Are you thinking about decorating your walls with cool wall decals? Decals are fantastic because they come in plenty of designs, from fun patterns to inspiring words, and they're easy on your wallet.
Wall decals might seem a little challenging to stick at first, but with a few tips, you will have them secured in no time!
This guide will reveal the secrets to making your decals stay put. Read on!
Types of Wall Decals
Wall decals are stickers that can transform your walls. Here are the most common ones.
- Vinyl Wall Decals: Vinyl wall decals are die-cut from a single-color vinyl sheet. The design is cut out, and the negative parts are removed, allowing your wall’s paint to serve as the background for a seamless look. These decals are ideal for adding a clean, minimalist design to your space. However, they are intended for one-time use only. Once you remove a vinyl wall decal, it cannot be reused or repositioned. The adhesive is strong enough to ensure the decal stays in place but does not allow for reapplication. Stickerbrand has tons of these, from simple designs to cool pictures.
- Wall Graphic Decal: Our wall graphic wall decals are peel-and-stick decals printed on white vinyl material. These decals offer vibrant, multi-color designs that can bring any wall to life. Unlike vinyl die-cut stickers, these decals can be removed and reused on another wall without losing their adhesive qualities. They function like large stickers and are perfect for those who want the flexibility to change their decor frequently. The peel-and-stick nature makes them easy to apply and reposition as needed, making them an excellent choice for renters or anyone looking to avoid permanent changes to their walls.
How to Prepare the Surface
Ensuring the wall is properly prepared is crucial for the successful application of wall decals. Without adequate preparation, the decals may peel off prematurely. The wall texture must be relatively smooth; heavily textured walls are not suitable for wall decals as the adhesive will not adhere properly.
Here are some key reasons why wall prep is essential.
- Wall decals stick better and will not easily fall off properly prepared walls.
- A clean wall makes it easier to put the stickers on smoothly.
- Proper wall preparation will help the stickers stay put for longer without getting damaged.
- If your wall’s paint is freshly painted, it is very important to let your wall’s paint cure prior to application. 4-6 weeks is recommended for paint to dry completely.
Ready to transform your space? This guide will walk you through prepping your walls like a pro.
- Step 1. First, use a soft cloth or a brush to take away all the dust and dirt from the wall. You want it to be super clean!
- Step 2. Mix a bit of soap with warm water to create a cleaning solution. But remember, do not use strong chemicals because they might damage the wall.
- Step 3. Soak a sponge or cloth into the soapy water and gently scrub the wall in circles. Dirty walls will need extra cleaning.
- Step 4. After scrubbing, rinse the wall with clean water. Do not leave any soap residue because it might stop the stickers from sticking correctly.
- Step 5. Now wait for the wall to dry completely. Give it plenty of time and confirm it is totally dry before putting on the stickers.
Here are some great tips to ensure your freshly cleaned walls are sparkling and completely dry.
- Touch the wall gently before sticking on the decals. If it feels cool or damp, it is not ready yet. Wait until it feels dry.
- While the wall is drying, do not touch it. Oils and dirt from your hands can mess up the clean wall surface.
Tools and Accessories
Get ready to spruce up your walls! To make sure the decals go on flawlessly, gather some helpful tools first. You can get these at your local craft store or online.
- Scissors: Using scissors is essential for trimming decals into sections before application. Cutting around the edges of the decal helps achieve a closer fit when applying it to the wall.
- Squeegees: These flexible tools help push out any air bubbles and make sure the wall decal sticks right. You start in the middle of the wall decal and push outwards gently. That way, it sticks nice and flat without any bumps.
- Rulers: Having a ruler helps make sure your wall decal is positioned straight. You can use it to measure and mark where you want the wall decal to go. That makes sure it is not crooked when you put it on.
- Level: A level is a tool that ensures everything is straight. Use it to check the orientation of the wall decal before sticking it on. Then, as you put the wall decal on, you can check the level to ensure it is not tilting.
Time to get creative! Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a stunning wall art project.
How to Apply Wall Decals
Here is a general guide explaining how to apply wall decals to add a touch of color to your walls.
