Self-adhesive vinyl for smooth walls

Is your wall really smooth?

Shine a phone torch along the wall from one side, nearly flat against the surface. Every bump, filler patch and roller stipple throws a shadow. Vinyl will follow all of them, and on a glossy print they show. If the wall looks like orange peel under the torch, a thin film may look lumpy and may not grip well.

Why paint type matters

Adhesive sticks to the top layer of the wall, so the bond is only as good as the paint. Some paints are harder for vinyl than others. Very matt emulsions, wipeable finishes with slippery additives and some low-odour paints can all resist adhesive. A chalky or dusty old coat can also let go, taking the graphic with it.

New paint needs time to cure as well as dry. It can release vapour that lifts vinyl and forms bubbles. Follow the paint maker's guidance on curing, and allow more time than you think you need. Our page on preparing a wall for graphics gives the detail.

The test that saves a job

1. Ask us whether we can supply a small piece of the vinyl you are considering.
2. Clean a patch of wall, somewhere discreet, with a slightly damp cloth, then let it dry.
3. Press the vinyl on firmly and leave it for a few days.
4. Check it for curling edges or bubbles.
5. Peel it off slowly. If paint comes with it, talk to us before going further.

Wide walls go up in panels

Materials come on rolls of a fixed width, so a long wall is usually printed as a run of panels that overlap or butt together. Tell us the dimensions and we will suggest where joins should fall. They are best kept away from faces and small text. Our guide to measuring a wall helps you get the sizes right, including sockets and switches.

Thinking about the end

A permanent adhesive may take paint with it on the way off. If the graphic has to leave no trace, say so at the start and ask us about removable options.

Guide prices from our price list. They exclude VAT and delivery and assume print-ready artwork.