GENERAL INFORMATION PREPARATION & PLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS
TWO-PART EXPRESSIONS
Uppercase Living Expressions come in
three layers:
1 Top Layer = Transfer Tape
CUSTOMER NAME This is the slightly transparent masking
tape-like layer that is placed over the top
of the decorative expression. You should
be able to see your expression through
this layer.
2 Middle Layer = Decorative Expression
This is the actual lettering or design that
will remain on the wall when application
is complete. This layer will also contain
four identical triangles, called leveling
Application arrows, one on each side of your expression.
These arrows are used for leveling your
Instructions
expressions and should be removed once
application is complete. For instructions
on using these arrows, refer to the “Tips &
Tricks” section of this pamphlet.
Thank you for purchasing an Uppercase Living 3 Bottom Layer = Backing Paper
decorative expression! To ensure a successful
This is the thick paper that the decorative
application, read through and carefully follow
the instructions contained in this pamphlet. expression or design is positioned on. This
paper will have a grid or Uppercase Living
logo printed on it.
There are four types of Uppercase
Living Expressions:
1  Standard (most common)
A single design that comes in one of
Uppercase Living’s standard colors.
Standard expressions can be applied
to most surfaces in your home.
2 Two-Part
A Two-Part Expression is one design,
separated into two different layers that
are applied on top of each other.
3 Etched Glass
Etched Glass features a stronger adhesive
than Uppercase Living’s standard colors
and is specifically intended for non-porous
surfaces (glass, acrylic, ceramic). Etched
Glass is not recommended for painted,
stained, or finished surfaces.
4 Premium Bond
Premium Bond is specifically designed for
outdoor applications, such as car windows,
store fronts, mailboxes, etc. It features two
colors: Glossy White and Black Patent.
online_0209
Preparing your surface:
For most applications, make sure your surface
is clean, dry, and free of residue. If using the
Wet Application Technique (required for Etched
Glass), spray your surface with Uppercase
Living’s Mistick™ Wet Application Solution
(recommended) or with just plain water, and
wipe clean.
Preparing your expression:
Lay your expression down on a flat surface and
using your UL Transfer Tool or a credit card,
firmly rub both sides of your expression.
Placement of your expression:
After your surface and expression are prepared,
place your expression (with the transfer tape and
backing paper still on) in the location where it
will be applied. After your expression is placed
exactly where you want it, use a pencil (or
dry-erase marker if working on glass, acrylic, or
ceramic) and create guideline marks at the corners,
top, and bottom of your expression. (For tips on
leveling your expression, see the “Tips & Tricks”
section at the end of this pamphlet.)
STANDARD APPLICATION METHODS (MOST COMMON)
The following application methods are
recommended for expressions in any standard
color (excluding Etched Glass). Choose from the
Hinge or Direct Method according to your personal
preference. If you are applying a standard Two-Part
Expression, or an expression larger than 24" x 24",
the Direct Method is recommended.
Hinge Method
1 After your surface and expression are
prepared and you have made your
guideline marks, place your expression on 4
your surface with the transfer tape and
backing paper still on, and apply small
pieces of painter’s tape every six inches
along the top edge. These pieces of tape
act as “hinges” for your expression.
2 Using your newly created hinge, flip your
expression up completely and slowly peel
the backing paper away from the transfer
tape at an angle, taking care not to touch
the adhesive on the expression itself. Your
expression should adhere to the sticky
transfer tape, leaving the backing paper
Each layer of your Two-Part Expression will have
two identical diamond-shaped pieces on the design.
These pieces, called registration marks, are added
to ensure a more successful application. Simply
apply the first part of your expression as usual
(using your chosen application method as outlined
in this pamphlet), and include the registration
marks as if part of the design. Then, as you apply
the second part of the expression, line up the
second set of registration marks directly on top of
the first set of registration marks and apply. Once
you have both parts of the expression applied,
remove both sets of the registration marks for a
beautifully layered Two-Part design.
blank. If any part of your expression does
not adhere to the transfer tape, lay the
backing paper back down and firmly rub
your expression again with your transfer
tool. Then, completely remove and discard
the backing paper. Your expression should
still be flipped up at this point.
3 Carefully lay your expression back
down into position, and smooth out
onto your surface.
Using a UL Transfer Tool or credit card,
firmly rub the entire expression, giving
special attention to the edges of each letter
or graphic in your expression.
5 Slowly peel the transfer tape from the wall
at a 45 degree angle and discard. If any
part of the expression does not adhere to
the surface, lay the transfer tape back down
and firmly rub your expression again with
your transfer tool.
6 Remove the vinyl leveling arrows from your
surface and erase your guideline marks.
(continued on the reverse side)
STANDARD APPLICATION METHODS (CONT.)
Direct Method
For expressions larger than 24" x 24", we
strongly recommend using two people to apply
your expression.
1 After your surface and expression are
prepared, and you have made your
guideline marks, lay your expression face
down on a flat surface, and slowly remove
the backing paper at an angle starting
from one corner. Your expression should
adhere to the sticky transfer tape, leaving
the backing paper blank. If any part of your
expression does not adhere to the transfer
tape, lay the backing paper back down and
firmly rub your expression again with your
transfer tool. Then, completely remove and
discard the backing paper.
2 Gently apply the top corners of your 5
e
 xpression to your surface according to the 6
guideline marks previously made, taking
care not to let any part of your expression
touch the surface or fold over onto itself.
TIPS & TRICKS
Leveling your Expression (recommended for most
word-based expressions):
1. Locate the identical arrows on the left/right sides
of your expression. Using a ruler or straight edge,
draw a line on the transfer tape from the point of
the left arrow to the point of the right arrow. This
line will be level with your expression.
