* How to Install Vinyl * * Picture Tutorial *

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

Your Vinyl arrives as a sandwich. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

- Clear Application Tape

- Cut Vinyl Graphic

- White Release Liner

Run a strip of tape right across the center of your sandwich - onto the surface in it's intended position.

Mmm. Sandwich placement.

Flip one half of the sandwich up over the tape - this is called the "hinge."

Hinged Sandwich:

Peel the release liner away from the application tape at a sharp angle. It's natural to want to peel the tape away from the liner, but that doesn't work as well.

The vinyl graphic should be stuck to the application tape. Cut as much of the liner off as you're comfortable with. You should be able to manage the Tape and Graphic well enough to prevent it from wrinkling, bunching, or otherwise getting stuck to itself.

Tape and Graphic, Liner has been cut off:

The adhesive part of the vinyl shouldn't touch anything until it's where it's going to be staying; So lower the tape and graphic close to the surface, and squeegie (hard card, license, anything rigid) from the hinge outward.

Squeegieieieieing:

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Now that the right side is down, remove the tape strip from the center of the graphic. Flip it up over the side that's already stuck to the surface, trim some more liner, and keep squeegieing.

Do it in sections that you're comfortable handling unless you have a helper.

When it's all done, give it one more firm squeegie - the adhesive on the vinyl is pressure sensitive.

Peel the application tape off in a sharp motion, (or several.) Now only the graphic remains on the surface.

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[Pimpdaddyq 10+ year member]

great post.. should be a sticky..

Andrew

 

[QtrHorse 10+ year member]

Very nice write up w/ pictures.

For small graphics/ decals, I prefer to put a strip of tape on one end (from top to bottom of graphic, vertical). Then put a small pc of tape horizontal on the other end. You then tear that small pc of horizontal tape (gives you a precise place to lay your graphic down on w/ out it being crooked or out of place), then spray the area your going to apply the vinyl to and the back of the decal lightly w/ a very dilluted bottle of water and dawn soap. Then squeegee everything down, let it dry for a few minutes and peel away your application tape.

I see too many noobs get bubbles the way you described (always were the tape in the middle was at). The sign dogs can or should easily be able to lay down a graphic or decal dry w/ out getting bubbles but you see too many noobs in the business today.

 

[9512ds 5,000+ posts]

i could see this being a bigger hit with real pictures

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

I'll add real pictures when there isn't seven inches of snow on my car =-\

As noted, this is the 'dry' method of application;

I've almost always had better results laying a single-piece graphic dry as opposed to wet.

Clear application tape, which is most suitible for "ready to apply" graphics, doesn't release the graphic wet - only the paper tape loosens with water, and that's intended for the installer whose done this a few times. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Course, I offer the graphics both ways, but default is with the clear tape. It's just better for regular small gfx.

* Good feedback QtrHorse, and I'll slap up a wet tutorial too.