Who doesn’t love vinyl? It’s a low-cost and easy way to add some personality to a variety of items. Think walls, vases, signs, lamps, dressers, etc. The sky is the limit, really!
The hardest part of working with vinyl graphics or decals can be the application. There’s nothing worse than wrinkles or bubbles to foil your project. Here is a surefire way to get a flawless application:
First, know that most vinyl graphics come with three layers. You’ll want to make sure the surface you are sticking it to is totally clean. It never hurts to take a soapy cloth and give it a quick swipe to catch any dust. If you don’t, you risk not getting proper adhesion or trapping small pieces of debris beneath your graphic, which can result in bumps.
Now it’s time to get down to business. Start by placing small pieces of masking tape at the top of your graphic and use them to secure it to the surface. When you have it in the right place, eyeball it to make sure it’s aligned. You might want to step away and give it a second look from a distance. Another set of eyeballs doesn’t hurt, either.
Next, you will need a little bit of soap and water for applying the graphic, which will prevent the adhesive from sticking permanently. Then, lift the graphic out from the surface and remove the protective paper layer. Now, slowly begin lowering the graphic onto the surface, working from the top down. Use a squeegee to smooth it onto the surface. Be sure to work slowly and evenly from the top to the bottom, ensuring that each portion is smooth.
When the graphic is applied, you can use your squeegee to force the water out from under the sticker. You’ll want to work from the center out, applying even but firm pressure. When the water is out from under your graphic you can remove the masking paper. Do not lift the paper straight up off the graphic.
When you have the masking paper off, you’ll want to examine the graphic for any flaws or bubbles. If necessary, place the protective paper over the graphic and use your squeegee to remove the blemishes.
Ta-da…here’s to a magazine-worthy craft!