You have an idea: your race number in a font that looks like it belongs on a GT car, a squadron crest for a veteran’s truck, or your team name for the side of a trailer. Soon after, there’s a crisp die-cut decal sitting on your paint with no background, no white box, just the shape. Here is what happens in between, step by step, so you know what to send and what to expect.
Step 1: The idea (and the brief that makes it work)
Every custom decal starts with a description. The clearer it is, the faster it moves. A good brief answers four questions:
- What should it say or show? Exact text (spell-checked), a logo, a sketch or a reference image.
- Where is it going? Car door, rear window, helmet, laptop, toolbox. This decides the size and the colours that will stand out.
- How big? Our decals come in 11 sizes from 10 to 45 cm. Measure the spot with a tape measure before you order. Our decal size guide walks you through it.
- Which colours? A single colour is the cleanest and most classic look. Multi-colour designs are possible with up to 14 colours.
Rough is fine: a phone photo of a pencil sketch is a good start. For sketching tips, see our guide on creating your own sticker design.
Step 2: From picture to vector
This is the step most people never see. A cutting machine doesn’t read pixels. It follows paths: mathematically defined lines that tell the blade exactly where to go. So your artwork has to be turned into a vector cut file.
If you send a logo as a vector file (SVG, AI, EPS or a vector PDF), most of the work is already done. If you send a JPG or a screenshot, the design is redrawn as clean vector outlines. It also gets checked for things that won’t survive as vinyl:
- Hairlines and tiny details. Very thin strokes and pin-sized dots can’t be cut or weeded reliably, especially at smaller sizes. They get thickened or simplified.
- Gradients and photo effects. Solid vinyl is one colour per layer, so shading becomes flat colour areas.
- Floating pieces. In a die-cut decal every letter is its own piece of vinyl, so tiny or crowded elements get adjusted.
Step 3: Splitting the colours into layers
Single-colour decals are one cut file. Multi-colour designs are separated into layers, one layer per vinyl colour. Each layer is cut from its own sheet, and the layers are lined up so they sit together as one finished design. Every extra colour means an extra cut, weed and alignment, which is why bold colour blocks reproduce so well. Think race livery, not watercolour.
Step 4: Cutting
The finished file goes to the cutter. A fine blade traces each path through the coloured vinyl film but not through the backing paper underneath. Nothing is printed: the colour is in the vinyl itself, which helps it last. Ours is rated for 7+ years outdoors. For more on what affects lifespan, see how long vinyl decals really last.
Step 5: Weeding
After cutting, the design is still hidden in a full sheet of vinyl. Weeding means peeling away everything that isn’t the decal: the background, the inside of an “O”, the gaps between letters. It’s done by hand with fine hooks. When weeding is done, only your design is left on the backing paper. That’s the “die-cut, no background” look.
Step 6: Transfer tape
Placing dozens of separate letters one by one would be impossible, so a sheet of transfer tape goes over the top. It holds every piece in its exact position. When you apply the decal, you peel the backing, place the whole design in one go, squeegee it down, then lift the tape off. Every order includes transfer tape and application instructions.
Step 7: Quality check, packing and shipping
Before packing, the decal is checked against the order: spelling, size, colours and clean edges. Every decal is cut to order in our EU workshop and dispatched within 48 hours. Worldwide tracked shipping starts at £2, and orders over £35 ship free.
How to get a perfect custom decal first time
- Send the best file you have. Vector beats PNG, and PNG beats a photo of a screen.
- Double-check spelling and numbers. The decal is cut exactly as written.
- Go a size up for fine detail. Small text and thin lines cut and apply better when the decal is bigger.
- Pick contrast, not just your favourite colour. Light on dark paint, dark on light paint.
Ready to start? Browse our personalised decals for names, numbers and custom text, or explore the full shop for ready-made designs.
Frequently asked questions
What file format is best for a custom decal?
A vector file (SVG, AI, EPS or vector PDF) is ideal because it can go almost straight to the cutter. A high-resolution PNG or JPG also works. It just needs to be redrawn as vector paths first.
Can any image be turned into a vinyl decal?
Most logos, text and graphic shapes can. Photos, soft gradients and very fine detail don’t, because each colour is a solid layer, so they get simplified into flat shapes.
How many colours can a custom die-cut decal have?
Up to 14 colours. Each colour is cut as a separate layer and aligned with the others, so simpler colour schemes are usually the crispest.
How long does it take to make a custom decal?
Every decal is cut to order and dispatched within 48 hours. After that, delivery time depends on your country and the tracked shipping option you choose.