Shoppers are trying colourful, custom Pride makes at home, learning fast how to turn blanks into eye-catching, durable pieces that show support and spark conversation. I joined a Cricut Joy 2 workshop and tested shimmer vinyl, holo stickers, a frisbee and a water bottle , all finished in under half an hour.

Essential Takeaways

  • Simple kit: You’ll need a Cricut machine (Cricut Joy 2 works well), Design Space on a phone or laptop, and a light-grip or smart mat.
  • Materials matter: Use shimmer rainbow vinyl and strongGrip transfer tape for textured vinyl; regular tape won’t hold as well.
  • Fast process: Design it, cut it, weed it, stick it , most small projects take less than 30 minutes.
  • Sticker option: For holographic stickers, use print-then-cut with an inkjet and waterproof holographic sticker paper.
  • Sizing tip: Keep motifs small (around 7cm wide) for bottles and frisbees to ensure a neat fit.

Why the Cricut Joy 2 is Great for Pride Projects

The Joy 2 is compact, quick and surprisingly precise, making it ideal for small, colourful Pride projects with a tactile finish. I noticed the machine’s gentle hum as it sliced shimmer vinyl into neat stripes and tiny motifs, and it kept things tidy for a beginner-friendly session. Cricut’s own events and ambassador workshops tend to favour this model for pop-up demos and hobbyist craft days, so it’s an easy pick if you want something portable. If you plan larger designs, consider a bigger machine, but for stickers, bottles and small accessories the Joy hits the sweet spot.

How to Prep a Canvas That Fits Your Blank

Start in Cricut Design Space and choose images from the library or upload your own Pride graphics. Filter for free assets if you don’t have Cricut Access, and size elements to fit your blank , I aimed for no more than about 7cm-wide for the frisbee and water bottle. Change colours to a single solid shade (all black or white) so Design Space doesn’t split multicolour designs into multiple mats unless you’re using print-then-cut. Once flattened or welded, choose shimmer permanent vinyl as the material and you’re ready to cut. This step stops surprises and keeps alignment stress-free.

Cutting, Loading and Getting the Best Results

With smart material you can feed directly; otherwise stick your vinyl to a light-grip mat and line it up carefully to avoid slippage. The Joy 2 handled shimmer vinyl smoothly, but you should still double-check orientation and placement before pressing “Make”. When cutting’s done, use the on-screen unload prompt or the machine button to remove the mat; then congratulate yourself for not having to wrestle an oversize sheet. For beginners, patience here saves a lot of wasted material.

Weeding and Transfer , the small fiddly bit that makes a big difference

Weeding removes the unwanted background so only your design remains. Cricut’s weeder tool makes this easier, though tiny intricate parts still require a steady hand. For textured shimmer vinyl, use strongGrip transfer tape , the ambassador at the workshop warned that regular tape can fail to pick up textured pieces. Press down with a scraper to fully adhere the vinyl to the tape, then peel the backing away slowly. It’s satisfying when a clean design lifts off in one go, and it’s worth that extra care if you want a professional-looking finish.

Stickers and Print-Then-Cut: A waterproof holographic option

If you want waterproof holo stickers for water bottles, choose print-then-cut and print your designs on holographic sticker paper with an inkjet printer. Cricut Design Space will add sensor marks so the machine can read and cut each shape precisely; you won’t need to weed. Stickers are brilliant for curved surfaces like bottles where direct vinyl may struggle, and they let you add tiny accents without committing to permanent vinyl. Just make sure the sticker paper you choose is rated for outdoor or waterproof use if the item will see frequent washing.

Finishing touches and practical care tips

When applying permanent vinyl, align slowly , once stuck it’s hard to reposition without damage. For rounded surfaces, warm the vinyl slightly with your hands (or a hairdryer on low) to help it contour, then smooth with the scraper. If you’re making items to carry to marches or rallies, choose waterproof materials and press edges firmly so the design survives a tote or a bottle wash. And remember, small personalised pieces make great gifts and conversation starters.

It's a small change that can make every Pride accessory feel personal and proudly made.

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