Transform your drab bullet journal into a motivational mantra with this simple Heat Transfer Vinyl tutorial.
A Bullet Journal changes the way you live. I know that’s a profound statement for a craft tutorial but hear me out. For those that don’t know, bullet journaling uses a simple set of rules (…and a notepad and plan), to allow you “to help you track the past, organise the present, and plan for the future.”. This tutorial will help you up for Bullet Journal game using your Cricut machine, as well as a FREE pattern for you to use.
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Click here to jump to the free file download for this tutorial
Bullet journaling makes you write down your goals and aspirations (from the broad such as having your dream job, to the mundane such as keeping the house tidy) and write down small actionable steps to achieve them. Here’s the key though; everything you write down HAS to be given a date to do it. Alongside this, many people (myself included) use their bullet journal to track everything else in their lives, such as a gratitude journal (writing down a good thing that happened each day), body measurements (rewarding to see the progress week to week on a diet) or even something as simple as a holiday countdown.
What has evolved from this simple organisational tool is a massive devout community of Bojo-ers (no, not that Bojo); simply have a look on Instagram and Pinterest to be wowed at the talent on offer. But you don’t have to be an artist to create an inspiring journal that’s going to keep you motivated on those days you’d rather be sat in your pants weeping into a Häagen-Dazs (other brands of ice-cream are available).
Personalise your cover with your vinyl cutter and our FREE download
Like many others, when I’m using a diary or notebook day to day, I don’t mind paying extra for one that feels nice. And like many others, I have found that Leuchtturm books are perfect for using as a bullet journal. My personal preference is the A5 notebook, with grid dotted pages. This gives me the flexibility to be both creative and draw visual trackers without being impeded by lines, but also bring out my engineer side and draw technical page layouts quickly and easily.
Unfortunately, as lovely as the colours are in these high quality books, the covers are often plain. To help boost my motivation, I have designed this beautiful balloon design to go on the cover. Using HTV on the leathery surface means it’s going to be much more resistant to wear and tear compared to other stickers and vinyls. It also allows me to use up some lovely rainbow holographic vinyl I had stashed away in my collection for a rainy day.
Read on to find out how to spruce up your bullet journal cover using your Cricut machine and any HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl).
Free Cricut Bullet Journal Download
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Cricut Bullet Journal Tutorial
Whether you own a Cricut, ScanNCut, or Silhouette vinyl cutter, you can still use our design on your bullet journal. Check out our tutorial video below and follow our step by step guide.
1. Measure Notebook
I’m using a classic Leuchtturm book, and have found that making your design withing a 12 x 17cm box works great and leaves room for placement error
2. Design Your Front Cover
This could be done from within design space itself, or imported in from your favourite graphic imaging program .
3. Import your design into Design Space
If applicable, clear up the background as you import it, and resize to the size of the cover from step one.
4. Make the image "cut ready"
Make sure to weld the area of the design with the balloon and text, so that it cuts as one image (for more info on weld vs attach, click here)
5. Cut your vinyl
Cut your image on to your HTV(s) of choice. Remember to mirror your design when you cut so that the text is the right way around when finished!
6. Weed your vinyl
I prefer to use sharp tweezers, but weed whichever way works best for you.
7. Preheat your heatpress to a low heat
I am using the Easypress Mini for this, but you could use any other press or even an iron. Just make sure no area of the notebook comes into direct contact with the hot plates.
8. Press your main image onto the cover
(note, please read through the below steps and carry out a test press someone on the back of your journal, to make sure the settings aren’t going to melt your diary!)
Lay your image onto the front of the diary in position. Cover with a Teflon sheet (if you don’t have a Teflon sheet, baking paper will also work). Press over the image with a medium pressure, being sure to keep the press moving if you’re using a minipress so that it is not in one area for too long.
9. Remove the transparent sheet
If the HTV is peeling away with the sheet, lay back down and repeat step 8.
10. Give a second press
Once the clear sheet is removed, cover in the Teflon sheet again and press for 5-10 more seconds. This ensures maximum adhesion between the design and your bullet journal.
11. Repeat for the other parts of the design
For the stars you have left, repeat steps 8-10 on each one.
And that’s it! Your personalised bullet journal is complete. Let us know in the comments if you bullet journal, and if you do your favourite tracking page to do. Click here for more Craft Tutorials.
How To Apply HTV to a Bullet Journal
Materials
- Heat Transfer Vinyl (s)
- A Journal or Notepad (we used the Leuchtturm Bullet Journal)*
Tools
- Vinyl Cutting Machine (we used a Cricut Maker)*
- Brayer
- Weeding Tools
Instructions
1) Measure notebook
2) Design your front cover.
3) Import your design into design space
4) Make the image cut ready.
5) Cut your vinyl.
6) Weed your vinyl.
7) Preheat your Heatpress to a low heat.
8) Press your main image to the cover.
9) Remove the clear transparent sheet.
10) Give a second press.
11) Repeat steps 8-10 for any other vinyl needed for your design.
Notes
Disclosure: Links with a * next to them are affiliate links.
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