Tutorials

What Vinyl to Use for Wall Decals (and how to apply it!)

Choosing the right vinyl for wall decals makes all the difference between a decal that looks great and lasts for years, and one that damages your walls when you try to remove it. Here's everything you need to know about which vinyl to use — and which to avoid.

Best Vinyl for Wall Decals

Oracal 631 — The Go-To for Indoor Wall Decals

If you're applying vinyl to painted drywall, Oracal 631 is the standard choice. It's a removable, matte-finish vinyl specifically designed for indoor surfaces. The adhesive is strong enough to stay in place for years but won't rip paint off your walls when you're ready to redecorate. This is what most crafters and professional sign makers use for wall decals.

Best for: painted drywall, smooth plaster, interior doors, furniture

Oracal 651 — For Permanent or Outdoor Applications

If your decal is going on a surface that gets moisture, heat, or heavy use — like a bathroom wall, kitchen backsplash tile, or an exterior surface — Oracal 651 permanent vinyl is the better choice. It has a glossy finish and a stronger adhesive that holds up to the elements. Just know that removing it later may pull paint or leave residue.

Best for: tile, glass, smooth outdoor surfaces, rental-proof situations where you don't mind adhesive residue

Siser EasyPSV — Another Removable Option

Siser's EasyPSV Removable is similar to Oracal 631 — it's repositionable, won't damage most painted surfaces, and comes in a wide range of colors. Some crafters prefer it because it's a bit easier to weed. It's a solid alternative if you can't find 631 or prefer working with Siser products.

Specialty Vinyl for Wall Decals

For textured walls, standard adhesive vinyl can struggle to stick. In those cases, look for vinyl labeled as "wall vinyl" or use a stronger transfer method. Some crafters have success applying 651 to textured surfaces where 631 won't hold, but test a small piece first.

Glitter and holographic vinyl can work for wall accents and smaller decals, but they tend to be thicker and may not conform to wall texture as well. They look great on smooth surfaces like mirrors, glass doors, and painted furniture.

What NOT to Use for Wall Decals

Heat transfer vinyl (HTV) — HTV is designed for fabric and requires heat to activate the adhesive. It won't stick to walls.

Printable vinyl — While technically adhesive, printable vinyl is designed for smooth, hard surfaces like mugs and tumblers. The adhesive isn't formulated for painted walls and may not hold or may damage paint.

Permanent vinyl on fresh paint — If you've recently painted, wait at least 2-3 weeks before applying any vinyl. Fresh paint hasn't fully cured and the vinyl adhesive can pull it right off.

Tips for Getting Wall Decals to Stick

Clean the wall first — Wipe down the surface with a damp cloth and let it dry completely. Dust, oils, and cleaning product residue prevent vinyl from adhering properly.

Room temperature matters — Apply vinyl at normal room temperature (65-75°F). Cold walls make the adhesive less effective.

Let it cure — After applying your decal with transfer tape, leave the transfer tape on for 24 hours before removing it. This gives the adhesive time to fully bond with the wall surface.

Use medium-tack transfer tape — High-tack transfer tape can pull the vinyl back off the wall when you remove it. Medium-tack gives you enough grip to transfer the design without fighting the wall adhesive.

How to Apply a Vinyl Wall Decal — Step by Step

Now that you know which vinyl to use, let's walk through the application process. For this project, we used a design from the Farmhouse SVG Bundle cut from Oracal 631 vinyl.

First, find a suitable wall decal design and open it in your design software (like Silhouette Studio). Then, resize the design appropriately for your project.

Grab some 631 Oracal vinyl, sometimes referred to as removable vinyl. This vinyl is specifically intended for indoor use like the painted drywall inside your home. Basically, the vinyl isn't supposed to rip the paint off your walls when you remove it to redecorate (like using permanent vinyl would).

Cut the design out of 631 vinyl with your cutting machine.

Then, weed out the excess vinyl.

Next, apply a medium-tack transfer tape over the design.

Application

First, wipe down the wall surface so it's nice and clean.

Next, use a piece of blue painter's tape down the middle of the decal to initially place it on the wall.

Use a ruler or tape measure and carpenter's level to get the decal centered and straight.

Then, apply the vinyl decal to the wall using the hinge method. Peel up one side of the transfer tape and cut away the vinyl backing. Then, lay the transfer tape back down onto the wall. Then, repeat on the other side of the decal.

Next, burnish the vinyl to the wall through the transfer tape.

Note: for best application, let the decal stay on the wall with the transfer tape over it for 24 hours. This is recommended on the manufacturer's website. It allows the vinyl more time to adhere to the wall which will make removing the transfer tape much easier!

To remove the transfer tape, do so by slowly rolling it back onto itself. You can cut away the transfer tape you've removed as you remove it, if necessary.