1. Prepare Your Wall
Ensure the wall surface is clean, dry, and smooth. Use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe down the wall, removing any dust, dirt, or grease. For best results, allow the wall to dry completely before applying the decal.
2. Plan the Placement
Use painter’s tape to temporarily attach the decal to the wall. This allows you tovisualize its placement and make any necessary adjustments. Measure and mark the desired position using a level to ensure the decal is straight.
3. Apply Transfer Tape
Stickerbrand.com’s vinyl wall decals come with a transfer tape to help you apply the design precisely. Rub the front of the transfer tape with a squeegee or credit card to ensure the decal adheres to the tape.
4. Position the Decal
Carefully peel the backing paper away from the decal, ensuring the decal sticks to the transfer tape. Be cautious not to touch the adhesive side of the decal. Position the decal on the wall using the painter’s tape as a guide. Secure the top edge with painter’s tape to create a hinge.
5. Apply the Decal
With the top edge secured, lift the bottom of the decal and slowly peel away the backing paper. Use the squeegee or credit card to press the decal onto the wall, starting from the top and working your way down. Smooth out any air bubbles by working from the center outwards.
6. Remove the Transfer Tape
Once the decal is firmly attached to the wall, carefully peel off the transfer tape. Start at one corner and slowly pull the tape back at a 45-degree angle. Take your time to ensure the decal remains adhered to the wall.
7. Smooth Out Air Bubbles
Inspect the decal for any air bubbles. If you find any, use the squeegee or credit card to smooth them out. For stubborn bubbles, you can use a pin to puncture the bubble and then smooth it out.
How to Troubleshoot Common Issues
We have some tips to help you fix these issues and make your stickers look fantastic.
- Decal Not Sticking to Application Tape: If the decal isn't adhering to the application tape when you peel off the backing sheet, simply use a squeegee to rub the application tape firmly onto the decal underneath. This will force the decal to stick to the application tape. When you remove the backing sheet, the decal will adhere to the application tape on top.
- Bubbles: If you see bubbles under the sticker, try pressing it down from the middle towards the edges with a damp cloth or something rigid and flat like a credit card. If the bubbles persist, gently poke them with a pin and press the air out. You can also use a hairdryer on low heat to warm up the sticker, which might help smooth out stubborn bubbles.
- Peeling Edges: If the sticker edges start to come off, no need to panic! Just press them back down firmly with your fingers or something flat. Make sure the wall is clean and dry before fixing the edges. You can also use a dab of spray adhesive on the back of the decal.
How to Maintain Wall Decals
Just like other decorations, wall decals need a little care to stay bright and sticky. Here is how to keep them looking great for a long time.
- Avoid placing your wall decals in areas exposed to direct sunlight, such as across windows. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can weaken the adhesive over time, causing the decal to eventually fall off the wall.
- Dust and dirt can also prevent the adhesives from working. Wipe your stickers gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Forget strong cleaners! These solutions can damage the sticker. Use a soft cloth with warm water instead
By following these easy tips, your wall stickers will stay looking awesome for years!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
This section answers common questions to make sure your decals stick perfectly and make your room look fabulous.
Why Is My Wall Decal Not Sticking?
Your wall decal might be peeling or falling off due to one of the following reasons.
- Applying it to freshly painted walls that have not completely dried
- Putting it on overly dusty or dirty walls
- Having a wall texture that is not smooth enough for the decal to adhere properly
Is a Heat Gun or Hair Dryer Better for Vinyl?
You don't need a heat gun or hair dryer for applying vinyl decals. However, they can be helpful when it's time to remove a decal. Using gentle heat will soften the adhesive, making the removal process easier.
Key Takeaways on How to Get Wall Decals to Stick
Whether you are jazzing up a kid's room with something fun or adding a bit of class to your living room, wall stickers make your space look great.
However, if you want your wall stickers to look good and last, it's important to make sure they stick correctly.
As such, ensure that your wall is nice and clean, press the decals on gently, and give them plenty of time to stick correctly. If you do all that, your walls will look great with new decals.