Cricut and glitter tattoos

Very cool for cutting stencils... mind is now whirring amongst all of the things on the "to buy" list to make room for this one.

On a similar note... anyone know where to buy rolls of super-duper thin mylar? I think it's 2ml? I can't seem to find it. I want it to make disposable stencils and it's supposed to be fairly inexpensive. Would be great with a cricut thing.

Here is a pic of some of the stencils I have made with my Silhouette. They really are just one-time use but sometimes I will save them on sticker book pages. These are ones I used with the ForNow tattoo daubers.

I'm thinking that for corporate parties, it might be a way to offer an add-on of custom-cutting the corporate logo? Could charge big bucks for that option I'll bet.

Has anyone used the Pazzles?
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat3262&PRODID=xprd529941
I've been tempted to invest in it because I'm a graphic artist and like to do my own stuff like Ashley mentioned. Until now I couldn't really justify buying it. Hmmmm...

Our school has a Cricut and I've never used it but after reading this post, I snooped over another teacher's shoulder to watch. Not really sure how one would make a tattoo with it. I've only seen 3 layered tattoos.

Are these the steps?
1. cut the design on sticky material
2. stick sheet of tattoos on a back sheet
3. Remove the areas of the tattoo that will be glittered
4. Put a clear sticky layer on top so tattoos are sandwiched
5. Use paper cutter to cut the tattoos individually

If these are the steps, what materials do you use for the different layers of the tattoo?

(Please excuse my naivety)

I buy the vinyl from signsupply.com. it is a 2 part sticky vinyl layer and a backing layer. When I cut out a design it only cuts through the vinyl (setting for pressure 3) on the cricut. Then I use a safety pin to remove the areas that will become to tattoo area. I then use a piece of transfer tape for the top.

When I do this I cut a piece of vinyl that is 12x12 which cuts 25 2inch stencils.... 5 in each row and 5 rows. I cut the entire sheet of 25. I then remove all interior pieces. Then I roll the transfer tape over the entire sheet. Next you cut the 25 stencils into individual pieces.....I use a lever type paper cutter for this because it leaves a nice smooth, even edge. It looks nice and professional. Hugs Helen

Thanks Helen, I didn't know you could set the pressure on the Cricut. From your description, it doesn't look like it would take a pile of time to make 25 stencils, especially once you've got your stencil size down pat. I took a look at that software you were talking about and it looks really neat. Maybe I'll add this gadget to my house of gadgets!! lol ... I think I need a bigger house!

Have you ever figured out how much a stencil that you make actually costs (including labor or not)?

Also, are there any concerns with the type of adhesive that's on the vinyl?

Thanks for all your information... hope I can return the favor sometime!

I order the Oracal Vinyl from http://www.signsupply.com/Vinyl/Oracal/641.asp The 641 is the same one that Glimmer uses. I bought the Pro-tape standard but next time I think I may try the clear premium transfer tape, although I don't know that it makes much difference. http://www.signsupply.com/Vinyl/Ap_Tape/Ap_Tape.asp

You can call me if you need more information that I have not mentioned yet. 928-246-0822

Thanks so much for sharing this great information. I'm going to look for a supplier closer to Ohio since signsupply shipping is $14.50 for the $12.95 vinyl.

I always order enough to get free shipping and then split up the vinyl. Good luck!!

Thanks. I see $150 is minimum for free shipping. Vinyl Ease has a few products on Amazon. You can get 12" x 20 feet of vinyl for 13.95 and 6" x 300' of the transfer tape for 26.95. (I emailed them, no smaller quantities) 10.11 shipping. So I may be paying more per foot, but only $50 expenditure rather than $150! I'm going to experiment with the suggestion of the dollar store vinyl before I order.

Don't waste your dollar. That vinyl is way too thin. I bought some and even with the Cricut blade at 1 and the pressure low, it still vut all the way through to the cutting mat. The clear book cover rolls are good for the top transfer film.
I need a supplier in Canada.

I also tried the clear book cover tape for the top layer and it is way to tacky. I cannot remove the vinyl from the top layer.
Live and learn.
I need a better transfer tape. One with less tack.

I tried to order that vinyl and transfer tape from your webiste and the shipping to canada is over $40 cheapest option. Yikes. I need to shop around. If anyone has found it cheaper in Canada, can you please forward the info. to me?
Thanks.

WISH there was a favorites folder that I could put this page into!! I love this info ... how do you guys know how to return to the page (this page) in the forum???

Well, you could bookmark this page in your browser's favourites. I often do that when there is a page I know I will want to go back to for reference. I set up a folder called "FP Forum Tips" in my favourites/bookmarks, and I have bookmarked a number of useful pages in it.

