How to Apply Vinyl to a Clear Backpack or Bag (2024)

You can easily add vinyl to a clear backpack or bag if you know a few tricks.

In this tutorial we'll share some tricks on how to put vinyl on a clear bag so you avoid bumps and bubbles.

The next time you want to go to a sports game or concert, you might find that the event requires your bag or purse to be clear so security can check the contents. You can decorate a clear stadium bag with vinyl!

First, be sure to use permanent adhesive vinyl like Oracal 651. Removable vinyl (like Oracal 631) would not last as long on your bag.

We cut this fun girls trip designs with the Silhouette CAMEO. This clear bag design we're using comes from theJuly 2022 SVG and Font BundleatSo Fontsyin case you want to grab it!

After cutting and weeding the design, you'll want to apply transfer tape.

To prevent any bumps and wrinkles while applying the transfer tape, keep the weeded piece of vinyl flat by sticking it on your cutting mat.

Stick the piece of transfer tape along the outside edge of the vinyl decal.

Then, use a vinyl scraping tool to smooth the transfer tape over the vinyl as you hold the other end of the transfer tape taut.

Burnish the transfer tape onto the vinyl really well.

Now, flip the vinyl piece over and slowly roll back the vinyl backing as you hold the transfer tape down. The vinyl decal should be sticking to the transfer tape. If not, roll the vinyl backing back down and burnish that area really well, then continue. Be sure to roll the vinyl backing back upon itself instead of just lifting it straight up and it should be easier to remove.

After removing the backing, either place the backing back onto the vinyl or replace it with a piece of translucent parchment paper.

By removing the vinyl backing now (before applying it to the surface), you can more easily make sure that the transfer tape has picked up the vinyl and you're not fighting with the transfer tape to pick up the vinyl while trying to apply the vinyl as well, which is much more difficult to do.

Trim around the design.

Now, here's the clear stadium bag, and it's important to remember that applying appropriate pressure to the vinyl on the clear bag is how it will adhere successfully.

That means, find any hard, flat object (like a book) to fit inside the bag. This will give you the appropriate resistance for you to burnish the vinyl onto the clear bag.

The hinge method is a very accurate way of placing and applying vinyl. Take a piece of blue painter's tape and adhere it across the center of the vinyl decal to act as a hinge.Press the tape down so the decal (still on the backing) is exactly where you want it.

Then, peel one half of the transfer tape away from the vinyl backing. The blue painter's tape will hold the decal in place while you take scissors and cut away the vinyl backing.

Lay the transfer tape back down and use your vinyl scraping tool like you did before to smooth the transfer tape (and vinyl) down onto the clear bag. The blue painter's tape acts like a hinge so you'll lay the transfer tape right back down where it was positioned before - right where you want it.

Burnish that side of the vinyl to the clear bag really well.