How to Apply Vinyl Stickers (aka Decals) (2024)

Have you seen those vinyl stickers on the back windshields of cars? They’re also on water bottles and laptops. I use vinyl label on bins in my pantries and closets. Vinyl labels and stickers can show your personality, keep you organized, and communicate information. They may seem tricky to use at first, but once you practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Keep reading to find out how to apply vinyl stickers and labels.

Thinking about how to apply vinyl stickers can intimidate if you don’t have experience.

First off, there’s a bit of an investment involved. After all, you probably paid a few dollars for a sticker — or a few hundred if you invested in a machine and materials.

Second, you get one chance to apply the vinyl sticker. If you apply it crooked or damage it while applying it, you’ll need to get a replacement.

Let’s break down how these labels and stickers are made, where you can buy them, the benefits of using them, and how to apply them. Once you know more about the process, it’s really quite simple.

How Are Vinyl Stickers Made?

Before we talk about how to apply vinyl stickers, let’s back up for a second. Vinyl stickers are made using a sheet of vinyl, which is a thin sticky plastic. Using a special machine (like a Cricut or a Cameo Silhouette), you program what you’d like to cut into your computer and the machine cuts it.

Vinyl comes in any color imaginable and the machines can cut any wording or design.

After cutting the vinyl, you need to “weed” the vinyl. This is simply pulling excess vinyl off the non-stick backing to reveal your design. After you reveal your design, it’s time to apply the sticker.

Where to Buy Vinyl Stickers

If you think vinyl stickers are what you need for your item or space, you can find millions of options on Etsy. You’ll likely have to select your vinyl color, sizing, and font.

Looking for organizing labels? Check out my Etsy shop!

Don’t want to order on Etsy? Odds are, you know someone with a cutting machine, so ask around.

Why Vinyl?

I love cutting vinyl labels and stickers because they’re:

• Semi-Permanent. I don’t have to worry about my kids wiping them off; the labels peeling off, or getting ripped.
• Stylish. I can choose any font or design for a custom look that fits my space. I can also choose a color that matches my décor—or one that stands out for a fun pop.
• Removable. While the labels are semi-permanent, they can be removed without damaging the surface on which they were applied. This is especially true for hard smooth surfaces such as glass and plastic.

The Structure of Vinyl Stickers

If you’re ordering vinyl labels on Etsy, they will most likely arrive with three layers (this is how I send mine).

1. The bottom layer will be the backing paper. This is what the vinyl is attached to.
2. The middle layer is the actual cut vinyl—your sticker.
3. The top layer is transfer tape. This is sometimes clear, sometimes translucent, sometimes opaque, and may or may not have grid lines.

Side Note: It’s possible that you may have to attach the transfer tape yourself, depending on the vendor you purchase from. If you do, simply unroll or unpeel the transfer tape and lay it on top of the vinyl.

If your vinyl sticker or decal doesn’t come with transfer tape at all, you can purchase some or try to use painter’s tape if your label is small enough. This is my favorite brand of transfer tape.

How to Apply Vinyl Stickers

Now that you know everything there is to know about vinyl stickers, let’s talk about applying them!

Step 1: Prepare Your Surface

It’s important that your surface is prepared in order to get secure adhesion from your vinyl sticker.

Clean your surface with an oil-free cleaner and thoroughly dry it. Remove any dust.

Sometimes, it can be tricky to adhere labels to very smooth plastic bins, likely because of the oil content

For this project, I’ll be applying labels to paper inserts included with these Clip On Filing Labels (I just found these and I love them. They’re a great size for baskets and they’re so affordable!).

Step 2: Check the Transfer Tape & Peel

To apply your label properly, make sure the transfer tape is securely adhered to the vinyl. You can tell by peeling up the edge of the transfer tape. If the transfer tape pulls up with the vinyl sticker attached, you’re good.

If the transfer tape pulls up without the vinyl sticker attached, it’s not stuck well. Place the whole sticker/transfer tape/backing combo on a flat surface. Grab a credit card, hold it at a 45° angle, and slide it firmly all over the transfer tape. Repeat until the vinyl pulls cleanly off the backing.

Peel the transfer tape away from the backing sheet. The vinyl label should come up with the transfer tape.

Step 3: Place Your Sticker

Carefully place the vinyl where you’d like to apply it. You may find it helpful to use a ruler. Once the vinyl touches the surface, you may not be able to lift it back up without damaging the label, so be careful.

Step 4: Adhere Your Sticker

Once the label and transfer tape are in place, use a credit card to firmly attach the vinyl. Hold the card at a 45° angle, and slide it all over the transfer tape. You want the bond between the vinyl and the application surface to be stronger than the bond between the vinyl and the transfer tape.

Step 5: Remove Transfer Tape

Slowly peel the transfer tape off of the vinyl from one corner.

If the vinyl lifts with the transfer tape, stop peeling, lay the tape back down, and press on it firmly again using the credit card.

Sometimes, on very smooth plastic surfaces, the vinyl needs a bit more coaxing. Pull the transfer tape up slowly at an angle. If one part of the vinyl sticks, place a fingernail down on the vinyl to hold it in place. Continue pulling the transfer tape and move your finger along the vinyl as you reveal it.

And that’s it!

This process is the same regardless of whether you are applying vinyl stickers to cars, walls, containers, computers, waterbottles, or anything else.

Once the label adheres to your surface, you can discard the backing paper and transfer tape.

The transfer tape could be reused to apply more labels, however this may not be necessary if your other labels already have transfer tape attached.

Stand back and admire your handiwork! And then go apply the rest of the labels!

Related Post: My Favorite Ways to Label

Want to see the project I was working on? We installed a new closet system in our daughter’s closet. These clip-on labels went onto the felt bins we used on the shelves to hold items she only uses sporadically.

We’re in love with the look and function of this closet and these custom labels are icing on the cake. If you need some labels like these in your life, check out this listing in my Etsy Shop!

Applying Vinyl Decals

Applying vinyl decals to surfaces is simple once you get the hang of it. Take your time and work slowly because you only get one shot to install a label properly.

Vinyl stickers are helpful when organizing or just adding style to your life. Whether you purchase labels on Etsy or make them on your own — be careful because they’re addicting!