American Decals Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about American Decals wall decals, wallpaper, samples, installation, custom orders, shipping, and returns. Because wall decals and wallpaper use different materials and installation methods, please follow the guidance written specifically for the product you are ordering.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Why Buy From American Decals?

American Decals is a family-owned business located in Fishers, Indiana. Our wall decals, wallpaper, murals, and printed wall décor are produced in-house using professional-grade printing equipment.

We carefully select our materials, print each order specifically for the customer, and provide product samples, measuring assistance, installation guides, and personal support when needed.

Where Are You Located?

We are located in Fishers, Indiana. Our products are designed, printed, prepared, and shipped from our in-house production studio.

How Do I Contact American Decals?

You can contact us through our contact form or use the live-chat button available on our website. When contacting us about an existing order, please include your order number so we can assist you more efficiently.

Do You Accept Custom Orders?

Custom orders are accepted depending on the project and our production availability. Available services may include custom sizing, color adjustments, design modifications, and assistance preparing wallpaper or wall décor for a specific space.

Please contact us with your measurements, design request, desired material, and any reference photographs before ordering. Additional design or production fees may apply.

Do You Offer Samples?

Yes. Samples are available for wallpaper and selected wall-decal materials. A sample allows you to evaluate printed color, material texture, opacity, scale, and wall compatibility before ordering a complete project.

Screen colors are not reliable for confirming printed color. Wallpaper samples should be ordered in the exact material you are considering because the material’s texture, base color, finish, and opacity can affect the final appearance.

WALL DECAL QUESTIONS

What Are Wall Decals?

Wall decals—also called wall stickers, wall graphics, or wall appliqués—are decorative designs with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. They can create the appearance of painted artwork or a mural without requiring hand painting or a stencil.

Some American Decals designs are individual peel-and-stick pieces, while detailed lettering and die-cut designs may arrive with transfer tape. Follow the instructions included with your specific order.

What Are American Decals Wall Decals Made From?

Material depends on the selected design. We use removable vinyl for many lettering and die-cut wall decals and a polyester wall fabric for many printed floral, nursery, and decorative designs.

These materials do not perform identically. Review the material information included with the product and order a sample if you are uncertain about wall compatibility.

How Do I Apply Wall Decals?

Before installation, allow the decal to reach room temperature and flatten if it arrived rolled. The wall must be clean, dry, properly painted, and free from dust, grease, cleaning-product residue, and moisture.

Individual printed decals are generally removed from the backing paper and positioned directly on the wall. Lettering and detailed die-cut designs may arrive between a backing paper and transfer tape. For these designs, the transfer tape holds the pieces together while the decal is positioned and then releases after the design has adhered to the wall.

Always follow the instructions included with your order because the correct application method depends on the decal material and design.

How Long Should I Wait After Painting Before Applying Wall Decals?

Wait at least six weeks after painting before applying wall decals or peel-and-stick wallpaper. Paint that feels dry may still be curing and releasing gases that can interfere with adhesion.

Some low-VOC, zero-VOC, stain-resistant, scrubbable, or specialty paints may require additional curing time or may remain difficult for pressure-sensitive adhesives. Test a material sample on the actual wall before ordering a complete installation.

Can Wall Decals Be Applied to Every Type of Wall?

No adhesive product performs equally on every wall, paint, or surface. Wall decals perform best on clean, dry, properly cured, and securely painted interior walls.

Wall texture, paint chemistry, dust, grease, moisture, and cleaning-product residue can interfere with adhesion. Texture may also remain visible through thinner decal materials.

Order a sample and test it on the actual installation surface before purchasing a large design, particularly when the wall is textured or coated with stain-resistant, scrubbable, low-VOC, or specialty paint.

Can Wall Decals Be Installed on Textured Walls?

Some fabric wall decals may adhere to lightly textured walls, but results depend on the depth and shape of the texture and the type of paint. Deep orange peel, knockdown texture, strong ridges, and heavily textured surfaces reduce the amount of adhesive contacting the wall.

The wall texture may remain visible through the decal even when adhesion is successful. Testing a sample on the actual wall is strongly recommended.

Can Wall Decals Be Used in a Bathroom?

