Application Instructions

If you have received your graphics in a postal tube, we recommend they be allowed to 'open up' and lay flat for approximately 1 hour or longer if possible before application.

For the best results, install your graphics in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. Ambient temperature is also a factor and application should be done preferably between 20°c and 30°c.

TIP: DO NOT BE IN A HURRY!!! Everyone is busy but getting a great result when applying your graphics requires a calm and relaxed approach.

Surface preparation is vital for correct adhesion. Pre-wash the area where you will be applying the graphics using either soap and water or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water - we recommend a 50/50 water with alcohol solution. After cleaning with soapy water, rinse thoroughly until no soap or residue remains and allow surface to dry. A clean and residue free surface ensures your graphics will last. Do not use window-cleaning products or any products that may leave a residue behind. Such residue may reduce the strength of the vinyl's adhesive.

WRAP or BUBBLE FREE Vinyl (non-permanent adhesive):

The adhesive on wrap material is heat & pressure sensitive. This allows you to place the graphic on the surface gently without any pressure being applied and check alignment. You can remove it several times to get correct positioning. Once the graphic is correctly positioned you may then apply slight pressure from the centre most point outwards. Repeat this gradually increasing pressure each time. Once the graphic is firmly in place you can then heat the entire graphic with a hot air gun to activate the adhesive further, again applying gentle but firm pressure.

TIP: When applying pressure to the graphics, a soft glove is helpful instead of your bare fingers. A glove allows a smooth glide across the graphic compared to the skin on your hands/fingers and the action should be similar to a massage technique.

Wet or Dry application? Historically vinyl has been applied wet (soapy water) for alignment purposes and to remove air bubbles. Wrap and 'Air-Egress' vinyl's are designed with air channels in the adhesive that greatly reduce air entrapment, which greatly reduces bubbles and wrinkling therefore you would not need to apply wrap wet... However larger sections of wrap material often benefit (initially) from wet application to assist in alignment. We have done this with good results. Vinyl manufacturers, especially 3M, do not recommend wet application with wrap material as moisture can become trapped in the adhesives air channels and 'bubble' once outdoors in hot sunlight. So what is correct? We agree with 3M’s reasoning and would not recommend wet application without experience. We have achieved good results with wet wrap applications but it then requires massaging with a glove and squeegee, drying time, a certain amount of warmth, then further massaging. It’s a delicate process but the end result is very good.

With DIY graphics we continue to develop 'easy application' design in our templates where the graphic will almost fall into position and will not require the assistance of a wet application. In doing so we gain maximum adhesion strength with minimal strain/stretch on vinyl.

Tools to assist - Isopropyl alcohol and water, spray bottle with water solution, soft glove, squeegee, hot air gun.

CAST Vinyl (Permanent adhesive):

Once again surface preparation is vital for correct adhesion. Pre-wash the area where you will be applying the graphics using either soap and water or a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water - we recommend a 50/50 water with alcohol solution. After cleaning with soapy water, rinse thoroughly until no soap or residue remains and allow surface to dry. A clean and residue free surface ensures your graphics will last. Do not use window-cleaning products or any products that may leave a residue behind. Such residue may reduce the strength of the vinyl's adhesive.

The adhesive on cast vinyl is also heat & pressure sensitive however it features a constant layer of adhesive with no channeling like the adhesive on wrap and bubble free vinyl. Basically this means it will 'grab' or stick instantly. The best procedure for applying cast vinyl is to have a spray bottle with a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. You only need a few drops of the dishwashing liquid added to 250-300mls of water. Spray the surface & the adhesive side of the graphic. Then place the graphic on the surface and the water solution will allow movement of the graphic allowing correct positioning. Once in the correct position you will need a felt edge squeegee to gently work the water solution to the edges of the vinyl.

TIP: Once your graphic is in position, we recommend spraying the top of the graphic with the water solution to allow your squeegee to slide more easily across the graphic whilst removing the water/bubbles underneath.

Once again with Cast vinyl and DIY graphics we continue to develop 'easy application' design in our templates where the graphic will almost fall into position and will not require the assistance of a wet application. In doing so we gain maximum adhesion strength with minimal strain/stretch on vinyl.

Tools to assist - Isopropyl alcohol and water, spray bottle with water solution, squeegee, hot air gun.