DIY: Vinyl Wall Art
by Tiffany Dara C. Johnson
Although it looks like an elegantly painted stencil, vinyl wall art is inexpensive, not permanent and not damaging to surfaces. It’s the perfect alternative to heavy, hammer-and-nail applied fixtures – and perfect for transient military families to use in military quarters.
Customized vinyl images and wall quotes can be purchased or made with a pricey paper-cutting machine. But with simple materials and a little patience, you can create your own, using living room walls as your canvas.
Materials:
- Adhesive backed vinyl
- White paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Large craft stick
Directions
- Draw or print out silhouette images or letters onto white paper.
- Cut image or letter out to create a pattern.
- Trace the cutout onto the wrong side of the vinyl. Note: You will need to trace the image or letters backwards to get your desired perspective when cutout. Most vinyl backing has gridlines to aid in alignment.
- Cut vinyl using scissors or craft knife.
- Prepare the surface you will be using by ensuring that it is clean and dry.
- Approximate where the image should be and mark walls using a pencil and ruler if needed.
- Peel image from backing and stick the letters lightly onto wall. Be aware that vinyl stretches, and if pulled too much, can rip.Reposition image if necessary.
- When its position is finalized, use the horizontal side of the craft stick and skim over image to help it adhere completely on to the wall. Erase markings from wall.
- Stand back and enjoy what you’ve made!
Make More!
Who says vinyl can only go on walls? Experiment on different surfaces without the guilt of permanent design.
- Apply a monogram onto tile that you can prop and display in your home
- Decorate laptops with funky designs.
- Style mirrors with swirls or frame its perimeter using strips of vinyl.
- Ride in style and create simple images to personalize the rear windshield of your vehicle.