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Application TIPS 'n TRICKS

PREPARING YOUR SURFACE FOR APPLICATION OF YOUR EXPRESSION or EMBELLISHMENT


Preparing your surface:

For most applications, make sure your surface is clean, dry, and free of residue. If using the Wet Application Technique (required for Etched Glass), spray your surface with Uppercase Living's Mistick™ Wet Application Solution (recommended) or with just plain water, and wipe clean.


Preparing your expression:

Lay your expression down on a flat surface and using your UL Transfer Tool or a credit card, firmly rub both sides of your expression.


Placement of your expression:

After your surface and expression are prepared, place your expression (with the transfer tape and backing paper still on) in the location where it will be applied. After your expression is placed exactly where you want it, use a pencil (or dry-erase marker if working on glass, acrylic, or ceramic) and create guideline marks at the corners, top, and bottom of your expression. (For tips on leveling your expression, see the "Tips & Tricks" section below.)





STANDARD APPLICATION METHODS (MOST COMMON)


The following application methods are recommended for expressions in any standard color (excluding Etched Glass). Choose from the Hinge or Direct Method according to your personal preference. If you are applying a standard Two-Part Expression, or an expression larger than 24" x 24", the Direct Method is recommended.


Hinge Method

  1. After your surface and expression are prepared and you have made your guideline marks, place your expression on your surface with the transfer tape and backing paper still on, and apply small pieces of painter's tape every six inches along the top edge. These pieces of tape act as "hinges" for your expression.

  2. Using your newly created hinge, flip your expression up completely and slowly peel the backing paper away from the transfer tape at an angle, taking care not to touch the adhesive on the expression itself. Your expression should adhere to the sticky transfer tape, leaving the backing paper blank. If any part of your expression does not adhere to the transfer tape, lay the backing paper back down and firmly rub your expression again with your transfer tool. Then, completely remove and discard the backing paper. Your expression should still be flipped up at this point.

  3. Carefully lay your expression back down into position, and smooth out onto your surface.

  4. Using a UL Transfer Tool or credit card, firmly rub the entire expression, giving special attention to the edges of each letter or graphic in your expression.

  5. Slowly peel the transfer tape from the wall at a 45 degree angle and discard. If any part of the expression does not adhere to the surface, lay the transfer tape back down and firmly rub your expression again with your transfer tool.

  6. Remove the vinyl leveling arrows from your surface and erase your guideline marks.



Direct Method

For expressions larger than 24" x 24", we strongly recommend using two people to apply your expression.

  1. After your surface and expression are prepared, and you have made your guideline marks, lay your expression face down on a flat surface, and slowly remove the backing paper at an angle starting from one corner. Your expression should adhere to the sticky transfer tape, leaving the backing paper blank. If any part of your expression does not adhere to the transfer tape, lay the backing paper back down and firmly rub your expression again with your transfer tool. Then, completely remove and discard the backing paper.

  2. Gently apply the top corners of your expression to your surface according to the guideline marks previously made, taking care not to let any part of your expression touch the surface or fold over onto itself. Carefully smooth your expression onto your surface working from top to bottom. For large expressions, one person should apply the top corners and smooth from top to bottom while the other person holds the bottom of the expression away from the surface until the entire expression is applied.

  3. Using a UL Transfer Tool or credit card, firmly rub your entire expression, giving special attention to the edges of each letter or graphic in your expression.

  4. Slowly peel the transfer tape from the wall at a 45 degree angle and discard. If any part of the expression does not adhere to the surface, lay the transfer tape back down and firmly rub your expression again with your transfer tool.

  5. Remove the vinyl leveling arrows from your surface and erase your guideline marks.






 TWO-PART EXPRESSIONS

Each layer of your Two-Part Expression will have two identical diamond-shaped pieces on the design. These pieces, called registration marks, are added to ensure a more successful application. Simply apply the first part of your expression as usual (using your chosen application method as outlined below), and include the registration marks as if part of the design. Then, as you apply the second part of the expression, line up the second set of registration marks directly on top of the first set of registration marks and apply. Once you have both parts of the expression applied, remove both sets of the registration marks for a beautifully layered Two-Part design.




Wet Application Method for ETCHED GLASS VINYL 

A wet application method is required when applying Etched Glass, but is also ideal for applying any expression to non-porous surfaces (i.e., glass, ceramic, or acrylic).

  1. After your surface and expression are prepared, and you have made your guideline marks, lay your expression face down on a flat surface, and slowly remove the backing paper at an angle starting from one corner. Your expression should adhere to the sticky transfer tape, leaving the backing paper blank. If any part of the expression does not adhere to the transfer tape, lay the backing paper back down and firmly rub your expression again with your transfer tool. Then, completely remove and discard the backing paper.

