How to Get Vinyl to Stick to Wood

Using vinyl is one of the best ways to decorate your woodworking projects. You can also use these vinyl stickers to create and upgrade wooden signs for your home. However, it’s not always easy to get the vinyl to stick to wood because of the rough wood surface.

In this article, I’ll discuss a detailed method that you can use to get the vinyl to stick to wood. Read each method carefully and choose the one that suits you best.

How to Get Vinyl to Stick to Wood

The easiest way to get vinyl to stick to wood is to seal your workpiece. It’ll provide your wood board with a smooth finish that vinyl needs to stick properly. Use the following steps to complete this process effectively.

Step 1: Seal the Wood Board

The first step is to seal your wood board to provide its rough surface with a smooth finish. The best way to seal your workpiece for this project is to use a polycrylic protective finish. It’s a water-based product that dries extremely fast.

In addition, it won’t change the color and overall appearance of your workpiece. Here’s how you can use this polycrylic to seal your wood board.

1. Grab a tack cloth to clean your wood board properly. If you’ve applied any paint to your board for decoration purposes, make sure it’s completely dry.
2. Make sure that you wear a face mask because this product contains toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). They can damage your respiratory system. 
3. Open the container of your polycrylic protective finish and pour it into a bowl.
4. Dip a sponge into the bowl and let it absorb the liquid. You can also use a foam roller for the same purpose.
5. Place the sponge on one corner of your board and press it down gently.
6. Move the sponge from one corner to the other in a straight line to apply the sealant.
7. Use the same technique to cover the entire surface of your board.
8. Let the board dry properly. It’ll take about 20 to 30 minutes. It’ll provide your board with a crystal clear and smooth finish.

If you can’t use this product for some reason, you can seal the wood board using acrylic paint or wood stain as well. You’ll need to use a paintbrush to apply a coat of any of these materials to your wood board.

They’ll provide your board with the same smooth finish that you need to get the vinyl to stick to wood. However, these coatings will take a lot of time to dry thoroughly.

Depending on the wood stain and acrylic paint you use, you’ll need to wait for about 24 to 48 hours before moving to the next step.

Step 2: Apply Vinyl

Once your wood board is completely dry, you can start applying the vinyl. The adhesive vinyl has three different layers.

• The top layer is called transfer or application tape and it’s less sticky.
• The middle layer is actually your vinyl graphic or lettering that you need to apply to the board.
• The bottom layer, which is also called baking paper, is to be removed before applying the vinyl.

Use the following steps to apply vinyl to your wood board correctly to make sure it sticks.

1. Place your wood board on a flat surface like a work bench in a room with moderate temperature. The vinyl won’t adhere properly if the temperature is too hot or too cold. Plus, the environment should also be wind-free.
2. Grab a microfiber cloth and clean the wood board to get rid of dust particles.
3. Remove the backing paper carefully to make sure you don’t touch the sticky side of the middle layer. The oils and other particles that you have on your hands can affect the vinyl application.
4. Place the vinyl on the board by holding the transfer tape. Make sure that you align the vinyl before it touches the board.
5. Pick up a squeegee or a used debit/credit card and press the entire middle layer evenly. Move the squeegee or card by applying gentle pressure.
6. Leave the vinyl in place for three to five minutes to let it attach to the surface securely.
7. Start removing the transfer tape slowly. You’ll need to grab it from the corner and remove it diagonally at a 180-degree angle. It’ll prevent the middle layer from peeling off the board.
8. Once the transfer layer is removed, inspect the whole vinyl to make sure it doesn’t have any air bubbles.
9. If you see an air bubble, use a very small pin to puncture it and remove the air with a squeegee or card.

Applying Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV

There is another type of vinyl called HTV (Heat Transfer Vinyl). It usually comes in the form of a sheet. In addition, it doesn’t have the same sticky adhesive and you need to apply heat to apply it to the wood.

If you have this vinyl type, place it on your wood board with the glossy side down. Make sure that you align the vinyl and then place a fully heated iron on top of it.

Pressing it for 10 to 15 seconds will allow it to stick to the wood board properly. Once the vinyl has come to room temperature, you can remove its application film.

Step 3: Reapply Sealant

If you’re planning to apply vinyl to wood for outdoor use, I recommend you reapply the sealant after applying vinyl.

That’s because the vinyl can start to peel off after some time due to environmental elements such as moisture. In addition, direct sunlight can also impact the colors of the vinyl over time.

Therefore, it’s important to reapply a couple of more coats of the sealant to ensure protection from heat and moisture. 

For outdoor use, a polyurethane is typically preferred compared to a polycrylic. While it can yellow the color and shade of your finished piece a bit, it is much stronger and more resistant. Opt for an oil based polyurethane vs a water based.

Important Note: If you’re planning to place your wood board with vinyl indoors, then this step is optional. You can skip it in that case.

FAQs

Final Words

Vinyl is an affordable material that allows you to improve the beauty of your woodworking projects. Getting them to stick to wood doesn’t have to be a difficult task. I hope this guide will help you understand the correct way to stick both HTV and adhesive vinyl to wood.