Commercially, vinyl has been one of the most affordable ways to decorate clothes and bags. Vinyl comes in different colors, weights, and designs, making it a customizable decorative option. Recently, many people have started using vinyl for their at-home shirt DIY projects. It’s also an excellent design option for people looking to start and run a small to medium t-shirt-making business.
One of the questions people using vinyl ask is whether they can use a regular printer to print on vinyl. The short answer is yes. Both inkjet and laser printers can print on vinyl. An essential consideration for vinyl printers is quality. The printer should have a high-quality resolution so the design can reflect on the vinyl sticker.
You don’t have to worry about the printer type as there isn’t a significant difference in the outcome of laser or inkjet printers on vinyl. However, they are other vinyl printer considerations that can make a difference in your DIY shirt projects or vinyl shirt-making business.
What To Consider When Buying a Vinyl Printer
There are a few things to consider when looking for a printer for your vinyl stickers. These include:
Price
The price is the first and most vital consideration when buying a vinyl printer. Even though printer type isn’t crucial, there are significant cost differences between laser and inkjet printers. Inkjet printers are generally cheaper and ideal for small-scale and home DIY vinyl projects. You will need to refill the ink regularly, so consider the overall cost of running the printer.
On the other hand, laser printers cost more than inkjet printers but are cheaper to run. A laser printer will work well for you when dealing with huge projects or a medium-sized vinyl shirt business. Remember to stick to your budget and look for qualities matching your demands.
Print Quality
Print quality is another essential factor when shopping for a regular printer to print on vinyl. Basic print quality is defined by Dots Per Inch (DPI). Laser printers have cartridges that imprint small toner dots on paper, while inkjets have ink nozzles that spray ink droplets. The more dots a printer can fit into an inch of paper, the better the resolution.
Excellent resolution in a printer ensures your vinyl prints closely reflect the source image. Standard printers have a DPI of 600 by 600, which is sufficient for printing on vinyl. Others can go up to 600 by 1200.
Vinyl Printer Paper Size
The standard size for vinyl printing paper is 8.25” x 11.7”, the typical A4 size most printers handle. This means there’s no need to splurge for a printer handling a bigger printer paper size. Alternatively, consider a printer handling thicker paper like cardstock and matte and glossy papers.
The good news is that most standard printers, laser, and inkjet can print on cardstock without issues. Some may have a different tray for feeding cardstock, but this isn’t always the case. If you’re uncertain about what paper thickness your printer can handle, try scrap paper first and see the results. Also, check for paper jams to learn if the printer will experience issues while printing on your actual vinyl sheets.
The Printers Features
The final thing to consider for your standard vinyl printer is the features. Having more features means the printer can serve multiple purposes. For example, besides vinyl printing, all-in-one printers can fax and copy, providing additional convenience for any printing tasks at home. Another critical feature is the size. A compact and stylish printer will be a better fit for home use. It doesn’t occupy much space and can fit inside a drawer or on a top shelf.
Connectivity options, that is, Bluetooth and wireless connection features, are also critical because they enable you to meet your demands remotely.
Printing Vinyl on Your Standard Printer
Printing vinyl is relatively simple, especially if you have experimented with vinyl crafts. Here’s a breakdown of steps to take to print on vinyl.
1. Setup Your Computer and Printer
The first step is to connect your printer. If you’re starting out, there’s no difference between using a laser or inkjet printer. Some believe that inkjets produce better color results, but there are laser printers with equally excellent results.
If your projects are business oriented and demand excellent results, consider upgrading to a photo printer that uses more than four colors. However, for starters, a regular or even monochrome printer will do.
Ensure the design on your computer is in the correct dimensions and printable format.
2. Get Your Vinyl Paper
After setting up your printer, the next step is to get your vinyl paper. There are two types of vinyl paper: printable and sticker sheets. Both are ideal for projects and work on your printer. The main difference is vinyl stickers have more adhesive and stick on surfaces better than printable vinyl. They also wear better after several washes if you’re working on shirts or fabric.
