CAD-Cut Vinyl Printing: How It Works, Benefits & Best Materials

Cad Cut Vinyl printing

Share

What is CAD-Cut Vinyl printing?

CAD (Computer Aided Design)-Cut printing is a method of heat transferring onto t-shirts and clothing. It is most commonly used for printing the numbers, names and logos onto sports t-shirts. CAD-Cut vinyl is actually the material used to print onto the fabric, and it is cut with the aid of a computer. It is a great way to add a professional look to any piece of clothing and can last for years with the proper care and maintenance.

How does CAD-Cutting work?

CAD-Cut Vinyl Printing: How It Works

The process uses different CAD-Cut vinyl materials which are cut, usually into a number or name, and then applied to the garment using a heat press. To ensure the cutting is perfect a computer is used to control the process. The picking of the excess vinyl is known as weeding. Once this has been done the vinyl is heat-transferred onto the t-shirt or garment.

Types of CAD-Cut vinyl

Different vinyl colors and textures can be used to customize t-shirts and clothing. The most popular vinyl is plain block color, but also available are effects in polka dots, chevrons, animal print, jeans, army, leather, and stripes. Before you consider which vinyl to use make sure you consider all the options. For example, green zebra could be an excellent choice for t-shirt printing for a school team or club, and you could also print the numbers of rugby shirts in pink polka print!

cad-cut vinyl

CAD-Cut vinyl can also be layered to create unique garment printing effects. The vinyl usually comes in a roll and is cut using a vinyl cutter, flatbed cutter or hand cut. Choosing the right vinyl for the material ensures it keeps its pristine condition and doesn’t peel off after washing. The correct application process is also vital as poor quality vinyl printing won’t last long.

Related Posts

Close-up of a graphic print with bold 'BE GRAPH' lettering on a textured navy fabric.
  • Airflow Heat Transfer Material – this is a breathable vinyl that allows air circulation as it contains tiny holes. This is the perfect printing solution for sports shirts.
  • Thermo-FILM Heat Transfer Material – a great vinyl that doesn’t absorb dyes from the fabric (dye migration) and creates a sharp and bold transfer. Great for contact sports like rugby as it’s strong and anti-abrasive. It has a semi-gloss finish and gives sports shirts a professional look.
  • Fashion-FILM Heat Transfer Material – this vinyl is great for fashion clothing as it’s thin and very soft, has a matte finish and is good for detailed designs.
  • FLOCK Heat Transfer Material – flock has a suede-like feel and finish and is perfect for layering two colors as it has a distinctive look and texture. Flock is great for printing on fashion t-shirts and clothing.
Your Brand, Bold and Brilliant

Your Brand, Bold and Brilliant

Create custom t-shirts with striking designs to make your brand unforgettable. Ideal for promotional events, employee gifts, and team spirit.

Create Your Custom Printed Shirts

The benefits of using CAD-Cut Vinyl

CAD-Cut vinyl is ideal for garment printing of 1-3 colors of smaller quantities, for example, a football team’s strip. Other benefits are:

  • Durable finish
  • Easy to apply
  • Washable
  • Available in many colors and patterns
  • Easy to add letters or numbers to an existing printed garment
  • Fast – no setup time as with screen printing
  • Matte or gloss finish
  • Can be used on any colors

CAD-Cut vinyl’s advantages make printing team shirts and other garments easier in less than a day.

Northwest Custom Apparel Offers Cad Cut Vinyl

Black t-shirt with vibrant neon yellow 'NW' logo framed in a square, featuring pine tree silhouettes, above the distressed white text 'NORTHWEST CUSTOM APPAREL

Northwest Custom Apparel, your one-stop shop for quality custom clothing suitable for any occasion. We offer extensive vinyl colors and textures, including plain block colors, polka dots, WSU Cougars, Vikings, animal prints, jeans, army, leather, and stripes.

Are you looking for a green zebra design for your school team or club t-shirt? We’ve got you covered. Our CAD-Cut vinyl technology allows for fantastic, layered effects for rugby shirts printed with pink polka print numbers. You can trust us to deliver top-notch vinyl quality that will keep your printed garments in excellent condition even after multiple washes. Contact our customer service team to place your vinyl order by calling 253-922-5793.

Erik Mickelson

Erik Mickelson is the author of the Northwest Custom Apparel blog and a veteran of the custom apparel industry. With over 29 years of experience since graduating from Washington State University in 1996, Erik brings a wealth of knowledge to every post. He is also the founder of the Apparel Graphic Academy, an expert credential that highlights his deep expertise.

Table of Contents