Wall decals may be used in a ventilated bathroom when installed outside showers and areas exposed to direct water, repeated splashes, or persistent condensation.

Humidity, wall paint, and surface preparation can affect adhesion. Test the selected material first and allow the bathroom to dry completely before installation.

Can Wall Decals Be Applied to Furniture, Glass, or Metal?

Some wall decals may adhere to clean, smooth, flat surfaces such as glass, sealed furniture, and metal. Adhesion and removal can vary according to the surface coating and condition.

Do not assume that a decal suitable for a painted wall will perform identically on every object. Test a sample in an inconspicuous area before completing the installation.

How Long Will Wall Decals Stay on the Wall?

Wall-decal longevity depends on the selected material, wall paint, surface preparation, room conditions, humidity, temperature, and handling.

A properly installed decal can remain in place for several years, but we cannot guarantee one lifespan for every wall or environment. Follow the care instructions and address lifting edges before dust can collect beneath the adhesive.

How Do I Remove Wall Decals?

Begin at an edge and peel the decal slowly downward at a low angle, keeping the removed material close to the wall. Avoid pulling quickly or directly outward.

For vinyl decals, gentle warmth from a household hair dryer may soften the adhesive during removal. Use only low heat and avoid overheating the decal or painted surface.

If the paint begins lifting, pause. Paint condition, curing time, wall preparation, and bond strength all affect removal.

Will Wall Decals Damage My Paint?

Our removable wall-decal materials are designed for use on compatible, properly prepared painted walls. However, damage-free removal cannot be guaranteed on every surface.

Paint may lift when it is uncured, poorly bonded, applied over dust or moisture, installed over unprimed drywall, or incompatible with pressure-sensitive adhesive. Always test a sample if you are uncertain about the wall condition.

Are Wall Decals Reusable?

Vinyl wall decals are generally not reusable after removal. Some polyester fabric decals may be repositioned during the original installation and may occasionally be relocated if they remain clean and undamaged.

Reuse is not guaranteed. A decal may stretch, crease, collect dust, lose adhesion, or become distorted during removal. Large or intricate designs should not be purchased with the expectation that they can be repeatedly moved between rooms.

WALLPAPER QUESTIONS

Which Wallpaper Material Should I Choose?

We offer peel-and-stick, prepasted, and traditional unpasted wallpaper options. Each material has a different texture, opacity, adhesive, installation method, and recommended use.

Compare all available options in our Wallpaper Materials Guide and our guide to choosing the right wallpaper material.

Where Can I Find Wallpaper Installation Instructions?

Use the guide that corresponds with your selected material:

• How to Hang Peel and Stick Wallpaper
• How to Hang Prepasted Wallpaper
• How to Hang Traditional Unpasted Wallpaper

Do not use instructions for a different wallpaper material. Adhesive, seam, trimming, and wall-preparation requirements vary.

Should Wallpaper Acclimate Before Installation?

Yes. Remove the wallpaper from its shipping package, loosely unroll the panels, and allow them to rest in the installation room for at least 24 hours before installation.

Keep the room dry and at a stable, comfortable indoor temperature. Avoid storing or installing wallpaper in extreme heat, cold, direct sunlight, high humidity, garages, vehicles, or unfinished construction areas.

Whenever possible, maintain indoor humidity below approximately 40% during installation and initial drying. Avoid strong fans, open windows, forced heat, and major temperature changes during the first 24 to 48 hours.

Can Wallpaper Be Installed Over Unpainted Drywall?

No. Do not install wallpaper directly over bare drywall, joint compound, unfinished repairs, or another porous, unsealed surface.

Complete all repairs, sand the wall smooth, remove the dust, and properly prime and paint the surface. Allow newly painted walls to cure for at least six weeks before installation.

Traditional unpasted wallpaper requires a compatible wallcovering primer. A paint-and-primer combination is not necessarily a substitute for a dedicated wallcovering primer.

Can New Wallpaper Be Installed Over Existing Wallpaper?

We do not recommend installing American Decals wallpaper directly over existing wallpaper.

The existing wallpaper may have loose seams, texture, surface coatings, trapped moisture, or adhesive residue that interferes with the new installation. Its pattern, seams, and texture may also remain visible beneath the new wallpaper.

