Installation of Decals

Installing decals is EASY, and there are many different online tutorials and forums on different methods and we suggest looking at many of them and deciding what method works best for you and the size and placement of your decal.  

THINGS YOU WILL NEED:
Squeegee or old Credit Card: For applying decals and removing bubbles.
Surface cleaner: For cleaning and sometimes lubricating surfaces.
Paper towels: For wiping the surface clean and dry.
Masking tape: For taping decals into place for application.
Ruler or tape measure: For measuring placement of your decal. 
X-Acto Knife / Razor blade: For trimming scrap, seams or edges.
Heat Gun / Hair Dryer: Used to help stretch vinyls around complex contours and into crevices. 

STEP 1 | CLEAN THE AREA
Clean the Surface with one of the following cleaners (soapy water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, Windex) and then DRY THE AREA WELL with paper towel or a microfiber cloth. DO NOT - Install the decal on a dirty surface or it will not adhere to the surface to the best of its ability. The cleaner the surface, THE BETTER IT STICKS. 

STEP 2 | PREP THE DECAL
Place your decal on a flat surface and use you squeegee or old credit card to rub the entire decal. This ensures that the decal is stuck properly to the transfer tape. 

STEP 3 | PLACE THE DECAL
Place your decal in the desired area and make measurements to make sure it is centered and not crooked (unless you want it like that) Then with small pieces of tape - temporarily tape your decal into place. 

STEP 4 | APPLY THE DECAL
Once in place, choose a hinging point and apply  2 pieces of tape to that location. Then lift the decal away from the surface and peel the backing paper away at the hinging point. The front of the decal will then stick to the transfer tape and by removing the backing paper, you will reveal the sticky part of the decal. Slowly remove the backing paper and use your squeegee to rub down the decal (USE A FAIR AMOUNT OF PRESSURE).  Once all the backing paper is removed, use your squeegee and rub down the entire decal.

STEP 5 | WAIT!! THEN REMOVE TRANSFER TAPE
Wait a few minutes and then remove the transfer tape. If any parts of the decal lift while doing this, simply place the decal back down and rub with your finger and try again. 

​STEP 6 | ENJOY YOUR DECAL!!!
Enjoy your new decal and feel free to send us pictures by email and social media. ​

TIPS & TRICKS

• Avoid installing decals in cold environments (Below Zero) as it may not adhere fully to the surface.  If you choose to install it anyways - use a heat gun or hair dryer over it to make it stick.
• Having a second set of hands is always ideal when installing medium and large graphics.
• If there are any air bubbles in the decal, you can carefully use a pin and poke a small hole in the vinyl to release the air. Be careful not to push into the paint underneath too hard. 
• A wet install may also be done (handy for racing stripes and other decals that are harder to place.) To do this you mix in a spray bottle water and small amount of soap. Then you spray the back of the graphic and the area that you are installing on before squeegeeing down. Then squeegee out the water from the inside out.  Do lots of research on it before doing it as it is a more advanced technique. NOT RECOMMENDED FOR WALL DECALS.
• When applying large decals to vehicles that run over door / panel seams make sure to clean those crevices well.  Once applied, use a heat gun or hair dryer to stretch the excess into those crevices and ensure it adheres well. 

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The Decal Shop Canada produces decals Canada wide. Including Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador,  Yukon Territory, and the Northwest Territories.

We are proud to have provided decals to clients in Toronto, Fort MacMurray, Kingston, Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver. 

Locally we serve the North Bay, Sudbury and Muskoka areas including Huntsville, Burks Falls, Sundridge, South River, Trout Creek, Commanda, Callander, Astorville, Bonfield, Mattawa, Redbridge, Field, River Valley, West Nipissing,  Lavigne, Markstay, Warren, Verner, Marten River, Greater Sudbury area, Espanola and more. ​