Have you wanted to learn how to make your own custom doormat? Use these tips and tricks to learn the easiest way to get crisp lines on your doormat and while you're at it, download the FREE Happy Holidays SVG file to cut with your Cricut, Silhouette, or Brother ScanNCut.
There are a few things to know before you make your custom doormat and I've compiled some of my favorite tips and tricks to achieve crisp lines, reduce bleeding from your paints and how to save you time.
Supplies for your DIY custom doormat
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A few weeks ago I made this Hocus Pocus Spell Book Doormat and I learned a lot of things you shouldn't do while making a personalized doormat.
Don't use stencil vinyl. It will not stick to the fibers in these types of doormats. You want to use something that you'll be able to get a good adhesion while also allowing crisp lines when you're painting your doormat.
What should I use when painting a doormat?
You want to use some freezer paper. I linked to my favorite above and it fits perfectly in a Cricut or Silhouette. This Happy Holidays SVG file can be uploaded to any electronic cutting software. I don't know much about the Brother ScanNCut but I do know that you will have to have the designer edition of Silhouettes software which is an extra expense.
To upload a photo or SVG file into Cricut Design Space is free. It's a pretty simple thing to do. I like uploading SVG files better than PNG or JPEG files because everything is done for me and I don't need to do any additional edits.
To see how to upload an image into Design Space, click here.
How do I make stencils with freezer paper?
You can use an x-acto knife when cutting freezer paper or an electronic cutter. To make a stencil with your freezer paper, lay your printed image on a cutting mat and then lay the freezer paper shiny-side down on top. Cut your freezer paper over the image and you've made a stencil.
To cut freezer paper with your Cricut or Silhouette, lay your freezer paper shiny-side facing down on the cutting mat. Cut it as you would regular vinyl and then weed the image while it is still on the mat.
How do I iron freezer paper?
Lay your image on your surface shiny-side down and use the cotton setting on your iron with no steam. You want to press well so that you have no lifting on any of your pieces so that the ink doesn't bleed through.
Any middle areas of letters just place them where they should go and press again with your iron.
Use some appropriate ink and use a foam stippling brush to put your ink on the areas. If you're using fabric ink or regular acrylic craft ink, pay attention to the instructions on how to use them.
To stencil, you want to have a plate of your ink and then an open area so that you can blot off the excess ink. When stenciling, the less the better. You'd want to have to paint more than getting a blob of paint and risk bleeding.
How long should I wait before removing freezer paper?
Allow your ink to dry completely before peeling your freezer paper off your custom doormat. I like to wait at least fifteen minutes if I'm using acrylic paint. If you use fabric paint, wait 30 minutes and then set it again with the iron.
The same technique can be used on t-shirts but you will need to use fabric paint for that.
That's it! That is how easy it is to make your own custom doormat. It's inexpensive and you can make it match any holiday.
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Randa French says
Hi. Excited to learn more about using my new Cricut!
Lindsay says
Great! There are a lot of great resources for beginners. I love the course called Conquer the Cricut. She walks you step-by-step through new ways to use your machine. XX
Billie Franklin says
I am so excited to try this happy holidays door mat but after I downloaded it as a svg, I can’t get it loaded into my DS. I had not trouble with the other SVGs.
Lindsay says
I’ll email it to you directly but I’m not sure what’s exactly happening.