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How to Make a Vinyl Car Window Decal Sticker with Cricut Explore

January 6, 2021 By: Katie39 Comments

title image for How to Make a Vinyl Car Window Decal Sticker with Cricut Explore

Make your own Car Decals and express your personality and style. Below is the complete Vinyl Car Window Decal Sticker Tutorial.

Have you seen those vinyl stickers or decals that people put on the back window of their cars? They are so fun and a great way to share with the world what you love.

It can be your family in stick figures, your favorite football team mascot, or your true love, bass fishing.

My husband loves to go fishing for largemouth bass. He has been telling me that he wants a cool fish decal for the back window of his truck for a while.

Since Father’s day is coming, that gave me the perfect excuse to make it!

For Father’s Day, I actually gave him two gifts. This Bass Vinyl Car Window Decal Sticker and the Lucky Tackle Box subscription!

Lucky Tackle Box and fish window decal wrapped with a ribbon for Father's Day

For more information visit Lucky Tackle Box.

More Cricut Craft Tutorials:

We love to craft with Cricut, so naturally, we have shared lots of craft tutorials using this fun crafting toy. Like this Bird Garland, these Funny Word Socks, and this Book Lover’s Shirt.

Be sure to look around the blog for more craft tutorial ideas!

Supplies You’ll Need to Create this Project:

This post contains affiliate links.

  • Cricut Explore Air 2
  • Premium Permanent Vinyl
  • Transfer Tape
  • Weeding Tools
  • Scraper Tool

Craft Tutorial Video:

How to Make a Car Decal

If a big mouth bass isn’t your thing, you can turn any cut image into a window decal using the Premium Outdoor Glossy Vinyl. You can pick an image from Cricut Design Space if you’d like, but I’m going to show you how to upload an image and create your own cut file.

Uploading an Image into Cricut Design Space and Create a Cut File

To find that perfect image you can do a simple google search. There are loads to choose from but I have found the more simple the image the better it transfers to a cut file.

*Images found online should be fine for personal use. Most images have copyright so you can’t sell the design or an item using that design.

google search result for fish images

When you find your image, right-click to save the image to your computer.

saving an image from google

Go into Cricut Design Space and click on New Project. Click the bottom left sidebar button that says Upload.

showing where to click in Cricut Design Space to upload an image

Click on Upload Image and drag or drop the image onto the next page.

showing where to click in Cricut Design Space to upload an image

You will be asked to select your image type. For this bass fish, I am going with simple since there aren’t multiple layers of different colors.

showing where to click in Cricut Design Space to upload an image

Now you select which areas of the image are not a part of the final cut. In this case, I click on everything white. It then turns into a blue and white checkerboard. Make sure to click on every area that is white. In the below image I still need to click on the fins and tongue.

showing where to click in Cricut Design Space to upload an image

Select the image as a cut image. This also gives you a preview of what the cut image will look like. There is a back button you can click if you need to do some more adjusting to the image before you move forward.

showing where to click in Cricut Design Space to upload an image

After you approve you are taken back to the original upload screen but this time you can see your newest cut file among the images.

Cutting your Decal on your Cricut Machine

Click on the image to highlight and then select Insert Image.

how to find uploaded images in cricut design space

This adds the image to your design area where you can adjust the size or even the direction of the image. Then you are ready to cut!

the uploaded image in the Cricut Design Space Canvas

Click on the green button that says Make It and follow the prompts to cut the image out of Cricut Premium Glossy Vinyl.

After the image is cut, carefully weed or remove the excess vinyl.

weeding the vinyl design

Apply a layer of Transfer Tape on top of the cut vinyl. The Transfer tape will help you place the vinyl without letting any of the pieces stretch or move out of place.

applying transfer to tape to the vinyl design

Applying the Car Decal

Clean the window where you want to put the decal really well. Then go over the area once again with rubbing alcohol to remove any excess grease or fingerprint smudges.

cleaning the back window of a truck

Carefully peel back the paper backing of the vinyl going slowly to make all parts of the image release from the sheet.

peel back the paper to the vinyl design

To apply the vinyl, start at one end or corner and lay the vinyl down in a rolling motion. This will help assure even placement.

applying the vinyl design to the car window

Go over the Transfer Tape with the Scraper Tool and push out any bubbles from underneath the vinyl car decal.

smooth the design with a cricut scraper tool

Peel back the Transfer Tape and you are done!

the applied bigmouth bass vinyl window decal on husband's truck

Is this not the perfect gift for any fisherperson? A Vinyl Car Window Decal Sticker and the Lucky Tackle Box Subscription. Yup, I did good!

Click here to get your Lucky Tackle Box Coupon for $5 off!

Click here to purchase the Cricut Explore Air 2!

What image will you put on your back window? When you make it, please share a photo! We’d love to see.

