date posted
January 22 2025
Author
Edward Currer
How to Put a Right Decal on a Window
Decals and stickers are excellent marketing tools, but their effectiveness depends on proper application. Without the right knowledge or technique, they may not deliver the results you expect. Ensuring they are applied correctly is key to making a strong impact.
A great decal can really catch the eye of window shoppers and potential customers, drawing them into your store. It’s not just about looking good—it gives off an air of success, authority, and shows that your business is a real part of the community. That’s exactly how you want your office or retail space to be seen: as both a smart investment and an integral part of your business.
What You Need for a Window Decal Installation
Here’s what you’ll need for a smooth window decal installation:
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Decal or Sticker: Ensure it’s the correct size and design for your window.
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Cleaning Supplies: Glass cleaner or soapy water, and a lint-free cloth or paper towels to clean the window surface.
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Application Tool: A squeegee or credit card to smooth out the decal and eliminate air bubbles. Check out our Squeegee - Vinyl Application Tool to help you install your vinyl wall or window graphics like a pro.
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Masking Tape: Helps hold the decal in place while aligning it, making applying window decals easier and more precise.
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Measuring Tape or Ruler: Ensures precise placement and alignment.
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Spray Bottle with Soapy Water: Optional, but useful for repositioning the decal during application.
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Scissors or Utilit y Knife: For trimming excess material, if necessary.
7 Steps to Apply a Window Decal
Here's the 7-step process on how to install window decals.
Step 1: Clean the Area
Before you start, clean the window. Use an alcohol pad or soapy water to wipe down the surface. Let it dry completely, and make sure it’s free of any dust or debris. Clean windows make for the best results!
Step 2: Finding a Place for the Decal (Inside or Outside)
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Outside Decal: The shiny side of the decals for glass windows goes on the outside of the window, and the protective sheet should be on the back.
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Inside Decal: The protective sheet is on the front, and the adhesive side sticks to the inside of the window. This is commonly used for decals that need to be visible from the outside but applied inside.
Step 3: Remove the Protective Layer
With clean hands, peel off the protective layer. If your decal includes letters or intricate designs, you’ll need to carefully remove the protective layer from each letter or section. Taking your time here will make sure everything sticks perfectly!
Step 4: Spray the Decal and Window with Soapy Water
Lightly spray a fine mist of soapy water on both the decal and the window surface. This allows you to reposition the decal easily while also ensuring a strong bond once it’s in place.
Step 5: Place the Decal on the Window
Align your decal and gently place it on the window. For larger decals, use a level to make sure it’s straight and positioned correctly. You can adjust the placement while it’s still wet, ensuring the best window stickers fit perfectly.
Step 6: Secure the Decal
Using a squeegee or a credit card, press out any air bubbles by working from the center of the decal to the edges. This step helps the decal adhere well to the window, ensuring it’s flat and free from wrinkles.
Step 7: Remove the Transfer Tape
Once the decal is secure and free from bubbles, gently peel off the transfer tape. Begin at a corner and pull at a low angle to avoid peeling off the decal, ensuring a flawless finish.
For letter decals or more intricate designs, you may need to apply each part carefully and slowly to maintain the correct shape and positioning.
Most Popular Types of Window Decals
When it comes to window decals, the most popular types are clear decals, matte decals, perforated decals, and opaque decals.
Clear Window Decals
Clear decals are perfect when you want a window graphic but don’t want to block the view from inside or out. They’re commonly used for things like product displays, wall decals, or creating an inviting scene — think of a cozy restaurant with happy customers enjoying their meals.

Clear decals, like our Plain Logo Window Stickers, can be applied on the outside or inside of the window. If you go with inside placement, the decal lasts longer since it’s protected from the elements. Perfect for small businesses looking to showcase their brand on windows, front doors, partition office windows, glass reception desks, or any other glass surface.
Frosted or Matte Decals
Types of decals, like frosted decals, are great for creating privacy. They’re perfect for spaces like doctor’s offices or even for hiding cluttered shelves in a store. These decals mimic the look of hand-etched glass, but at a fraction of the cost.

Our Plain Frosted Band Window Sticker, are a subtle frosted look for office windows to add a light manifestation look to the window. This etched glass look allows for light to come through the window whilst adding privacy stopping visibility through the glass.They’re also a favorite in offices and corporate spaces, offering both style and privacy.
Perforated or See-Through Decals

Perforated decals, also known as “perf” or “see-through” decals, have tiny holes that let people inside the building see out while maintaining privacy for those outside. These are often used to cover an entire window or storefront, which is why they’re sometimes called window wraps. They’re a popular choice for storefronts or businesses where you want to advertise but still need to let light in.
Opaque Window Decals
Opaque decals, one of the best window decals, block the view on either side of the glass, similar to perforated decals, but they usually cover only part of the window. They’re great for informational graphics like business hours, sale announcements, or special promotions.

Unlike a full window wrap, Printed Logo Frosted Band Window Sticker let you display info without completely covering the window. Our subtle privacy film will look stunning in your office windows as the light shines through.
Contrasting Colors

The colors you pick for your window decals play a big role in how readable your message is. The more contrast between the colors, the easier it is to read from a distance. This is especially important when working with clear decals.
Keep in mind that bright colors, like flat white or bright yellow, stand out more, making them great choices for business window decals, while darker colors, like marine blue, don’t reflect as much light and are less legible. Finding the right color contrast can make all the difference in how effective your decal is!
Right Window Decal Makes All the Difference
A beautifully designed decal can serve as an invitation to your store or office, conveying professionalism, authority, and a sense of community. However, without proper installation, you can lose that message. Taking the time to apply decals flawlessly boosts their visual impact and strengthens your brand presence in a competitive market.
Our top-quality Window Decals Collection feature a range of graphics purposefully designed for offices and commercial environments. When applied correctly, they do more than just decorate—they become a powerful tool that communicates professionalism and strengthens your brand's presence. It’s not just about making your space look good; it’s about sending a clear message that your business means business.
Key Takeaways
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Proper Application is Essential: Clean the window surface thoroughly before applying decals. Using tools like a squeegee and measuring tape ensures accurate placement and smooth installation, maximizing the decal’s effectiveness.
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Select the Right Decal Type: Choose the decal that best fits your needs—clear, frosted, perforated, or opaque. Each type serves a unique purpose, from improving visibility to offering privacy or displaying key information.
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Prioritize Color Contrast: The color choices for your decals affect their readability. High contrast, like bright white or yellow on dark backgrounds, enhances visibility and helps your message stand out to viewers.