Permanent Vinyl 

Permanent vinyl is for items that will get a lot of use.  It is also recommended for items that may go outdoors.  It is weather and UV resistant film with an adhesive that should last for up to 3 years.  This vinyl is great to dress up a coffee mug, a mail box, or a sign that may go outside and be exposed to the weather. This vinyl typically has a glossy finish.  It may be called Orcal 651.   

Premium Vinyl – Removable  

This vinyl is great for project you will want to remove.  It can be easily removed up to 2 years.  After 2 years the backing may stick to the surface it is applied too and leave a sticky residue.  This vinyl is ideal for labels, wall decals, or window decals.  Just note that some oil-based paints may break down the adhesive, thus making them not work well on these surfaces.  Some people even use this type of vinyl to make nail art.  This vinyl lays flat on your mat nicely and is easy to weed.  This vinyl typically has a more matte finish.  It may be called Orcal 631.

HTV – Heat Transfer Vinyl  

This vinyl needs to be applied with an iron, easy press, or other similar item.  I recommend placing something under the cloth the vinyl is being applied to so the other side of the cloth or the desk it is sitting on does not get damaged.  This type of vinyl is used on T-shirts and other cloth materials such as towels.  You should be able to wash cloths with this type of vinyl with no issues.  It should last for years.   Check out my post on different types of HTV vinyl. Also check out my post on print then cut HTV.

Infusible Ink Vinyl And Infusible Ink Pens

With infusible ink, the color infuses into the product you are using it on. So, you do not feel the vinyl once it has been transferred to your material. This vinyl needs to be applied with an iron, easy press, or other similar item.  I recommend placing something under the cloth the vinyl is being applied to so the other side of the cloth or the desk it is sitting on does not get damaged.  This type of vinyl is used on T-shirts, other cloth materials such as towels, and other infusible ink safe materials such as coasters. For cloth materials a polyester blend is best. Cricut has infusible ink specific products you can buy. You should be able to wash cloths with this type of vinyl with no issues.  It should last for years. Please check out my infusible ink vinyl and pens post for more information about this material.

Transfer Vinyl 

This type of vinyl is used to assist you in transferring your other type of vinyl from the cutting mat to your project.  You can get several uses out of one piece of this vinyl.  So, I recommend saving it after it has been used for addental projects.  This should be clear so you can see through it and thus know exactly where you are placing your design.  Once your project is cut out and the unwanted pieces have been weeded out place your transfer vinyl over your project, while it is still on the cutting mat.  Then slowly remove your project from the cutting mat.  It should not be applied to the transfer vinyl.  Then place vinyl on desired location of your project and gently remove the transfer vinyl.  Note: The heat transfer vinyl should have a clear carrier sheet attached to it and thus do not need transfer vinyl.   

How to cut vinyl in a Cricut machine: 

Place vinyl liner side down (color side up) onto the Cricut standard grip cutting mat. (Green).  The fine point blade is a good blade to use for this material.  There are some specialty types of vinyl that may require different settings to cut and apply.  Also, if projects contain words, then you will have to remember to mirror your projects, otherwise the words will come out backwards on your project.