Adding a personalized detail to a DIY project is one of my favorite ways to make something feel truly unique. For this project, I took a wooden tray I had built and used my Cricut Joy Xtra to add a custom “Spain Family” vinyl decal to the center.
The decal was quick and easy to make, and it completely transformed the look of the tray. This is also a great project if you’re looking for a simple way to personalize furniture, home décor, gifts, or other DIY projects.
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What You’ll Need
- Cricut Joy Xtra
- Smart Vinyl
- Transfer Tape
- Weeding Tool
- Scraper
- Wooden tray
- Cricut App (Cricut Design Space)
For my project: I used black Smart Vinyl and the Bank Gothic Std Light font, along with a botanical border.
How to Add a Vinyl Decal to a Wooden Tray
1. Design Your Decal in Cricut Design Space
Start by opening Cricut Design Space and creating your decal. I wanted something simple and personalized, so I created a “Spain Family” design and added a botanical border.
For the lettering, I used the font Bank Gothic Std Light. You can use whatever font fits your style, or choose from the many fonts available in Design Space.
Once your design is finished, resize it to fit your tray. I recommend measuring the area where you want the decal to go before sizing your design so you know exactly how large to make it.
2. Load Your Smart Vinyl
Once you’re happy with your design, it’s time to cut it.
I used black Smart Vinyl, but you can use whatever color works best with your project. Load the vinyl into your Cricut Joy Xtra according to the machine’s instructions, then send your design to the machine to cut.
3. Weed the Decal
After your Cricut finishes cutting, carefully peel away the excess vinyl surrounding your design.
Use a weeding tool to remove any small pieces of vinyl from inside letters or other detailed areas of your design. Take your time with this step, especially if your decal has small or intricate details.
4. Add Transfer Tape
Once your design is completely weeded, place a piece of transfer tape over the entire decal.
Use a scraper to firmly burnish the transfer tape over the vinyl. Go over the entire design several times to make sure the transfer tape is adhering to every part of the decal.
Then carefully peel away the vinyl’s paper backing, leaving your decal attached to the transfer tape.
5. Apply the Decal to the Tray
Before sticking it down, take a moment to carefully position your decal. I centered mine on the wooden tray.
Once you’re happy with the placement, press the decal onto the tray. Use your scraper to smooth the vinyl onto the wood, working from the center outward to help prevent bubbles and wrinkles.
6. Remove the Transfer Tape
Slowly peel the transfer tape away from the decal. If any part of the vinyl wants to lift with the tape, stop and use your scraper or weeding tool to help press it back down.
Once the transfer tape is completely removed, go over the decal one more time with your scraper to make sure every part is firmly adhered and lying flat.
And that’s it!
Build Your Own Wooden Tray
The personalized decal was the finishing touch, but the tray itself was also a DIY project. CLICK HERE for info on how I built it.
You could use this same Cricut technique to personalize all kinds of DIY projects, including serving trays, signs, storage boxes, furniture, planters, and home décor.
A Simple Way to Make Your DIY Projects Feel More Personal
I love finding small ways to customize things I’ve built myself. You don’t always need a complicated project or an expensive makeover to make something feel special. A simple vinyl decal can turn a basic piece into something that’s uniquely yours.
And because you can change the font, colors, wording, and graphics in Cricut Design Space, the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Whether you’re making something for your own home or creating a personalized gift, this is an easy Cricut project that’s worth adding to your DIY list.
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