I've slap-assed together a short video showing how I install cabinet decals:
As noted in the video, not shown is all the prep work of getting the surfaces SMOOOOOOOOTH! This can't be understated... if you can feel something, you will see something.
Some talking points not in the video:
Along with the flipping method to see how things are lined up, I'll also rub my finger across the material along an edge to help see how things are lined up. I work on getting the bottom edge lined up first and then make sure the front and back edges are squared up.
It can be really helpful to have a second person help out... you kind of need 3 hands to do this.... using 1 hand to hold the material up just prior to applying it will most likely cause the material to kink or fold over itself. Handling the material from 2 points will really help prevent this.
The Big Squeegee tool I'm using is the "Big Squeegee 20" Yard Sign Tool" and at time of this posting is $40 from HH Sign Supply. If you have a stiff and wide chunk of something, have the edge rounded over a bit and glue some felt around the edge and you've more or less got it. I would dare say one could get by with a stiff pieced of cardboard folded over and felt taped on. It is a simple tool. I purchased that one 15 years ago and for other vinyl decal work I've done, it has been a solid investment.
Trimming things up is super simple, I use a very sharp pocket knife and just follow along the edge where I need to cut. The knife isn't sharp enough to bite into the wood like a razor blade can, but it has a good edge on it.
I tuck my edged under the bottom and staple into place:
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Get these type of metal leg protectors. The first pin I did decals on, I didn't and it screwed up the decals there after a few months:
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To protect the corners from peeling due to "busy fingers" , I use 5/8" clear plastic corner guards. They slip right into place with the leg protector installed:
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If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask, I'll help out as best I can. I would encourage others to share any tips/tricks they have for cabinet decals as well here.