How to Make Faux Leather Luggage Tags With Your Cricut
I am constantly amazed at the variety of things I can do with my Cricut Explore Air 2. I’ve already done a number of things like cutting paper and vinyl (adhesive for mugs, as well as heat transfer to make shirts). Now I’m experimenting with other types of products – one being faux leather. I wanted to start off with something simple so I came up with faux leather luggage tags.
Cricut offers faux leather sheets. I’ve only found a few projects online using faux leather – mostly jewellery and decorative items like flowers, which one would apply to things like vases and pillows. I wanted to start simple and easy, however.
In order to prepare for an upcoming family vacation, I thought it would be nice, but also practical, to make luggage tags. My kids are old enough to each manage their own carry-on suitcase. I have found, the last couple of times travelling with only carry-ons, that it is so easy. I love just getting off the plane and getting a taxi. No more waiting at the luggage carousels and no worries about what really happens to your luggage when you check it. Also, it seems that most airlines charge for checked luggage nowadays.
So we each have our own carry-on suitcase and although each is a different colour, I think it’s a good idea to label them. This is handy not only for identification purposes but also to add a bit of personality and have it represent each family member personally. Easy to make faux leather luggage tags was the answer.
I personally like the look of round luggage tags, but you can choose any shape. I used the shapes option in Cricut’s Design Space to make a circle. Typically, luggage tags have a strap to attach them to the suitcase. I actually tried to figure out if I could make such a strap out of the faux leather but ended up deciding that it was too much trouble. Zip ties work perfectly and are strong. I even found a package of black ones at the dollar store.
In order for the zip tie to work, there needed to be a slot in the tag for it to feed through. I found a rounded corner rectangle clip art item online and used that. I attached the circle to the rectangle and there you go. It was really easy. I cut one out on paper first so that I could see if I liked the size and to make sure that the zip tie could go through. This template really couldn’t be any easier to make. I cut two of each luggage tag, with the intention of glueing the two together to make a complete faux leather luggage tag.
Tips for making Faux Leather Luggage Tags
- The faux leather is placed good side down on the mat.
- I used the green, medium stick mat. You want to make sure that the faux leather doesn’t shift around while cutting.
- Mirror the image before cutting. My luggage tag template is the same whether or not it is mirrored, so for this particular project, it didn’t really matter.
- For the Cricut Explore Air 2, there is a special cut setting for faux leather. Turn your dial to “Custom”, and then in the cut window, choose faux leather. Mine cut no problem.
Now that the faux leather luggage tags were cut, it was time to personalize them. I simply used permanent vinyl to add designs and initials. It is easier to do this before the two tag pieces are glued together – so leave that until the end; do all the vinyl first. You can decorate both sides.
I love that the possibilities are simply endless when it comes to designing these faux leather luggage tags. You will see that my kids and I have quite an eclectic mix – a Westie for me and then pancakes, the Overwatch Logo and the Millennium Falcon for my kids.
I also used this opportunity to practice layering vinyl. The Westie decal is such an example. I applied the base layer first (in this case, the white part). Then I applied the extra layer on top (the pink parts). In order to do this, I uploaded the file twice – the first time I erased everything, except the white and the second time I erased everything except the pink. Then on Design Space, I layered the pink on top of the white to make sure the sizing was correct. Be sure to assign the correct colours when on Design Space. This will allow you to see what it looks like and when you go to cut the vinyl, it will separate them into the right mat and cut them separately. This is what you want.
Tips for Putting Adhesive Vinyl on Faux Leather
- As the faux leather has a textured finish (it’s not completely flat), be sure to burnish and rub that vinyl down. I did it until the pattern of the faux leather was evident on the vinyl
- If you’re still not sure (and I’m rather paranoid about this and so I do it on most vinyl projects), you can burnish again. After you’ve removed the transfer tape, put down some parchment paper on the tag and then burnishing again.
Like all vinyl things, it is best to let it sit for a couple of days to set and cure.
Once the vinyl was applied, I glued the two pieces together (wrong sides together). I used craft glue that said it was intended for wood and fabric.
After a couple of days, I used the zip ties to attach to the suitcases. As mentioned, the zip ties are from the dollar store. If ever we switch suitcases, or if anyone wants a different design, it can be cut off and reattached if necessary.
I love how these faux leather luggage tags turned out. These would be useful for bags as well. There is still quite a bit of faux leather left – I kind of went overboard by ordering a bunch. I will have to come up with other ideas; I can’t wait to share other faux leather projects with you!
Did you try making some faux leather luggage tags? I’d love to see them. Please share them with me.
