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Surprise your sweetie with a DIY Valentine’s mug! This project uses permanent vinyl, but you can also learn how I used HTV on wine glasses here.

Who doesn’t have fond memories of conversation hearts? I certainly do. I love the sweet messages on these mediocre-tasting candies, so I made cute mugs that showcase these sweet designs.

You might also like this post on how to make a cute felt banner for Valentine’s Day.

Keep reading to learn how, plus get your free cut files!

DIY Valentines Mug Using Vinyl

Supplies Needed

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• Silhouette or Cricut
• Permanent vinyl (I bought this pack because it’s nice to have a huge selection on hand!)
• Weeding tools
• Transfer Paper
• Mugs (Look for mugs that aren’t round for best results)
• Cut files (Click the download button at end of the post)

If you want to add your own text, ungroup the image, and delete the text included. Click the text button to add your own. I used Arial Rounded for a cute, retro feel.

Cut Your Vinyl for Your Mug

1. Open the cut file in Silhouette Studio.
2. Choose the files you want and copy and paste them onto a new sheet.
3. Size them appropriately. As is, they are sized to roughly 2.5″ square to fit my mugs.
4. To minimize confusion, I changed the colors on each heart so I would know which vinyl to use.
5. When you’re happy with the size and placement, click on the SEND panel at the top of the screen.
6. Your settings for vinyl will be 2, 8 speed, and 9 thickness instead of a preset.
7. Apply a 3″ square piece of vinyl to your mat.
8. Load the mat.
9. When you’re ready for it to cut, press the send tab and press START.
10. When the vinyl is finished being cut, unload the vinyl.
11. Weed the excess away, leaving the heart with the cut-out letters.

    

If you use a Cricut, cut using the settings for permanent vinyl.

Using Vinyl on Mugs

1. Use rubbing alcohol to wipe your mugs down. This removes any oil from your hands that keeps the vinyl from properly adhering.
2. Apply a piece of transfer paper to the vinyl.

   

3. Rub it so that the vinyl sticks to the transfer paper.
4. Peel the backing from the vinyl, leaving the design on the transfer tape.
5. Place the design onto your mug along the center first.

   

6. Press it down, working your way out from the center until the vinyl is firmly secured to the mug.
7. Finally, remove the transfer tape.

   

8. If you have any small wrinkles, you can normally smooth them out with your fingers.

   

Care for Your Vinyl Mugs

For best results, let your mugs sit for a day or 2 before use. This allows the vinyl plenty of time to adhere to the mug.

Even permanent vinyl needs special care.

• Hand wash
• Not dishwasher safe
• Not microwave safe
• Don’t soak in water

Mug Design Placement

Wondering where to place the design on the mug? You have a few options depending on what you like.

Place the design on each side.

This will require you to create 2 designs for each side.

Place the design facing in.

This requires some thought about which hand is used to drink with.

I like this option because I view drinking tea and coffee as a personal activity, so facing the design toward the drinker makes sense.

Place a design facing out.

This is a great option for sassy mugs (you know, the ones that say stuff like “Nope” and “Go Away.”

Using Vinyl on Mugs FAQs

Can you use vinyl on mugs?

Yes. Remember that even permanent vinyl should not be put in the dishwasher or microwave, though.

What kind of vinyl should you use on mugs?

These mugs were made with permanent vinyl (Oracle 651.) However, I’ve also used iron-on vinyl with wine glasses. Both need to be hand-washed.

Can vinyl mugs be microwaved?

No, vinyl can release fumes when heated, so avoid placing mugs with vinyl decals in the microwave.

Is permanent vinyl dishwasher safe?

No. Even permanent vinyl should be hand-washed.

Cricut has a type that claims to be dishwasher safe, but I haven’t tried it.

You might also like:

• DIY Heart Wreath
• Ombre Wood Wreath for Valentines
• Use HTV on Wine Glasses
• Kitchen Canister Cut Files
• Tropical Leaf Vase

Download Your Cut Files Here

All downloads are for personal use only. Please do not redistribute or sell files.

This file set includes SVG, DXF, and PNG files.

Download 9 Candy Heart Cut Files

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