We will be going over the difference between static clings and printed vinyl graphics and the basics of installing Static Clings.
Static Clings are great for short-term advertising, easy to take down wall graphics, and customizing kids’ rooms. They are printed in full color, can be installed/taken down multiple times, and even last up to 5-6 months if properly taken care of.
First, I want to share some general thoughts on the differences between Static Wall Clings and Printed Vinyl. Everything takes practice, so use your best judgment before jumping in and attempting a big project. Static Wall Clings and Printed Vinyl are similar in that they can be printed in full color and look great when installed. Vinyl Wall Prints can be more challenging to install since they have a stronger adhesive and are less forgiving when installed improperly. Wall Clings are great for temporary signage and allow you to reposition them multiple times before the adhesive tackiness runs out. Printed Vinyl is the way to go if you are doing a large project that covers an entire wall with a graphic and leaving it up long-term. Static Wall Clings are cheaper and don’t last as long as Printed Vinyl. They can also offer a good substitute for advertising a product, service, event details, and much more. (Don’t get me wrong; if you install a static cling to a smooth, clean wall or window and nobody touches it or tries to pick at it, it can stay on there for a long time.) The colors in Printed Vinyl can also be a bit more vibrant, and you can choose different types of laminate. Choose to have a glossy or matte finish. Static Wall Clings colors aren’t as rich and mostly have a matte finish. Static Wall Clings and Printed Vinyl are both great options. Make sure to know your goal and what you will be applying your Printed Vinyl or Wall Cling to before buying. Now that we have that covered let's jump into installing it!
Tools and items that will help
- A Plastic squeegee with one side with a good edge and the other with a fabric/foam edge. To get this kind of squeegee
- For window clings, a regular rubber squeegee will work great
- A sturdy ladder if needed
- If the Static cling is large, grab another person to help hold and apply
- Good towels to clean any dust or grime on the wall before application
- If installing a window cling, it is helpful to have a spray bottle with soapy water.
How to install Static Cling
- Before you get excited and start peeling off the backing paper, clean the wall or window area where the static cling will be going. When ready, lay the cling face-side down on a clean table to prevent dust from jumping onto the cling. Next, start peeling the backing off, trying to keep it from creasing and then ruining the cling. If it is large, you can remove about half of the backing and place it on the wall or window where you want it, then remove the rest and lay the rest of the cling onto the application.
- Note *
If applying to a window, generously spray a good amount of soapy water before placing the cling. Then squeegee out the water until the graphic is bubble and water-free. - Start by hand rubbing the graphic with light pressure back and forth until the entire graphic is on the wall.
- Next, check and make sure the placement is good. If the print is crooked or a little off, you can peel it off and adjust it until it looks good.
- Once it looks good, use a squeegee to get the rest of the trapped air out by starting from the top, and work from the center of the graphic to the outer edges.
- When you are all finished, congrats! You just installed a wall cling!
I hope this article has helped you install your custom static cling. Feel free to comment below with any questions or if you have any other tips you want to share with others.
- Tom