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Applying Vinyl to a Tumbler So That’s It’s Always Straight!

Applying vinyl to a tumbler is a super easy and fun way to personalize your cup.  Find out how easy it is to apply straight and make sure to watch the video tutorial!

Yetis and Ozark Tumblers are all the rage these days!  There are so many options out there, that sometimes it’s hard to know what to choose! 

I personally like the Ozark Tumblers or Built from Amazon or Walmart.  They are a third of the price and work just as well.  They keep ice and water cold for up to 30 hours. 

They are amazing, it is the only cup I use anymore, for hot and cold drinks!  I have about five different decorated stainless steel cups since I never leave home without one.

applying vinyl to a tumbler

So along with being amazing tumblers, they are very fun to decorate.  You can do almost anything and jazz them up to suit your personality.

So today I thought I’d share how to go about applying vinyl to a tumbler.  I even have a video tutorial and printable directions at the bottom of the post if that’s more helpful.

Applying Vinyl to a Tumbler Tutorial

vinyl application

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links from Amazon and/or Walmart.com. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my links.

This process will work for either Ozark Stainless Steel mugs or Yetis.

You can purchase Ozark tumblers by clicking here.  Or for 20 oz click here and for 30 oz tumblers click here!

Or you can always browse my Amazon storefront with my complete DIY Tumbler supply list.


The first thing you need is a vinyl decal.  I cut mine out with my favorite tool, my Cricut Explore Air™.  Weed the vinyl and apply transfer paper over it.  (For more detailed information on this part see my post here.)

Next, clean the mug with rubbing alcohol.  I just use a cotton pad and wipe it around the whole thing to get all oils off so vinyl can seal better.

Getting Vinyl Straight on a Tumbler

Then with the paper backing still on position the decal on the tumbler where you want it.  

I find it easiest to use the Hinge method.  Place a strip of blue painter’s tape down the center to secure it in place.

ozark vinyl

Peel off one half of the transfer paper and cut off the backing while holding the sticky transfer paper.

applying vinyl to yeti

vinyl on ozark

Pull the transfer paper so it’s straight and lay it gently down on the mug.  Rub on the decal so it adheres.  Then remove the blue tape.

applying vinyl to a yeti

Now that it is secure in its position, peel off the other side of the paper backing.  Pull a little bit so it’s taught, and gently lay it down while smoothing it out with your fingers.

vinyl on tumblers

putting vinyl on tumblers

After rubbing down the vinyl you can slowly start peeling off the transfer tape.

applying vinyl to tumblers

There you have it.  Easy peasy!  Let the vinyl cure on the mug for 48-72 hours to make sure it sticks really well. 

I will also run an embossing heat gun back and forth hovering over the vinyl and then press down really hard with my finger to make sure it adheres really well.

Just be careful, not to touch it when it’s too hot!  Also, anything with vinyl should be hand washed.  No dishwashers!

yeti ozark

 

Here are a few of the other ones I have made. Easy and fun!  These make great gifts, especially for those hard to buy for people!

tumb10

tumb12

A Cricut machine can make so many personalized presents.  If you want to check out my ultimate guide for Cricut ideas (think gifts, home decor, easy projects, etc) click here!

decorating yeti ozark tumblers

If you’d like to learn how to seal your tumblers with epoxy, check out my tutorial here!monogrammed-yeti-tumbler

There are even more ways to decorate stainless steel mugs!  Click on each image below to check out my tutorial for painting them different ways!

Spray painting stainless steel mugs is easy to do.  Click here to watch my video tutorial on how I spray paint them without any prep work, like sanding!

paintozark

If you aren’t sure if you want to jump on to epoxy yet, you can still make a glittered tumbler!  Click on the picture to find out how! painting a stainless steel mug

You can also use chalk paint before applying vinyl to a tumbler.  I love chalk paint, you can paint it on anything!  It definitely has a different texture but this mug has lasted more than two years. bulldogmug

If you’d like to check out my ultimate guide on personalizing stainless steel tumblers and what I like to use, click here!

Here are the printable instructions.

