| |

How to Apply Vinyl to a Tumbler Cup

Sharing is caring!

Learn how to apply vinyl to a tumbler. This is an easy way to customize your cups. They also make great gifts.

If you’re new to Cricut, you might want to check out this post on how to use vinyl.

teal tumbler with pink flamingo decal

This post contains affiliate links. By purchasing an item through an affiliate link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Custom tumblers are one of the easiest projects for beginners to try. It’s so easy to add a monogram or a design to a cup.

How to Apply Vinyl to a Tumbler

Supplies Needed:

blue tumbler, pink roll of vinyl, and hot pink napkin

Making Your Design for a Tumbler

I chose a tall, thin tumbler for this project. Even though the surface is curved, it’s easier to work with than the traditional shape.

For my tumbler, I knew that my design could only be about 2.5″ wide, but could be about 5″ tall.

While the design can wrap around the cup, I prefer to see it on one side, so that’s the reason for my design size.

If you want to use a name or a word, you still can. Just turn it sideways on the cup. (I have it sideways in Design Space, but you can cut it normally and just apply it to the cup sideways.)

screenshot of cricut design space

Applying the Vinyl to the Tumbler

  1. Clean the tumbler with rubbing alcohol to remove any oil from your skin.
  2. Cut your vinyl as usual. (Here’s a tutorial for using vinyl if you need it.)
  3. Weed the excess vinyl.
  4. Apply a piece of transfer tape to the vinyl design front.
  5. Remove the vinyl backing. flamingo decal on transfer paper
  6. Place the vinyl on the tumbler. (You can measure if you want, but I just eyeball it.)flamingo decal going on tumbler
  7. Press the design in place firmly.applying decal to tumbler
  8. Remove the transfer tape.
  9. Smooth the design more if needed.
  10. Enjoy your new custom tumbler!
teal tumbler with pink flamingo decal

Care for Your Custom Tumbler

Vinyl cannot be put in the dishwasher or soaked in water.

Wash by hand.

Other Vinyl Projects

Download a Flamingo SVG

Free downloads are for personal use only. Please do not redistribute or sell.

Flamingo SVG

Get tips for using SVGs with Cricut.

Pin for Later!

flamingo tumbler

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. Hi! I recently designed my first tumbler with permanent vinyl. I followed all directions as stated but when I run my fingers over the vinyl, it’s very easy to feel the vinyl. I guess I expected to not be able to feel much of the vinyl. It almost feels like a sticker and that, if I tried, I might be able to simply peel it off. Is this just what the vinyl feels like? I want to make sure I don’t gift this to someone only to have it peel soon after. Thanks for the help!

    1. So that’s normal. Vinyl sits on top of the surface, similar to a sticker. You can seal it with polycrylic or an epoxy resin. I haven’t tested either or those methods personally though. However, I’ve had a wine tumbler with a decal for almost 2 years. We moved and it got a bit damaged in the move, but besides that, it still looks good. I just hand-wash it.
      Sublimation is another option. It’s a permanent ink (very similar to infusible ink) and I’ve seen attachments that can be used with a heat press and tumblers. This is another option that I haven’t tried. It’s on the list though.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *