Wall Decal Installation Guide
These written instructions will help you install your wall decal. However, we highly encourage to watch the video above to see a install from start to finish if you are new to this.
How to Stick Your Vinyl Decal to the Wall Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Sanity)
So, you've got your awesome new vinyl decal. It's staring at you from the packaging, full of promise and artistic flair. But between you and that stunning wall art stands the dreaded installation process. Fear not, my friend! This step-by-step guide will have you slapping that vinyl onto your wall like a seasoned decorator (and with a few laughs along the way).
What You'll Need:
Your fabulous vinyl decal: (Duh!)
A smooth, clean wall: Think of it as the decal's new home. You wouldn't move into a dirty house, would you?
Masking tape: For guides if you need to ensure it goes on level.
The palm of your hand: For smoothing out those pesky bubbles and wrinkles.
A sense of humor: Trust me, this will help.
Optional: A friend for moral support (and an extra pair of hands): Because sometimes, you just need someone to tell you it's straight.
Note: Your wall art likely arrived rolled up. You may be concerned about wrinkles. Don’t be. The vinyl will smooth right onto the walls, and any wrinkles will disappear.
In the video above, I intentionally twist the wall art to illustrate that they can’t be hurt.
True story – once a customer contacted us in a panic. Their wall art arrived in an envelope that had tire tracks across it. The wall art had literally been driven over in transit. I told her not to stress and try the install. If it didn’t work, we would replace it. It went on like a charm and it was her first install.
Step 1: Prep the Wall Like a Master Chef
Clean your wall with a damp cloth. We're not aiming for surgical sterility here, but get rid of any dust bunnies or cobwebs that might be lurking. Let it dry completely. Remember, a clean canvas equals a happy decal. A wall twenty feet away from your stove will have a slight film on it -unless you cook like me, in which case it might have actual splatter drops 😉.
Please note: Even the cleanest walls can be a tricky install. Every brand of paint is different. Every sheen of paint is different. And, new on the market in the last few years, are dirt fighting paints. These paints have special additives to help keep things from sticking to them. Wall arts can still be applied, but the install takes more patience. The level of texture on a wall also plays a part.
Step 2: Plan Your Attack (and Avoid a Crooked Disaster)
Hold your decal up to the wall and decide on its final resting place. Use masking tape to lightly mark the top corners if desired. This is your guide, so make sure it's level. No one wants a wonky decal!
Step 3: Peel (The Easy Part...Sort Of)
Carefully peel the backing paper away from the decal. If your decal is large, you might want to enlist your friend to help (told you they'd come in handy!). Start from one corner and peel slowly, like you're unveiling a masterpiece. If your vinyl wall art is a manageable size, you can take the entire backing off. Some installers will take just a few inches off and then place the decal on the wall. Then, they pull the back off from underneath while on the wall. Honestly, I find that complicated and I often hear of people who have ruined installs trying it. If you haven’t done it, I highly encourage you to watch our install video.
Step 4: Stick It!
This is where the magic happens. Holding the top two corners of the tape, carefully lineup the wall decal with your tape guides if you used them. I don’t personally use guides as I find my eye is pretty accurate (yes, even my wife agrees 😉). Now, if you have it placed where you want, you can start rubbing the decal down. Work from top down, slow and steady is key here. Now, this is where I disagree with most other installers. They will tell you to use a credit card or something with a hard straight edge to rub this down and smooth it out. However, about 95% of you are installing these decals on textured walls. Using a hard edge, simply doesn’t work that well. It will stick the decal to the top of the texture but not work it into the lower portions. So, just use your palm and apply soft pressure. You will find the vinyl naturally adapts to the textured surface.
Work your way down like you're conducting an orchestra of stickiness.
Step 5: Bubble Patrol
If you see any air bubbles, gently push them out with your finger. If they're stubborn, you can prick them with a tiny pin and smooth them out. Think of it as giving your decal a mini massage. Rub your finger over the letters and the vinyl smoothing it deeper into the texture.
Step 6: The Grand Reveal
Once the decal is smooth and bubble-free, slowly peel off the transfer tape. Once you get a corner going, pull the tape as low as possible to the wall. That tight angle helps release the decal from the tape. I make pretty good note of this in the video. I promise you, some of the edges of the letters will try to stay on the tape. How many will depend on the type of paint on your walls. Different sheens adhere differently and paints that have dirt repellents adhere differently than paints that don’t. Each install is different but I promise some edge will try to sneak off the wall. Just slow down, rub that spot down, and pull gently again. Did I mention to watch the video?
An 11 x 22 inch wall art will probably take about 5 minutes to remove the tape. Just go slow knowing soon the glory of your wall decal will shine.
Step 7: Bask in the Glory (and Brag a Little)
Step back, admire your newly decorated wall, and give yourself a pat on the back. You did it! You conquered wall decal installation. Now go share your masterpiece on social media with the hashtags #ScriptureWallArt and #decaldomination
Troubleshooting (Just in Case)
Wrinkles? Gently peel the decal back and reapply it, smoothing as you go.
Decal not sticking? Make sure your wall is clean and dry.
Lost your patience? Take a deep breath, walk away for a few minutes, and come back with a fresh perspective (and maybe a chocolate bar).
Scared? Shoot us an email. We will answer any questions you have. Not many types of installs we haven’t done. Yes, that includes pumpkins, concrete blocks, and even on top of art prints.
Remember: Installing a vinyl decal is like life itself – it can be a bit tricky, but with a little patience and a sense of humor, you'll get there in the end. Happy decorating!