For the most dependable result, remove the existing wallpaper, clean away residual adhesive, repair the wall, and prepare the surface for the selected new material.

Can Peel and Stick Wallpaper Be Installed on Textured Walls?

Wallpaper performs best on clean, smooth, properly painted walls. Light texture may be workable with some materials, but texture can reduce adhesive contact and remain visible through the finished installation.

Peel & Stick Canvas has a thicker, textured construction that may help disguise a light wall texture. However, compatibility still depends on the wall and paint. Deep orange peel, knockdown, ridged, or heavily textured surfaces should be smoothed before installation.

Order a sample in the exact material you are considering and test it on the actual wall before purchasing wallpaper for the complete project.

Which Wallpaper Should I Use in a Bathroom?

For bathrooms with showers or elevated humidity, CLASSIC Traditional, SELECT Traditional, GRASSCLOTH Traditional, or EASY-HANG Prepasted are preferable to a standard peel-and-stick installation.

FABRIC Peel & Stick and PREMIUM Peel & Stick may also be installed with compatible wallpaper paste when appropriate. Professional installation and proper ventilation are recommended.

Do not install CANVAS Peel & Stick with wallpaper paste, and do not double-cut its seams. No wallpaper should be installed inside a shower or where it will receive direct water exposure.

In a well-ventilated powder room without a shower, peel-and-stick wallpaper may be appropriate when the wall and paint are compatible.

Should I Order an Extra Wallpaper Panel?

In most cases, you do not need to purchase an arbitrary extra panel.

Many American Decals patterns repeat across two or more panels. One random extra panel may not match the position where a replacement is eventually needed.

Order the correct number of panels required to cover your wall. If an additional panel is needed later, contact American Decals before placing another order. We can identify and reproduce the correct panel within the design sequence.

Will a Replacement Wallpaper Panel Match the Original Color?

Our professional printers are calibrated to reproduce consistent color across separate print runs. Under normal operating and maintenance conditions, a replacement panel printed months or even a year later should match the original panels.

A variation may occur following a significant technical change affecting printer color calibration, such as printhead replacement, major printer servicing, or required recalibration.

To reproduce the correct replacement, we need the original design, wallpaper material, pattern scale, and panel position. Artwork printed on a different wallpaper material will not have the same appearance because material color, texture, finish, and opacity influence the finished color.

What If I Run Out of Wallpaper During Installation?

Stop at the end of a complete panel. Do not reverse, rearrange, stretch, or substitute the remaining panels.

Contact American Decals with your original order number, wallpaper design number, selected material, pattern scale, wall dimensions, the number printed on the last installed panel, and clear photographs of the wall.

Because some designs repeat across multiple panels, additional wallpaper must be produced as a continuation of the original sequence. Do not purchase a random panel through a new order without contacting us first.

How Should I Handle Inside and Outside Corners?

Do not assume that a corner is perfectly straight or square. Measure the wall in several places because its width may change between the ceiling, center, and floor.

Avoid forcing or stretching a full-width panel around an uneven corner. This can pull the wallpaper out of level and affect the alignment of every panel that follows.

For visibly uneven, prominent, or difficult corners, professional installation is recommended. An experienced installer can determine whether the selected material should wrap around the corner or be divided, trimmed, and restarted using the appropriate seam method.

What Should I Do Around Outlets and Switches?

Turn off electricity at the breaker before removing outlet or switch covers or trimming near an electrical opening.

Do not apply water, Roman E-Z Hang, wallpaper paste, or cleaning solution inside electrical boxes. Cut conservatively and trim only enough wallpaper for the opening to remain safely beneath its cover plate.

If you are uncomfortable working near an electrical opening, consult a qualified wallpaper installer or electrician.

Can Wallpaper Be Installed Near Heat, Water, or a Backsplash?

Wallpaper may be installed in kitchens and near sinks when it is outside areas exposed to direct water, repeated splashes, hot grease, steam, open flames, or extreme heat.

Wallpaper should not be used as a waterproof or heat-resistant backsplash. Water can enter through seams, edges, outlets, fixtures, and unsealed openings even when the wallpaper base material is water resistant.

Near a stove, fireplace, or other heat source, maintain the clearances required by the appliance manufacturer and applicable building codes.

