Step 1.  Surface Preparation
Surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before applying your vinyl graphics.  Follow the instructions below for specific material cleaning procedures.  For plastics and glass throughly wip surface clean with a window cleaner.  Remove any dried matter such as tape, glue, making sure the surface is smooth.  For painted metals and base metals clean with a solvent such as Naphtha, Xylol or Lacquer Thinner.  Dry the surface with a lint free cloth before the solvent evaporates.  If the surface is freshly painted it must be dry for 72 hrs before applying the vinyl graphics.  TekSigns recommend it to be dry for a week after painting.  When the paint is fresh it released gasses which will cause your new graphic to bubble and not last.  So the longer you can wait to put the graphic on the less chance this will happen.  

WARNING !!

Temperature Requirements:  The temperature should be within 45 to 90 degrees for best results.  Beware of high humidity over 90% the lettering will not want to stick and can fall of the application tape. Recommended:  Have someone to help you old the material while applying the graphic.

Step 2. Application Instructions
(The procedure for applying vinyl graphics is basically the same for all surfaces.)

Materials Needed: Small cutting knife or razor blade.  Spray bottle filled with a mixture of dish soap and water.  (3 drop of soap for each pint of water).  A plastic squeegee which we will supply.  Dry towel, small sewing pin and a roll of 1" to 2" of masking tape.

The graphic consists of three separate parts.  Transfer tap (top layer), Vinyl (you letting, center layer), and Release liner (wax paper backing).

Step 3.
 
Using small taps of masking tape, tack the graphic to the intended surface this is to insure proper placement.  Measure making sure the graphic is level.  When the graphic is applied it is not able to be moved.  

Step 4.

Apply a single horizontal strip of 2" masking tape to the top of the graphic.  The strip should be split between the graphic and the intended surface (1" on graphic & 1" on surface).  This strip will be used as a hinge that will insure the graphic does not move during the application process.

Step 5.

Hold the bottom edge of the hinged graphic away from the intended surface and remove the release liner reviling the sticky backing of the vinyl.  This is when you want the second person to help you hold the sticky surface away from the surface you are applying it on.  

Caution: Do not let the exposed graphic touch the intended surface.  The back of the graphic is very sticky and will tightly adhere to the surface.  If the placement is not correct, removing the graphic for re-placement will be very difficult or impossible without causing damage to the vinyl.

Step 6.

While holding the graphic away from the surface, spay the soapy water on the intended surface.  Don't be afraid to be generous with the water.  This coating of water will reduce the tackiness of the vinyl and allow you to squeegee the vinyl smoothly.

Step 7.

While still holding the hinge graphic away from the intended surface.  Using the squeegee and starting from the top in the middle begin to squeegee downward though the center of the graphic allowing that section of the graphic touch the surface.  Note: do not let the entire graphic touch the surface.  

Step 8.

Once the graphic is in proper position and lying perfectly flat on the intended surface, you can now start forcing the water out from beneath the graphic.  Starting from the center working outward, use firm strokes with the squeegee to force the water out form beneath the graphic.  Do this quickly because the water is drying and dripping down.  This will make sure you have no bubbles under your graphic.

Step 9.

After the graphic has been squeegeed completely making sure the water is almost entire out form underneath the graphic, it is now time to take off the pre-mask.  When pulling the mask off the surface make sure you pull directly back over itself.  Where the mask is folded completely back.  If the graphic begins to peel up with the mask STOP and squeegee that part down with the mask over it.  Sometimes the mask doesn't want to release the letters to help it release spay your soapy water on the top of the pre-mask and allowing it to soak for approx 5 minutes and then begin to peel it back again.  

Step 10.

If you see any bubbles try and squeegee them out.  If the graphic looks like its stretching of the bubbles will not come out take a sewing pin and poke a tiny hold in the bubble and slowly press the water and air out pushing the graphic to the surface.  

Step 11.

If your graphic has multiple colors you may have to repeat the steps for additional layers.  We do not deliver the letting with all the layers already applied because that will cause major bubbling around the layers edge making it impossible to remove them all.

Thanks

TekSigns.com