How to get air bubbles out of vinyl Cricut

We get questions fairly often about how to fix wrinkled Cricut Removable vinyl. Vinyl wrinkles and/or bubbles often appear on the surface when vinyl is tightly rolled.

Important: Rolls of removable vinyl get bubbles wrinkles more often than permanent vinyl because the adhesive isn’t as strong, therefore it puckers up off the backing when rolled. Are you smoothing it out as you apply the vinyl to the surface, this eliminates bubbles. You can also prick the bubbles to remove the air and smooth down flat.

If you roll your removable vinyl to store it – which many Silhouette crafters do for lack of storage and an abundance of vinyl – you may have to figure out how to straighten wrinkled vinyl at some point.

Before you go throwing out a whole sheet of vinyl or part of a roll because it has wrinkles, know there is hope! I’m going to show you how to flatten wrinkled vinyl so you can successfully cut it on your Silhouette and Cricut machine.

What you need:

In this experiment, we choose our own brand of products.

• 12*12inch LinkedGo Standard-Grip Cutting Mat
• Cricut Removable Matte Black Vinyl

Working on the cutting mat will help keep the vinyl from moving around.

Use your scraper and starting at one side of the wrinkle, push through the wrinkle or bubble all the way out to the edge of the vinyl.

Repeat this pushing from one end to the other until you work the air bubble out of the vinyl. You need to push all the way to the edge to release the air that’s trapped between the vinyl and the backing. I would definitely suggest you use your scraper to push in both directions.

I don’t get discourage, when smaller new bubbles or wrinkles form. Just keep using the scraper to flatten the wrinkled vinyl and soon your sheet of vinyl will be wrinkle free! 

Once you’ve removed the wrinkles from the vinyl sheet you can cut the vinyl with your Silhouette CAMEO or Cricut.

If the vinyl buckles back up slightly during the cutting process, don’t worry. You should have no problem applying the transfer tape and applying the vinyl to the surface wrinkle free!

After spending a long time trying to perfectly install your vinyl you’ve found bubbles trapped underneath it? I totally understand how infuriating it can be.

How to get air bubbles out of vinyl?

Using a flat squeegee or any kind of flat tool, gently press and push the bubble towards the edge of the vinyl. If it’s a stubborn one, use a hairdryer to apply heat on it to loosen up the adhesive. You can also take a super-sharp pin and lightly prick on the bubble to let the air out.

But that’s not it. We have more detail for you below to help you solve this issue effortlessly. Interested? Then keep reading!

Contents show

How to get Air Bubbles Out of Vinyl: 3 Simple Methods!

Method 1/4: Use a Squeegee to Push the Bubble Outward

Method 2/4: Apply Heat Using a Hairdryer

Method 3/4: Use a Sharp Pin or Blade to Puncture the Bubble

How to Prevent Air from Getting Trapped Under the Vinyl?

Make Sure That the Surface is Clean

Work on the Vinyl Slowly

Stick the Vinyl Using a Squeegee

FAQs

Final Thoughts

How to get Air Bubbles Out of Vinyl: 3 Simple Methods!

Finding trapped air under vinyl decals is a common issue. The bubble can be in different forms. It can be one giant bubble or many tiny bubbles together. 

Getting rid of the bubble without damaging your vinyl can be quite challenging. That’s exactly why I’m here. I’ll show you 3 simple but effective methods that’ll help you fix this in no time. 

Let’s get started!

Method 1/4: Use a Squeegee to Push the Bubble Outward

If your vinyl isn’t that big and the bubbles are somewhat close to the edge, then this is the perfect method for you.

Using a squeegee or any flat tool, you need to slowly push the bubble towards the edge. The best way to do it is to push it toward any of the corners. Because there are chances of air remaining when you try to get it out through a plain side.

Don’t press on your vinyl surface too hard and work the bubble outward slowly and gently. Because if you’re too harsh with it, you may end up leaving a mark or a crease.

What to do if you don’t have a squeegee? Can’t think of any other flat tool? Pro tip: Use your credit card! A credit card or something similar will work just as fine as a squeegee if your vinyl decal isn’t too big.

