Word Up: Applying Vinyl Wall Words

I'm a huge fan of using typography as decoration in the house, and vinyl is a great way to incorporate the letters, numbers or words of your choice.

I recently applied a big, vinyl number "3" to a flea market find platter I picked up for a few bucks.
(see photo #1)

Not only was I thrilled with how my little project turned out- I was also pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to apply it too.

Here are some helpful vinyl wall decal application hints:

1. Vinyl decals will stick better to walls coated in water-based paint, than walls that are painted with oil-based paint.

2. Don’t apply a vinyl wall decal to a freshly painted wall. You should let fresh paint dry for about a month before applying a decal to it.

3. Always wash your walls before applying a vinyl decal. Dust or dirt will prevent it from sticking properly. For best results, clean the wall and wait until it's completely dry before applying your decal.

4. Vinyl decals typically come off without damaging the wall underneath- but there is no guarantee. Choose and position your decal wisely!

5. Apply your vinyl decal when it and the wall are both at room temperature. If the wall is too cold or too hot, the adhesive may not hold well.

6. It's also best to avoid putting a decal in direct sunlight, close to a heat source, or in a room where there's a lot of moisture. That being said, they do make waterproof decals now- so if you're going to use one in a bathroom, you may want to explore that option.

8. Make sure your decal is exactly where you want it before you apply it. Use tape to gently hold it place, step back, and check it out. If it's not the way you want it, move it around until it's just right.

9. Light walls will serve as better backgrounds to darker decals, and dark walls will serve as better backgrounds for light or white decals. Choose your color accordingly!