To ensure the best possible results, it’s important that your wall is properly prepared before applying any wall decals or wall wraps. The biggest issues we see come from freshly painted walls that haven’t had enough time to cure, or from certain types of paint finishes and ingredients that affect adhesion. Below are our recommendations to make sure your decal sticks and lasts.

Cure Time Requirements

Wall Wraps (full wall coverings):

For wall wraps, you must wait at least 30 full days after painting before applying. This is non-negotiable. Applying a wall wrap before 30 days can result in bubbling, peeling, or complete failure of the wrap.

If you know your wall was painted using no-VOC paint, please let us know before placing your order. No-VOC paint can cause adhesion issues, especially for wall wraps. We will need to use a different adhesive specifically designed to work with that paint type.

Die-Cut, Text, Logos etc:

For smaller vinyl decals like die-cut logos, text quotes, and other lettering, you should wait at least three weeks after painting. If possible, four weeks is ideal. This gives the paint ample time to cure and helps ensure strong adhesion.

Older Walls Are Perfectly Fine

If your wall hasn’t been painted recently, you have nothing to worry about. Walls that were painted months or even years ago typically offer great conditions for decal and wrap adhesion. Our guidelines are mainly in place for freshly painted surfaces. Older, fully cured paint is not a problem.

Paint Types and Finishes

Our decals are made to work with low-VOC paint, which most paints are nowadays. However, some paint finishes perform better than others. Here’s what we recommend:

• Eggshell: Best overall finish for decals and wraps. Slight texture provides strong adhesion without being too glossy.
• Satin: Also a great option. Similar to eggshell but with a bit more sheen.
• Matte or Flat: Not ideal. These finishes are very porous and may prevent the adhesive from bonding properly.
• Gloss or Semi-Gloss: Also not ideal. These slick surfaces can reduce how well decals stick and may cause peeling over time.

If you’re repainting prior to installing decals or wraps, we suggest using eggshell or satin finishes for the best results.

At-Home Surface Test

Not sure if your wall is ready or suitable for decals? Here’s a quick and easy test you can do at home with tape.

Tape Test Instructions:

1. Take a piece of painter’s tape or masking tape (about 6 inches long).
2. Firmly press it onto the wall in the area where you plan to place your decal.
3. Smooth it down with your fingers so it makes full contact with the wall.
4. Wait for about 1–2 minutes.

5. Pull the tape off slowly.

What to look for:

• If the tape comes off easily or starts to peel away on its own, the surface may be too slick (like gloss paint) or not cured enough (if freshly painted).

• If the tape tears off cleanly and sticks firmly, your wall is likely a good candidate for decals.

This method isn’t foolproof, but it’s a good basic check to help spot potential issues with adhesion before installing your decal. For best results, we always recommend following the paint finish and cure time guidelines above.