Method 2/4: Apply Heat Using a Hairdryer

It might happen that while you’re trying to move the bubble outward using a squeegee, it gets stuck at some point. 

That’s because of the adhesive. You won’t be able to move the bubble if the adhesive is too strong. So what should you do?

You need to reduce the adhesive strength by applying heat. And you can do that using a hairdryer!

Turn on your hair dryer on low heat and apply it to the bubble and around it for a few seconds. Now you can use a trick here.

You’ll notice that the bubble has flattened due to the heat. So instead of using a squeegee to move it, you can use your thumb to press on the bubble and make the surface even.

But if the bubble is too big and the heat doesn’t flatten it enough for your thumb to do the job, it’s better to use the squeegee. Otherwise, you may end up forming a crease on your vinyl.

Method 3/4: Use a Sharp Pin or Blade to Puncture the Bubble

If your vinyl is huge in size, like vinyl flooring, it can be tough to remove the bubble using a squeegee. 

Also, If the bubble is too big or there are many small bubbles in the same place, moving the bubble is not an appropriate method.

In case both your vinyl and the bubble are big in size, you need to use a sharp pin or a blade to puncture it. Now there is a risk of forming a crease when you puncture a big bubble. How can you prevent it?

You can prevent it by using your flat-edged tool to divide the bubble into two or more bubbles. That way, your bubble size would get smaller and your job would be easier.

Prick or slit the bubble very lightly. You need to be careful while doing so as your vinyl or the surface underneath can get damaged if the pin gets too deep.

Then gently press on the bubble to let all the air out and smoothen the surface. You can use your hairdryer before this method as well to make sure no creases are formed.

And that’s it! The bubble is gone now and your vinyl looks perfect

How to Prevent Air from Getting Trapped Under the Vinyl?

Getting bubbles on your vinyl is indeed quite frustrating. So you need to take some steps beforehand to prevent air from getting trapped under the vinyl. 

Let me tell you what you can do!

Make Sure That the Surface is Clean

Dirt on the surface increases the probability of your vinyl forming bubbles underneath. Not only bubbles, but you may also find popped-up solid dirt on your vinyl sticker. 

Always remember to thoroughly clean the surface before sticking your vinyl using detergent water or rubbing alcohol. Apply the methods of removing dirt from laminate floors to get a spotlessly clean surface anywhere!

After cleaning, wipe off the surface using a soft piece of cloth.

Work on the Vinyl Slowly

There are higher chances of air getting trapped if you try to rush the process of sticking your vinyl.

Don’t rush the process of sticking your vinyl. Do it patiently. After all, patience is bitter but its fruit is sweet!

Stick the Vinyl Using a Squeegee

Using a squeegee not only can help you get bubbles out but can also be used to prevent one from getting trapped in the first place.

Don’t take off the back paper of your vinyl decal at once. Start peeling and sticking from one of the corners and press with a squeegee simultaneously. 

If your vinyl needs to be installed using a separate vinyl adhesive, then put the glue on the surface, position your vinyl, and stick it using a squeegee.

There is almost no chance of getting bubbles if you stick your vinyl in this method.

Here are some of the best squeegees for vinyl decals currently available in the market:

That’s all!

FAQs

Question: Are vinyl decals removable?

Answer: Vinyl decals are indeed removable. The adhesive is extremely strong, which makes it look permanent. But they can be removed.

Question: How long does a vinyl decal last?

Answer: A vinyl decal lasts for about 5 to 8 years, even under adverse conditions.

Question: Can a vinyl decal be transferred to a t-shirt?

Answer: Yes! Vinyl decals can be transferred to a t-shirt using a heat transfer process.

Final Thoughts

That’s it regarding how to get air bubbles out of vinyl. I’ve tried my best to show you the most effective ways of getting rid of air bubbles without ruining your vinyl. 

Why does my Cricut vinyl have bubbles?

How do you get air bubbles out of decals?

Will air bubbles in decals go away?