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Interior Application Instructions

Thank you for shopping with The Vinyl Graphix Geek!  Below are step-by-step instructions to install your new vinyl decal.  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us at VinylGraphixGeek@gmail.com and we would be happy to help.

SURFACE PREP

Before you begin make sure there is no oil or dirt on your wall/surface or your design will not stick! Use a dry lint free cloth. For more stubborn dirt use only water, however wait 24 hours before installing your design after water has been applied to your surface. If your wall is newly painted, wait at least 3 weeks before you apply your decal or it may not adhere.

DESIGN PREP
Place your design on a clean hard surface so that the backing paper (with the grid) is facing you and you are unable to see the design. Using your application card, burnish (rub) firmly on the backing several times to help the vinyl adhere to the front layer.

DESIGN PLACEMENT
Decide where you would like to place your design onto your surface. Move design around until it is generally where you would like it to go.
Using blue painters or masking tape, place strips of tape along the top to hold your design in place. Make sure to use a sufficient amount of tape to secure and anchor your design. The tape will act as a hinge.

STRAIGHT ALIGNMENT
To ensure that your design is straight, align a level across top of the arrows on your design. Adjust your tape until your design is straight according to your arrows.
If you do not have a level, use a ruler to measure from the ceiling or a reference point above your design to your arrows.

REMOVE BACKING PAPER
Flip your design up so that it is flat against your surface and the backing paper is facing you.
Important!
Your tape is your anchor, if your tape isn’t secure after flipping it up and is starting to release from your surface, go back and secure it before continuing.
Carefully and slowly peel the backing layer away at a 45-degree angle. Very slowly, roll it off at an angle along the surface, doing a wiggle pull motion; pull the backing paper away from the vinyl. If at any time the vinyl does not want to come off the backing paper, push down the paper again in that spot, then push with your finger and try pulling again. For more stubborn spots, help start the transfer by lifting the edge with your fingernail.
 
Important!
Do not touch the vinyl’s sticky side with your hands. The oil in your hands will prevent it from sticking.

APPLYING THE WALL DECAL
Your hinge is there to help anchor your vinyl in place (like an extra pair of hands!). With your hands, starting from the top and moving downward, gently smooth the vinyl onto your surface.
Next, using your application tool (squeegee, credit card, hand) and working from the center out, rub over the top of the vinyl design to help it adhere to the surface.

REMOVING TRANSFER TAPE
Starting from the top of the design, and using a slow, wiggle pulling motion, pull the top layer (the transfer tape) off at a 45-degree angle. Do not lift straight up.
Important!
We use transfer tape (top layer) for your convenience. This layer needs to be removed or you will not have the professional hand-painted look

For Stubborn Release:

- Using more pressure, hold down the vinyl design with your finger against your surface as you pull off the top layer.

- Run a hair blower on low heat across the design for a few seconds to heat up the adhesive allowing the vinyl to be easier to work with.

- If you are having difficulty getting your design to release from the transfer tape and we used paper transfer tape (not clear), moisten a sponge and use it to dampen the back of the tape (not the sticky side). This will help the design release from the tape. As you remove the transfer tape, press the design on the wall with your thumb or a dry cloth.

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MULTIPLE LAYER APPLICATION
When applying more than one layer, use the Hinge Method and registration marks ( + ) for each piece. The registration marks on each piece match up with each other for perfect alignment.

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Vinyl Isn't Sticking! Below are situations that could cause our vinyl decals from sticking to your surface.

  1. Not properly preparing the surface making sure it is free of dust, lint and residue.

  2. Washing the wall before adhering it to the wall. The wall must be completely dry before beginning. If the wall has been washed, you must wait at least 48 hours before trying to adhere the decal.

  3. For some reason, certain paints will reject the decal making it difficult to adhere.

  4. Adhering the decal after newly painting the wall. It is crucial to let the paint cure, even if it looks dry, it isn't ready for wall decals unless it has been at least 3 weeks.

  5. During application vinyl decals that have been touched by fingers during application will release the oils from fingers making it difficult for the vinyl to stick to the wall.

  6. Too much wall texture. If the wall has too much texture, the vinyl will not have enough level surface to adhere to.

  7. Waiting too long to put up your vinyl decal. Your decal can be kept for awhile before putting it up, but an extended period of time will cause the adhesive to deteriorate and it may not adhere as well. We don't keep our rolls for longer then 24 months to make sure the vinyl we provide you has strong adhesive.

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