About our Products

American Decals – Product & Installation Guide

All our products are proudly crafted in Indiana, USA. Our wallpaper, murals, and wall decals use different materials and installation methods. Some products are self-adhesive, Easy-Hang PREPASTED is activated with water, and all three Traditional wallpaper materials require compatible wallpaper paste.

Choose a material appropriate for your wall surface, paint, room conditions, and installation preference. Suitability for painted walls, glass, treated wood, or treated metal depends on the specific product; not every material is intended for every surface.

We cannot guarantee equal adhesion on all surfaces. Certain paints may reject pressure-sensitive adhesive, causing a decal or wallpaper to lift. Wall texture may remain visible through the material or reduce adhesive contact. Always order samples and test them on the intended surface before beginning your project.

Color Accuracy

We make every effort to accurately represent color and scale, but screens and monitors can vary. The only reliable way to evaluate printed color is in person. The finished product may differ slightly from what you see on your screen. Colors may also vary slightly between materials or batches. We can only guarantee color consistency between panels and samples of the same material type.

Note: Review photos may show filters, custom edits, or lighting variations.

Wall Preparation

Install on a clean, dry, smooth, properly prepared wall. Remove dust, grease, and cleaning-product residue using a method compatible with your paint and the selected material.

Follow the cleaning and preparation instructions supplied with your order. If those instructions call for isopropyl alcohol, test it first in an inconspicuous area to confirm that it does not affect the paint finish. Do not assume that every cleaner is suitable for every painted surface.

Cleaning alone does not guarantee adhesion. Paint chemistry, surface texture, moisture, and curing can affect the bond. Traditional pasted wallpapers also require appropriate wall preparation, primer, and compatible wallpaper adhesive.

Recently Painted Walls

If your walls have been recently painted, we strongly recommend waiting at least six weeks before installing wallpaper or decals. Allow longer when required by the paint instructions. Paint that feels dry may not be fully cured.

Low-VOC, zero-VOC, stain-resistant, and specialty paints may behave differently with pressure-sensitive adhesives. Follow the paint manufacturer’s curing guidance and test the exact wallpaper or decal material on the intended wall.

Recommended Paints and Primers

Paint compatibility depends on the exact formula, finish, curing, surface preparation, and material selected. The lists below provide guidance, but a brand name alone does not establish compatibility. Always test a sample before purchasing a full installation.

Paints We Recommend Avoiding Without a Successful Sample Test

Valspar 2000 Paint + Primer
Sherwin Williams ProMar 200 & 400
Behr Marquee
Benjamin Moore

Paints & Primers to Consider

Glidden Essentials Flat or Eggshell
PPG Break-Through! V51 Satin Clear
Behr Premium Plus Paint & Primer Flat
Behr Scuff Defense
Sherwin Williams Cashmere
Valspar Multi-Surface Primer

Confirm that the selected paint or primer is appropriate for your wall and installation method. Do not apply a coating or primer solely on the assumption that it will make every self-adhesive material compatible.

Return Policy

Each order is custom printed for you. If your order arrives damaged or defective, we will replace the damaged portion at no cost. We do not accept returns for non-defective products.

Returns are not accepted if:

Color appears different from your screen (please order samples first)
Incorrect wall measurements result in panels being too short
Wrong material choice or improper installation
Adhesive fails due to wall preparation or paint incompatibility

Materials & Printing

Our wallpaper and murals are printed using GREENGUARD Gold certified inks. Material construction, texture, opacity, adhesive, and removal characteristics vary between products.

Easy-Hang PREPASTED, Peel & Stick FABRIC, Peel & Stick PREMIUM, CLASSIC Traditional, and SIGNATURE Traditional are PVC-free wallpaper options.
Peel & Stick CANVAS and GRASSCLOTH Traditional are vinyl wallcoverings and are not PVC-free.
FABRIC and PREMIUM have removable, repositionable adhesives.
CANVAS allows initial positioning and develops a permanent adhesive bond.

Removable adhesive does not guarantee damage-free removal. Paint condition, wall preparation, installation conditions, and time in place can affect how a material removes.

Always order a sample first. Compare the printed colors, finish, and coverage in your room, and test compatibility with your actual wall before purchasing a full installation.

Wallpaper Installation Options

Our seven wallpaper materials use three installation methods:

Peel and stick: FABRIC, PREMIUM, and CANVAS have adhesive backing. Remove the backing liner and apply according to the supplied instructions.
Water activated: Easy-Hang PREPASTED has adhesive already applied to its back. Activate it with water according to the supplied instructions.
Traditional wallpaper paste: CLASSIC Traditional, SIGNATURE Traditional, and GRASSCLOTH Traditional are unpasted. All three require compatible wallpaper adhesive and appropriate wall preparation.

Follow the installation method specified for your selected material. Contact us before adding wallpaper paste, application sprays, or other installation aids to a self-adhesive material.

Note: No refunds or replacements are issued if wallpaper falls due to wall or paint incompatibility.

Adhesion Best Practices

Prepare a clean, dry, smooth wall before installation.
Allow paint to cure fully before applying wallpaper or decals.
Test the selected material on the exact paint and wall surface.
Use appropriate room ventilation and avoid persistent dampness or condensation.
Align panels without pulling or stretching the material.
Use only the installation method and products approved for your selected material.

American Decals is not responsible for adhesion failure due to incompatible wall paint or improper preparation.

Bathrooms & Humidity

For a bathroom with a shower, we recommend discussing a traditional pasted installation with your installer:

CLASSIC Traditional
SIGNATURE Traditional
GRASSCLOTH Traditional

The material, wall preparation, primer, wallpaper adhesive, and ventilation must suit the room. Contact us before choosing a peel-and-stick or prepasted material for a bathroom with regular shower steam.

Do not add wallpaper paste to FABRIC or PREMIUM unless American Decals provides instructions for your exact material and project. CANVAS should not be installed using traditional wallpaper paste.

Wallpaper is not a waterproof wall system. Do not install it inside a shower enclosure or where it receives direct water exposure. Use effective ventilation to clear excess moisture.

Wallpaper Overlap

Wallpaper panels include an overlap of approximately 0.4 inch to help align the artwork. Follow the panel sequence and seam instructions supplied with your order.

Retain the overlap when installing peel-and-stick wallpaper unless American Decals confirms another method for your project. Do not double-cut CANVAS. For traditional pasted materials, your installer should follow the supplied material-specific seam instructions.

Underlying wall colors and overlapping printed layers can remain visible through lighter designs, particularly on lower-opacity materials. Review a sample on your actual wall before ordering.

Wallpaper Materials

Easy-Hang PREPASTED

A smooth, PVC-free, fiber-based wallcovering with adhesive already applied to its back. Choose this option when you prefer water-activated installation without purchasing separate wallpaper paste.

Approximately 6.5 mil thickness
Approximately 96% opacity
Smooth, low-sheen satin finish
Pre-applied adhesive activated with water
No peel-and-stick backing liner
No separate wallpaper paste required for the standard installation method
Recommended for bedrooms, nurseries, living areas, and other lower-humidity interiors

Follow the supplied activation and installation instructions. Removal depends on wall preparation, primer, and installation conditions.

Peel & Stick FABRIC

Our flexible, matte polyester fabric wallpaper offers a forgiving installation for most DIY customers. Its removable, repositionable adhesive allows careful adjustments while aligning panels.

Woven polyester construction with a soft textile appearance
PVC-free
Approximately 80% opacity
Self-adhesive; no separate wallpaper paste required
Best over smooth, uniformly white or very light-colored walls
Dark paint, wall markings, and overlapping printed layers may show through pale designs

Choose FABRIC for flexible handling and a matte textile finish. Test adhesion and printed appearance on your intended wall before ordering.

Peel & Stick PREMIUM

A more substantial polyester fabric with a matte finish and greater coverage than our standard FABRIC. Its removable, repositionable adhesive allows adjustments during installation.

Approximately 7 mil polyester face material
PVC-free
Approximately 85–90% opacity; not completely opaque
Self-adhesive; no separate wallpaper paste required
More substantial construction than FABRIC
A uniformly white or very light-colored wall is still recommended

Choose PREMIUM when you prefer a more substantial fabric and greater coverage. Compare samples with your design and wall color, particularly for white, ivory, pastel, or other light backgrounds.

Peel & Stick CANVAS

A textured vinyl wallcovering with an embossed canvas finish. Its substantial construction can make large panels easier to handle, while its adhesive allows initial positioning before developing a permanent bond.

