What Is the Difference Between Smart Vinyl and Regular Vinyl for Cricut?

The Cricut is a popular crafting tool that helps you to create intricate designs for a variety of projects. There are two types of vinyl materials that you can use with the Cricut: regular vinyl and smart vinyl.

While both materials are excellent choices for crafting, there are some key differences between them that you should consider before making your purchase.

Durability

The first difference between regular and smart vinyl is in the durability. Regular vinyl is made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, and is designed to be both flexible and durable.

Smart vinyl, on the other hand, is made from polyurethane and is designed to be more flexible and durable than regular vinyl. This makes it an ideal choice for projects that require a lot of movement or wear-and-tear.

Colors

The second difference between regular and smart vinyl is in the colors available. Regular vinyl comes in a variety of colors including metallics, transparents, pastels, brights, and more. Smart vinyl is only available in black or white.

Adhesion

The third difference between regular and smart vinyl is in the adhesion capabilities. Regular vinyl has an aggressive adhesive that allows it to stick to almost any surface with ease. Smart vinyl also has an aggressive adhesive but its adhesion capabilities are not as strong as those of regular vinyl.

Thickness

The fourth difference between regular and smart vinyl is in the thickness of each material. Regular vinyl tends to be thicker than smart vinyl which makes it better suited for projects with intricate designs or where extra durability is required.

Conclusion:

Overall, there are several key differences between regular and smart vinyl for Cricut projects including durability, colors available, adhesion capabilities, and thickness. Regular vinyl tends to be more durable but offers less color options while smart vinyl offers more flexibility but less adhesion capabilities than traditional PVC materials.