Also, on the front page of the forums, at the top just above where each of the forums are listed, there are links like this: View posts since last visit • View your posts • View unanswered posts
Now that you've posted in this thread, you will be able to find it easily under "view your posts". I've seen other forums where people will comment in a thread specifically to mark it for themselves to find again later.

On the bottom of this page, just above this 'quick reply' box and below the page #'s you can click 'watch this topic for replies'.

I'm planning on making an order so if you guys want some stuff let me know and then we can split some stuff up etc,

FYI on the software end of this coversation... When using SCAL with the Cricut, you can cut any design that is saved as an SVG file. (SVG is just another file type, like a .jpg or .eps.) In order to make an SVG file you need to start with a Vector design, made in Illustrator or another vector design software. So if you know how to use Illustrator then you can essentially make any design you want into a stencil. If you don't know how to use that kind of software, or don't have it, then you will have a very hard time figuring out how to use this to your advantage. It's alot of money to invest in a machine and software if you don't already understand it.

Also, when cutting with the Cricut, you need to make sure that your design is made with all closed paths... basically you can't just have a straight line that ends with an anchor point that doesn't connect to anything else. If you have a path that is left "open" the Cricut goes nuts and essentially cuts an extra outline around everything. (If you know how to use illustrator you should understand what I'm talking about... if not then feel free to contact me for more specifics). I haven't used a Silhouette machine, but I've been told this isn't a problem with it.

Also, the biggest differences between the Cricut and Silhouette are these: Cricut is sold in most craft stores and replacement parts are more readily available. The Cricut expression can cut 12x24" sheet, while the Silhouette only cuts up to 8.5x11". The Silhouette cuts a cleaner design with sharper points and angles, while the Cricut tends to round out corners and have a slightly sloppier cut. The Silhouette is supposed to cut thru thicker material, like foam. The Cricut machines have literally hundreds of cartridges pre-designed that you can use, but they are typically between $45-75 a piece, and not designed to be used for stencils, so you might have some problems making them work for this kind of application.

If you want to use a die cutting machine to make your own stencils just keep in mind that you need to be able to design them first in a vector design program. If you can't do that then you'll be extremely limited. If you do have that capability, then you can have alot of fun doing it, and you should definitely try to make it work for you. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me and I'll try to help you... I've designed 3 cricut cartridges, so I have a pretty good understanding of how it works, and if I don't know the answer, I have a friend who's an expert!

Great information Amanda! I've been so tempted to get one of those machines but as a graphic artist, I've been waiting for a machine that I can create for. I'd looked at the Pazzles, but it doesn't seem to be well known. So I'm running out of excuses not to join this venue!

Amanda wrote: If you don't know how to use that kind of software, or don't have it, then you will have a very hard time figuring out how to use this to your advantage. It's alot of money to invest in a machine and software if you don't already understand it.

If you want to use a die cutting machine to make your own stencils just keep in mind that you need to be able to design them first in a vector design program. If you can't do that then you'll be extremely limited.

I managed to get a turkey jpg picture off the internet on my Cricut and it wasn't hard at all. The SCAL program did all the configuring to a vector design with a push of a button. I don't have the extra software that you mentioned Amanda. If you follow the guidelines, the directions are very clear and easy to follow. Any jpg or gif picture can be used with SCAL (I know nothing of vector and am not familiar with all the 'guts' of programs and computers and such and I was able to do it... no problem)

Perhaps they've made the SCAL more user friendly as they update the versions? If you have an old version, you can update it easily according to their website.

After reading Amanda's post I thought "Oh great.. I got this machine and I won't be able to do what I wanted with it" but was pleasantly surprised when I downloaded the SCAL program and followed the directions and took a jpeg picture and could manipulate it. The onsite information has a ton of tips and different things you can do with SCAL that you'd miss if you didn't follow the tutorial.

The Scal program is extremely easy to use. I know nothing about vector images ans have been cutting my own stencils for quite some time!! Hugs Helen

Does SCAL work directly with CRICUT or the computer. I use MAC and want to know if it will work with my Mac.

It never occurred to me to use the BOOKMARKS!! DUH! When I am "in here" it feels like a closed system!

Oh!

Went to Michael's today and the Cricut Creates (?) was on sale for - dang, I should have taken a pic or written it down...$299 from $399?

If I did glitter tats, I wouldn't have made it out of there without one, I don't think, haha.

I'm glad to hear people have figured out how to use SCAL without the vector images! I was only taught how to do it that way, but I'm glad it's a little more user friendly than that. I didn't mean to scare anyone off of the program!

Also, you can get SCAL for both Mac or PC, you just have to make sure to order the right one, because the registration number for a pc will not work on a mac, and vice versa. The nice thing is though that when you buy the software you can download it on several systems with the same code (not that I would suggest doing such a thing, of course). Also, if your buying the Mac version of the software you have to have a system with Leopard or higher and an intel chip for it to work... learned that one the hard way. Hope this helps.