Vinyl
Lettering, home décor projects
By Kathleen
Gordon-Ross, senior editor Special
thanks to our vinyl lettering dealers for all the project directions
and pictures they provided for this article!
What is Vinyl Lettering?
Vinyl lettering is ready to apply,
pre-spaced, individually cut, self-adhesive lettering that when
applied to a smooth surfaces, gives the beautiful, custom look
of hand painted lettering for a fraction of the price and time.
Surfaces:
Vinyl
lettering can be placed on many smooth surfaces including walls,
windows, mirrors, tile, ceramic wood and metal, and can be used
both indoors and outdoors. It will not stick to rough or uneven
surfaces like cinder block, brick or stucco.
Selecting a quote or phrase:
Many
vinyl letter dealers have lists of quotes you can choose from
... they can be from church leaders (President Hinckley's Be
Attitudes are one example), scriptures, poems, songs, famous
sayings, nursery rhymes, children's literature, etc. The sources
of inspiration for your quotes and phrases are endless. Consider
the room your quote/phrase will be displayed, the rooms purpose,
and the message you want it to convey.
Font
Options:
Choosing the font you want for the quote or phrase is as important
as selecting the words. Again, vinyl lettering dealers have
a list of available fonts - everything from flowing romantic
scripts, newspaper block type or playful child's handwriting.
You want to match the playfulness or seriousness of the font
to that of the quote and the environment in which it will be
displayed.
Not
all fonts are created equal. 6” letters of one font will
not have the same length as 6” letters of another font
even if the quote is exactly the same. As you can see from our
example below, width and spacing of the characters varies with
each font. Each of these phrases is the same height (measured
from the top of the tallest letter, to the bottom of the longest
letter), but because of the style and shape of each letter,
it is not the same length.
Your
vinyl lettering dealer can help you insure that the lettering
you order will accurately fit the space you're looking to fill.
Many have tools built into their website to help you determine
accurately the finished size of your lettering.
Color
and Sizing:
The
size of the lettering you choose will depend a lot on the size
of the surface you choose and the space available. Measure the
available space and if you're unsure what the best font size
to use, especially on your first project, work with your vinyl
letter dealer to determine the best size to use.
Hayden
Mazzarelli, owner of VinylWords.com
suggests, "If placing a quote on a large wall with a great
deal of empty space, be sure to order lettering that is large
enough to be seen and read. If you are considering 4”
lettering for a wall that has 6’ by 10’ of empty
space cut out a few pieces of paper 4” tall and hang them
on the wall to see if they will be easy to read. We measure
letters from the top of the tallest character (such as capital
T) to the bottom of the lowest character (lower case y)."
Vinyl
Letter dealers have a large variety of colors and they vary
from dealer to dealer. Most have 10-30 basic colors for you
to choose from. Because computer monitors show color differently,
if you're looking for a specific shade of a color, consider
going with a basic color instead that will easily coordinate
with the rest of the decor in the room. Some dealers do offer
small color samples.
General Directions for Applying Vinyl Lettering to a surface:
1.
When you receive your vinyl lettering, you will notice it comes
with application tape already applied to it. This helps with
the transfer of the vinyl lettering to the wall.
2. Clean the vacant area where the vinyl will be applied with
Windex or a soft cloth damped with denatured alcohol to make
sure that it is free from any wax, oil, dirt, dust or debris
that will prevent the vinyl from sticking.
3.
Once the surface area is clean, dry and free of any dust, use
a ruler and pencil to lightly mark a guide line for the top
of your quote or phrase. For longer quotes and phrases, make
a little tick mark indicating the center of your surface. Mark
the center of your quote or phrase as well.
4.
Give the application tape a quick, but firm rub with a squeegee,
spatula, popsicle stick or credit card.
5.
Tape the top portion of the phrase to the surface lining it
up with your guidelines and center marks, making sure it is
positioned exactly the way you want it to look.
6. Flip and peel back the application tape slowly; making sure
that the vinyl lettering is sticking to the application tape.
If part of a letter does not stick to the application tape,
simply rub that area a little more firmly and check again.
7.
Holding the application tape by the ends, make sure that the
quote or phrase is centered in the chosen area of the wall.
