How to Apply Clear Contact Paper
Clear contact paper, like its printed counterparts, used to be very difficult to use. Once applied, the product was very difficult to remove or reposition without causing damage to the treated surface. The new generation of contact paper is easy to apply and easy to move from one place to another without losing adhesion. No stickiness or other residue is left behind. This water-repellent paper also serves as an alternative to lamination in classroom crafts and projects and as a valuable tool for scrap-booking, screen-painting and other artistic endeavors. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Ruler or yardstick
- Cutting board
- Utility knife
- Plastic wallpaper spatula
- Scissors
- Straight pin
Instructions
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Square and Rectangular Surfaces
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1
Measure the length and width of the area you will cover.
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2
Pull out a section of contact paper from its roll and mark the grid on the back for the size you will need per your measurements.
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3
Place the contact paper back-side up on a cutting board. Using a ruler or yardstick to provide a straight edge, cut the contact paper through both the backing and clear film with a utility knife.
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4
Peel the backing away from the clear film and apply the film sticky side down.
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5
Smooth the film with the blade of a wallpaper spatula, using broad, one-directional strokes. For best results, hold the blade of the spatula at a 45 degree angle to the surface.
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6
Reposition the paper and smooth out air pockets as required.
Irregular Shapes
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7
Pull out a section of contact paper from its roll and lay it on a flat surface, with the back-side up, showing the grid.
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8
Place the shape you will cover onto the grid and trace the shape with a pencil.
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9
Cut 1 inch beyond your pencil mark all the way around the shape, through the backing and clear film, with a utility knife. Your goal is to leave 1 inch to spare on all sides.
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10
Remove the backing from the contact paper shape and place the sticky film on the shape you want to cover.
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11
Press out any air pockets and trim excess paper from the edges of the covered shape with scissors. For double-sided coverage, repeat the process, tracing the reverse side of the shape.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If an air bubble persists beneath the clear coat, prick the area with a straight pin to release the air. Press on the surface to reseal the pinhole.
Never allow children to handle a utility knife; provide safety scissors, instead.
Perform utility knife cuts on a cutting board only.
