HOW TO MAKE WATERPROOF STICKERS AT HOME THE EASY WAY

Have you ever struggled to find the perfect way to make waterproof stickers at home? The kind that you can slap on your water bottle that will not smudge, curl or peel off? These are also the kind of waterproof stickers that are sell-worthy if you wanted to sell them or simply be proud to give them as gifts or even yourself. They are also great for children as they are much sturdier when handled, traded, dropped, stepped on, etc.

Today I plan to cover the following:

• Dye-Cut Stickers VS Kiss-Cut Stickers (what is the difference)
• How to create your own custom settings in Cricut Design Space to cut Waterproof Stickers perfectly
• What materials I use to make Waterproof Stickers
• How to laminate stickers the easy way
• Video of the above items mentioned

KISS-CUT OR DIE-CUT WATERPROOF STICKERS?

Both Kiss-Cut and Die-Cut Stickers are very popular. Basically, it comes down to how you want to present them or sell them or gift them, etc.

A Kiss-Cut sticker gets peeled off from the sticker backing “full sheet”. So let’s say your Full Sheet of stickers holds 12 stickers (you can make them any size you want) So when you pull that one sticker off the backing sheet, 11 more stickers remain on the backing sheet.

Another common reference to Kiss-Cut Stickers is Sticker Sheets. Commonly sold by themes such as Children’s School Stickers or Cat lovers. Oh my gosh, the list is never-ending.

A Die-Cut sticker is cut all the way through the backing sheet so that it is an individual sticker and the backing sheet stays on the sticker itself until you are ready to stick it on something.

Both types of stickers can be made with many different brands of sticker paper. They can also be made with or without waterproof materials.

It’s nice to have choices.

VIDEO: MAKING WATERPROOF STICKERS AND MORE

HOW TO MAKE CUSTOMIZED STICKER SETTINGS IN CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

In case you are not aware, you can both make customized cut settings or you can edit cut settings that are already there. Today I am covering only how to “Create your own Custom Settings”.

1. From your Home or Canvas Screen, click on the Icon with 3 lines in the upper left-hand corner of Design Space

2. Click on “Manage Custom Materials”. Then if it gives you an option to “Select Cricut Device” choose your cutting machine. Also, make sure your cutting machine is powered on so it can locate it.

3. Scroll all the way down to the bottom and select “Add New Material”

4. Now you can “Name” your custom material setting, then click on “Save”. I named mine “Laminated Waterproof Stickers” (in the video tutorial I named it “New Laminated Waterproof Stickers” since I already had it created)

5. This will take you right back up to the top of the Material List where you can pick your pressure setting, how many times you want it to cut each sticker, and if you want to use a different blade.

I chose the following for my Laminated Waterproof Sticker setting for Die-Cut only

• Pressure = 350 (I scrolled the circle all the way to the right)
• Cut = X2 (I want it to cut each sticker 2 times)
• Did not change the blade. Mine is set at “Fine Point Blade”
• Once done, scroll all the way to the bottom and select “Done”.

I chose the following for my Laminated Waterproof Sticker setting for Kiss-Cut only

• Pressure = 273
• Cut = 1
• Fine Point Blade
• Once done, scroll all the way to the bottom and select “Done”.

6. If you want to save it as one of your “Favorites” materials now, you will need to open up any project and just go through the motions of getting to the “Browse all Materials” like shown below (we are not going to actually make the project, just getting to the place to select it to save it) 😊

Select “Browse All Materials” then at the top of the screen there is a search bar, type on “My Materials” and hit Enter on your keyboard. This will take you to any settings you have created yourself.

7. Click on the “Gray Star” to turn it into a Gold Star. Once the star is Gold it will always show up in your Favorites area for materials.

Here is a picture of it in my Favorites section. You can choose Popular or Favorites. I prefer to keep mine on my Favorites.

WHAT MATERIALS TO USE FOR WATERPROOF STICKERS

• Sticker Paper – Weatherproof Matte for Inkjet
• Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets
• Cold/Warm Laminator or Laminator I currently use by Minc
• Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2

HOW TO LAMINATE WATERPROOF STICKERS THE EASY WAY

There are many ways to create sticker designs and import them into Cricut Design Space. Just be sure to fit your stickers in a 6.75 W X 9.25 H rectangle to arrange your stickers then either delete the rectangle shape or turn off the rectangle layer in the layers panel before clicking on “Make It”.

