How to Weed Vinyl: 5 Must-Know Tips

Getting frustrated when you try to weed vinyl?  Here are 5 tips that will make the task so much easier.

I don’t know about you, but weeding vinyl is probably my least favorite step of any vinyl project. I have to admit that I shy away from intricate designs because weeding intricate vinyl designs can get very tedious. But today I’ve got 5 tips for you on how to weed vinyl so you don’t go completely crazy and abandon your project altogether.

WHAT DOES WEEDING VINYL MEAN?

Weeding vinyl is the process of removing the excess vinyl (negative space) from your design after it has been cut with your Silhouette, Cricut or other personal cutting machine. 

WEEDING TIPS

 TIP 1
Use a sharp blade when cutting. This tip is all about being prepared before you start to weed. Make sure the blade on your cutting machine is not dull. If you use a dull blade, you will not get good cuts and the vinyl may tear when you begin to weed it. 

TIP 2
Use a weeding tool. There are many tools for weeding vinyl. I have used my Cricut weeding tool forever so it is my go-to tool. If you do not have a tool specifically made for weeding, don’t worry! You can use anything with a sharp point such as a straight pin or tweezers. Start in the corner of your design and use your tool to pull up the excess vinyl. Gradually pull away all vinyl until all that is left is your design.

TIP 3
Use a light pad. If you are having trouble seeing the cut lines, place your piece of vinyl on a light pad. The light will shine up through your design, making the cut lines easier to see. 

TIP 4
Cut off excess vinyl as you go. This tip is specifically for adhesive vinyl. Once you start weeding, cut off the excess vinyl as you move across your design. If you do not cut off the excess vinyl, the exposed sticky side can get stuck to your design and pull it off the backing. This is not good. I have ruined way too many designs this way. Go slowly and cut away the excess.

TIP 5
Keep your vinyl on the mat. Unless you are using a light pad, keep your vinyl on the mat while weeding. This ensures that your vinyl doesn’t roll up when you are trying to weed.

BONUS TIP!
Place a square box around your design before cutting. Placing a square box around your design in your cutting software allows you to weed only what is necessary and not waste vinyl. It also makes it easier to start weeding because it adds a cut line that you can start from.
After you have weeded your vinyl, you can adhere it to your project using transfer tape or use this guide for working with heat transfer vinyl.

HOW TO WEED VINYL VIDEO

I hope these tips are helpful and that your next vinyl project turns out amazing!

LOVE IT? PIN IT!

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