It is okay to let the application tape touch the surface of
the wall, but be careful to not allow the vinyl lettering to
touch the wall until you are absolutely sure of its positioning.
8.
Once your confident of the positioning of the vinyl lettering
on your surface, carefully rub your hand over the vinyl lettering
to apply. Continue rubbing the vinyl lettering more firmly with
the squeegee, spatula, Popsicle stick or credit card used before.
This allows each part of the vinyl lettering to adhere to the
surface of the wall.
7. Carefully remove the application tape from the vinyl lettering,
paying attention to any part of the letters that may not transfer
to the wall. If this happens, simply rub that area a little
more firmly and try again.
8. Rub your finger over the vinyl lettering, as if you are tracing
the letters, to make sure that the vinyl is securely applied.
Removal
When the
time comes to remove the vinyl lettering, use a hair dryer to
heat the lettering. The letters should peel off easily when
the heat of the dryer is applied to them.
BASIC
WALL APPLICATION
Return
With Honor - Dimensions: 5” x
25” ($9.00) Submitted by Lori Nielsen
(Gateway Ward, Gilbert Arizona Higley Stake, USA)creationsbybelle.com,
creationsbybelle@hotmail.com,
or directly at 480-252-8131.
WHAT
YOU NEED:
Quote or phrase
Special vacant area on a wall
Measuring tape
Customized vinyl lettering
Squeegee/Spatula/Popsicle stick/Credit card
STEP-BY-STEP:
1. Select the quote or phrase that you would like
to apply to the wall of your home.
2. Choose the font that you want for the quote or
phrase.
3. Use the measuring tape to determine the size of
the vacant area where the quote or phrase will be
applied.
4. Choose the color of the vinyl for the customized
vinyl lettering
5. Order the vinyl lettering in the customized size,
font and color from your favorite vinyl letter dealer.
6. Follow the application instrutions above or those
that come with your vinyl lettering.
Brothers
Best Buddies - Dimensions: 4”
x 18” Overlay ($11.00) Submitted by Lori Nielsen (Gateway
Ward, Gilbert Arizona Higley Stake, USA)creationsbybelle.com,
creationsbybelle@hotmail.com
or directly at 480-252-8131.
WHAT
YOU NEED:
Two quotes or phrases
Special vacant area on a wall
Measuring tape
Customized vinyl lettering
Squeegee/Spatula/Popsicle stick/Credit card
STEP-BY-STEP:
1. Select the two quotes or phrases that you would
like to apply to the wall of your home.
2. Choose the font you want for each quote or phrase.
3. Use
the measuring tape to determine the size of the vacant
area where the quotes or phrases will be applied.
4. Choose the color of the vinyl for each customized
vinyl lettering.
5. Order each vinyl lettering in the customized size,
font and color from your favorite vinyl letter dealer.
6. Using the application instructions given above,
apply the first quote or phrase. Then apply the second
overlay quote or phrase using the same process.
WHAT
YOU NEED:
One 6x24" piece of pine wood
Vinyl lettering of last name and year of marriage
Paint
Matte Finish Spray
Sand paper
Squeegee/Spatula/Popsicle stick/Credit card
Saw tooth picture hanger
Nails
Hammer
STEP-BY-STEP:
1. Paint a the wood with a few coats of paint.
2.
Spray wood with matte finish spray. It will help the
lettering stick to the wood.
3.
Following the application instructions listed above,
apply lettering to wood making sure the paint and
finish spray is totally dry.
4.
Attach saw tooth hanger on the center of the back
of your sign.
Families
are Forever - Dimensions:
4” x 24” ($15.00) Submitted by Lori Nielsen
(Gateway Ward, Gilbert Arizona Higley Stake, USA)creationsbybelle.com,
creationsbybelle@hotmail.com
or directly at 480-252-8131.
WHAT
YOU NEED:
Quote or
phrase
Wood
Paint
Paintbrush
Sandpaper
Measuring tape
Customized vinyl lettering
Squeegee/Spatula/Popsicle stick/Credit card
Saw tooth picture hanger
Nails
Hammer
STEP-BY-STEP:
1.
Select the quote or phrase that you would like to
apply to wood to hang in your home.
2. Choose
the font that you want for the quote or phrase.
3.
Use the measuring tape to determine the size of the
wood where the quote or phrase will be applied.
