DIY Vinyl Letters

Use a utility knife with a fresh blade for cutting vinyl sheets.

The vinyl letters used in some modern home decor can be made at home, where there is no limit to the type of fonts that can be used. Removable custom lettering can be applied to many different kinds of surfaces including walls, windows, floors and vehicles. Adhesive vinyl sheets, also known as "wall vinyl," come in a range of colors and a peel-and-stick backing that is designed not to damage most surfaces when removed. Wall vinyl can be purchased in many home-improvement stores or online.

Things You'll Need

• Adhesive wall vinyl
• Graphics program
• Ink jet printer
• Utility knife
• Yardstick
• Pencil
• Tape

Instructions

1. Lay out letters in the font and size desired using a graphics program such as MS Paint or Photoshop. Flip the letters so that they are backward using a "flip" or "mirror" tool. The letters need to be reversed because you will be printing the letters on to the back of the vinyl.

2. Print letters onto the back of the vinyl sheet using an ink jet printer. You may need to cut the vinyl to size.

3. Lay vinyl onto a cutting surface such as corrugated cardboard. Using the utility knife, cut letters out carefully.

4. Arrange letters on the surface. Use a yardstick to draw a faint pencil line as a guide if the letters are to be applied in a straight line. Tape letters in place before removing the adhesive backing.

5. Remove adhesive backings and rub letters onto the surface, pressing out any air bubbles.

Tips & Warnings

• Letters can be drawn by hand if desired. Be sure to draw them backward on the back or draw on tracing paper that is then flipped and taped to the back of the vinyl sheet before cutting.

• Vinyl shelf paper can also be used.

• Cut away from yourself when using a utility knife.

References

• Top Vinyl Films: Wall Vinyl
• Maximum PC Guides: How to Flip an Image Using Microsoft Paint
• Vinyl Wall Art: Instructions