Applying Vinyl to a Tumbler So That's It's Always Straight!

Applying Vinyl to a Tumbler So That's It's Always Straight!

Active Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Beginner
Estimated Cost: $10
Learn how to apply vinyl to a tumbler or mug so that it's always straight!

Materials

Tools

Instructions

  1. Design and cut out vinyl decal with a cutting machine (or buy a decal!)
  2. Weed off the extra vinyl.
  3. Clean your tumbler with rubbing alcohol and let dry.
  4. Apply transfer tape to your decal and scrape it down (do not remove paper backing yet!)
  5. Position decal on tumbler and use a ruler if necessary to make sure it's straight.
  6. Apply a strip of painter's tape down the middle of the decal.
  7. Fold over one side of the decal and peel it off the backing. Cut the backing off.
  8. Place down the decal and firmly press it on the tumbler.
  9. Remove painter's tape.
  10. Flip over the other side of the decal and remove the paper backing.
  11. Flip it back over and lay it down on tumbler.
  12. Scrape down well and remove the transfer tape!
  13. Let the vinyl cure for 72 hours before it gets wet.
  14. Enjoy your nice new tumbler! Hand wash only!

Notes

Make sure to read step by step instructions with photos in post and watch the video!

Permanent vinyl is waterproof but it can not be washed in the dishwasher or heated too long in the microwave.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Leap of Faith Crafting
Project Type: Tumbler / Category: Crafts
Thanks for stopping by!!  What would you decorate a mug with??

Have a creative day!

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Comments

  2. Hi all!
    I just recently placed an order with a friend who does custom designs with vinyl, and got her to put scripture on my stainless steel water bottle, so there is a lot of delicate lettering.

    I’ve had the vinyl on for about 2 months now and it’s starting to peel ????

    Has anyone encountered this issue, and does anyone have any solutions?

    Also if it needs to be redone what type of vinyl should we use?

    p.s. I only hand wash my water bottle.

    Kimberley.

    Reply

    • Small intricate lettering is tough to keep on sometimes. You can apply heat to it with a hair dryer or embossing heat gun and push it back down. I always go over the small vinyl with a heat gun and push down right after I put it on. Make sure you’re using oracal 651. Cricut vinyl isn’t always that great. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  3. Your site is awesome I loved your tutorials. Thank you so much for Sharing. I just got a cameo for Xmas from my girls & trying to learn about it.

    Reply

  4. Definitely Oracal 651 (it’s an indoor/outdoor permanent vinyl). Even though it is permanent it can still come off with heat. I always make a little note and stick inside that says “Handmade with love, hand wash with care” or something like that. I also run an embossing heat gun or hair dryer over the vinyl after I attach it and press down so it really sticks (don’t press when it’s too hot though!). Great gift idea!! They will love them! Thanks for stopping by!

    Reply

  5. I enjoyed your blog. I am creating a gift for the staff at my daughters school this year and want to gift the staff purple RTIC cups with a black paw print and their name on the bottom. What is the best vinyl to use for this?

    Reply

    • Hi Valerie, no, no need to reverse the cut. You apply the transfer tape right on top and that literally picks the cut image up as it looks. Then apply it to the cup. If the hinge method is confusing you can just take the transfer tape off the backing before you apply it and center it best you can before you place it down. Then just push the whole thing down and peel off the transfer tape. Hope that makes sense!

      Reply

  7. This helps so much. I did my fist vinyl/foil project. The last layer want stay down in spots. Will the heat gun do the trick? Wasn’t sure bc of foul under it. Thanks

    Reply

  8. Made some quite large glass mugs with vinyl decals on them for our wedding. They’d be great for beer mugs frosty from the freezer. Do you thing putting them in the freezer will harm the vinyl?

    Reply

  11. Thank you for this!!! Also, you’re so right about the Ozark trails! My boyfriend did a side-by-side comparison with Yeti, RTIC, and Ozark in an ice water challenge and the Ozark held ice just as long as the yeti!

