How to Do Vinyl Lettering on Tile

Vinyl lettering can be used to decorate and liven up many objects around the home. You can apply it to individual decorative tiles to make signs, which you can display on easels, or you can decorate tiles on walls and backsplashes in your house. Applying vinyl lettering to tile is a simple project that requires very little time. You can purchase vinyl decals containing letters or sayings at craft and decorating stores and at some home improvement stores.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tile Rubbing alcohol Lint-free cloth Ruler Pencil Vinyl lettering decals Craft stick

1. Clean the tile with rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth to remove any dust or grease that may be on it.

2. Find the area on the tile where you want to apply the lettering, and use a ruler to make sure it is straight. Mark where the top of the letters will go with a pencil.

3. Rub the adhesive paper on the decals thoroughly with firm pressure using a wooden craft stick. Vinyl decals are sandwiched between backing paper and adhesive paper. When the adhesive paper side is facing you, the letters will be backwards.

4. Peel off the adhesive paper and place the lettering onto the tile, making sure it is lined up with your pencil marks. Tape the backing paper to the tile so it doesn't shift during application.

5. Rub over the entire back of the vinyl with your craft stick as firmly as possible.

6. Peel the backing paper from the lettering slowly, making sure each letter adhered to the tile. If a letter did not adhere completely, replace the backing and rub it again before continuing to remove the paper.

7. Gently rub each letter with your finger to make sure it is completely applied to the tile, with no bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean your decorated tiles as usual, but avoid hot water or abrasive cleaners. Remove vinyl lettering from tile by heating it with a blow-dryer.
• Line up the letters so that they do not transfer onto the grout. They may stain grout and will peel and crack over it. Heat will remove vinyl from tile, so avoid applying decals to trivets or to backsplashes over stoves.

References

• Mormon Chic