FDC Adhesive Vinyl On Canvas

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Do you want to apply vinyl to canvas but are too scared to try? Well fear no more!

When one of our employees scored an oversized white canvas, she knew it needed one thing- VINYL! So we went to work testing different applications to see which would be the best vinyl/canvas method, and I’m happy to say we found one! 

apply fdc to canvas

You Need:

To start you will want to choose your design, measure your canvas, and size your design accordingly.

Send your design to your cutting machine, weed it, and apply the transfer tape.

Once you are ready to apply your vinyl you will want to spray the canvas with adhesive glue. We recommend doing this outside, or at least covering your work surface, as the glue overspray can be messy. After you spray the glue, quickly apply your vinyl, smooth it out, and peel your transfer tape.

Repeat until you are finished! Then share a photo with us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook by tagging @proworldinc or using the #proworldinc hashtag.

But that’s not all, here are a few more tips/tricks:

– Technically, the FDC Ultra Glossy vinyl will stick to the canvas without the adhesive spray, however… the adhesive spray will make your life a lot easier when applying.

– Don’t wait too long to peel the transfer tape from your canvas… if the glue starts to set, it will leave teeny, tiny marks. No one but you will notice, but we know how much of a perfectionist you are!

  • Lisa O’Brien Weber

    Won’t the spray adhesive leave the uncovered canvas sticky ? And what happens if you paint it before putting on the vinyl ?? So will 651 work ?

    • mattscohen

      Hi Lisa! I used a multi-purpose spray adhesive and it did not leave the surface sticky or glossy after drying. However, I would recommend following the instructions on the back of the can to ensure that they are holding it far enough from the canvas so that it doesn’t leave a splatter mark.

      As for a painted canvas, I would have to assume that if the paint was completely dry that the process would be the same as for the plain canvas. But please note that we did not test it on a painted surface. So if you are planning a big project you may want to do a small test to ensure that you don’t have any problems!

      We have placed permanent vinyl onto canvas without applying a spray adhesive, but please note that the process can take longer to transfer depending how the canvas has been treated in the past. When we’ve applied vinyl to a canvas without the spray adhesive but it had a hard time releasing from the transfer tape onto the canvas. Once you get it to stick it will stay, but the adhesive will definitely help speed the process along.

      • Lisa O’Brien Weber

        Thanks most people that have posted about doing vinyl on canvas had done it on painted canvas. All said the same thing about it not releasing. So the vinyl you used did not have a sticky back ? It’s the same issue on wood. You need a slick surface for it to adhere to. Thanks again.

        • mattscohen

          Just to clarify the vinyl and transfer paper both have sticky backs. But sometimes the vinyl needs help adhering to canvas, which is why we used the spray adhesive to add a little bit extra adhesion to help it grab and release.