How to apply vinyl stickers

How to apply vinyl stickers so they stay flat and bubble-free: clean and degrease the surface, let it dry, position the sticker with tape, then peel the backing gradually while you smooth it down from the centre outwards with a squeegee. Small stickers take seconds. Large ones and window graphics need the hinge method below and a second pair of hands, but the principle is the same.

Surfaces that work, and those that do not #

The surface decides most of what goes right or wrong, so check it before you worry about how to apply vinyl stickers. Self-adhesive vinyl sticks best to smooth, sealed, non-porous surfaces: glass, gloss or satin paint, metal, laminate, sealed plastic and car panels in good condition. It struggles on:

• Brick, render, bare wood, rough plaster and fabric, where the adhesive only touches the high points.
• Emulsion paint, especially matt, which can be powdery and may peel off with the sticker.
• Fresh paint. Let it cure fully first; ask whoever painted it how long.
• Low-energy plastics used for some bins, tubs and bumpers, which many adhesives do not grip well.
• Anything damp, greasy, dusty or cold.

Our custom vinyl stickers and shop window graphics are printed on monomeric matt adhesive vinyl in our Manchester workshop. For the difference between indoor and outdoor use, see our guide to vinyl stickers indoors and outdoors.

What you need #

• Warm water with a drop of washing-up liquid, then isopropyl alcohol or a glass cleaner without silicone, to degrease.
• Lint-free cloths or paper towels.
• A plastic squeegee or a firm plastic card wrapped in a soft cloth.
• Masking tape, a tape measure and a spirit level for anything that must be straight.
• A pin or fine craft knife for stubborn bubbles.

How to apply vinyl stickers step by step #

1. Clean the surface. Wash with warm soapy water to lift dirt, then wipe with isopropyl alcohol to remove grease, wax and fingerprints. Polish and silicone residues are the most common reason stickers lift.
2. Let it dry completely. Wait until the surface is fully dry and not cold to the touch. Adhesive grabs poorly in cold weather, so avoid applying outside on a frosty morning or in direct hot sun.
3. Position with tape. Hold the sticker in place with its backing still on, check it with a level, and fix a strip of masking tape across the top edge (or the middle, for large graphics) to hold it.
4. Peel a little backing. Lift the sticker on its tape hinge and peel back a few centimetres of the backing paper. Cut the paper away if it gets in the way.
5. Squeegee from the centre. Lower the sticker onto the surface and press it down with firm, overlapping strokes from the centre outwards, pushing air towards the edges.
6. Work across the sticker. Keep pulling the backing away a little at a time and squeegeeing as you go, until the whole sticker is down.
7. Finish the edges. Go round every edge with firm pressure. Edges are where water and dirt get in, and where lifting starts.
8. Leave it alone. Give the adhesive time to bond before you wash, scrub or pressure clean the area. A couple of days is sensible.

How to apply vinyl stickers that are large: the hinge method

For anything wider than a hand span, such as our 500 × 500 mm and 1000 × 1000 mm sizes, use a centre hinge. Tape a strip vertically down the middle of the sticker to fix it to the surface. Fold one half back over the tape, peel its backing off, cut the backing away at the hinge, and squeegee that half down from the hinge outwards. Then remove the tape, fold back the other half and repeat. You never have a large sheet of sticky vinyl flapping around, and the graphic cannot drift out of line.

Window graphics #

Glass is the easiest surface of all, but it shows every speck of dust. Clean both sides of the glass so you can check alignment, and work in good light. Before you peel, check which side of the glass the graphic will go on and that it reads the right way from where people will see it; if you are unsure, ask us before you order. For glass wider than 1 m, plan the design across panels rather than across the frame between them.

Some fitters apply window graphics wet, with a light spray of water and a drop of washing-up liquid, which lets the vinyl slide into place before it grips. It is less forgiving than it sounds and not every adhesive suits it, so ask us before you try it. For high windows, work from a stable platform or a properly footed ladder and follow the HSE’s basic work at height guidance.

Dealing with bubbles and creases #

Even when you know how to apply vinyl stickers well, the odd bubble appears. Most are easy to fix.

• Small bubbles right after applying: push them towards the nearest edge with the squeegee.
• Trapped bubbles in the middle: prick once with a pin at the edge of the bubble, then press the air out through the hole with your thumb. The hole is almost invisible.
• A crease or fold while applying: stop, gently lift the vinyl back to the crease (as soon as possible, before the adhesive bonds) and lay it down again.
• Lifting corners later usually mean the surface was not fully clean or dry. Press them down firmly; if they keep lifting, the sticker may need replacing on a properly cleaned surface.

Removing vinyl stickers later #

Knowing how to apply vinyl stickers includes knowing how to take them off. Warm the vinyl gently with a hairdryer to soften the adhesive, lift a corner with a plastic scraper or fingernail, and peel back slowly and low, close to the surface. Clean off any adhesive left behind with a suitable remover, testing it first on a hidden area of paint. Avoid metal blades on paintwork.

Still not sure? #

If you are unsure whether a surface will take vinyl, tell us what it is and we will advise before you order. Call 0161 315 1151 or use the contact form. You can also browse the full vinyl stickers range.