It’s suggested to read this entire page before attempting as some commonly known techniques may ruin your decals!
Step 1: Identify your material.
Our default material can be safely applied with the wet method and dry method.
If you ordered a drywall decal, indoor specific decal, or specialty vinyl decal, please note the wet method may ruin your decal. If the back side of your decal says “631” use the dry method only.
Step 2: Clean your surface properly.
Do NOT use cleaners that have additives such as ammonia, oils, scents, etc. These can cause your surface to become oily and the decal will not fully adhere.
It’s highly recommended to use isopropyl alcohol to clean your surface first, but soap and water will work as well. Just be sure to get off all of the soap residue before applying!
Step 3: Learn to properly peel.
A decal (typically) comes with layer over the top of it called the transfer tape. This tape is used to pick up the decal in one piece and transfer it to your surface. One common problem people have is incorrectly peeling this transfer tape up and having their decal not come with.
How do you fix this? Simple! Peel the BACK off of the front.
Place your decal on flat clean surface face down so you cannot see it. Take an object such as a credit card and scrape it across the decal applying pressure. With the decal still face down, grab a corner of the backing paper and start to peel it away slowly at the sharpest angle possible
NOTE: your decal will be exposed during this. Watch out for dust that can fall down onto the sticky side!
The pre-applied pressure from the credit card scrape and the sharp angle will help prevent the decal from lifting away from the transfer tape.
NOTE: If the decal starts to pull away from the transfer tape stop pulling and place it back down! Use your finger to apply pressure in the area where the decal was lifting and try again.
When you’re finished you should have your decal free from the backing paper and the sticky side should be exposed. You can now pick up your decal with the transfer tape and continue to step 4
Step 4: Pick your method.
The wet method (step 4a) requires more work but will give you a perfect install.
The dry method (step 4b) is quick and easy but you will probably mess up.
Step 4a: Wet method (recommended).
The benefits of the wet method is that you can apply the decal exactly where you want it without any air bubbles.
Start by taking a spray bottle and filling it with water. Add one (yes, ONE) drop of dish soap in the bottle and spray the surface you want to apply the decal to. Please be sure the dish soap doesn’t have additives that could cause problems. Dawn dish soap works well.
Once your surface is soaked, take your decal and stick it on. The water will allow you to slide the decal around on the surface while it’s still wet. Once you have it aligned perfectly, take a credit card or similar item and use it to scrape across the transfer tape and push all the water out.
Depending on how much water you used and the ambient temperature, the drying process could take a while. Continue to squeegee the water out from under the decal periodically. When you think it’s dry, attempt to peel off the transfer tape at a sharp angle like you did with the backing. If the decal starts to lift that means there is still water under the decal. Use your squeegee and allow more time to dry.
Once it’s fully dry be sure to give it one last squeegee before removing the transfer tape. Please allow 48 hours for the adhesive to fully cure (avoid things such as car washes).
Step 4b: Dry method.
Dry method allows you to apply your decal instantly, but you’ll probably mess it up and cause air bubbles.
Never fully place a decal flat on a surface if using the dry method. You need to stick down an edge first, then use something like a credit card to squeegee out the air as you slowly lay the decal down from one edge to the opposite edge.
Once you’re done, peel off the transfer tape at a sharp angle like you did with the backing. Please allow 48 hours for the adhesive to fully cure (avoid things such as car washes).
If you mess up there’s nothing you can do. You have one shot to get it right, and any air bubbles/creases you cause are impossible to fully remove. Seriously, do a wet application.
Other methods?
Other methods such as the hinge method exist. We do not suggest this method as there are many other variables to look out for and there’s a high possibility you’ll ruin your decals. Its very popular in the vinyl decal community, but we despise it.
The wet method can give you a perfect application each time. If the decal becomes too large for you to handle, getting a friend to help hold it up is better than the hinge method. Every. Single. Time.