Printable vinyl paper works best for printing decals you wish to peel off without leaving residue. They are also suitable for lamination projects as you have several options. For example, you can spray or use a solid sheet for clear lamination. You can also laminate vinyl stickers, but results are better with printable vinyl sheets.
Additionally, you have more customization options with printable vinyl paper. Some options include gloss and matte and waterproof or water-resistant finishes.
After getting the correct vinyl paper, feed it into the printer’s paper tray. Open the design on your computer and click on print.
3. Cut and Laminate Your Vinyl Paper
After printing your design on the vinyl paper, peel off the backing. You can line the top of the vinyl with a laminating sheet if you wish. Start with the top-left edge of the vinyl paper, then press the laminate paper slowly, moving down. Use a ruler or a card if you think your fingers will prevent the laminate from sticking correctly. A ruler also helps prevent air bubbles.
If the laminate is well-placed and all the backing is off, the next step is to cut the design. For simple designs, sharp scissors will work. For large and complex designs, invest in a Cricut machine. It’s accurate and enables you to cut smoothly. Try using a craft blade if you have an intricate design but can’t access a Cricut machine. It’s small and ideal for curved or zigzag cutting.
4. Peel Off the Vinyl Paper Backing
Finally, take the corner of the vinyl design and start peeling off the backing. The method is the same as peeling any sticker but starting from one corner ensures you remove the vinyl uniformly. After, stick it on the surface you were working on. It could be a shirt, mag, phone case, or bottle.
Tips For Using Regular Printers To Print Vinyl
You don’t need a color printer to create vibrant and fun vinyl designs. Your standard printer and a few helpful tips are all you need. Here are some things to help you make great vinyl prints for home crafts.
Sketch Your Designs
For original designs, brainstorm and then sketch your ideas on paper. Having the product on paper will give you an idea of what the final product will look like. It’s also a chance to add or correct any errors. If you’re struggling with original ideas, use online sources for inspiration. You can search websites with copyright-free images for pictures of landscapes, cartoons, shapes, or any other image you want to print on vinyl.
Use a Design Software
Consider using design software for intricate designs like picture-on-picture or multiple images. Design software will let you create custom designs and layer images correctly while informing on the images’ dimensions so they can fit your vinyl decal.
Try Custom Printable Vinyl Paper
Use transparent or glossy vinyl printer paper if you want fun designs like transparent or shiny vinyl decals. There are also other options like matte and waterproof. Adding a laminate sheet can also waterproof a standard vinyl printer sheet. Waterproofing is ideal for outdoor projects because it protects them from sun or water damage.
For Durability, Use Printable Vinyl Stickers
Use printable vinyl stickers instead of printable vinyl sheets to achieve a high-end brand appeal with your vinyl designs. Vinyl stickers are durable, don’t fade, and are oil and waterproof. They also come in various finishes, including white and glossy vinyl, clear gloss, and matte and metallic-style vinyl stickers.
White matte or glossy vinyl stickers are suitable for product labels, especially toiletries like soaps and shampoos frequently used in wet areas. Transparent or clear gloss and matte vinyl stickers are popular for glass and aluminum products as they reflect well.
Metallic vinyl stickers are ideal for crafty projects like invitations and birthday cards, stationery, labels, and other DIY projects. Because of their durability, vinyl stickers work well for large-scale outdoor projects that are all-weather, like a window or door stickers.
Clean the Area You Want To Apply Your Vinyl Design On
Ensure you clean the surface of the item or fabric you want to stick the vinyl sticker on before applying it. If you’re working with fabric, a cotton ball and alcohol will clean thoroughly. For other products like glass, plastic, or metal, use soap and detergent and wait until they are completely dry.
Conclusion
Regular printers may not be the ideal choice for printing on vinyl, but they can still be done with some adjustments and tricks. It is important to have the correct type of ink and vinyl to ensure the best print results.
Additionally, make sure to handle the vinyl carefully to avoid any wrinkles or smudges during the printing process. It is also recommended to test a small portion of the vinyl before printing the entire sheet. With patience and creativity, you can achieve professional-looking vinyl prints using a regular printer.