Yield: 1 Card Decal

How to Make Car Decals with Cricut Explore Air 2

car window decal sticker 25

Make your own Car Decals and express your personality and style.

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Permanent Vinyl
  • Transfer Tape

Tools

  • Cricut Explore Air 2
  • Weeding Tools
  • Scraper Tool

Instructions

  1. Cut out your design onto permanent vinyl.
  2. Carefully weed the design.
  3. Apply a layer of Transfer Tape on top of the cut vinyl.
  4. Clean the window where you want to apply the decal.
  5. Carefully peel back the paper backing of the vinyl going slowly to make all parts of the image release from the sheet.
  6. Apply the vinyl to the window. It helps to start at one end or corner and lay the vinyl down in a rolling motion.
  7. Go over the Transfer Tape with the Scraper Tool and push out any bubbles from underneath the vinyl car decal.
  8. Peel back the Transfer Tape and you are done!

Notes

What image will you put on your back window? When you make it, please share a photo! We'd love to see.

© Katie Adams
Project Type: Vinyl / Category: Cricut

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Comments

  1. mary says

    May 22, 2017 at 10:13 am

    What a great idea! How have I not thought of doing this yet?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      May 23, 2017 at 7:58 am

      ha ha! Thanks, Mary!

      Reply
  2. Don says

    July 3, 2017 at 1:31 pm

    I just bought my wife a Cricut Explore Air 2 and I’m trying to use the Design Space however I’m not getting the same pages your are. The step where you select “simple” that page does not come up neither does the step where you select the area. It comes up directly into the design space. Now with that being said I’m not using a googled image I’m using an image I converted to .svg, maybe that changes things a bit? Basically it’s the logo for our business. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 13, 2017 at 10:08 am

      Hi Don, Cricut Design Space has recently updated within the last month. so that is why the programs look different. Sorry for the confusion. I’m sorry but I’m not understanding what you are trying to do. Are you wanting to cut the logo out with vinyl, create a stencil or a printable? The steps for all of the actions are different.

      Reply
    • Lora says

      July 17, 2017 at 12:59 pm

      Don,
      The reason yours isn’t making you do those steps is because it is a vector file already. You can do whatever you need or want to the layers without needing to alter it.

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth says

    August 17, 2017 at 6:27 pm

    Hello Katie, What kind of Vinyl do you used for the car decal?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 18, 2017 at 8:45 am

      I used Cricut Premium Outdoor Glossy Vinyl. Here is my affiliate link: http://shrsl.com/?hzni It works great and so far has had no peeling or bubbling!

      Reply
      • ELIZABETH says

        August 18, 2017 at 12:12 pm

        Katie, Thank you very much .

        Reply
      • Audra says

        October 5, 2017 at 1:10 pm

        Do you know if this would hold up during a cold Minnesota winter?

        Reply
        • Katie says

          October 6, 2017 at 5:03 pm

          It’s hard to say exactly, I can’t find exact temperature specifications but it is rated to last 6 years on an outdoor surface.

          Reply
  4. Becca says

    November 17, 2017 at 8:48 pm

    Katie –
    If I am doing one with lettering, will I need to mirror the image before cutting? Making window decals for our farm and I don’t want to waste vinyl with a mistake. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 21, 2017 at 8:08 am

      Great question Becca! You do not need to mirror the cut for regular vinyl. You only mirror the cut when using iron-on or heat transfer vinyl.

      Reply
  5. Kelly says

    January 7, 2018 at 3:58 pm

    Katie – Is there a way to make vinyls with the cricut explore air 2 that you can stick to interior windows that will read correctly from the outside? I have a boutique and am needing vinyls for our storefront windows. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 8, 2018 at 9:56 am

      Yes there is Kelly. When cutting there is an option to mirror the cut. This will cut it backward. You would then be able to place the vinyl to an inside window and have it readable from the outside. Thanks for the great question!

      Reply
  6. Donna says

    February 12, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Hi sweetie I’m new to the Cricut I have an Impressions or Expressions that I haven’t used yet. What vinyl do you recommend that is not permanent but I can use for window decals on vehicles? I want it to stay on but I can’t use permanent! I have tons of oracal 651 and I was told do not use that unless I’m making signs for outside LOL! Thanks Donna

    Reply
    • Katie says

      February 15, 2018 at 8:13 am

      Hi Donna, No Vinyl is permanent and can all be removed. Cricut actually has an outdoor vinyl that is perfect for outdoor signs and car window decals. It is more sticky then regular vinyl but can still be removed. http://shrsl.com/hzni (affiliate)

      Reply
  7. Wesley says

    March 28, 2018 at 3:01 pm

    Can you make car vinyl stickers with the cricut explorer one

    Reply
    • Katie says

      March 29, 2018 at 7:52 am

      Yes, you can Wesley, just make sure that you use the outdoor vinyl.

