Tips & Tricks

If you are having problems with an expression adhering to a surface, try the following:

• Make sure your wall is free from any residue, dirt, or film.

• Position the expression, and then remove the backing paper and burnish the expression onto the surface. Before removing the transfer tape, get a spray bottle or a wet cloth and wet the back of the tape. Start to damp the tape and get it more wet if it is not releasing. This will help the expression release from the tape. Make sure your paint will not be damaged by excess water before you dampen your wall.

• As you remove the transfer tape, press the expression on the wall with your thumb or a dry rag.

• Be sure not to touch the sticky side of the expression with your fingers, which may prevent the adhesive from adhering to the surface.

• When removing the backing paper, don’t pull the tape towards you. Instead, roll it off at an angle along the surface.

1. When applying a Two-Part Expression, use the Hinge Method for each piece. (This method is explained in the Installation Instructions.) Keep in mind that the arrows on each expression are not meant to match up with each other, but to help you realign the expression with the marks that you create on the wall.

2. After you apply the first expression using the Installation Instructions, use a yardstick to make a second set of guide marks indicating where you want the second expression positioned on the wall. You can position the expression as displayed in the catalog or use your own personal preference.

3. Once you have determined where you want the second part of the expression positioned, repeat using the Hinge Method to ensure that the second part is positioned correctly.

Uppercase Living decorative expressions do not adhere to all canvases, so we recommend using a free customer sample to test your canvas before applying your expression. (Ask your Demonstrator for a free sample.) Canvases with a fine texture and/or a primed gesso surface work best.

1. If the expression is not adhering to the canvas, prep the canvas by painting the canvas or applying a layer of decoupage glue to the entire canvas before applying the expression (see manufacturers instructions).

2. Let the canvas dry completely.

3. When burnishing the expression onto the canvas, take special care to remove the transfer tape slowly. Don’t pull the tape towards you. Instead, roll it off at an angle along the surface and at an angle.

4. You may need to use your fingers and press the expression onto the canvas to help it adhere to the surface. To help seal the expression onto the canvas you can apply a few coats of decoupage glue after the expression is applied (this is optional).

1. When applying expressions to a bead board surface, make sure you burnish the expression starting at one end and slowly moving to the other.

2. You may need to lift up one end of the expression so it does not adhere to the surface before you burnish the expression into the grooves.

3. Take special care to rub the expression into the ridges of the door and/or paneling. When removing the transfer tape, pull the tape off in the direction of the grooves or lines. Pulling against these grooves may pull up the expression.

When applying an expression to any glass or metal surface, please note that expressions tend to adhere to these types of surfaces quickly, and they cannot be repositioned.

1. Take special care not to let the expression touch the surface until it is in the desired position. In some cases, you may want to remove any excess paper by cutting around the expression.

2. Choose the desired angle for the expression, and use the hinge method found in the installation instructions to hold the expression in place.

3. To reduce the amount of bubbles hold up one end of the expression and pull it tight and burnish the expression slowly as you apply it to the surface, burnishing small portions at a time.

4. Remove the transfer tape.

5. Mirrored Expression Note: Because the back side of the expression will be visible, air pockets may also be visible. To reduce the number of air pockets, hold up one end of the expression and pull it tight as you slowly burnish the expression on to the surface.

1. When applying expressions to curved surfaces, remove any excess paper by cutting around the expression.

2. With the backing paper still on, place the expression on the curved surface and mark the areas where the expression doesn’t touch the surface.

3. Make relief slits along the paper so the expression easily wraps around the surface (be sure not to cut the expression).

4. Slowly apply the expression by starting at one end and moving to the other making sure the expression lies flat. If the surface is glass, metal, porcelain, or any other smooth surface, take special care not to let the adhesive side of the expression touch the surface too soon, as these surfaces do not allow repositioning.

5. Burnish the expression onto the surface and then remove the transfer tape.

UL decorative expressions may not adhere well to heavily textured walls. We strongly recommend that you test the surface using a free customer sample before applying your expression to a heavily textured wall. (Ask your Demonstrator for a free sample.)

1. Use the Hinge Method found in the Installation Instructions to position your expression. As you burnish your expression, you may want to use a cloth or your thumb to press the expression into the grooves of the textured wall.

2. If your expression is not transferring from the tape to the wall, before removing the transfer tape, get a spray bottle or a wet cloth and wet the back of the tape. Start to damp the tape and get it more wet if it is not releasing. This will help the expression release from the tape. Make sure your paint will not be damaged by excess water before you dampen your wall.

1. When applying an Uppercase Living Growth Chart, measure up one foot from the floor and make a mark on the wall.

2. When you apply the growth chart, make sure this mark lines up with the one foot mark on the growth chart to assure that the growth chart accurately measures the height of an individual.

Sometimes the traditional hinge method doesn't work for oversized expressions you are applying to a wall surface. Instead, try the following steps:

1. Ask two people to help you. Position the expression where you want it on the wall, and have them hold it in place.

2. Using a pencil, lightly mark both top corners. Then, draw a vertical line that crosses the middle of the expression. Draw the cross half on the wall, and half on the transfer tape. (You will use these marks to reposition the expression after removing the backing paper.)

3. Remove the expression from the wall, and peel off the backing paper.

4. With each person holding one of the top corners of the transfer tape, realign the expression with the marks on the wall. Start with one corner, then the middle cross, and then the last corner. Carefully smooth the expression onto the wall with your hands.

5. Use the UL Transfer Tool to firmly burnish the expression onto the wall from the center outward. Remove the transfer tape from the expression, and then erase the pencil marks from the wall.