How to Create a Simple Vinyl Monogram {A Silhouette Tutorial for Beginners}

This simple vinyl monogram is an easy project for beginners. This tutorial will show you everything you need to know for your first vinyl project!

Ever since I bought my Silhouette Cameo last spring, I’ve been wanting to try out cutting vinyl. So, during their Black Friday sale, I finally purchased the vinyl starter kit and some other fun colors.

Since I’m a beginner vinyl user, I thought I’d share my first ever project. Just in case there are any other beginners out there! It wasn’t perfect, but I think the end result was worth it.

How to Create a Monogram

First, I had to design my monogram in the Silhouette Studio. I used the font Monogram KK. I can’t remember if it comes with the Silhouette Studio or not, but you can download it HERE for free.

{Side note: for a married couple’s monogram, which is what I’m doing here, you put the initials in this order: wife’s first name initial, married last name initial and then husband’s first name initial. So mine is LNJ.}

Monogram KK font is designed to create the perfectly sized monogram when you type the outer initials in lower case and the middle, larger initial in upper case. So, that’s what I did. Now, when you’ve typed them all out the letters won’t be overlapping, which is what we want in this project.

So, I ungrouped the letters and moved them around until I got them to overlap exactly how I wanted. {I know the side initials aren’t exactly even, but I thought they looked best this way.}

Once everything was overlapping just so, I welded the letters together. This connects and re-groups the letters automatically and you have one single design.

Isn’t she pretty? I was getting excited at this point!

I don’t think I’ve told you yet, but I was putting my vinyl on top of a frame. So, it would be sticking to the top of the glass. I made sure to measure the inside of the frame. Just because it’s an 8×10 frame doesn’t mean your design can be that big. 🙂 I made mine about 7.5 x 9.5 because I wanted it to fill the frame up.

I scaled my monogram to exactly the size I needed it to be, which meant it became a little skinnier that it had been originally.

How to Cut Vinyl

Now we’re ready to cut! The cutting part was easy-peasy. I used a new cutting mat I just ordered, because my old mat isn’t very sticky and I found the vinyl wanted to roll up on it.

What you’ll need:
1. Vinyl <<— my favorite vinyl brand
2. Transfer Paper
3. Cutting mat
4. Hook
5. Scraper
6. Silhouette cutting machine <<— this bundle has everything you’ll need to get started!

I cut my vinyl to a little larger than my design. That way the roll wasn’t hanging off the table. 🙂

And then I just loaded the cutting mat {make sure you select “load cutting mat,” not “load media” on the Silhouette}.

And I followed the settings in the Silhouette Studio for vinyl and clicked “cut.” Easy!

Then you just peel up the vinyl that isn’t part of your design.

I used my new hook tool to weed the smaller pieces of vinyl inside the design.

Now it’s ready to be transferred AKA here comes the tricky part!

How to Transfer Vinyl

Take the transfer paper {it comes in a roll and is pictured in my supplies picture} and cut off a piece the size of your design. Then peel off the backing from the transfer paper. You’ll have a thin, sticky piece of paper left. This is the tricky part: lay it sticky-side-down on to your design. Press the scraper tool all over the design to make sure it’s good and stuck.

You can see how I had a few wrinkles in the top of mine. It was kind of hard to get it straight on there, but I did the best I could.

Then you’ll slowly peel away the design from its backing. You’ll now have the design {in reverse} stuck to your transfer paper. It’s ready to be placed wherever you want!

I attempted to place the design down on the glass from my frame, but I couldn’t really see what I was doing. So, I placed the glass on top of the design. This seemed to work much better.

Turn your frame over and press down on the design with the scraper tool. This will make sure the design is good and stuck, and also remove any air bubbles. Then slowly peel away the transfer paper.

And voila! Just like that you have a pretty framed monogram. I placed a piece of white cardstock in the frame as a background. But I think it would look good in an empty frame with the wall color showing through, or even something fun like burlap or fabric behind it.

I love how it looks on my gallery wall! {Read more about my gallery wall HERE.}

Let me know if you try it or have anything to add. Like I said, this is my first vinyl project so I know I still have a lot to learn. I’m a little like the blind leading the blind. 🙂 So, any vinyl experts out there, feel free to pass on your tips and tricks!!

Don’t miss out on the behind-the-scenes fun!

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Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post, but I do receive a small commission when you use my promo code. And as always, I only post about things I LOVE. I adore my Silhouette Cameo. Literally fall in love with it more every day. 🙂