Make This!: Customized Vinyl Wall Decal

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For some reason or another I’m obsessed with contact paper. Maybe it’s because it’s an easy way to transform objects, walls, anything really. It might be because shelf liner is cheap, or maybe it’s the renter in me that loves how temporary it is. Whatever the case, it’s a fact that I love vinyl. And it’s a fact that I love to DIY, which is how this customized vinyl wall decal came to be.      

There are lots of resources online and in stores where you can buy vinyl wall decals, but for the picky people out there (ahem, me) who like a challenge, it’s easy to make your own. We have this “Stay Golden” design ready for you to use (just click here to download!), but you can make your own vinyl wall decal from your own design. Here’s how:

Materials

• Vinyl contact paper or shelf liner
• A graphic or phrase, mirrored (our “Stay Golden” design is available by clicking here)
• Scissors
• Craft knife
• Pencil
• Cutting board or cardboard (some surface that you can use a craft knife on)
• Masking tape
• Projector (not pictured)

Step

Start by pulling up the design you’ll be working from on your computer, and project it onto the wall. Make sure that the image is mirrored! If you’re doing typography, script font or cursive is the easiest to apply to the wall since all the letters are connected. Sans-serif fonts are easier to cut out since they are mostly straight lines. 

Project the image as large as you’d like your vinyl wall decal to end up. 

Grab the vinyl and tape it to the wall with the right-side touching the wall – that way you can trace on the back. Tape vinyl pieces to cover the entirety of the projected image. Next, use a pencil to trace the outline of the image.

Step

Remove the vinyl from the wall, and cut out the traced shapes. You can use scissors for bigger areas and a craft knife for tough-to-reach spots (like the insides of letter), or use a craft knife to cut out the entire thing. 

If you have multiple pieces, number them on the back to keep them in order.  

Step

Now all you have to do is position and peel! Tape your design to the wall where you’d like your vinyl wall decal to go. Make sure the lettering is lined up evenly while taping. It may be easier to project the image on the wall again for precise positioning, but it’s not neccessary. 

Peel the backing from the vinyl, and position to the wall. Working in larger sections can be easier. The vinyl can be repositioned as you go, so don’t be afraid to pull it up and reposition. Use a credit card or squeegee to remove any air bubbles. 

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If you’re looking for a way to fill a giant, empty wall in a cheap but effective way, it’s hard to beat some bold typography. Stay golden, gang.