Introduction

Installing a Panel Poster is simply a matter of sticking a non-permanent, double-stick foam block to the wall, placing your panel onto the block, and repeating this process until you are done. Extra care should be taken installing the first panel so that the final poster is level and square on the wall.

These instructions show you how to install your panels with a 1/2" or 3/4" grid spacing between them. If you prefer a no-spacing install, follow the instructions in the Using Panel Posters guide.

Grid guides make a perfect grid, every time.

Video

Here's a 4:49 minute video showing you how to install a panel poster with grid spacing.

Get Parts, Tools, and Materials

PIC 1-1

Step 2: Prepare Surface

The adhesive blocks have a rubber-based, non-permanent adhesive that can bond and removed cleanly from all sorts of surfaces including wood, plastics, metal, powder coated materials, and painted materials. Surfaces may be slightly textured or uneven since the foam will mold to the surface with firm pressure. Painted surfaces should be in good condition and not show signs of flaking. Weakening paint means the block may tear away the painted surface when removed. We don’t recommend installing posters on wallpaper since the blocks may tear away the surface when removed. Test in an inconspicuous area before you install. Also, glass that allows the adhesive to be exposed to sunlight will, over time, diminish the block’s holding power. (PIC 2-1)

You should clean the surface according to the surface manufacturer’s instructions. If unsure, at least wipe the area down with a dry, lint-free cloth to remove dust. (PIC 2-2) On most surfaces a 50/50 mixture of Isopropyl Alcohol and water will clean the surface nicely (test on a small, inconspicuous area first). (PIC 2-3) Dry the surface with a lint-free cloth before application. For an optimal bond, the temperature of the surface should be between 65º and 100º F.

PIC 2-1

PIC 2-2

PIC 2-3

Step 3: Mark Location

Assemble your poster on the floor near the wall you will be installing it on. (PIC 3-1) Choose what type of grid spacing you would like, 1/2" or 3/4". Measure the poster and add the grid spacing between panels to your measurement. Determine where the upper left corner will go on the wall. Mark it with a piece of tape. Put the bottom edge of the tape where the top of the panel will go. (PIC 3-2) Draw an arrow where the left edge of the panel will go. (PIC 3-3)

PIC 3-1

PIC 3-2

PIC 3-3

Step 4: Set Top Row Guide

To make sure your poster is installed level and square on the wall we need to put up a temporary guide for the top row.

1. Measure left mark
   Measure the distance from the ceiling or floor to the marker you installed in Step 3. (PIC 4-1)
2. Apply right mark
   Measure where the upper right corner of the poster should go and place the bottom edge of a piece of tape at this mark. (PIC 4-2)
3. Apply tape
   Stretch a single strip of tape from the left to the right marker and line up the bottom edges. Lightly apply the tape to the wall. (PIC 4-3)
4. Verify and adjust
   Measure the left, center, and right heights of the bottom of the tape. They should be close to equal. (PIC 4-4) Adjust the tape as needed. If desired, you can verify the poster will be level by using a level and a ruler.(PIC 4-5)

PIC 4-1

PIC 4-2

PIC 4-3

PIC 4-4

PIC 4-5

Step 5: Install First Panel

Peel off an adhesive block from the sheet (be careful not to separate the adhesive film from the block). (PIC 5-1) Pick up the top left panel.

