How do I apply and remove window decals without bubbles or residue?

What causes bubbles and residue?

Bubbles are air or water trapped between the decal and the glass. Dirt or dust left on the glass stops the adhesive gripping and can show through the decal, and water that isn't squeegeed out stops the adhesive making good contact. Pushing the squeegee instead of pulling it can also stretch the film.

Residue is adhesive left on the glass after the decal comes off. Whether a decal comes off cleanly depends largely on the adhesive it was made with, and the speed and angle you peel it at also affect how much is left. A decal made with a removable adhesive is designed to come off. One made with a permanent adhesive isn't, and may leave a lot of adhesive behind if you remove it.

Note: Window films are made for either wet or dry application, so ask whoever supplied the decal which one yours is. The steps below cover both.

Use the following steps to apply a window decal

1. Check the temperature. For the best bond, apply the decal when it's between 12°C and 38°C. Below that, the adhesive can become too firm to grip the glass properly.

2. Clean the glass. Spray it with water mixed with a little baby shampoo, scrape it with a window scraper to lift dirt, rinse, then squeegee it dry and dry the frame edges. For a dry application, wipe it instead with a mix of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, and let it dry completely. Apply the decal straight away, before new dust settles.

IMPORTANT: Only use stainless steel blades on glass, and never scrape plastic or acrylic. Scratches can show through the decal.

IMPORTANT: A decal with large dark or highly opaque areas makes glass absorb more heat in the sun, which can crack it. The film maker says not to use one on glass that gets a lot of sun, so choose a lighter design or ask your decal supplier about another option.

3. Position the decal and hinge it. Tape it to the glass in place with masking tape, then run a strip of tape across the top edge to act as a hinge.

4. Lift the decal up on its hinge and peel back the backing a few centimetres. Always pull the backing away from the decal, not the decal away from the backing, so you don't stretch it. For a wet application, spray the exposed adhesive and the glass generously.

5. Squeegee the decal on. Start at the centre of the hinge and pull the squeegee outwards to the nearest edge, with firm, overlapping strokes. Keep working down, peeling a little more backing as you go.

IMPORTANT: Pull the squeegee, don't push it. Pushing can stretch the decal. On a wet application, the aim is to squeeze the water out at the edges.

Note: If it's a perforated one-way vision decal, don't press too hard. Too much pressure can leave dark streaks that last for a few weeks. Perforated film on glass also needs its edges sealed, so ask your supplier for the right edge sealer.

6. Remove the tape hinge and squeegee along the top edge.

7. Finally, trim the edges back about 6mm from any window seals or silicone joints. Decals won't stick to these and will start to lift. Wipe off any drips with a clean, lint-free cloth and you're done!

Use the following steps to remove a window decal

1. Choose a mild day. Decals can become brittle in the cold and break into small pieces, so remove them when it's above 10°C.

IMPORTANT: Don't use heat to get a decal off glass, because it can crack or break the glass. Don't use chemicals to lift the decal itself either.

2. Lift a corner with a plastic card and peel the decal back by hand. If it tears or leaves adhesive behind, change the angle and the speed you peel at until it comes away better.

3. If it won't come away, spray it well with detergent and water, cover it with plastic sheeting such as cling wrap, and leave it to soak for 2 to 4 hours. Then peel it off from one edge at a low angle.

4. Finally, clean off any leftover adhesive. Test the adhesive remover on a small hidden corner first, and follow its safety data sheet. Clean the glass and you're done!

Floor graphics work the same way. Our adhesive floor vinyl can use a short-term adhesive for events, where the graphic needs to come off without leaving any residue. For other jobs, our printing and production team can tell you which of our printable materials suits it.