Cutting Vinyl On My Cricut To Use On My Yudu
November 22nd, 2009 | 
Author: Recently my friend Lana and I bought a Yudu machine. You can see the great deal that we got on it here. Lana has had it for this past week and loves it. She came to work at midnight the other night to show me the wonderful t-shirts she made. Everyone just raved over the t-shirts and what a nice job she did. She said my ideas are getting better and better. First I talked her into a Cricut Expression, YourStory, Gypsy and now a Yudu. I have been spending a lot of time researching the most cost effective methods of trying to use this machine. I found out just like the cricut accessories, Yudu accessories are not excluded on the Joanns coupon. I had a few 50% off coupons and a bunch of 40% off coupons so I was able to stock up on ink. I am going to try to make my first shirt tomorrow and wanted to check out some YouTube Yudu videos. I want to learn as much as I can because emulsion sheets are not cheap and I don’t want to waste them. I found these 2 videos on Youtube. You kind of have to watch both videos. If you don’t have a lot of time just make a note of how long she has to wait for the emulsion to dry and the timer for the image to burn on the first video.
On this video, Sandy gave the most incredible tip. I almost fell out of my chair.
Her idea is amazing. I have a whole roll of black vinyl that I have not even used yet. In her YouTube comments she noted that she cut the image out on vinyl using her cricut and SCAL. No drying time, No burning image time. Cut the image on your cricut, adhere to underside of screen. Tape edges and screen print like normal. This idea is one I have to try and could be a wonderful money saver. Emulsion sheets are 2 sheets for 19.99 at Joann’s with out a coupon. Even with a 40% off coupon you would be paying $11.99 which is still $6.00 a sheet. I buy my vinyl at www.uscutter.com. A 24″x 10″ roll of Oracle 631 black vinyl is $20.99. (Lots of colors available, most colors are $23.99 per roll) On all the rolls that I have purchased I can cut a minimum of 33 12×24 sheets per roll. 1 Sheet comes to .63 per 12×24 sheet. They offer flat rate shipping of $9.99 per order. Even if you only ordered 1 roll and paid 9.99 shipping it still would cost you .94 per sheet. That is a real money saver against the cost of emulsion, plus you don’t have the dry and image burn time to deal with. I order vinyl with my friend and split the rolls. We get to order more colors that way and it is so much cheaper then buying it at the store. Oracal 631 is the EXACT same stuff that Provocraft packages and sells 2 12×24 sheets for $9.99. I will be trying this method myself but obviously it does work because those t-shirts looked awesome.
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I think I’m going to fall over in my chair too. Thank you SOOO much for sharing this!! I’m so glad you have a YUDU now and are sharing you adventures with it. Can’t wait to try this.
My only concern is getting the vinyl on the screen in one piece. Do you think you will use transfer tape? I noticed the lady in this video used dry wall tape in another tutorial just in the lettering areas, maybe that is what I should try.
Thanks also for the vinyl link. I know someone who sells vinyl for $2.00 per 12×24 sheet, but that is a much better deal. Still can’t believe how much money and time this method will save!!!!!
I use a clear roll of contact paper for “transfer tape” It cost under $5.00 at Wal-Mart for a huge roll. I have used it a few times and it works just fine. I will try that and see how that goes. I think that there maybe time where you do want to do an emulsion sheet for images where vinyl maybe difficult but for a lot of things vinyl will work perfect. I just have to remember to cut it out in mirror image so that when it goes on the screen the letters and images are facing the correct way. I can see myself forgetting to do that.
do you know how often you need to replace the screen, I showed my hubby and he loved the idea he is already planning designs but his one question before we get is how often do we have to replace the screen. Again thanks your post are so helpful
I have heard that each screen can be used lots of times. I don’t know for sure how many. On the video it pointed out that once you clean the screen you can still see the burned image but it will not affect future images from being printed. I will call Provocraft tomorrow to get the answer for us.
I just called provocraft and asked them when they recommend that the screen be replaced. They said that you really should not have to replace the screen as long as you care for it properly. It is metal and should last a very long time, use after use.
I’ve done screenprinting before with the older type screenprinting kit. I wonder if you could skip the step of putting it on a screen by putting the vinyl directly on the fabric (if you weren’t going to print it but once). Then you wouldn;t have to reverse the image…this idea might help if you accidentally cut it right side up, too, at least you can still use it!)
I was going to suggest using contact paper but your deal on vinyl is much cheaper! I’m into saving money whenever possible for craft stuff…so I can buy OTHER craft stuff, hehe! Instead of a Yudu, a plain wooden frame (even an old picture frame?) can be covered with some sheer fabric and used. I have a smallish one I did in an embroidery hoop. Then the only expense (if you don’t break down and use real screen printing fabric) is a squeegee. And ink. Gotta love those coupons! I appreciate you having them available on your blog, btw. Your shirts look great! Have a Happy Turkey Day!
-K
Do you use the contact paper for transfering vinyl onto walls also? What do you recommend as far as transfer tapes for your cricut vinyl?
I just discovered uscutter.com for bulk vinyl rolls (this is how I discovered yoru amazing blog). I also have used craftvinyl.com which is very reasonable and you can order one sheet of each color (don’t have to buy the huge rolls). I really need to order some transfer tape, but I was hoping to get some tips from others first. Thanks!!
Hi,
I use clear contact paper that I bought from Wal-Mart for transfer tape. A huge roll was less then $5.00. I have used it bunches of times and it works well for me. If you have a delicate vinyl cut and you think that the contact paper is to sticky, stick it to a cotton t-shirt or similar type of fabric and pull it off right away and then use as normal to apply your vinyl design. The contact paper will still be sticky but not to much and it will release the delicate vinyl cuts a bit easier.
Good mornimg, Would it be possible for you to send me the Goldsmith font?