2. Place your expression on your wall (with transfer
tape and backing paper still on) and using a level –
standard or laser – adjust your expression until the
line from your right/left arrows is level.
3. Proceed to make your guideline marks. If you do
not have a level, use the following method:
•Draw the line between right/left arrows as
instructed above.
• Measure the width of your expression.
• Measure from the floor to your desired
location on your wall and mark your wall
where the left edge of your expression will be.
• Then using the same measurement from the
floor, mark your wall where the right edge
of your expression will be, ensuring that the
two marks are the same distance apart as the
width of your expression.
• Using the level line you created in step 1,
place the edges of this line on the marks you
have made on your wall. Your expression
should now be level, and you can proceed to
make your guideline marks.
Carefully smooth your expression onto
your surface working from top to bottom.
For large expressions, one person should
apply the top corners and smooth from top
to bottom while the other person holds the
bottom of the expression away from the
surface until the entire expression is applied.
3 Using a UL Transfer Tool or credit card,
firmly rub your entire expression, giving
special attention to the edges of each letter
or graphic in your expression.
4 Slowly peel the transfer tape from the wall
at a 45 degree angle and discard. If any part
of the expression does not adhere to the
surface, lay the transfer tape back down and
firmly rub your expression again with your
transfer tool.
Remove the vinyl leveling arrows from your
surface and erase your guideline marks.
Removing Transfer Tape: If you are having difficulty
getting your expression to release from the transfer
tape, moisten a sponge and use it to dampen
the back of the tape. This will help the expression
release from the tape. As you remove the transfer
tape, press the expression on the wall with your
thumb or a dry cloth. Be sure not to touch the sticky
side of the expression with your fingers as the oil
from your fingers may prevent the adhesive from
bonding to the surface.
Uneven Surfaces (e.g., bead board): When applying
expressions to an uneven surface, make sure you
smooth the expression by starting at one end and
slowly moving to the other. You may need to lift up
one end of the expression so it does not adhere to
the surface before you can apply the expression into
the grooves. Take special care to rub the expression
into the ridges of the surface. 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.
Smooth Surfaces (e.g., glass, metal, mirror): When
applying an expression to any glass or metal surface,
please note that expressions tend to adhere to these
types of surfaces quickly. Using a Wet Application
Method eliminates the problem of having an
expression inadvertently touch your surface and
therefore making it unable to remove without
damaging your expression. In addition to using a
Wet Application, you may want to remove any
SPECIALIZED APPLICATION METHOD
Wet Application Method
A wet application method is required when
applying Etched Glass, but is also ideal for
applying any expression to non-porous surfaces
(i.e., glass, ceramic, or acrylic).

1 After your surface and expression are
prepared, and you have made your
guideline marks, lay your expression face
down on a flat surface, and slowly remove
the backing paper at an angle starting
from one corner. Your expression should
adhere to the sticky transfer tape, leaving
the backing paper blank. If any part of the
expression does not adhere to the transfer
tape, lay the backing paper back down and
firmly rub your expression again with your
transfer tool. Then, completely remove and
discard the backing paper.
2 Spray your surface evenly with Mistick Wet
Application Solution or plain water.
(If you desire extra movability, you can also
lightly spray your expression with the wet
application solution or water.)
Note: DO NOT spray your expression with the
backing paper still on. Remove the backing
paper first, and then spray the sticky side of
your expression while still on the transfer tape.
3 Carefully press your expression onto
your surface starting on one side of your
expression and smoothing it gently as you
move across. (If you have used Mistick Wet
Application Solution, you should be able
to move your expression around slightly to
ensure it is positioned exactly where you
excess paper by cutting around the expression,
or cut the expression into parts to make
positioning easier.
Curved Surfaces: When applying expressions to
curved surfaces, remove any excess paper by cutting
around the expression. With the backing paper still
on, place the expression on the curved surface and
mark the areas where the expression resists lying flat.
Make relief slits along the paper so the expression
easily wraps around the surface (be sure not to cut
the expression). Slowly apply the expression by
starting at one end and moving to the other, making
sure the expression lies flat. Smooth the expression
onto the surface and then remove the transfer tape.
want it, if you have used water, you won’t
have the same movability).
4 Using your UL Transfer Tool or credit card
as a squeegee, firmly rub your expression
to remove the excess application solution
from underneath and pat dry with a plain
white paper towel. This step also works to
alleviate air bubbles.
5 If using Mistick Wet Application Solution,
wait 3–5 minutes and then remove the
transfer tape from your expression. If using
plain water, depending on the surface, you
may have to wait 30–60 minutes or more
before removing transfer tape. In either
scenario, if your expression is not adhering
to your surface, lay the transfer tape back
down, burnish your expression again, and
wait another 2–3 minutes before trying again.
After successfully removing your transfer
tape, pat your expression dry with a plain
white paper towel.
Etched Glass Removal
Because Etched Glass has a stronger adhesive,
it may be more difficult to remove than standard
vinyl. The easiest way to remove Etched Glass is
to warm the expression with a blow dryer for 30
seconds before removing. This will loosen the
bond between the adhesive and your surface,
allowing easier removal. If a sticky residue
remains after removing your expression, try
using a very mild adhesive remover and razor
blade, but be sure to follow the manufacturer’s
instructions to avoid damage to your surface.
Textured Walls: Uppercase Living expressions may
not adhere well to heavily textured walls. If you have
determined that your wall is capable of holding an
expression, we recommend the following tips:
• Use a cloth or your thumb to press the
expression into the grooves of the
textured wall.
•  If your expression is not transferring from the
tape to the wall, dampen a sponge and apply
it to the back of the tape to moisten it. This
will help the tape release from the wall and
the expression more easily.