How to Install Your Stickers
Peel back part of the backing, line the sticker up where you want it, then press down — left to right, or whichever way suits the design — as you slide the rest of the backing off. It keeps things bubble-free, a little like the hinge method.
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The peel-and-press method
Four steps, just like the video. The backing paper does double duty as a hinge, so the sticker goes down flat and bubble-free.
- 01
Peel back part of the backing
Start at one edge and peel away only part of the paper backing — not all of it. Leaving the rest attached keeps the sticker flat and easy to hold while you line it up.
- 02
Line it up where you want it
With that first section of adhesive exposed, position the sticker exactly where you want it. Nothing has stuck down yet, so take your time getting it straight.
- 03
Press down the exposed part
Lay the exposed edge onto the surface and press it down, working steadily in one direction — left to right, right to left, or top to bottom, whichever suits you and the shape of the design.
- 04
Peel the rest away as you press
Keep pressing down as you slide the remaining backing out from underneath, chasing it across with a finger or card. Because you are smoothing the sticker down just ahead of the backing, air never gets a chance to get trapped. It works a little like the hinge method.
Quick tips
- —Clean and dry the surface first — even a little dust or grease keeps a non-laminated sticker from grabbing.
- —Go slow. The whole point of peeling the backing gradually is that you control the sticker instead of dropping the whole thing down at once.
- —A credit card or squeegee gives a smoother press than a finger, especially on larger stickers.
- —If a small bubble does form, push it toward the nearest edge with a card, or prick it with a pin and press the air out.
Sticker Installation Questions
Why peel the backing off gradually instead of all at once?
Peeling only part of the backing lets you line the sticker up before anything sticks, then press it down section by section as you remove the rest. That is what keeps air bubbles from getting trapped — the sticker meets the surface a little at a time instead of all at once.
Which direction should I press?
Whichever suits the sticker. Left to right, right to left, or top to bottom all work — pick the direction that matches the shape of the design and feels natural to you. The key is to move in one steady direction and press down just ahead of the backing.
Is this the same as the hinge method?
It is a close cousin. The hinge method tapes a decal in place and folds it back from a hinge; here you use the backing paper itself as the hinge, peeling and pressing across in one motion. Both keep the sticker aligned and bubble-free.
Are these stickers waterproof once applied?
Yes. Our stickers are printed on waterproof vinyl rated for years outdoors. Give a fresh sticker about 24 hours to bond fully before washing or heavy exposure.
Need something to install? Shop the sticker shop or order custom stickers.
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