✨ The Ultimate Cricut BFF Guide to Transfer Tape: How to Use It Like a Pro

Emma
Nov 7, 2025
4 min read

Hey crafty friend! 💕Let’s talk about something that every Cricut lover needs to get right - transfer tape.

If you’ve ever cut a beautiful vinyl design only to wonder, “How on earth do I get this onto my project without moving every tiny piece by hand?” - this one’s for you!

Transfer tape is basically the unsung hero of vinyl crafting. It keeps your design perfectly in place while you move it from the vinyl backing to your blank (like a mug, a coaster, or a notebook). Once you master it, you’ll wonder how you ever crafted without it!

💡 What Is Transfer Tape and Why Do We Need It?

Transfer tape is a clear, slightly sticky sheet that picks up your cut vinyl design and helps you place it exactly where you want it - straight, even, and intact.

Think of it as the “middleman” between your design and your final project. Without it, you’d be trying to move every tiny letter, dot, and flourish one by one (and probably losing your mind in the process).

🎨 The Two Types of Cricut Transfer Tape

Not all transfer tapes are created equal, my friend! Cricut makes two main types, and choosing the right one can be the difference between a perfect transfer and a sticky disaster.

1. Standard Grip Transfer Tape (gray grid)

This one’s your everyday hero. Use it for smooth vinyls like:

Permanent or removable vinyl
Holographic and metallic vinyl
Pearl and shimmer finishes

If your vinyl feels smooth to the touch, gray grid = go!

2. Strong Grip Transfer Tape (purple grid)

This one’s made for glitter and textured vinyls - materials that standard tape can’t quite grip.

✨ Top tip: Don’t fall into the trap of thinking “strong” means “better.” It’s not about quality - it’s about purpose. Strong grip is stickier, and if you use it on regular vinyl, your design will cling on for dear life and refuse to let go. Trust me - been there, done that, got the tears to prove it.

So here’s the golden rule:

👉 Standard grip for smooth vinyls.

👉 Strong grip for glitter or textured vinyls.

Transfer tape being used on a holographic vinyl leaf design with a scraper tool

🪄 How to Use Transfer Tape (Step-by-Step)

Ready to see how the magic happens? Let’s walk through it together!

Step 1: Cut and Weed Your Vinyl

You’ve already cut your design - yay! Go ahead and weed away the extra vinyl, leaving only the parts you want to transfer.

Step 2: Cut Your Transfer Tape

Cut a piece of transfer tape just a little larger than your vinyl design. You don’t need much extra - just enough to make handling easy.

Step 3: Peel and Stick

Peel the clear sticky layer off the backing paper. Keep that backing piece nearby - you’ll use it again later to store your tape for reuse!

Place the sticky side of the transfer tape over your vinyl design, smoothing it down gently from one side to the other to avoid air bubbles.

Step 4: Scrape It Down

Grab your trusty scraper tool and give your design a good burnish (that’s Cricut-speak for “press firmly so it sticks well”).

Do this on the front first, then flip it over and do the back too. The goal is to get that vinyl really bonded to the transfer tape.

Step 5: Peel at an Angle

Here’s the pro trick: don’t just rip the backing straight off. Instead, roll it back diagonally.

This lets you spot any pieces that haven’t stuck to the transfer tape yet and gently press or scrape them back down before continuing. If needed, use your weeding tool to coax small details free.

Keep rolling slowly until your vinyl design is fully on the transfer tape and your backing sheet is clear.

Step 6: Line It Up and Apply to Your Blank

Now comes the fun part: transferring your design!

Place your transfer-taped design over your blank (like a mug, coaster, or notebook). Use the grid lines to help line it up straight.

Press it down, then use your scraper again to burnish it firmly in place.

Step 7: Remove the Transfer Tape (The Right Way!)

This is another spot where the diagonal roll trick comes in handy.

Hold the transfer tape flat against itself and peel back slowly. If any vinyl tries to come up with the tape, roll it back down and burnish again.

Keep going until the tape is completely off - and your gorgeous vinyl design is perfectly stuck to your project.

Step 8: Save Your Transfer Tape for Next Time

Surprise! Transfer tape is reusable - as long as it’s still sticky.

Stick it back onto its backing paper, smooth it down, and pop it in your craft stash. You can reuse it several times before it loses its grip.

Bonus BFF Tip: When Your Tape Is Too Sticky

If you’re applying vinyl to a porous surface (like cardstock, paper notebooks, or untreated wood), super-sticky tape can rip your base.

Here’s my trick: Just “de-stick” your transfer tape a little by pressing it onto your shirt or a clean towel first. The fibers will reduce its grip just enough to make it gentle but still effective.

Transfer tape might seem tricky at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, it becomes second nature.

Remember:

Standard grip = smooth vinyls
Strong grip = glitter or textured vinyls
Always burnish well and peel diagonally
And never, ever throw away reusable transfer tape too soon!

You’ve got this, bestie. The more you practice, the smoother your transfers will be - and soon, you’ll be slapping down perfect decals like the Cricut pro you’re meant to be. 💖

Now go grab that scraper and get transferring - your next project is waiting!