Can I use cardstock in place of vinyl for a project?
I have very little knowledge about cricut machines, so bare with me! For those who use them, what would happen if: a project called for vinyl letters (added to a painted or stained wood surface). But to cut cost (lots of vinyl needed), could one simply use cardstock for the letters and adhere with modpodge and get the same effect, esp if the whole project with me coated in polyurethane (outside use)?
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Hello Lynn! Yes, you could cut letters/words from cardstock, glue them in place firmly so they don't curl up, and then use modpodge or poly over them. The letters would be slightly raised. You could also use something thinner as long as you are gluing them down and going over them with a clear sealer. From experience I have learned that vinyl letters don't stick well to painted and stained wood over time and although I have never tried it for outside use I can't help but think that they would fall off or curl up sooner especially if exposed to sun. They do have a tendency to curl up and or fall off and you can't use poly over them to keep them in place. Been there, tried that, didn't work well. For a less expensive option to Cricut vinyl you can use/cut Contac paper. Another thing I have done is to apply my letters/words to raw wood and then paint over the entire board. Once the paint or stain is dry you can remove the letters and you will have perfect imprints! You can also make your own stencils using a Cricut and stencil your letters instead. It takes some playing around but I have made TONS of my own stencils. I buy clear stencil material but I use my stencils over and over again. You can also make your own stencils with Contac paper for a one time use.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=using+vinyl+letters+to+make+wood+signs&view=detail&mid=8FAB6194F9C8787602A88FAB6194F9C8787602A8&FORM=VIRE
I think cutting a stencil and painting the design/text would be the best and long lasting for you. I recently added vinyl to a wood project and it was peeling off not long after. I re-did it using a stencil. Even cutting from paper and tracing the design would work but it wouldn't be as easy as using the stencil. Contact paper is a great solution.
Thanks to you both for your advice! Never thought of the vinyl peeling...don't want that! Didn't think of contact paper though for a sub for vinyl, and didn't think of creating the stencils either! As I said, I'm very new to the whole cricut experience!!