If you subscribe to Cricut Access Membership you can use their over 150,000 images to make stickers and the same size limit applies.

I also have 2 Blog posts that include FREE Stickers Files

• How to make Print then Cut Stickers + 11 Free Sticker Templates and Sticker Sheets
• Cricut Offset: How To and Ideas for the FREE Fall Stickers
• Go directly to my FREE Resource Library

Now that your stickers are designed and ready to laminate

Once you’ve sent your stickers to print on this paper, be sure to have your Customized Material Settings saved as a Favorite for easy location. (Instructions for Customized Settings are above in the blog)

I like to allow my sticker sheet to dry approx 5 min before handling.

Take your laminating Sheet and use a paper trimmer and trim to: 7.25″ X 9.75″ (the 9.75″ measurement will depend on how close your stickers are to the long edge, so measure accordingly)

Pull off the strip at the top of the laminating sheet

Then, I like to turn my sticker sheet upside down and then line up the edge/end of the laminating sheet and place it just inside the black registration line (Do not cover the black line with the laminating sheet) Once it appears straight press firmly.

Turn the sticker sheet sideways and pull back the sticker backing sheet (the white part) about 2-3 inches. You just want enough of it to be pulled back so you can get it to start going through the laminator. It’s kind of hard to explain, it’s something you will get a feel for.

When you place something into a laminator it has to go in far enough for the laminator to grasp that sheet and start pulling it through on its own.

Now as you pick the 2 sheets up and place the top end into the laminator, try not to allow the sticky part of the laminator sheet to touch the sticker sheet unless it has to, to be able to place in the laminator.

Once you do this process a couple of times, it will all just flow and you will easily see what works best for you and your work surface. I say work surface as it may be different depending on the counter height you may be working at. I have tall counters where I work standing up, so for me, I prefer to have my laminator at the edge of my counter as it makes it easier for me to place the 2 sheets into the laminator without them sticking too soon together.

As the sheets feed through, keep one hand on the laminating sheet and keep it from sticking to anything as it feeds all the way through.

Almost done, I’m still holding onto the laminating sheet as it pulls through till the end.

Once it feeds through all the way, you are ready to place it on your Cricut Standard or Light Grip Mat (you want a sticky mat).

Place the sticker sheet on the white lines of the mat in the upper left-hand corner as seen below.

Go back to Cricut Design Space and select your new Customized setting. I chose my “Laminated Waterproof Sticker” setting as seen below.

Then make sure you load your fine point blade and then you are ready to load your mat.

Place your Cricut Mat into the Cricut and press the double arrow load button on your Cricut, then when the C button flashes, press on it to begin cutting.

Remember it will take a bit longer as it’s cutting each sticker 2 times.

Once the cut is complete, STOP! Do NOT press unload button until your check to see that the stickers cut all the way through if you are cutting a Die-Cut Sticker as seen below.

My cut was perfect, but if for some reason your cut did not go through both the sticker sheet and laminating sheet, you can press the “C” button again, and it will cut 1 more time for you.

Once they are cut perfectly, you can unload your mat.

Now it’s time for the fun part! I love pulling up the excess sticker sheet. For some odd reason, it’s extremely satisfying to do and watch. 😍

It’s now time to turn your mat upside down and then carefully peel back your Cricut mat to release with your other hand each sticker so they do not curl.

Other’s may find it easier to remove with a weeding tool or scraper. You will find what works best for you. I like to not use a tool but the way I mentioned first.

Oftentimes, it will depend on how sticky your current mat is.

And there you have it, perfectly cut Laminated Waterproof Stickers that are worthy of swooning over and sharing and selling!

I loved placing them on #65 card stock for my super easy candle bands on our mantle for Fall Decor!

I hope you found this helpful. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you and help you as well if you need it 😊

♥♥♥ If you found this post or video helpful or want to save it for later, please pin or share the love ♥♥♥

I appreciate your support ♥

♥ Create with Love ♥