SMALL GRAPHIC: DRY PROCESS
Your new vinyl decal consists of 3 parts:
Application Paper: The application paper is the mask that we apply to the front of your decal to enable installation.
Decal: This is the actual adhesive decal that you have purchased. It is sandwiched between the application paper and the backing. The
decal is what ends up installed to the surface.
Backing: The backing is the wax paper that is applied to the ‘sticky’ side of the decal. This backing keeps the decal from sticking
to anything prior to install.
SURFACE COMPATIBILITY
The surface must be a hard, flat, and non-porous. We strongly suggest you wait at least 60 days after painting a surface before applying any
decal, because should you ever wish to remove the decal the paint will come off with it if the paint is not properly cured before application.
SURFACE TEMPERATURE & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Adequate surface temperature and weather conditions are important.
The surface temperature should be between 60°F and 90°F, with 70°F to 80°F being the ideal range.
It can’t be raining or even drizzling. Decals must be kept absolutely dry until installed.
Avoid installing decals in direct sunlight. Surface temperatures in direct sunlight often change rapidly and could cause blistering or
poor adhesion of decal.
INSTALLATION
Determine surface for decal to be applied to. Wash with soap and water or glass cleaner as appropriate and dry thoroughly. Surface should be
dirt, oil, moisture, and lint free.
Tack decal to the surface using masking tape. Once you are satisfied with the positioning, tape the entire length of the top edge using one
continuous strip of tape. This will create a "hinge" along the top.
Peel the backing paper off carefully. Start at a corner on the hinged edge and peel back gently. Be sure that the decal does not touch
anything until it is burnished. Also watch to make sure that entire decal sticks to the application paper.
Using a plastic squeegee, driver’s license, credit card, etc. burnish with firm steady pressure. Start each stroke in the center and
burnish in straight parallel strokes. Overlap each stroke to avoid bubbles and wrinkles. Be sure not to let the decal touch the surface
until the burnisher puts it there.
Carefully pull the masking paper at a sharp angle. Start at a top corner, and pull down as parallel to the surface as feasible.
DEALING WITH BUBBLES
You may possibly end up with some bubbles in your decal job. Small bubbles will go away in time (the film breathes, and will flatten out after
a few weeks at an appropriate temperature). If you want to work on the bubbles immediately apply moderate heat, then poke them with a pin,
pressing the vinyl down with your thumb immediately afterwards.
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LARGE GRAPHIC: WET PROCESS
Your new vinyl decal consists of 3 parts:
Application Paper: The application paper is the mask that we apply to the front of your decal to enable installation.
Decal: This is the actual adhesive decal that you have purchased. It is sandwiched between the application paper and the backing. The
decal is what ends up installed to the surface.
Backing: The backing is the wax paper that is applied to the ‘sticky’ side of the decal. This backing keeps the decal from sticking
to anything prior to install.
TOOLS NEEDED
Plastic Squeegee, credit card or driver’s license (for burnishing)
Surface cleaner (Windex, 409, soapy water, etc)
Lint free paper towel
Masking tape (1” or wider)
Spray Bottle with water and one drop of dish soap
Tape measure (to determine positioning)
SURFACE COMPATIBILITY
The surface must be a hard, flat, and non-porous. We strongly suggest you wait at least 60 days after painting a surface before applying any
decal, because should you ever wish to remove the decal the paint will come off with it if the paint is not properly cured before application.
SURFACE TEMPERATURE & WEATHER CONDITIONS
Adequate surface temperature and weather conditions are important.
The surface temperature should be between 60°F and 90°F, with 70°F to 80°F being the ideal range.
It can’t be raining or even drizzling. Decals must be kept absolutely dry until installed.
Avoid installing decals in direct sunlight. Surface temperatures in direct sunlight often change rapidly and could cause blistering or
poor adhesion of decal.
INSTALLATION
Determine surface for decal to be applied to. Wash with soap and water or glass cleaner as appropriate and dry thoroughly. Surface should be
dirt, oil, moisture, and lint free.
Tack decal to the surface using masking tape. Once you are satisfied with the positioning, tape the entire length of the top edge using one
continuous strip of tape. This will create a "hinge" along the top.
Peel the backing paper off carefully. Start at a corner on the hinged edge and peel back gently. Be sure that the decal does not touch
anything yet. Also watch to make sure that entire decal sticks to the application paper.
Using a spray bottle filled with water and a single drop of dish soap, spray the surface you will be applying the sticker to as well as the
back of the sticker itself. Be sure the surface and adhesive back of sticker are thoroughly wetted. This will reduce the tackiness of the
adhesive and allow you to move it slightly as well as make it easier to remove bubbles.
Using a plastic squeegee, driver’s license, credit card, etc. burnish with firm steady pressure. Start each stroke in the center and
burnish in straight parallel strokes. Overlap each stroke to avoid bubbles and wrinkles. Be sure not to let the decal touch the surface
until the burnisher puts it there.
WAIT! Do not peel away the application tape until the sticker has dried sufficiently to allow the sticker to adhere to the surface rather
than pull away with the application tape. If it does begin to lift when you remove the application tape, press the tape back down and wait
awhile longer.
Carefully pull the masking paper at a sharp angle. Start at a top corner, and pull down as parallel to the surface as feasible.
DEALING WITH BUBBLES
You may possibly end up with some bubbles in your decal job. Small bubbles will go away in time (the film breathes, and will flatten out after
a few weeks at an appropriate temperature). If you want to work on the bubbles immediately apply moderate heat, then poke them with a pin,
pressing the vinyl down with your thumb immediately afterwards.
AFTER INSTALLATION
After installing your vinyl sticker using the wet process it is best to wait 12-24 hours before exposing the sticker to inclement weather or
wind (such as with a vehicle application). This will allow the adhesive to fully adhere to the surface and become permanent.
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