  2. Spray your surface evenly with Mistick Wet Application Solution or plain water. (If you desire extra movability, you can also lightly spray your expression with the wet application solution or water.) Note: DO NOT spray your expression with the backing paper still on. Remove the backing paper first, and then spray the sticky side of your expression while still on the transfer tape.

  3. Carefully press your expression onto your surface starting on one side of your expression and smoothing it gently as you move across. (If you have used Mistick Wet Application Solution, you should be able to move your expression around slightly to ensure it is positioned exactly where you want it, if you have used water, you won't have the same movability).

  4. Using your UL Transfer Tool or credit card as a squeegee, firmly rub your expression to remove the excess application solution from underneath and pat dry with a plain white paper towel. This step also works to alleviate air bubbles.

  5. If using Mistick Wet Application Solution, wait 3-5 minutes and then remove the transfer tape from your expression. If using plain water, depending on the surface, you may have to wait 30-60 minutes or more before removing transfer tape. In either scenario, if your expression is not adhering to your surface, lay the transfer tape back down, burnish your expression again, and wait another 3-5 minutes before trying again.

  6. After successfully removing your transfer tape, pat your expression dry with a plain white paper towel.

Etched Glass Removal Because Etched Glass has a stronger adhesive, it may be more difficult to remove than standard vinyl. The easiest way to remove Etched Glass is to warm the expression with a blow dryer for 30 seconds before removing. This will loosen the bond between the adhesive and your surface, allowing easier removal. If a sticky residue remains after removing your expression, try using a very mild adhesive remover and razor blade, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid damage to your surface.





Leveling your Expression (recommended for most word-based expressions):

  1. Locate the identical arrows on the left/right sides of your expression. Using a ruler or straight edge, draw a line on the transfer tape from the point of the left arrow to the point of the right arrow. This line will be level with your expression.

  2. Place your expression on your wall (with transfer tape and backing paper still on) and using a level - standard or laser - adjust your expression until the line from your right/left arrows is level.

  3. Proceed to make your guideline marks. If you do not have a level, use the following method:

    • Draw the line between right/left arrows as instructed above.

    • Measure the width of your expression.

    • Measure from the floor to your desired location on your wall and mark your wall where the left edge of your expression will be.

    • Then using the same measurement from the floor, mark your wall where the right edge of your expression will be, ensuring that the two marks are the same distance apart as the width of your expression.

    • Using the level line you created in step 1, place the edges of this line on the marks you have made on your wall. Your expression should now be level, and you can proceed to make your guideline marks.






Removing Transfer Tape:

If you are having difficulty getting your expression to release from the transfer tape, moisten a sponge and use it to dampen the back of the tape. This will help the expression release from the tape. As you remove the transfer tape, press the expression on the wall with your thumb or a dry cloth. Be sure not to touch the sticky side of the expression with your fingers as the oil from your fingers may prevent the adhesive from bonding to the surface.




Uneven Surfaces (e.g., bead board):

When applying expressions to an uneven surface, make sure you smooth the expression by starting at one end and slowly moving to the other. You may need to lift up one end of the expression so it does not adhere to the surface before you can apply the expression into the grooves. Take special care to rub the expression into the ridges of the surface. When removing the transfer tape, pull the tape off in the direction of the grooves or lines. Pulling against these grooves may pull up the expression.


Smooth Surfaces (e.g., glass, metal, mirror):

When applying an expression to any glass or metal surface, please note that expressions tend to adhere to these types of surfaces quickly. Using a Wet Application Method eliminates the problem of having an expression inadvertently touch your surface and therefore making it unable to remove without damaging your expression. In addition to using a Wet Application, you may want to remove any excess paper by cutting around the expression, or cut the expression into parts to make positioning easier.


Curved Surfaces:

When applying expressions to curved surfaces, remove any excess paper by cutting around the expression. With the backing paper still on, place the expression on the curved surface and mark the areas where the expression resists lying flat. Make relief slits along the paper so the expression easily wraps around the surface (be sure not to cut the expression). Slowly apply the expression by starting at one end and moving to the other, making sure the expression lies flat. Smooth the expression onto the surface and then remove the transfer tape.


Textured Walls:

Uppercase Living expressions may not adhere well to heavily textured walls. If you have determined that your wall is capable of holding an expression, we recommend the following tips:

  • Use a cloth or your thumb to press the expression into the grooves of the textured wall.

  • If your expression is not transferring from the tape to the wall, dampen a sponge and apply it to the back of the tape to moisten it. This will help the tape release from the wall and the expression more easily.
  • Also using a hair dryer or hand warmers and go over the expression to warm it and sort of "shrink wrap" it to the wall

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