by William Sanders
One of the coolest things you can do with a vinyl cutter machine is to customize your mugs with your preferred designs. A customized mug can also make a perfect gift for someone close to you.
That said, you'd want your design to last longer on that mug and not peel off easily. You don't want all your hard work and the cash you spent on the supplies to go to waste.
Luckily, you can make the vinyl strongly bond with your mug and last longer by sealing it in place.
But how exactly do you do that?
Contents
As we have just mentioned above, the main idea behind sealing vinyl on your mug is to keep it in place and make your design last longer.
Many crafters have reported cases of the vinyl coming off their mugs. And in 99% of these cases, the vinyl was sealed. This further shows how important sealing the vinyl designs you apply on your mug is.
If you're customizing that mug to gift it to someone special, sealing the vinyl will ensure you give them a quality gift that lasts a lifetime.
While still at it, you might have heard some folks say that vinyl should never be sealed because it needs to breath. However, this is just a myth, and you shouldn't fall for it.
With that in mind, it's worth noting that sealing the vinyl on a mug can be a challenge at first. But once you figure out things, it becomes super-easy for you.
In our next section, we'll show you how to properly seal vinyl on your mug and make it stay in place.
Assuming you have already cut your vinyl image with the help of a vinyl cutter machine and it's ready for application, follow these steps to get the job done:
Firstly, you'll need to give your substrate (the mug) a thorough clean. This will help eliminate all the dirt, oils, etc. on its surface which can make it hard for your design to stick.
Once you have cleaned the mug, put it in the drying rack to enable it to dry completely. Moisture, too, can hinder the vinyl' ability to stick to the mug.
You can also use a clean paper towel to dry the mug quickly.
Next, grab the transfer tape and stick it to your design. Ensure everything lines up correctly, and the tape doesn't go past your design.
For beginners, the tape will help you easily apply the design on your mug.
Needless to mention, you'll be applying the design on the side of your mug.
And when applying it, keep the design as low as possible. This will help ensure it doesn't affect where you'll be drinking from your mug.
Make use of the scraping tool to help smoothen out your design and brush out any bubbles and make the vinyl stick to the mug.
The last and most crucial step involves sealing the vinyl design. There are several sealant options available. And which one to use will depend on your budget as well as the level of durability you're looking for.
For beginners, consider using the Mod Podge sealant. For experienced crafters, you can go for epoxy. (See more options below)
Once you apply the sealant, you should let your mug sit for a couple of days to give the vinyl time to settle and cure. Or you can simply bake the mug in the oven for fast curing process.
We already know that adhesive vinyl is the most popular type used for customizing mugs. This simply means that the sealant you use on your mug should be compatible with this type of vinyl.
Let's take a closer look at some of the most popular sealants you can use for this project:
Once all the pieces are cut out of the vinyl, you'll need to apply them to your mug. Make sure that all surfaces are clean - this helps ensure that the sealant will stick well.
Place one of the larger pieces of vinyl onto your mug. Using a credit card or something similar, smooth it down firmly so there's no air bubbles.
Now do the same with the smaller pieces, in any order you'd like. Try to plan it out in advance so that related colors are touching - this makes it easier when you're applying the sealant. The only piece that should be separate is the word "serenity".
Once all of your vinyl pieces are on, it's time to seal them in.
If you're using Mod Podge, the process is as follows:
Paint a thin layer of mod podge onto your mug. Make sure that all of your vinyl pieces are covered and that none of the color/design is showing through. Let it dry for about 30 seconds. Repeat step 2 until the design doesn't feel slippery anymore (this means it's absorbing the sealant). This usually takes around 4 layers for me. When it dries, put another coat on just for good measure and let dry overnight. Then it will be ready to use! Note: if you mess up at any point along this process, you can always peel the vinyl off and re-apply it - or just paint over the mistake!
If you're using Plasti Dip, follow these instructions - but instead of step 1 (painting on sealant) you dip the mug in the Plasti Dip. The process takes about 30 minutes (but can be sped up with a hair dryer) and then your piece is ready to use! Note: if you need to peel off the vinyl after it's been dipped, be very careful as this will also remove some of the Plasti Dip.
That's it! You have successfully sealed the vinyl on your mug. Now you can use the customized mug to sip your hot coffee or chocolate. You can also clean it in the dishwasher (if the sealant is labeled as dishwasher safe) without worrying about the design coming off.
About William Sanders
William Sanders was born and raised in California. After receiving his Master’s degree in information science from San Diego State University, he started working as a city councilor. In his spare time, William enjoys playing best-selling MMORPG games such as World of Warcraft and Fnal Fantasy, where he often takes on the role of guild leader with hundreds of players collaborating for success under his leadership. William is also a regular contributor to some popular magazines such as San Jose Mercury News, Gleanster Research, and Palmgear.
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