Fixing method – Vinyl
You will need:
· Cleaning materials for the surface (preferably a grease solvent)
· Tape
· A scraper (included with your order)
· A spirit level (for larger designs)
Before you start applying your design, we recommend that you first clean the surface to which your vinyl will be attached using a grease solvent, preferably window cleaner or washing-up liquid. However, make sure that the surface is completely dry before application begins. Vinyl texts adhere poorly in low temperatures so the surface should be heated slightly with a heat gun or hair dryer before application if the surface temperature is less than 15 °C. Make sure you do not overheat the surface and damage it.
The tape on your vinyl is a perishable product so we recommend using it as soon as possible after delivery for best results. Also note that vinyl adheres best to smooth, flat surfaces. We do not recommend vinyl for textured wallpaper, brick walls or other uneven surfaces. Instead you can use our acrylic or plastic signs.
Small design:
1. Roll out your design on a table or similar and scrape all over it using the scraper. This makes it easier to remove the protective paper from the vinyl when you come to apply it.
2. Hold your design up where you want to put it and make sure it is straight. Mark two or more points on the wall (which can be removed later) that you can use for reference during application. Ideally, this should be at the corners or at 4 different points around the design.
3. Place your vinyl on a table and peel off the protective paper. If anything on your design gets stuck and comes away with the protective paper instead of staying on the transfer tape – put the protective paper back in place and go over the area with the scraper again.
4. Hold your vinyl up to the marks you made and press it firmly against the wall. Make sure that the design is taut at all times. A vinyl design cannot be removed from the wall once it has been applied, so it is important that it is smooth and straight from the start.
5. Go all over the design using the scraper to make sure it attaches to the wall properly.
6. Pull off the transfer tape by loosening one corner of it and then pulling it at a sharp angle away from the wall. If a piece of the design comes off with the transfer tape, put the tape back and use the scraper over the area that was stuck before gently pulling the transfer tape off again.
Medium or large design:
1. Roll out your design on a table or similar and scrape all over it using the scraper. This makes it easier to remove the protective paper from the vinyl when you come to apply it.
2. Attach the vinyl to the wall using a small piece of tape on one upper edge. This will make it easier to adjust. Check that the vinyl is straight using the spirit level. Then secure your text using another piece of tape at the other upper edge of the vinyl, as well as a long piece of tape straight across the middle of the entire vinyl, so that it attaches both above and below the vinyl.
3. “Unfold” one side of the vinyl and hold it against the wall/surface while you pull the protective paper off towards your tape. If you have a design that features a lot of small details, make sure that no part of the vinyl comes away with the protective paper. If something does get stuck, replace the protective paper and go over the area again using the scraper. You can also use a sharp knife or similar to peel off stubborn small pieces that do not want to loosen. Also try removing the protective paper at a cross angle from the design. That makes it easier to loosen the design.
4. Cut off the protective paper once it is free of the vinyl.
5. Carefully fold the vinyl back against the wall and start to press it into place from the middle towards the edges and out to the sides using the scraper. Be sure to keep your design taut throughout to avoid creases or other problems.
6. Remove the tape that runs across your vinyl and repeat the same procedure as above on the other side of your design. Unfold the vinyl, detach the protective paper and carefully fold back the vinyl. Scrape from the middle and out towards the edges.
7. Go all over your design using the scraper to ensure the vinyl is firmly attached and to remove any air bubbles.
8. Carefully peel away the transfer tape. If a piece of the design comes off with the transfer tape, put the tape back and use the scraper over the area that was stuck before gently pulling the transfer tape off again.
Removing a decal or vinyl
It’s easy to remove an old decal or vinyl design!
Carefully heat up the decal/vinyl using a hair dryer or heat gun and then pull it away, starting in one corner. Feel free to work in stages with one small part of the design at a time and make sure that you do not overheat or damage the surface. Please note that we do not recommend using a knife or other sharp object as this could easily damage the surface underneath.
If there are any adhesive residues after you have removed the design, rub them off using a solvent (e.g. methylated spirits).
