Vinyl Decals, Designs or Lettering Step-by-Step Instructions for your Home or Business, Click here for custom Vinyl Decals.
How to apply vinyl decals – Applying vinyl designs, decals or lettering to walls, windows or other smooth surfaces can be a fun and creative way to enhance your space. Maybe you have an inspirational quote that you want to use as home decor, but where can you apply the vinyl lettering? It can be applied to walls, windows, glass, mirrors, vehicles, metal or almost any smooth surface. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you do it:
Materials Needed:
• Vinyl lettering (pre-made or custom)
• Transfer tape (Included with the lettering)
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Level
• Pencil
• Scissors (if needed)
• Squeegee or credit card
• Soft cloth or towel
Instructions:
1. Choose the Location:
Decide where you want to apply the vinyl design or lettering. Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and smooth.
2. Prepare the Surface:
Wipe down the area with a soft cloth, warm water or alcohol to remove any dust or grease. If the wall is freshly painted, wait at least two weeks for the paint to cure.
3. Measure and Mark:
Use a ruler or measuring tape to determine the placement. Mark the top edge of the design or lettering with a pencil lightly to ensure it is straight and centered.
4. Cut the Vinyl (if needed):
If your vinyl design or lettering is larger than needed, use scissors to trim it down to the desired size, leaving a small margin around the design edges or letters.
5. Layout the Design:
Your vinyl design should come pre-applied to the transfer tape, unless it wasn’t included with your order for some reason. Unroll the design and lay it on a table or flat surface. It doesn’t have to be completely flat, but it helps with the application. Smooth out the top layer of clear transfer tape and make sure there are no bubbles. Keep in mind there at least four sides of the design but only three separate layers;
- the top vinyl design (finished side not sticky)
- the bottom vinyl design (sticky side) covered by paper backing, which is basically wax paper and can be clear or white.
- the top transfer tape (non sticky side)
- the bottom transfer tape adhesive layer, which is holding your entire design together
6. Position the Design:
If possible, it’s helpful to have two people for this step. In this step you will be removing the white/clear backing attached to the vinyl design. First, peel back two small corners or approx. 1″ along the top edge of the white/clear vinyl backing. This will expose the adhesive of the vinyl and transfer tape, but the vinyl design will still be attached to the transfer tape. Next, position and stick it on the wall using the pencil marks you made and use a level to ensure it’s straight.
7. Adhere the Design:
Once positioned correctly, press the vinyl design onto the wall and hold it by hand or with the squeegee as you slowly peel away the rest of white or clear backing. Keep working your squeegee along pressing it onto the surface as you go, until the backing is completely removed. Your design should now be stuck to the wall with the transfer tape holding it onto the surface. Next, take a squeegee or credit card and press down on the transfer tape, smoothing it from the center out to the edges to ensure good adhesion.
8. Remove the Transfer Tape:
In this step, you will be removing the transfer tape, which is the top layer, away from the vinyl design. Staring at one corner, carefully peel away the transfer tape from the vinyl at a sharp angle. Be careful of small or pointing edges of the vinyl design, since they tend to stick to the transfer tape and not the surface very well. If any part of the vinyl lifts from the surface or sticks to the transfer tape, especially small pieces or thin edges of the design, press them back down and repeat the smoothing process. You may need to gently remove the smaller vinyl pieces away from the transfer tape with tweezers or the edge of the squeegee and then with your other hand press the vinyl edge against the surface as you keep removing more of the transfer tape.
9. Final Touches:
Inspect the lettering for any bubbles. Use your squeegee again and try to smooth them out. If the bubbles won’t go away, use a pin to pop them and smooth them out with the squeegee.
Tips:
- Test a small area first if you’re unsure about how the vinyl will adhere to your wall.
- Avoid applying vinyl in extreme temperatures (very hot or very cold) for the best adhesion.
- If bubbles won’t go away, use a pin to pop them and smooth them out with the squeegee.
- After the vinyl has been applied to the surface, wait at least 48 hours, before cleaning the area to ensure the vinyl has set properly.
That’s it! You now have a beautifully decorated wall! If you have any questions, please email us at info@bibleverseseverywhere.com.