Once I started experiencing the benefits of using Young Living essential oils, I’ve been adding grapefruit, tangerine and sometimes lemon essential oils to my water. Love it! It’s definitely increased my daily water intake! However, because Young Living citrus essential oils are so potent, using a glass or stainless steel drinking vessel is recommended.
I found this awesome stainless steel tumbler (including lid and straw) on Amazon.
It works beautifully – keeps drinks SUPER cold with a double insulated wall. Design wise, it’s a little boring and plain so of course I couldn’t help but create some vinyl decals to dress it up a bit.
Materials:
- Happy Crafters glossy adhesive vinyl (mint)
- transfer paper
- Stainless steel tumbler, lid and straw {affiliate link}
What I did:
I added my designs (shapes I already had on hand) to the Silhouette Designer Software template, making sure they were at a size that would fit my tumbler. Designs are previous purchases from the online Silhouette store accessible through the software.
I sent the design to cut.
I adjusted setting as needed for cutting vinyl (you may want to do a test cut).
I loaded my adhesive vinyl glossy color side up into the machine.
I clicked “cut” and removed vinyl from machine when cutting was complete.
Then, I peeled (weeded away) the vinyl that surrounded the design.
Next I added a piece of transfer paper to the decals and rubbed with a credit card to ‘transfer’ the design.
I peeled away the transfer paper, separating it from the wax papered backing (vinyl decal should now be on the sticky side of the transfer paper).
I placed the decal sticky side down onto the tumbler’s surface then rubbed a credit card.
When I peeled away the transfer paper, the decal transferred to the stainless steel surface. All done!
*Now stainless steel tumbler must be hand washed (do not run vinyl through dishwasher).
Much cuter! And since my mom, my daughter and I all use these tumblers, now I know which one is mine! It makes a great holiday gift idea for your essential oils team or oily friends and family.
*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own. Check out all the supplies at Happy Crafters for inspiration for your next project.
So glad you posted this. I bought Yeti tumblers for my daughters and sons-in-law and was planning on putting their initial or monogram on them using my silhouette. Thanks so much for showing it can be done easily. Also, the stainless tumblers should always be hand washed even without the vinyl.
Thanks, Betsey! This hot/cold stainless one says it’s dishwasher safe but like you, I always wash it by hand too – if only because I’m constantly using it! 😉
So glad I came across this post as I’m trying to find the best way to put a decal on a stainless cup. I’m a little confused on transferring of image to the paper. In your notes you said you sent vinyl to cut. Are you supposed to have a special printer/machine to print these?Can’t I cut myself?
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Hi Michelle, yes you can cut it out yourself and apply without transfer paper.
Transfer paper makes “transferring” a vinyl decal nice. You can either peel away “stickers’ you made and put them on. Or ‘transfer paper’ works this way: It’s sticky on one side so it “picks up” your vinyl decal so that you can transfer it directly with exact spacing/etc. between letters and so every thing is nice and level. It’s hard to explain. I don’t think it’s something you’d need if you’re cutting out your own design with scissors and just applying decals like stickers.
Hi so I am VERY new to making decals (as in I haven’t yet and this will be my first one!) is there a special kind of vinyl that is needed to stick to the stainless steel. Again forgive me if its a dumb question but I have no clue what I’m doing!!
Hi Jodi! I’m not sure if all vinyl works. I used the brand linked (Happy Crafters) with success though. I hope that helps. Good luck!
Hi! Just wondering how long this stayed on for you?
I wash by hand but it’s still on!
Hello Roeshel! I am wondering if you can tell me 2 things. Which Silhouette do you use for this project, and also, how well did it hold up for you? I’m hoping to do some custom gift for the holidays!
Hi Shannon. I used a Silhouette Cameo and it’s still on my tumbler! Holding up!!!
hello!,
what machine are you using to cut the vinyl?
Silhouette Cameo
what are you using to cut decals??
For this tutorial, I used a Silhouette Cameo.
I purchased some vinyl decals for my cup and unfortunately they peeled off, I didn’t put in dishwasher. I am so disappointed. Not sure what type vinyl she used for the project.
The vinyl is from Happy Crafters. Hope that helps! http://www.happycrafters.com
How would you sealnthisnsonthe vinyl doesn’t peel off? Mybkids got water bottles like this from a friend and theybhave already begin to peel (after one wash). Think applying modgepodge or something over the top would work?
Mine is still on! Are you hand washing? Maybe a different brand of vinyl was used?
Wondering how well these stick
Hi Debbie! I wash mine by hand and my decal is still there a few years later! Hope that helps! Good luck!
Thank you for the info on how to apply vinyl on tumblers. Do u have to put a sealer on them? Some say the vinyl will start to peel. I just purchased a cricut and I am so over whelmed.
Hi Sandra, I used vinyl from Happy Crafters with my Silhouette Cameo. I don’t have experience with anything else at this time. Mine is actually still holding up all this time (years). I hand wash it. I did not seal mine. Give it a try. The worst that can happen is it does peel so you do it again! Good luck!
I just recently had a custom order to put vinyl lettering on my stainless steel water bottle, I love it, but I’m noticing the letters are starting to peel off.
I only hand wash the water bottle. Not really sure why it’s peeling, and what I should do?
Have you experienced this, and do you have any suggestions on how to fix this issue?
I would like to know if there is something I can do before going back to the designer.
Thanks so much!
Hi Kimberley, I’m sorry, I don’t have any experience with this. Mine is still holding up. Maybe look at ways to seal it? Sorry I can’t be more helpful! Good luck!
What type of transfer paper do you use
Hi Clara, I got an industrial/commercial roll from one of my sponsors in the past. I’m not sure of the brand. Sorry I can’t be more helpful! Thanks so much for stopping by! xo