Have you ever wondered about layering vinyl decals?! It’s easier than you think! Layer right onto the transfer tape to make things way easier when you go to place your decal. I’ve been on a kick of adding decals to all the cars in my family and my grandma requested a cardinal, which looked better in layers. Today I’m going to walk you through Layering Vinyl Decals!
The reason you want to use layering is so that you can put the decal on in one shot instead of trying to build layers onto your project. Sometimes it’s easier to attach a decal in one shot, such as when you’re putting on a car decal. This isn’t hard – you can do this!
Layering Vinyl – Supplies
You’ll need:
—Transfer Tape (my favorite is THIS ONE, it’s the BEST!)
–Adhesive Vinyl (I almost always use THIS KIND)
Layering Vinyl Decals Video Instructions
I made a quick video to walk you through how I do this – it’s only a couple of minutes long, so enjoy! I also have written instructions down below if you prefer that.
Layering Vinyl Decals Tutorial
- cut the various layers of your decal out of various colors of vinyl
- starting with the TOP layer, build your layers
- layer until you have all the layers built onto the lower layer
- when you attach your decal, peel off the backing sheet and attach to your project. All the layers will go on at once.
For example, here I started with the beak and eyes, adding them to the mask. Then I added the mask to the main body. Then I added the wing and feet to the main body. Then ALL the layers were on the main body and I could transfer the entire decal at once.
I have another great example of How to Layer Vinyl on Transfer Tape that you can also check out to help explain the process method. Check it out!
Enjoy Layering Vinyl Decals!
Layering Vinyl
if you’re looking for other tips and tricks about layering vinyl, be sure to check out:
—Secret to perfect placement of Heat Transfer Vinyl
—how to layer vinyl on Transfer Tape
Would love to learn to do this love to see more.
What type of transfer tape do you use?
I love the clear gridded from Expressions Vinyl the best: https://shrsl.com/yox4 (affiliate)
Do you use permanent vinyl for these?
I used “removable” because I like the matte finish better
Would like the sag of the cardinal. I have not found a decent looking cardinal until this one. If you can’t share the sag, where did you get it? Thanks for the tip.
I found this one in the Silhouette Online Design store – hope that helps!
I find it innovative that you used clear transfer tape with graphing lines in making your vinyl decals. I like that you layered different bits of vinyl decals to get the design you want. I want to teach my son this hobby. If ever both of us could not do it I will ask a Reusable Clear Vinyl Window Graphics shop for some tips.
I have been avoiding layering but after watching your video, I will give it a try. Thank you so much. You made it look so easy. This way is much better for a Senior like me with not so steady hands.
Mandy, is there any way this would work with HTV on a t-shirt? I would love to see you do a video on layering on fabrics. Thanks!
You can definitely layer vinyl on shirts! Great topic idea! it does get a little thick when you’re on fabric, but it’s doable, as long as you’re not layering on top of glitter vinyl 😉
Love this Vinyl article. I love to play with Vinyl. thank you for sharing this article.
how do you separate all the colors in Design Space. you already had yours showing separated before you ungrouped it. that’s the hard part is doing it on the Design Space
Sorry, I don’t use Design Space much, I love the Silhouette Design Studio software