Plotting with adhesive vinyl: A great DIY idea with potential. Learn how it works and what you should keep in mind in our guide.
Let’s get started 🚀
The most important points at a glance
- In this post, you will learn what you need to plot with adhesive vinyl and how it works.
- My step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to plot with adhesive vinyl.
- You will receive tips and advice for making your plot last longer.
- At the end of the blog post, you can get started right away with designing your own wall decal.
- You can download the freebie "superpower" plot for free in this blog post.
- ✂️ Level: Easy
- ⏰ Time required: 1-2 hours
Why should I plot with adhesive vinyl?
Plotting with adhesive vinyl is super easy! Adhesive vinyl is incredibly versatile because it can be applied to many different materials.
If you have a plotter and some adhesive vinyl, you can spruce up almost anything you get your hands on.
Whether it's a personalized gift, a wall decal, the bins in your pantry, a lantern, or even your car. Your creativity knows no bounds here.
If you love making homemade and, above all, personal gifts, or if you enjoy labeling everything, then plotting with adhesive vinyl is just the thing for you. And the best part is, in the end, you can proudly say: "I made this myself" 😍
There are adhesive films in many different colors and finishes. To get an overview of the different plotter films, take a look at my post on the various plotter films.
Recommended reading: Buying plotter film – which film for what?
Hello, I'm Ria and I love DIY and plotting!
Are you still looking for a plotter that suits you?
Then check out my blog post on the various hobby plotters.
Recommended reading: Buying a plotter
Video tutorial: Plotting with adhesive vinyl
What kind of designs can I plot with adhesive vinyl?
Beautiful lettering or an image with clear lines is perfect for plotting. The plotter cuts the lines along a graphic.
It is important that you can create a vector graphic from the file; this contains coordinates that the plotter follows with the blade to cut the lines.
They can be scaled as desired without losing quality. A vector graphic is, for example, an SVG file.
Pixel files, on the other hand, contain color information for specific areas and do not have clear lines. When these files are enlarged, they lose quality. They are very well suited for images that are displayed with numerous color gradations.
Depending on the model, you can use different file formats. SVG files are the best choice. Every plotter can process these. Some plotters can also handle DXF and PNG files.
Tip: Pixel files can also be converted into a vector graphic. I like to use the free program Inkscape for this.
Which materials can I use with adhesive vinyl?
Countless projects can be implemented with adhesive vinyl.
Whether it's glass, wood, ceramic, tiles, slate, paper, cars, or plastic. You can stick them onto almost any smooth surface.
Tip: Do you want to apply vinyl to treated wood? Make sure you treat the wood with a water-based product. Acrylic varnish, for example, is suitable for treating it.
Since vinyl film adheres best to smooth surfaces, I recommend sanding down the wood beforehand if necessary. This removes anything that could make the surface rough, such as grooves, knots, splinters, and small holes.
What do I need to plot with adhesive vinyl?
- Plotter*
- Adhesive vinyl*
- Transfer tape*
- Cutting mat suitable for your plotter
- Optional: Complete set* with weeding hook, tweezers, scraper, spatula, scissors
- Scalpel*
- Scissors
- Tape measure/ruler*
- Roller*
- Finger waste bin*
- Tabletop waste bin*
- Good lighting, possibly a Lightpad*
Which adhesive vinyl should I use for which project?
To find the right film for your project, you first have to look at the surface.
Is the surface exposed to heavy use, e.g., rain, car washes, or a dishwasher?
Do you want to remove the plot after a short time or should it last for several years? What kind of end result do you want? Depending on which film you use, the result can have varying durability. That's why we will look at the different adhesive films in the next section.
Removable adhesive vinyl
Most removable adhesive films have a matte look and thus prevent unwanted light reflections. Due to their less strong polyacrylate adhesive, you can remove them residue-free from most surfaces within 2 years, making them very suitable for indoor use and surfaces that are not under heavy stress. This film is not resistant to solvents and chemicals.
Removable plotter film is very well suited for the following projects:
- Wall decals
- Lanterns
- Mirrors
- Cards
- Window decorations
- For companies in trade fair construction
Tip: You can also use the removable film as a stencil. This allows for great DIY projects with children.
You can, for example, plot a heart or some lettering and stick it onto a mug. Let the child paint over and around it with ceramic markers*.
Then, before firing it in the oven, peel off the film. This creates a wonderful gift for Mom, Dad, or the grandparents, for example.
My expert tip: For this and similar projects, I have had very good experiences with Oracal 631* adhesive film from the company Orafol.
Permanent adhesive vinyl
Permanent adhesive films, on the other hand, usually have a glossy surface. This film clings firmly to its substrate, making it very easy to work with. The adhesive layer consists of strong solvent polyacrylate adhesive. This makes it, as the name suggests, permanent and very suitable for outdoor use and surfaces under heavy stress. This film is resistant to solvents and chemicals.
There are now also several manufacturers who offer matte permanent adhesive film.
Permanent plotter film is very well suited for the following projects:
- Car advertising
- Outdoor applications
- Glass
- Porcelain
- Tiles
- Ceramic
- Plastic
My expert tip: For these projects, I have had very good experiences with Oracal 751C* from the company Orafol.
| Film | Project |
| Adhesive vinyl | |
| Removable vinyl film | Surfaces under light stress, short- to medium-term markings, lettering, and decorations Wall decals, window decorations, wood, greeting cards, gift picture frames, lanterns, mirrors |
| Permanent vinyl film | Surfaces under heavy stress long-term markings, lettering, and decorations Car advertising, glasses, advertising signs |
How long does a plot last?
How long your plot lasts depends on several factors:
- Which film did you use?
- Is the surface of your plot under heavy stress? e.g., due to rain, sun, dishwasher
- Did you clean the surface well before transferring?
The manufacturer Orafol specifies a durability of 3 years for its removable plotter film and up to 8 years for the permanent plotter film.
Which film is dishwasher safe?
Permanent plotter film is dishwasher safe. However, keep in mind that this film is not food-safe and contains plasticizers. Only apply it in such a way that it does not come into contact with food or the mouth.
How do I store my plotter film?
Now I will give you a few tips for storing your plotter films.
It is best to keep your plotter films at room temperature, as the films do not like being too warm or too cold.
Also, pay attention to the humidity in the room. Excessive humidity affects the durability of your films, but sitting right next to a radiator is not the right place either.
Protect your films from sunlight or UV light. This light is also not good for your films.
It is best to store your films flat. Either in a binder, where you can also organize your films really well, or in a hanging file system. Large films can also be stored rolled up. A disadvantage of this is that the film will take on the rolled shape. You can let it lie flat for a while before use so that the film doesn't keep rolling back up. Usually, it is also sufficient to secure the ends with adhesive tape.
I bought a bottle insert from IKEA for my films. This fits in the Kallax shelves.
Plotting with adhesive vinyl: Which step do I start with?
Think about what you want to plot and what effect your plot should have.
You should ask yourself these questions: