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Crafting with vinyl has become increasingly popular since the introduction of accessible home cutting machines like the Cricut and its transfer tapes for vinyl. When used with adhesive vinyl, transfer tape allows crafters to transfer their designs smoothly onto a wide variety of surfaces.
Buying vinyl transfer tape online, however, can feel a bit overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best transfer tapes for vinyl and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while evaluating products.
Our top recommendation is the YRYM HT Clear Vinyl Transfer Paper Tape Roll. We like its translucent and gridded design, indoor and outdoor versatility, and the fact that it comes in a large 12-inch by 5-inch roll. Our list of the best transfer tapes for vinyl includes other options, all of which have been vetted for effectiveness and reliability.
Use this guide for tips on choosing the best transfer tapes for vinyl, and explore our curated picks for some of the best transfer tapes for arts-and-crafts projects.
- BEST OVERALL: YRYM HT Clear Vinyl Transfer Paper Tape Roll
↓ Jump to Review - RUNNER-UP: Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: HTVRONT 12-Inch Transfer Tape for Vinyl
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITHOUT GRID LINES: Vinyl Ease Paper Transfer Tape
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SHEETS: Selizo Transfer Tape for Vinyl
↓ Jump to Review - BEST NARROW: HTVRONT 6-Inch Clear Transfer Tape for Vinyl
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR GLITTER: Cricut Vinyl StrongGrip Transfer Tape
↓ Jump to Review - ALSO CONSIDER: VVivid Vinyl Transfer Tape Roll
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best Transfer Tapes for Vinyl
Years of experience covering home goods and crafting supplies, as well as extensive product research, went into creating this guide to the best transfer tapes for vinyl. We explored more than 25 transfer-tape options and weighed several practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Type: To provide options for a wide range of crafters, we included both medium-tack and strong-tack transfer tape in our recommendations.
- Reviews: We value what real-life crafters have to say about the products they rely on, so we included only well-reviewed transfer tape in our lineup.
- Value: Transfer tape is sold in a range of sizes and quantities, and prices can vary broadly. We aimed to include only products that offered excellent value regardless of quantity.
Our Top Picks
It’s time to start shopping. The following are considered among the best transfer tapes for vinyl for your next crafting project. One of these is likely to suit the needs of most shoppers in this space. .
Best Overall
YRYM HT Clear Vinyl Transfer Paper Tape Roll
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 50 feet long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Includes alignment grid for centering or placing a design with precision
- Features a translucent finish for optimal ease of use when designing and applying
- Medium tack can be used on standard vinyl varieties and can be applied indoors and outdoors
What We Don’t Like
- Medium tack is not suitable for textured vinyl applications including holographic and glitter
- Not suitable for use with heat-transfer tape or vinyl
This YRYM clear vinyl transfer tape measures 50 feet long by 12 inches wide, providing plenty of material for crafting projects. This vinyl paper transfer tape is translucent and features a half-inch square grid, which makes it easy to ensure designs are applied with proper alignment. The vinyl transfer paper tape won’t leave any residue behind and peels away cleanly from vinyl due to its medium tack.
This transferable tape works well for applying adhesive vinyl on both indoor and outdoor projects; however, it isn’t suitable for heat-transfer vinyl and won’t be the best choice for glitter vinyl, holographic vinyl, and other textured vinyl styles.
Get the YRYM HT transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon or Walmart.
Runner-up
Cricut Vinyl Transfer Tape
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 48 inches long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Suitable for use with a variety of different vinyl types including premium, holographic, matte, and metallic
- Comes with a lightly printed grid for precision when designing and applying
- Can be used for decor, labels, media covers, and more
What We Don’t Like
- Very sticky tape; may be hard to remove once it adheres to a surface
Versatility meets ease of use in this vinyl transfer tape from Cricut. This tape is specially designed for a wide range of vinyl types, including premium, patterned, holographic, sparkly, metallic, and matte, and it’s suitable for creating labels, media covers, decor, and more.
This 12-inch by 48-inch roll of Cricut transfer tape comes with enough standard grip tape for many applications and is compatible with any Cricut cutting machine. It also comes with a lightly printed grid for precise placement and design application.
Get the Cricut transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Bang For The Buck
HTVRONT 12-Inch Transfer Tape for Vinyl
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 120 feet long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Affordable 120-foot-long vinyl transfer tape roll for large-scale use; suitable for professionals
- Features a translucent finish for optimal ease of use and precision when designing and applying
- Medium tack is widely applicable and sticks to a variety of surfaces
- Includes a scraper tool for added versatility and ease of use
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for textured vinyl applications; users should take care when applying to porous vinyl
This transfer tape from HTVRONT provides excellent value, measuring 120 feet long by 12 inches wide. Along with including a high quantity of tape, the product offers top quality with clear tape that’s effective and easy to work with. It features a half-inch square grid, so accurately applying designs to a project surface is a breeze.
The tape’s medium tack ensures it will adhere to most types of vinyl while still peeling easily when it’s time to remove it. Purchase includes a convenient scraper tool, which is helpful for burnishing the transfer tape onto the vinyl. Similar to all medium-tack transfer tapes, this one isn’t suitable for textured vinyl.
Get the HTVRONT 12-inch transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon or Walmart.
BEST WITHOUT GRID LINES
Vinyl Ease Paper Transfer Tape
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 100 feet long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: No
What We Like
- Paper transfer tape is easy to remove for quick adjustments and ease of use
- Medium tack is widely applicable to many vinyl materials including scrapbooks, lettering, graphic designs, and signs
- Opaque texture provides some visibility for precision when in use
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for textured vinyl varieties
- No grid lines are integrated, which may make it harder for some users to work with
Most types of transfer tape on the market include grid lines to facilitate easy alignment. Some crafters, however, may find these grids distracting, especially when applying vinyl at an unconventional angle. This paper transfer tape from Vinyl Ease is opaque and doesn’t include grid lines, which is ideal for projects where straight alignment isn’t a top priority.
The tape is 12 inches wide, and the roll is 100 feet long, providing enough tape for many future crafting projects. It has a medium tack, and a good stickiness for standard vinyl but is unsuitable for glitter and holographic vinyl.
Get the Vinyl Ease transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon.
BEST SHEETS
Selizo Transfer Tape for Vinyl
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 12 inches long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Each piece of tape includes an alignment grid for precise application and design; features a translucent finish for optimal ease of use
- Comes with either 20 or 50 sheets of tape, each 12 inches by 12 inches, for multiple small projects and designs
- Medium tack is widely applicable for a variety of surfaces and can be applied indoors or outdoors
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for holographic, glitter, and other textured vinyl
Most transfer tape comes in rolls, but tape in sheets is sometimes easier to work with, depending on the size of the project, and might not require any cutting. This transfer tape comes in 12-inch by 12-inch sheets in packs of 20 or 50 total. The tape is translucent and features half-inch blue grid lines, so aligning a design is a breeze.
The Selizo tape has a medium tack, which is suitable for most types of standard vinyl intended for either indoor or outdoor use. Because it offers a medium level of adhesion, however, it’s not ideal for glitter or holographic vinyl.
Get the Selizo transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon.
BEST NARROW
HTVRONT 6-Inch Clear Transfer Tape for Vinyl
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: 50 feet long by 6 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Small 6-inch width is suitable for smaller designs; does not require manual cutting
- Includes an alignment grid for precision when applying designs to vinyl
- Features a translucent finish for optimal ease of use and visibility
- Medium tack quality is suitable for use on a variety of different surfaces
What We Don’t Like
- Not suitable for textured vinyl surfaces which may not be ideal for some users
Smaller projects call for narrower transfer tape, and this product from HTVRONT measures 6 inches wide, making it a great option. Although the vinyl transfer tape roll is narrow, it’s 50 feet long, providing plenty of tape for multiple crafting projects. Like the brand’s standard-width transfer tape, this one is translucent with a half-inch square grid printed in red lines for accurate placement of lettering, for example.
The medium-tack clear transfer tape provides just the right level of adhesion for standard vinyl but isn’t sticky enough for applying glitter or holographic vinyl. It releases easily and won’t tear the vinyl or leave any residue behind.
Get the HTVRONT 6-inch transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon.
Best for Glitter
Cricut Vinyl StrongGrip Transfer Tape
Product Specs
- Tack: High
- Dimensions: 4 feet long by 12 inches wide
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Includes an alignment grid for placing designs in the desired area; provides ease of application
- Features a translucent finish for optimal ease of use when placing a design
- High tack is durable and optimal for textured vinyl applications
What We Don’t Like
- High price point compared with other transfer tapes on the market
- Not suitable for standard vinyl applications; too high a tack for nonporous vinyl
Glitter vinyl adds pizzazz to a variety of crafting projects, but standard transfer tape isn’t suitable for applying it. Crafters will require a high-tack tape in order to transfer glitter or holographic vinyl, which can adhere to the textured surface. Cricut’s StrongGrip Transfer Tape is one of the best high-tack options on the market, with its translucent finish and convenient grid lines.
While removing this StrongGrip transfer tape may be a bit trickier because of its high level of adhesion, the product will apply textured vinyl smoothly and ensure it stays in place. It’s important to note that the brand’s high-tack transfer paper is available only in a 4-foot length, making the price per square foot quite high.
Get the Cricut StrongGrip transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon or Walmart.
Also Consider
VVivid Vinyl Transfer Tape Roll
Product Specs
- Tack: Medium
- Dimensions: Varies
- Grid lines: Yes
What We Like
- Medium-tack tape with a grid design and translucent finish for optimal ease of use
- Lots of size options for purchase depending on the size of the design project
- Medium tack is widely applicable to a variety of standard vinyl surfaces
What We Don’t Like
- Medium-tack tape is not suitable for textured vinyl applications
VVivid’s Vinyl Transfer Tape is a clear, medium-tack option with subtle grid lines. One of the best things about this transfer tape is that it’s available in a variety of sizes and formats. Shoppers can choose from 12-inch-long by 12-inch-wide sheets in varying amounts (35, 50, or 55) or rolls of varying widths and lengths, including narrow 6-inch options. Prices and value vary depending on the format chosen.
Since this transfer tape is slightly thicker, it’s a great choice for applying stickers and decals to uneven or curved surfaces. The tape is crafted with ultraviolet-absorbing properties, allowing it to hold up in storage for as many as 4 years before being used. Plus, there are multiple size options available for purchase.
Get the VVivid transfer tape for vinyl at Amazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing Transfer Tape for Vinyl
Although it’s easy to assume that all types of tape offer similar performance, several factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing good transfer tape for vinyl.
Tape vs. Paper
Transfer tape comes in two basic formats: clear tape or more opaque paper. For beginners, clear transfer tape is the best choice because it allows users to see their designs while transferring tape, much like clear duct tape. Opaque transfer paper for vinyl makes it trickier for crafters to place their designs precisely.
Most types of transfer paper feature grid lines to facilitate measuring. Although many people find these grids add convenience, some may prefer gridless paper for simpler, freestyle measurements.
Tack
When shopping for transfer tape, shoppers will notice products labeled as either “medium tack” or “high tack.” This refers to how sticky the transfer tape feels. Medium tack is the most versatile option and is suitable for standard adhesive vinyl. High-tack—also known as strong grip—transfer tape is necessary when working with textured vinyl and glitter vinyl because it provides a stronger adhesive to the vinyl’s surface. Strong-grip transfer tape also comes in handy when transferring a design to an uneven or textured surface.
Size
Transfer-tape size is a primary consideration because it affects the size of the project a crafter can complete. Transfer tape is sold primarily in rolls but is also available in sheets. The standard width for transfer tape is 12 inches, which is compatible with most home cutting machines. Narrower transfer tape will measure from 6 to 10 inches in width. Wide transfer tape may be necessary for larger designs and is typically available in widths up to 24 inches.
The length of a roll of adhesive transfer tape is also important to consider because it dictates how much tape is included and whether it is enough to finish a large project. Length also affects the product’s value.
Compatibility
All the factors listed above come together to determine whether a specific type of transfer tape is right for a given project or a versatile choice to have on hand. Choose a transfer tape based on the types of projects completed most frequently. The most widely applicable type of transfer tape is clear medium-tack tape measuring 12 inches in width.
Crafters who often work with glitter or apply vinyl to uneven surfaces might opt for a high-tack transfer tape. For large or small projects, shoppers might consider tape with a different width.
Tips for Using Transfer Tapes for Vinyl
Here are some tips to ensure the vinyl transferring process goes smoothly every time.
- Choose the right transfer tape for the project at hand; a high-tack (strong-grip) transfer tape is necessary when working with glitter or shimmer vinyl.
- Ensure the project surface is clean and dry before applying vinyl designs.
- Peel the transfer tape off at an acute angle for the best results.
- Work slowly to ensure the vinyl does not stick to the transfer tape.
- If the vinyl sticks to the transfer tape, burnish it again before attempting to peel it off.
FAQs
It helps to know more about the best transfer tapes for vinyl, but adult crafters still might have questions about how to select and use it. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding transfer tape for vinyl.
Transfer tape is ideal for quick and easy applications with medium tack, while vinyl transfer tape provides more effective control and long-term high tack. However, both of these options are viable for placing a design or lettering on a vinyl surface.
Although most transfer tape for vinyl is similar, it can vary in its opacity, size, and tack. Most of the options on the market come with medium or high tack levels, and high-tack transfer tape creates stronger adhesion for textured vinyl surfaces.
One option is using high-track transfer tape. Another way to ensure transfer tape remains adhered is to gently heat the area to melt the glue for better adhesion.
We recommend the YRYM HT transfer tape for vinyl as our top pick for most projects because of its versatility. Those who have only small projects to complete with decals might prefer to work with our narrow pick, the HTVRONT 6-Inch transfer tape for vinyl.
To apply transfer tape to vinyl, remove the liner and stick the tape to one corner of the design. Use a scraper or credit card to smooth (or burnish) the transfer tape onto the design so that it covers all the vinyl. Then flip the vinyl over and burnish the back side to ensure the transfer tape adheres perfectly.
Although transfer tape is the best option for transferring vinyl to a wide variety of surfaces, there are some alternative options. Some crafters recommend using masking tape, contact paper, or even shelf liner if transfer tape is not available.
