vinyl (glossy) it will smudge badly especially if wetted. Is the Cricut Printable Vinyl you are using a Matte surface? The stickers I am trying to make are for a motorbike so they need to be waterproof. I'm wondering if the sealer would be o.k. for glossy surfaces. Would appreciate any comment you care to make. Thanks, Graham.

[@AngieHolden]

I have not seen a printable vinyl that is glossy from Cricut. You might want to make sure you have a printable version and not just regular vinyl.

[@mp2172]

Hi Angie, great video but being completely new to vinyl printing I'm still wondering what the best way to achieve my goal is. Basically, I want an A4 decal with a white background and a black logo and some text. The decal will be on a vehicle. Am I better off getting white vinyl and print black on it or could this be done with 2 vinyls - one black and one white? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@AngieHolden]

I would do one black vinyl and one white and layer them.

[@mp2172]

@@AngieHolden Thanks for taking time out to reply, Angie, it's really appreciated

[@michelleeilers9863]

Have you made window decals using sublimation printer or do you have a video for it?

[@AngieHolden]

I have not!

[@vlovbg]

Great comparison video but a lot of the repetitive steps could have been fast-forwarded to cut down on the video length.

[@AngieHolden]

Thanks but I always get questions about whether or not I did each of the samples the same if I don't leave in that footage.

[@leximartin3354]

I wonder if you cut the orajet/oraguard vinyl/laminate slightly bigger than the design so that the laminate stuck out just a smidge more than the vinyl if you would notice the ring around the design.

[@leximartin3354]

probably would have to cut the vinyl first, apply the laminate, and then cut again. doing two cuts anyways.

[@AngieHolden]

That may work!

[@lesliehulce8842]

You can use full sheet of laminate and it will cut on the cricut with no issues

[@AngieHolden]

The Cricut Maker and new Explore do a better job of this but older machines will error out with the shiny surface.

[@PHamm54]

You probably should use the cricut reverse tweezers to keep from getting oils of ur hands onto the decal. The second one had the least fading; I don’t understand why u say the third one was best?

[@AngieHolden]

This was totally my opinions only.

[@ShortFuse325]

The third one was the best for an image printed onto printable vinyl. Second one is best if you can just cut the image out of permanent vinyl. So, "print then cut" versus just cut vinyl. Hope that makes sense, I'm still learning it all myself. Lol.

[@lindahank3503]

I tried using orajet printable vinyl with my Epson inkjet printer. It wouldn’t dry . What printer are you using to get these great results? Love your videos 😊

[@AngieHolden]

I just used an HP Photo Envy printer.

[@shadowcatblackcat]

This is exactly what I was looking for. Can these adhere to leather like padding?

[@AngieHolden]

Leather is flexible so these adhesive stickers will not work the same. I usually recommend heat transfer vinyl for leather but I don't think that will work on a car.