If you have recently purchased a vinyl lettering product you may be wondering how to install your purchase. Vinyl lettering can be installed easily using two basic methods. There is the wet method and the dry method. The wet method involves using a soapy solution and a squeegee, while the dry method involves using just a squeegee. Either method will leave you with a clean professional looking installation.
First off, it is highly recommended that you try a couple practice runs with small pieces of vinyl to get a good understanding of the process involved in vinyl installation. Most reputable vendors will include a small vinyl decal that you can use for practicing.
For either method start off by washing your hands. It's important that no dirt or residue be introduced to the application process, it can cause imperfections and reduce the tachiness of the vinyl. Remove your product from its packaging. Vinyl is susceptible to hot and cold temperatures, causing bending and warping of the vinyl, so make sure you're vinyl lettering is flattened. You can accomplish this by laying it out on a flat surface and running your squeegee back and forth across the transfer tape. Alternatively, you can also roll the vinyl in the reverse direction that it was shipped until it lays flat on your surface. Flattening the vinyl helps ensure it will go on flat and prevents wrinkles from forming and making it unattractive.
With your vinyl flattened out you want to ensure the application surface is clean as well. Always assume surfaces are dirty until cleaned. You can simply use a mild detergent for cleaning the surface. If you don't ensure your surface is entirely clean you can be left with small bubbles that are referred to as vinyl pimples.
Once you have a clean surface, place you're vinyl where you wanted to go and use masking tape to create alignment marks to keep it straight during the installation. Once you're happy with the alignment remove the vinyl from the surface and get ready to make the final installation.
Now take two small pieces of masking tape and place them near the center of the vinyl, at the top and bottom, this will hold the vinyl in place while you are removing the backing tape and using the squeegee to install it. Replace the vinyl on the surface using the alignment marks to guide you.
For the wet method you first need to make your solution. Mix 8 ounces of water with four to five drops of common household dishwashing soap such as Dawn or Palmolive. Never use more than 10 drops of soap to 8 ounces of water, too much soap can cause problems during installation. Using a spray bottle, hold one side of the vinyl up while you spray the solution onto the surface. Now you want to cut half of the backing tape from the vinyl and transfer tape, then use your squeegee to smooth down your vinyl onto the surface. Use firm pressure but not so much that you'll damage the vinyl or tear the transfer tape. Once you're happy with the first half remove the other half of the vinyl backing. Spray more solution onto the other side and use your squeegee to smooth out the other half.
The dry method for applying vinyl is exactly the same except you don't use any solution. The dry method is recommended on small vinyl projects that you can easily work out any bubbles from. The wet method allows air bubbles to slip out more easily and is preferred for larger vinyl projects.
Once the vinyl has been smoothed out with your squeegee slowly remove the transfer tape from the surface. If there are any air bubbles remaining in your vinyl you can use a small sewing needle to puncture holes in the vinyl and continue to squeegee out the air bubbles. These small holes will not be visible in the finished product. Vinyl is a very flexible and malleable product that will tend to close up any small imperfections such as needle holes.
If you need to reposition any part of the vinyl, you can try to use a heat gun or hair dryer to get some of the tackiness back to the vinyl and help it stick a little better. Heat is also good if you want to try to "push" the vinyl around and work it into a different position.
Now you're left with a clean professional looking vinyl installation. Again, it is recommended that you practice a couple times before attempting your first installation. If you don't have a squeegee on hand, you can also use a credit card or rubber spatula to help smooth our any air bubbles.
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