Wall Decals 101 for Beginners

If you are interested in DIY projects, home decor, and being crafty in general, you may or may not have heard of wall decals. You have probably even seen them while browsing Pinterest or scrolling through your Instagram feed. These must-have decorative stickers are taking the arts and crafts world by storm! 

What is a wall decal? Is it just a huge sticker? Is it like wallpaper? How do I adhere to my wall? Will it ruin my wall’s paint? Can I stick it to other furniture and stuff even if it is a “wall” decal? How big or long is a decal? Is it expensive? Is it worth the investment? What are the other uses of decals sets?

These are some commonly asked questions about wall decals and we hope to answer them through this blog post. If you are already familiar with decal sets or you simply want to learn more about them, then keep on reading!

Wall Decals - A Simple Definition

As mentioned above, these decorative stickers can be used on walls, cabinets, drawers, or any surface that you want to decorate and jazz up. Unlike an ordinary sticker, a vinyl decal set is made out of repositionable and removable adhesives. So if you live in rent-controlled apartments, this is good news for you! Vinyl wall decals can be repositioned or removed easily.

The finish of a decal depends on the manufacturer. Crafting companies like Altenew offers a wide variety of wall decal - transparent, clear, or matte. This also depends on the pattern or design of the decal. 

Is it just a huge sticker?

While wall decals and stickers seem like they are used for the same purpose, there are some significant differences. Imagine a huge sticker. You stick it on the wall simply by separating the backing paper from the “sticky” part, or the part with the design or decoration. A wall decal, on the other hand, has three parts: a mounting film on the front, a “backing” paper on the back, and the decal itself. 

Is it like wallpaper?

Decal sets are very different from wallpapers simply because the latter do not have adhesives on the back. You need some kind of glue in order to stick a wallpaper onto your wall. Whereas, a wall decal already has a mounting film that will help you easily adhere it to the wall.

How do I adhere to my wall? 

Wall decals are relatively easy to adhere to walls or any other surface, for that matter. Simply remove the backing paper - SLOWLY - and start sticking the decal onto the wall or surface with the help of a decal applicator or decal squeegee. Of course, you may use your palm to smoothen the decal, but an applicator or a squeegee can help prevent “bubbles” when you apply it. An old credit card or anything similar can also be used to apply a decal. 

For huge decal sets that have complex or intricate designs, you may want to visualize how you want it to look on your wall first. Then, fussy cut each part carefully and apply them one by one onto your surface. This does not need to be perfect since, as mentioned earlier, decals are easily repositionable. 

Will it ruin my wall’s paint? 

As mentioned above, no, it will not ruin your wall’s paint. That is the beauty of vinyl wall decals. Don’t like how they look on your wall? Simply remove them and transfer them to another area. Made a mistake while adhering them onto your chosen surface? Simply remove them and reposition them. 

Can I stick it to other furniture and stuff even if it is a “wall” decal? 

Of course! The creative possibilities are endless with the wide range of decals sets in the market today. Some decal bundles have various sized pieces that you can use to decorate other everyday items around your home - from tumblers to pen holders to small furniture to drawers!  

How big is a decal? 

Depending on the company or manufacturer, you can find wall decals with sizes varying from 51" x 24" to 3.3" x 5". It is all up to you. You may have to search for one that suits your wants and needs. At the end of the day, you can always fussy cut or mix and match your decals!  

Is it expensive? 

You may find wall decals and decals sets to be a bit pricey as compared to stickers or wallpapers. Keep in mind, though, that they last longer, are repositionable and removable, and (depending on how careful you were while handling them) can be reused! The designs and patterns on wall decals are also incomparable and definitely worth the splurge.

Is it worth the investment? 

Wall decals are easy to remove and reposition, which means you can reuse them. They come in a wide range of designs, patterns, colors, and themes so you can easily find one that suits your taste. They are simply versatile. Your wall is not the only thing where you can stick your decals - think outside the box! This makes them a must-have for those who are looking to jazz up their walls (or any other space or surface) and do not want to spend too much money on it. 

What are the other uses of decals sets?

Aside from wall and home decor, your DIY projects will truly shine when you add bits and pieces of decals on them. In fact, crafting store Altenew offers small decal bundles that will fit your handmade cards, scrapbook pages, journals, notebooks, etc. perfectly! 

There you go! We hope this Wall Decals 101 post was helpful and informative for you. Have you decided on whether or not wall decals are for you? Make sure you do your research in order to find the best decal set that will suit your taste, needs, and budget.