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Vinyl Graphics Installation

Applying your vinyl graphics is simple if you follow the following basic guidelines. The graphics are sandwiched between a paper layer of transfer tape and a layer of wax backing paper. The transfer tape is a tacky sheet that will lift your graphic in one piece. The transfer tape is no match for the vinyl's pressure sensitive adhesive, which will bond to the surface of the metal very tightly. Vinyl should never be applied in temperatures less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or 4 degrees Celsius. Also the lettering surface should be free of dirt and wax for best results.

Done properly, this job will last for many years. You will need only a few things to accomplish this feat.

      1. A piece of hard plastic, we call a "squeegee"
      2. A roll of masking tape.
      3. An x-acto blade.
      4. A tape measure or ruler

To get the graphic to line up straight, start with a piece of tape on one corner. With the backing still on the graphics lay where you think it should go. You can always move it if you don't like the position.

Bring the other side into position and tack it down with another piece of tape. Use the tape measure or ruler to be sure it is level. You can draw a straight line on the sign surface and on the front of the transfer tape along the bottom of the letters or graphics to line it up. Or, measure from the edges of similar letters. Remember that some letters (like o's and s's) normally sink below the line of text.

Make a hinge along one of the straight edges of the graphic with a long piece of tape. Half the tape should be on the transfer paper and half on the surface. Now when you flip the graphic back to remove the wax paper, everything stays in place. Check everything a second time to make sure it is straight. Carefully peel back the wax paper and expose the sticky side of the vinyl.

Lay the vinyl close to the surface you are applying it to. It won't stick if you don't press it down hard. It's called "pressure sensitive" vinyl which means that the harder it is pressed, the harder it sticks. Holding the free edge tautly, just off the surface, pull the squeegee across the center of the graphic to get a good centerline of adhesion.

Now you can lift one of the sides up and squeegee from the centerline toward the edges. ALWAYS work from the center toward the edges!! Do this to avoid trapping air bubbles. Finish off the other half the same way (from the center to the edges, then from the middle to the top and bottom). If you started with a good centerline, the rest of the vinyl will fall into place, naturally!

Squeegee a little more to help adhere once it is in place. Carefully pull up a corner of the transfer tape and fold it back over itself. Slowly pull the transfer tape back from the vinyl keeping it as flat against the surface as possible. Once the transfer tape is off, pop any bubbles with a pinpoint and press out the air.