Approximately 6 mil vinyl face material
Matte canvas-inspired texture
Permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive with initial repositionability
Suitable for installations intended to remain in place
Retain the supplied panel overlap
Do not double-cut CANVAS
Do not install using traditional wallpaper paste

CANVAS is a vinyl material and is not PVC-free. It should not be selected on the assumption that it will remove easily or without affecting the paint or wall.

CLASSIC Traditional

A budget-friendly, lightweight, PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth finish. Choose CLASSIC when you prefer traditional wallpaper paste and crisp printed detail without an embossed texture.

Lightweight nonwoven construction using wood pulp and natural fibers
Smooth printable surface
PVC-free and breathable
Unpasted; compatible wallpaper adhesive required
Requires a smooth, properly prepared and primed wall
Well suited to residential interiors and decorative projects with lower traffic

Professional installation is recommended for large or complex projects.

SIGNATURE Traditional

Our premium PVC-free traditional wallcovering has a subtle canvas texture and a more substantial construction than CLASSIC. Its breathable polyester-and-natural-fiber construction provides a refined, softly textured finish.

Subtle canvas-inspired texture
PVC-free construction
Contains at least 31% post-consumer recycled content
Breathable surface that allows water vapor to pass through
Unpasted; compatible wallpaper adhesive required
Professional installation is strongly recommended

Choose SIGNATURE for residential, designer, hospitality, and professional interior projects where a refined textured finish is preferred.

GRASSCLOTH Traditional

A heavyweight, fabric-backed vinyl wallcovering with a deep grasscloth-inspired texture. Its woven-look surface adds dimension and visual depth without using natural woven grass fibers.

Type II fabric-backed vinyl construction
Deep decorative grasscloth-inspired texture
Unpasted; compatible wallpaper adhesive required
Suitable for feature walls and residential or professional interior projects
Texture can affect the appearance of printed colors and fine details
Professional installation is strongly recommended

GRASSCLOTH contains vinyl and is not PVC-free. Order a sample to evaluate its texture and printed appearance before selecting it for your project.

For additional guidance, visit our Wallpaper Materials and Installation Guide.

Wall Decals

Temperature and Shipping

Adhesive may be affected by extreme temperatures during shipping. Allow the decal to reach room temperature for at least 4 hours before installation. Install within 30 days for best results.

Long-Term Vinyl Decals

Pros: Thin, smooth surface with vivid color. Provides a painted-on look.

Paint compatibility: Results depend on the exact paint formula, finish, curing, and wall preparation. Test the vinyl decal material on your intended wall. Do not assume that another decal material will work without testing it separately.

Self-Adhesive Fabric Decals

Pros: Flexible, repositionable fabric with a matte textile finish. Our printed fabric decals use GREENGUARD Gold certified inks.

Considerations: Fabric is thicker than thin vinyl and may be less suited to small, finely detailed designs. Wall texture may remain visible or affect adhesion. Follow the preparation instructions for the exact fabric decal ordered.

Wait at least eight weeks after painting before installing fabric decals, and longer when required by the paint instructions. Test a sample before ordering the full design.

Recommended Paints for Decals

Use these lists as starting guidance. Compatibility can vary between paint lines and finishes within the same brand. Test the exact decal material on your wall before ordering.

Paints to Consider

Sherwin Williams Duration
Sherwin Williams Cashmere
Glidden Essentials
Behr Scuff Defense

Paints We Recommend Avoiding Without a Successful Sample Test

Behr Marquee
Valspar
PPG
Dunn Edwards
Benjamin Moore
Kilz Premium
Dutch Boy
Sherwin Williams ProMar 200 & 400

Adhesion Characteristics

Adhesion depends on the material, paint, wall texture, adhesive formulation, temperature, and installation technique. The adhesive bond may build after application; follow the instructions for your selected product.

Applying wallpaper or decals to uncured paint may cause bubbling, lifting, or paint damage. Follow the curing periods and sample-testing guidance above.

Avoid stretching decals or wallpaper during installation. Stretching can distort the artwork and contribute to edge lifting or changes in alignment.

Questions?

Need help selecting the right material or troubleshooting installation? Contact American Decals or use the online form below for personalized support. We’re here to help you choose an appropriate material and installation method for your project.