Application

Carefully follow the steps outlined below to succesfully apply your vinyl graphics. Click here to download a printer-friendly copy of these instructions.

WARNING!

Temperature Requirements: The temperature should be within 45 to 90 degrees for best results. Beware of high humidity over 90% -- the lettering will not want to stick and can fall off the application tape. Recommended: Have someone to help you hold the material while applying the graphic.

Instructions:

1. Surface Preparation:
   
   Surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before applying your vinyl graphics. For plastics and glass, thoroughly wipe surface clean with a window cleaner. Remove any dried matter such as tape or glue, making sure the surface is smooth. Dry the surface with a lint free cloth.


2. Application:
   
   Materials Needed:
   
   
   • small cutting knife or razor blade
   • plastic squeegee
   • dry towel
   • small sewing pin
   • roll of 1-2" masking tape
   
   The graphic consists of three seperate parts:
   
   
   
   
   1. Transfer tape (top layer)
   2. Vinyl (your lettering, center alyer)
   3. and release liner (wax paper backing)


3. Using small pieces of masking tape, tack the graphic to the intended surface (this is to inure proper placement). Measure, making sure the graphic is level -- when the graphic is applied it is not abled to be moved.
   
   


4. Apply a single horizontal strip of 2" masking tape to the top of the graphic. The strip should be split between the graphic and the intended surface (1" on graphic & 1" on surface). This strip will be used as a hinge that will insure the graphic does not move during the application process.
   
   


5. Hold the bottom edge of the hinged graphic away from the intended surface and remove the release liner, revealing the sticky backing of the vinyl. This is when you want the second person to help you hold the sticky surface away from the surface you are applying it on.
   
   Caution: Do not let the exposed graphic touch the intended surface. The back of the graphic is very sticky and will tightly adhere to the surface. If the placement is not correct, removing the graphic for replacement will be very difficult if not impossible without causing damage to the vinyl.
   
   


6. While still holding the hinge graphic away from the intended surface, use the squeegee and starting from the top in the middle, begin to squeegee downward through the center of the graphic, allowing that section of the grapphic to touch the surface. Note: Do NOT let the entire graphic touch the surface.


7. Once the graphic is in proper position and lying perfectly flat on the intended surface, you can now start forcing the air out from beneath the graphic. Starting from the center working outward, use firm strokes with the squeegee to force the air out from beneath the graphic. This will make sure you have no bubbles under your graphic


8. After the graphic has been squeegeed completely, it is now time to take off the pre-mask. When pulling the mask off the surface, make sure you pull directly back over itself (where the mask is folded completely back). If the graphic begins to peel up with the mask STOP and squeegee that part down with the mask over it.


9. If you see any bubbles, try and squeegee them out. If the graphic looks like it's stretching, or the bubbles will not come out, take a sewing pin and poke a tiny hole in the bubble and slowly press the air out, pushing the graphic to the surface.

Click here to download a printer-friendly copy of these instructions.