How to Install Custom Vinyl Lettering from Letters Unlimited

Letters Unlimited ships its custom lettering pre-spaced and pre-masked with transfer tape, which means the whole word or number set installs as one piece instead of letter by letter. The process is: clean the surface, remove the paper backing, position the lettering, press it down, then peel off the transfer tape. This works on walls, windows, storefronts, vehicles, and other smooth surfaces, indoors or outdoors. The steps below cover the full sequence, what to check at each stage, and where installations usually go wrong.

What you need before you start

• Your Letters Unlimited order, which arrives pre-spaced (letters already aligned and held in position) and pre-masked with transfer tape over the face of the vinyl.
• A clean, dry, smooth surface. Vinyl needs good contact to bond, so dust, grease, and texture all work against you.
• A squeegee or a stiff plastic card, plus a pin or needle for releasing air bubbles.
• Masking tape if you want to dry-fit the position before committing.

The company cuts its lettering from 3M vinyl — standard orders use 3M Scotchcal Graphic Film Series 50 (3.5 mil, rated 5–10 years outdoor life depending on location and color), and premium orders use Avery 900 Super Cast (2 mil, rated 9–12 years). Both are intended for indoor and outdoor use, so the surface, not the material, is usually the limiting factor.

Step-by-step installation

1. Clean the surface

Wipe the area with a mild cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and let it dry completely. On painted walls, fresh paint should be fully cured first — outgassing from new paint can lift vinyl. On vehicles and glass, remove any wax or road film.

2. Dry-fit the lettering

Hold the piece in place, or tape it lightly at the top edge, and step back to check alignment, height, and spacing against your reference point. Because the letters are pre-spaced, you are positioning one unit, not individual characters — but that also means a crooked start stays crooked. This is the cheapest moment to fix it.

3. Remove the paper backing

Lay the piece face-down and peel the backing paper away from the transfer tape. The vinyl letters should stay stuck to the transfer tape. If a letter clings to the backing instead, lay the backing back down, press over that letter with your squeegee, and peel again more slowly at a shallow angle.

4. Position and press

Place the exposed vinyl against the surface, working from one edge to avoid trapping air. Once it is where you want it, squeegee firmly across the whole piece in overlapping strokes, pressing especially over the edges of each letter. Work from the center outward to push air toward the edges.

5. Peel off the transfer tape

Slowly peel the transfer tape back at a low angle, close to the surface. The vinyl should stay behind. If a letter starts to lift with the tape, press it back down with your finger or the squeegee and continue peeling. For large pieces, peel in sections rather than pulling the whole sheet at once.

6. Finish and inspect

Prick any remaining air bubbles with a pin and press them flat. Run your squeegee over the lettering once more, paying attention to edges, which are where peeling starts.

Common problems and how to avoid them

What to know about ordering and cost

Every lettering project is custom-quoted, so there is no fixed price list — you supply the project details and Letters Unlimited quotes it individually. Setup charges apply to non-basic orders, including any design work done on their end, quoted per project starting at $35 plus shipping. If your project is straightforward text in a standard font and color, ask whether it falls under basic orders before you assume a setup charge applies.