• Home
  • Work with CfB
  • Contact
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

Cutting for Business

  • New? Start Here!
  • Visit the Shop
    • Ebooks
    • Business Names
    • Craft Business Consultations
    • Order Forms
    • SVG Files
    • Etsy Shop
  • Join Craft Business Help
  • Must Have Products
  • Etsy Shop
  • Free Cut Files
  • Free Etsy Listings


Affiliate links may be present in the following article. For my full disclosure policy, see this link.
Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls

Filed Under: Starting Your Business

Silhouette Cameo and Cricut business owners usually purchase vinyl in rolls rather then sheets, because it is cheaper. Unfortunately, most heat transfer vinyl sold in rolls comes wider than 12 inches. It can be time consuming to use scissors, a rotary cutter, or guillotine cutter to cut down your vinyl rolls. To save time, I usually cut down my rolls as soon as they arrive with a table saw. Yes, you read that right, I use a table saw! Here’s how:

 How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls with a Saw

Step 1) Make sure the vinyl is rolled very tightly. Using tape (I use painter’s tape), tape the roll together on both ends.

Step 2) Use a permanent marker to mark where you will cut the vinyl roll. I usually purchase 15 inch rolls and cut them down to 13 inches. 13 inches still fits on a Silhouette or Cricut mat well or feeds into a Silhouette Cameo without a mat. Tip: You could also purchase 24 inch rolls and cut them in half to make 12 inch rolls!

How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls - Great for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

Step 3) Cut the vinyl roll down. I use a table saw, but you could also use a circular saw. If you aren’t comfortable with power tools, you could probably use a hacksaw (depending on the thickness of the roll).

How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls - Great for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

After cutting:

How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls - Great for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

That’s it – it’s just that easy to save time in your Silhouette or Cricut business.

Let me know in the comments – how do you buy vinyl: rolls or sheets?

Save this post to Pinterest and help another crafter save time:

How to Easily Cut Down Vinyl Rolls - Great for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut owners - by cuttingforbusiness.com

 

Related Posts

  • Scrapbuster Project: Heat Transfer Vinyl LanyardsScrapbuster Project: Heat Transfer Vinyl Lanyards
  • Can You Layer Glitter HTV on Glitter HTV?Can You Layer Glitter HTV on Glitter HTV?
  • 21 Articles to Turn Your Silhouette Cameo Hobby into a Business21 Articles to Turn Your Silhouette Cameo Hobby into a Business
  • DIY Morse Code Valentine’s CardsDIY Morse Code Valentine’s Cards
  • 30+ Police Sayings for Crafters30+ Police Sayings for Crafters
  • Free Flamingo Cut File for Silhouette or CricutFree Flamingo Cut File for Silhouette or Cricut

Connect with Cutting for Business

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Get Cutting for Business in Your Inbox

Buy Books


Cutting for Business is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. See the disclosures page for full disclosure information.


« Free Coffee Mug Set SVG for Silhouette, Cricut, or Sublimation
Introducing: Creative Fabrica for Fonts »

Comments

  1. L Gupton says

    June 13, 2016 at 8:34 pm

    This is genius and you are brilliant. I havent started my business yet (ordering my machine tomorrow) but this tip is great. I really appreciate this website and your lessons.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      June 13, 2016 at 10:03 pm

      Oh awesome! I’m so glad that this will help you! I wasn’t sure if Cutting for Business readers were going to think I was crazy when I mentioned a table saw! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Debbie says

    June 13, 2016 at 11:11 pm

    this is an awesome idea, I even own a table saw! Why do you usually purchase 15″ rolls – is that a typical size where you shop?

    BTW, I took your advice and shopped at the place you recommended. Can’t wait to cut some fun vinyl!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      June 14, 2016 at 8:31 am

      Hi Debbie! Most of the heat transfer vinyl from suppliers I use comes as 15 inches. Have a great day!

