Step 1 - place decal face up (mask side up) on flat surface, with backing still on, squeegee with credit card to reaffirm mask adhesion to the decal image

Step 2 - Use masking tape to create top hinge for decal, position the decal precisely where you want it to be applied. Run the tape ONLY across the top of the decal as shown

Step 3 - flip the decal over using hinge - the backing of decal will be the clear plastic waxy liner (shown here), or sometimes a solid piece of white waxy paper.

Step 4 - Pull off the backing from the decal, diagonally, slowly. If decal starts to lift with backing, re-squeegee that area

Step 5 - completely pull off backing and set aside (throw out)

If you are going to use the WET METHOD, this is when you would spray your water mixture onto the surface where the decal will be installed (see online FAQs for the full explanation)

Step 6 - Grab the bottom two corners of the decal and make sure it is very flat, as you carefully position the decal against your glass surface. (If you have a very large or very solid decal, such as the one shown, you could use a bit of water/soap mixture - one drop of dishwashing liquid in one quart of water, in a sprayer - spray the surface before positioning the decal onto the surface. This will allow you to reposition the decal, and as you squeegee, get rid of all air bubbles). Make sure you squeegee from the center outwards, so you are not trapping air in the middle of the decal. Squeegee very forcefully from the center outwards in all directions for several minutes, especially if you have used the water spray.

Step 7 - Very slowly, at a diagonal, peel back the masking from the surface of the decal (NOTE: this sample was applied to a piece of colored paper...so the paper is leaving lint on the mask tape adhesive side...). The adhesive on the mask front is less aggressive than the adhesive on the decal, so the decal will remain on the surface. If the decal starts to lift, re-squeegee that area, more firmly. (If you used the WET METHOD, you should wait at least 15 minutes before removing the mask)

Step 8 - When all the mask is removed, your decal will remain on the surface.

 

NOTE: You may see tiny little bubbles of air under the decal which you have just installed, if you used the "dry method" for installing. Those will disappear within two weeks. If an air bubble is the size of an M&M or larger, use a pin to poke a tiny few holes into the bubble, then squeegee a bit over it (or use your finger to push at the bubble) to get most of the air out.