      Reply
  8. Jessica Borron says

    July 12, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    Hi, I’m having issues when I use the premium glossy outdoor vinyl as I cannot get it to stick to my transfer tape. I have tried several different brands including the cricket brand and I cannot get the vinyl to lift. I made sure that the settings on my cricket we’re set to premium outdoor glossy vinyl And I am still having issues. Any ideas or recommendations for me? Thank you

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 13, 2018 at 9:43 am

      Jessica, do you have a Scraper Tool? (http://shrsl.com/11ybw) Remove the backing paper from the transfer tape and when you lay the transfer tape over the vinyl, press it down really good with the sticky side of the transfer tape to the top of the vinyl. When you pull the transfer tape up, the vinyl should stick to the transfer tape and life off of the original paper backing of the vinyl. Just like a big a sticker.

      Reply
      • Jessica says

        July 18, 2018 at 5:57 pm

        Yes, I use that tool and have literally spent hours trying to get it to stick. I made a bunch of decals for my aunt for her son who passed away and just couldn’t get the stinking vinyl to stick. Some letter would after tons and tons of rubbing but it was so time consuming!

        Reply
        • Katie says

          July 23, 2018 at 12:21 pm

          That is so strange, I am so sorry Jessica. You should contact Cricut because you have gotten a faulty roll of transfer tape. I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.

          Reply
  9. Teresa says

    July 20, 2018 at 9:36 am

    Have you tried using window cling vinyl? Would that work for a car sticker?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 23, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      Great question Teresa! I have never used the window cling vinyl myself but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work as a car sticker! Good thinking!

      Reply
  10. Kristi says

    July 26, 2018 at 10:50 pm

    Hi katie, i am trying to understand your post, seems like there is a step missing. You go from designing it on the computer, to cutting it out. So my question is, how do you print it? How does it get off the computer and onto the vinyl?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      July 30, 2018 at 6:34 pm

      Hi Kristi, I am so sorry I confused you. The design isn’t printed at all. Instead, the Cricut cuts image out of vinyl. Then it is just a big sticker. Please let me know if you have further questions. I am happy to help.

      Reply
  11. Amber says

    October 10, 2018 at 12:05 pm

    Hello,
    I noticed you used permanent vinyl. I am curious how it’s held up over the past couple years and if you removed it was it difficult

    Reply
    • Katie says

      October 10, 2018 at 1:04 pm

      Hi Amber! This decal has been on our truck since May of 2017 and it is still looking great!

      Reply
  12. Kristina Smith says

    November 14, 2018 at 12:39 pm

    Hey, I know this isn’t a big deal in this particular case, but please be careful when suggesting taking images from Google. It’s fine for one-off, personal things like this obviously. But images on Google can be copyrighted, which can lead into trouble if anyone tries to monetize the image they swiped by turning it into decals, stickers, etc.

    Reply
    • Katie says

      November 15, 2018 at 7:51 am

      Thank you for that great reminder, Kristina. I have added a little disclaimer. *Images found online are fine for personal use, BUT most images will have a copyright and you will be in violation if you use them in any way for personal gain.*

      Reply
  13. Gail walraed says

    March 12, 2019 at 11:42 am

    Hi

    I want to make decals for patio door so people know they are there and don’t try to walk thru Them

    Can I make the decals for the patio door the same way

    If not how would I make ones for the patio doors and what material would I use

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Katie says

      March 12, 2019 at 12:57 pm

      That is such a great idea Gail! Yes, you can make them in the exact same way.

      Reply
  14. John Smith says

    January 2, 2020 at 3:12 am

    Thanks for sharing such information, you simplified the whole process in very informative steps.

    Reply
  15. BETTY STROHBEHN says

    January 19, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    I have a great granddaughter who likes to stick items and re arranging them. What kind of material would cling, not permanent and would hold up to multiple times of removing and re applied.?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 21, 2020 at 11:38 am

      I would recommend using Cricut Window Cling Material. You can find it here via my affiliate link (http://shrsl.com/22mpg). It can be used over and over again and stick to glass,

      Reply
  16. Teri says

    January 26, 2020 at 2:14 pm

    Do you have a tutorial where I can make a decal that has more than 1 color in it?

    Reply
    • Katie says

      January 29, 2020 at 2:24 pm

      I do not currently but I will add it to the list. Thanks for the great idea, Teri!

      Reply
  17. KD says

    August 21, 2020 at 6:23 am

    In this decal-what is the smallest line width? I’m looking to do an outline of a shape like you have here but can’t find a suggested minimum line width anywhere!

    Reply
    • Katie says

      August 25, 2020 at 8:52 am

      Great question KD! I can’t find an official specific minimum for line width on the Cricut website. But I did find this article and a person shows an example of the design they created and the line width. I hope this helps.
      https://www.reddit.com/r/cricut/comments/agn5j8/how_small_can_you_go/

      Reply

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