    Reply

  12. I wash my 30 oz steel mug (bought at Costco for $10) and decorated with Oracal 651 in the top rack of my dishwasher all the time with no problem. And it has a skinny font on it too. I figured I can always redo the decal if I have to, so why not give it a shot. I have been using it for months now with no issues.

    Reply

    • Hi Tera, no I’ve never curved my text. Smaller text is easier to get straight. Sometimes it’s necessary to cut little slits in the transfer tape to get it to lay straight on curved surfaces. Good luck!

      Reply

  14. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong, but my Oracle 651 keeps peeling off of my tumbler. I’m cleaning it first and letting it sit. Please help

    Reply

  15. What transfer paper are you using to transfer the vinyl. I am having problems transferring mine to the cup

    Reply

    • Hi Shumaila, Thanks for checking out my post! I have tried quite a few transfer paper and the ones I like the best are Angel Crafts vinyl transfer paper tape or Expressions Vinyl tape. Some people use contact paper but that’s hit or miss for me even though it’s much cheaper. Hope that helps! Good luck!

      Reply

  16. Hmmmm…. I clearly don’t have my blade settings correct or something b/c I have a hard time getting my vinyl to the transfer paper when it is NOT on a cup 🙁 I have an Expressions 2… using Oracle 631. I have my blade on 5 and pressure and speed both on medium. THANKS!!!

    Reply

  17. Hmmm I have a Silhouette cutting machine and I mostly use it for making stencils. I am always worried about the longevity of a vinyl decal on something that’s going to be washed on a regular basis. I worry about dish cloths catching corners etc. Do you ever have an issue with that?

    Reply

    • Hi Erin, yes that was always my concern too. Luckily I have not had too many issues. There are different kinds of vinyl and I always use Oracal 651 for permanent use. The only times I’m had a few ends curl up are if they are really thin like on some of the long curly-ques of a letter. I have learned to try and use a thick font. Make sure to let it cure for 72 hours and I also use a heat gun over it and press it down again to adhere it better. When I have had to remove them I really have to scrape it off hard so it is stuck pretty good!

      Reply

        • Hi Norma, Oracal 651 is an outdoor/waterproof/permanent vinyl. That being said you can always remove it if you scrape it hard enough. Oracal 631 is branded as removable vinyl and is better used on walls or places you’ll want to remove it at some point. You can definitely wash 651 by hand, but not machine wash. The high heat will melt the vinyl. You can buy oracal 651 from Expressions Vinyl, Amazon, and Ebay. Hope that helps!! Thanks!

          Reply

    • I never have had trouble with mine. Don’t wash in dish washer and I also let mine sit without using for a while to make sure it sticks. My husband’s initials started peeling after 2years of rough use and being in the sun. I just peeled them off. (I think he was glad)?

      Reply

  21. I just received a mug like this with my name, it has very thin designs and looks as if it’s starting to peel already…,,anything I can do to seal the design?

    Reply

    • Hi! Yes, thin designs sometimes don’t stick real well. Depending on the design, you can cut the very thin part off or I use a heat gun (one for embossing) or you can use a hair dryer and put heat on the vinyl and then push it down real hard. The heat will reactivate the adhesive and stick it back down if it hasn’t gotten to wet yet. I usually pass a heat gun over all my mugs and let sit for 72 hours before I use them. Hope that helps!

      Reply

    • Hi Lisa, Thanks so much for checking out my post!! No, I don’t clear coat the vinyl. I hear conflicting ideas on that. Most people say the vinyl needs room to breathe so it’s not good to coat it. Usually you have to scrape pretty hard to get the vinyl off unless it’s a really thin piece. Sometimes I’ll run a hot gun or hair dryer over it as the heat makes the vinyl stick a bit better. As long as you hand wash, I don’t usually have a problem!

      Reply

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  3. […] I posted a bit ago about applying vinyl to a tile but that was for a 12×12 tile.  You can see my post by clicking here.  For this larger tile, I used a different method to keep everything straight.  It’s known as the hinge method and you can use it on almost any service.  It’s the same method I used to apply vinyl to a tumbler. […]

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