How to Save Wall Decals

Are you looking to save your wall decals to reuse them later? You’re in the right place.

We create high-quality decals that last up to five years. Because of the durability of our decals, we have a definite process on how to save wall decals without damaging them or your walls.

It’s a simple method we recommend to our clients when moving or whenever they’d like to change their décor to match their current needs.

In this article, we’ll show you how to preserve wall decals using simple tools available in your home. We’ll go through the process step-by-step so you can approach the problem with confidence.

By the end, you’ll know how to save wall decals safely. We’ll also show you how to store vinyl decals correctly. So they look good as new every time you re-apply them.

What this article covers:

How to Save Wall Decals
How to Store Wall decals

How to Save Wall Decals

Before you start, gather all the tools needed for the procedure. Having everything ready at the beginning is a critical part of maintaining the quality of the decals. You’ll avoid taking breaks to look for tools during the procedure, thus, retaining the adhesiveness of your decals.

Here are the tools you’ll need:

Hairdryer
Tweezers
Transfer paper – we usually recommend that you keep your backing paper for this purpose. However, you can use parchment or wax paper instead.
Tape
Credit card
Rubber band
Cardboard tube (optional)

Once everything is ready, remove the decal following the 4-step method outlined below.

How to Preserve Wall Decals

Step 1: Check Layout

Examine your wall decal to understand its layout. This gives you the insights needed for steps two and three. Note the size of the decal and its delicate parts (if any).

Delicate parts, in this case, are any points of connection or joints within the decal. Such areas need extra attention to come off your wall without tearing or folding.

An example of a delicate part is the point where the tail connects to the body on a monkey wall decal.

Step 2: Prepare Transfer Paper

Once you have a rough idea of your decal’s size, it’s time to estimate the amount of transfer paper you’ll need.

If you have the original backing paper, this step is complete. All you have to do is ensure it is dry and free of dirt or dust.

But, if not, you might have to combine sheets of parchment or wax paper to get the size you need. Use regular tape to do this, and be keen not to leave any space between the sheets.

Then, lay your transfer paper on a flat surface – table or floor – with the waxy or non-stick side facing up.

Step 3: Remove Decal from Wall

With the transfer paper ready, use your tweezers to tug at the top corner of the decal. This helps you see how easily your decal can come off.

You can also use your fingernail for this part. Just be keen to start pulling off your decal at an angle (preferably 45 degrees) down from the top corner. If it peels easily, you can use your hand to remove the rest of the material in one piece.

However, we recommend using a hairdryer for the best removal. It helps loosen the adhesive a bit, reducing any chances of peeling your paint and damaging your walls.

To use a blow dryer, put it to a low temperature before aiming it directly at the decal. Then, starting at the top corner, move it slowly over a small area to warm it.

After that, touch the area, and if it feels warm, start pulling the decal away from the wall gradually. Do this while looking closely to prevent paint residue from getting onto your decal. If this happens, see how to get sticky residue off a vinyl decal to restore it.

Keep warming and removing the decal section by section until you finish.

For fragile parts like joints, remove the rest of the decal first. Then finish at the joint by pulling it gently from both sides using both hands.

Step 4: Place on Transfer paper

The last step is to transfer your decal onto your parchment or wax paper with the sticky side facing down. Begin from one end of the decal and press it down firmly onto the paper.

Use your credit card to help you press and straighten the decal on the paper. Don’t skip doing this. Failing to press and straighten your decal is why vinyl starts bubbling. It’s also the reason wrinkles form. Learn how to get wrinkles out of vinyl decals to handle this issue effectively if it arises.

How to Store Wall decals

After transferring your wall decals onto your wax paper, roll it gently and secure it with a rubber band for storage. Be careful when rolling to prevent it from folding.

Folding destroys your decal, and you may not be able to reuse it.

Place the rolled piece into a cardboard tube if you want to protect vinyl decals further during storage. It will keep the material safe and intact. This is also how to store window decals.

Conclusion

With patience and steadiness, removing wall decals is easy. However, it’s critical to note that how companies manufacture their decals determines whether they can be removed and reused or not. You can use polyurethane over vinyl decals to protect them. But they’ll still tear when removed if they were not made to last in the first place.

Our high-quality custom vinyl wall decals have durable adhesive to help them come off clean and remain reusable. We also use fade-resistant inks to print them, so they maintain their original quality even when stored for a long time. This way, your decals will always look fresh when you re-apply them. Visit our page to check them out.

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How to Save Wall Decals