How Do I Clean Installed Wallpaper?

For routine care, gently remove dust with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. When necessary, use a soft cloth lightly dampened with clean water.

Do not saturate or scrub the printed surface. Avoid abrasive sponges, bleach, ammonia, degreasers, solvents, disinfectant sprays, adhesive removers, and household cleaners containing silicone.

Test any cleaning method in an inconspicuous area first. Clean textured wallpaper carefully because liquid and residue can settle into the surface.

How Do I Remove Peel and Stick Wallpaper?

Begin at an upper corner and pull the wallpaper slowly downward at a low angle, keeping the removed material close to the wall instead of pulling it directly outward.

Work gradually and support the panel as it releases. Pulling quickly or directly away from the wall can place unnecessary stress on the paint.

If the paint begins lifting, pause. Paint condition, curing time, wall preparation, and the use of supplemental paste or installation aids can affect removal.

Can Removed Peel and Stick Wallpaper Be Reused?

Peel-and-stick wallpaper is not guaranteed to be reusable after removal.

A panel may lose adhesion, stretch, crease, collect dust, or become distorted during removal. Reuse also requires a clean release liner large enough to protect the complete adhesive surface.

Full-height wallpaper panels should not be purchased with the expectation that they can be repeatedly removed and installed in different rooms.

Can I Mix Wallpaper Materials on the Same Wall?

We do not recommend mixing different wallpaper materials on one continuous wall.

FABRIC Peel & Stick, PREMIUM Peel & Stick, CANVAS Peel & Stick, EASY-HANG Prepasted, CLASSIC Traditional, SELECT Traditional, and GRASSCLOTH Traditional have different textures, base colors, opacity levels, thicknesses, adhesives, and surface finishes.

The same artwork may look different when printed on different materials. Order every panel for one continuous wall in the same material.

Can I Mix Panels From Different Pattern Scales?

No. Panels printed in different pattern scales will not align with one another.

The repeat measurement describes the size of the complete repeating artwork. Confirm the selected pattern scale before ordering and install only panels produced in the same scale on a continuous wall.

Should I Save Leftover Wallpaper?

Yes. Save clean, undamaged wallpaper scraps for small repairs, installation testing, or color reference.

A leftover full panel will align only where its position belongs within the pattern sequence. It should not be treated as a universal replacement panel for every part of the wall.

Store leftover wallpaper loosely rolled in a clean, dry, climate-controlled location away from sunlight, heat, moisture, dust, and pressure. Label it with the design number, wallpaper material, pattern scale, panel number, order number, and purchase date.

What If I Need Help During Wallpaper Installation?

If you have a question during installation, pause before trimming or permanently altering the affected panel and contact American Decals for guidance.

Include your order number, wallpaper material, pattern scale, panel number, and clear photographs of the wall and wallpaper. Keeping the remaining panels, labels, and order information nearby will help us assist you efficiently.

ORDERS, SHIPPING AND POLICIES

How Do I Check My Order or Shipment Status?

Sign in to your American Decals account to review your order status and available tracking information. You may also contact us with your order number for assistance.

What Payment Methods Do You Accept?

Available payment methods are displayed during checkout. Payment options may vary according to the order and customer location.

What Are Your Production and Shipping Times?

Most American Decals products are made to order. Production and transit times depend on the product, order size, destination, and seasonal order volume.

Please review the estimated processing information shown with the product and our current Shipping and Returns Policies before ordering. Contact us before purchasing if your project has a firm deadline.

Do You Ship Internationally?

International shipping availability and cost are displayed during checkout when service is available for the destination.

International customers are responsible for applicable customs duties, taxes, brokerage charges, and import fees. Customs processing and carrier delays are outside our control.

What Is Your Return Policy?

Many American Decals products are customized or printed specifically for the customer and may be final sale. Eligibility depends on the product and circumstances.

Review our complete Shipping and Returns Policies before ordering. If an order arrives damaged or with a confirmed manufacturing problem, contact us promptly and keep the product, packaging, labels, and shipping documents for review.

How Is My Personal Information Protected?

We take customer privacy seriously. Please review our website Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions for information about how personal information is collected, used, and protected.