      Reply
  3. John in Philly says

    June 14, 2016 at 7:10 am

    Depending on what we are making, I have cut the 5 yard by 15″ rolls into pieces 12″ by 15″ and then depending on the design, either let the excess hand off the 12″ mat, or used a 24″ mat.
    I suggest wrapping the roll with blue tape at the cut, the saw does not care, and the cut seems just a squeak neater. Might just be the OCD talking though.
    I have used a band saw to cut the roll. It works great and the blade width is very narrow.
    (and you did not even know you needed a bandsaw!)
    I had wondered what was the largest width the Cameo would accept, now I know.
    Thank you for the information.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      June 14, 2016 at 8:30 am

      Hey John! Oh, a band saw, that’s one I don’t have! Maybe a Home Depot trip is in order! Have a good one!

      Reply
  4. Katrina says

    September 6, 2016 at 1:04 pm

    I always cut my rolls into 12″ strips so I end up with 12″ x 15″ or 12″ x 20″ sheets. My penny pinching side couldn’t bear to waste the ends like this! But, I am not using a huge volume of vinyl like you do.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      September 7, 2016 at 8:50 am

      Yes, turning your vinyl sideways and cutting pieces off is the best way to do it. However, when you cut straight from the roll (using the roll feeder) you can’t do that. Thanks for popping in with a comment!

      Reply
  5. Rebecca says

    January 24, 2017 at 9:02 am

    What blade do you use on your table saw? I’ve been wanting to do this.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      January 24, 2017 at 1:39 pm

      I used a fine tooth blade. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jason says

    May 30, 2017 at 11:42 am

    Fairly new to shirt making. It’s really only a hobby for friends and family. However, my son needed a bunch of shirts for his softball team, so I bought some rolls. Didn’t realize they don’t fit until I got them. Talk about hot dogs and hot dog buns. Sure would be nice if the vinyl manufacturers would align with the machine. No worries, a quick google brought me back to your site (I have used it for tips and tricks recently, so thank you). Anyhow, you saved me once again. I own a table saw and this worked like a charm! You know your stuff. Thank you for all your help!

    Reply
    • Christine says

      May 31, 2017 at 8:34 pm

      Awesome! So glad to hear that this worked well! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Makinsawdust says

    August 19, 2017 at 6:59 pm

    I have been using the 24″ x 10′ rolls for the past 3 years, for my cameo’s, then cut in half with a fine tooth blade on band saw, works great.
    Buying rolls 24×10′ saves a ton of money
    Stan

    Reply
    • Christine says

      August 20, 2017 at 9:05 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  8. Melissa Pearson says

    June 19, 2018 at 2:42 pm

    I personally find this BRILLIANT!! I have a friend who asked me to put 8″ racing stripes on his car and since I get rolls in 12″ X 6′ I needed a way to cut down the extra 4 inches. This is so smart. Thank you for making my project so much easier.

    Reply
    • Christine says

      November 4, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      Awesome!

      Reply
  9. Tonya Sparks says

    June 20, 2018 at 4:34 pm

    Do you know of an easy way to cut further and make 12×12 sheets?

    Reply
    • Christine says

      November 4, 2018 at 1:09 pm

      A guillotine cutter works great. Link to several: https://amzn.to/2RAvs7f.

      Reply

Comments on Cutting for Business are moderated before posting. This ensures that this blog does not get overrun by spam or inappropriate comments. Please allow up to 7 days before you'll see your comment. Thanks, Christine

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Make Money

Love to craft and ready to make some money? You're in the right place! Whether you own a Silhouette Cameo, a Cricut Maker, a Silhouette Curio, a Cricut Joy, or even a Glowforge, get tips and tricks to make an income with your machine.



Ready to Buy Craft Business Names



Free Fonts

Copyright © 2021 · Cutting for Business
Disclosures · Privacy Policy
This site is not affiliated with Silhouette America or Cricut (Provo Craft & Novelty, Inc.)

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

SAVE & ACCEPT