4. Choose the color of the vinyl for the customized
vinyl lettering
5. Order the vinyl lettering in the customized size,
font and color from your favorite vinyl letter dealer.
6. Paint your wood the desired color that will best
accentuate the color of vinyl you selected. Use sandpaper
to antique the sides of the wood, if desired.
7.Follow the application instructions listed above
to apply letters to the wood surface.
8. Flip the board over, and use the measuring tape
to determine the middle of the top of the board. This
is where the saw tooth picture hanger will be placed.
Hammer in nails on each of the two sides.
MISSION
PLAQUE - Dimensions: 4” x 18”
Overlay ($16.00) Submitted by Lori Nielsen (Gateway
Ward, Gilbert Arizona Higley Stake, USA)creationsbybelle.com,
creationsbybelle@hotmail.com
or directly at 480-252-8131.
WHAT
YOU NEED:
Two
quotes or phrases
Wood
Paint
Paintbrush
Sandpaper
Measuring tape
Customized vinyl lettering
Squeegee/Spatula/Popsicle stick/Credit card
Saw tooth picture hanger
Nails
Hammer
STEP-BY-STEP:
1.
Select the two quotes or phrases that you would like
to apply to wood to hang in your home.
2. Choose the font that you want for each quote or
phrase.
3. Use the measuring tape to determine the size of
the wood where the quotes or phrases will be applied.
4. Choose the color of the vinyl for each customized
vinyl lettering.
5. Order each vinyl lettering in the customized size,
font and color from your favorite vinyl letter dealer.
6. Paint your wood the desired color that will best
accentuate the color of vinyl you selected. Use sandpaper
to antique the sides of the wood, if desired.
7. Using the application instructions given above,
apply the first quote or phrase. Then apply the second
overlay quote or phrase using the same process.
8. Flip the board over, and use the measuring tape
to determine the middle of the top of the board. This
is where the saw tooth picture hanger will be placed.
Hammer in nails on each of the two sides.
WHAT
YOU NEED: 4"x4"x8" Glass Privacy
Brick. Available at The Home Depot or Lowe's in the
bathroom section.
2 1/2" ribbon.
STEP-BY-STEP:
1.
Select the two quotes or phrases that you would
like to apply - Merry Christmas or Seasons Greetings.
2. Choose the font that you want for each quote
or phrase.
3. Choose the color of the vinyl for each customized
vinyl lettering.
4. Order each vinyl lettering in the customized
size, font and color from your favorite vinyl
letter dealer.
5.
Using the application instructions given above,
apply the first quote or phrase (Merry or Seasons).
Then apply the second overlay quote or phrase
using the same process (Christmas or Greetings).
WHAT
YOU NEED:
11"x14" frame
Strong glue
Vinyl lettering
STEP-BY-STEP:
1.
Select the quote or phrase that you would like
to apply to the glass.
2. Choose the font(s) and color you want for
the quote or phrase.
3.
Order the vinyl lettering in the customized
size, font and color from your favorite vinyl
letter dealer.
4.
Remove frame backing, cardboard and glass from
the back of the frame.
5.
If wanting to hang the frame on the wall, add a saw
tooth picture hanger to the top of the frame - using
a measuring tape to determine the middle of the frame
before installing the hanger.
6.
Apply glue to inside lip of frame and press the glass
inside. Let dry completely.
7.
Apply lettering using the instructions listed above,
to the front of the glass.
WHAT YOU NEED:
12"
x 12" ceramic or stone tile from home improvement
store
Vinyl lettering quote or phrase
Plate or art easel or stand for displaying (cost
of display easel not included in the $11 estimated
cost for project)
STEP-BY-STEP:
1. Select the quote or phrase that you would like
to apply to the glass.
2. Choose the font(s) and color you want for the
quote or phrase.
3.
Order the vinyl lettering in the customized size,
font and color from your favorite vinyl letter dealer.
4.
Apply lettering using the instructions listed above,
to the tile.
Return
With Honor - Dimensions: 5” x
25” ($9.00)
Family
Established - Dimensions: 6” x
24” ($12.00)
Families
are Forever - Dimensions:
4” x 24” ($15.00)
MISSION
PLAQUE - Dimensions: 4” x 18”
Overlay ($16.00) 
Submitted
by 