1. Position panel and block
   Position the top of the panel along the bottom edge of the tape at the upper-left marker. Approximate where the center of the panel is located on the wall by holding the adhesive block over the center of the panel. (PIC 5-2)
2. Apply block
   Pull the panel away and press the block onto the spot you chose. (PIC 5-3) Apply firm pressure for 10 seconds while rocking your thumb back and forth to bond with the surface. (PIC 5-4) Carefully peel away the protective cover on the block (tweezers help). (PIC 5-5)
3. Apply panel
   Position the top of the panel along the bottom edge of the tape, and align the corner at the marker on the wall. (PIC 5-6) (The panel thickness is designed to be slightly taller than the adhesive block so it will not stick to it.) Gently press in the center over the foam block to bond the panel to the adhesive. (PIC 5-7) Using brief, light, finger presses, move around the foam block area to stick the panel to the entire surface of the block. (Don't press too hard. It doesn’t take much pressure to set the paper to the adhesive. ) (PIC 5-8)
4. Adjust panel
   Double-check your alignment of the top edge of the panel to the bottom edge of the tape. If necessary, you can shift the panel a little to the left or right by gently nudging the bottom edge. (PIC 5-9)

PIC 5-1

PIC 5-2

PIC 5-3

PIC 5-4

PIC 5-5

PIC 5-6

PIC 5-7

PIC 5-8

PIC 5-9

Step 6: Install Top Row

Get another adhesive block from the sheet and your next panel to install.

1. Position panel and block
   Position the panel next to the previous panel with a gap close to the spacing you want (1/2" or 3/4"). Approximate where the center of the panel is located on the wall by holding the adhesive block over the center of the panel. (PIC 6-1)
2. Apply block
   Pull the panel away and press the block onto the spot you chose. (PIC 6-2) Apply firm pressure for 10 seconds while rocking your thumb back and forth to bond with the surface. (PIC 6-3) Carefully peel away the protective cover on the block (tweezers help). (PIC 6-4)
3. Place first guide
   Place the panel on the wall and put the first grid guide between the panels on the top. Gently adjust so the guide and panel contact all edges evenly and is aligned with the bottom edge of the tape. (PIC 6-5)
4. Place second guide
   Place and hold the second grid guide between the panels on the bottom. Gently adjust so the guide and panel contact all edges evenly. (PIC 6-6)
5. Apply panel
   Gently press in the center over the foam block to fix the panel. (PIC 6-6) Using brief, light, finger presses, move around the foam block area to stick the panel to the entire surface of the block. (PIC 6-7) Carefully remove the grid guides by pulling on the tabs. (PIC 6-8)
6. Adjust panel
   Double-check alignment. If necessary, you can shift the panel a little to the left or right by gently nudging the bottom edge. (PIC 6-9)

Repeat for the rest of the panels in the first row. Remove the tape when done. (PIC 6-10)

PIC 6-1

PIC 6-2

PIC 6-3

PIC 6-4

PIC 6-5

PIC 6-6

PIC 6-7

PIC 6-8

PIC 6-9

PIC 6-10

Step 7: Install The Rest

For the rest of the panels you will position the guides on the left and right of the panels rather than the top and bottom.

1. Position panel and block
   Get another adhesive block from the sheet and your next panel to install. Position the panel next to the previous panel with a gap close to the spacing you want (1/2" or 3/4"). Approximate where the center of the panel is located on the wall by holding the adhesive block over the center of the panel. (PIC 7-1)
2. Apply block
   Pull the panel away and press the block onto the spot you chose. (PIC 7-2) Apply firm pressure for 10 seconds while rocking your thumb back and forth to bond with the surface. (PIC 7-3) Carefully peel away the protective cover on the block (tweezers help). (PIC 7-4)
3. Place first guide
   Place the panel on the wall and put the first grid guide between the panels on the left side. (PIC 7-5) Gently adjust so the guide and panel contact all edges evenly.
4. Place second guide
   Place the second grid guide between the panels on the right. Gently adjust so the guide and panel contact all edges evenly.
5. Apply panel
   Once aligned, gently press in the center over the foam block to fix the panel. (PIC 7-6) Using brief, light, finger presses, move around the foam block area to stick the panel to the entire surface of the block. (PIC 7-7)
6. Remove left guide
   Carefully remove the left grid guide by pulling on the tab. (PIC 7-8)

PIC 7-1

PIC 7-2

PIC 7-3

PIC 7-4

PIC 7-5

PIC 7-6

PIC 7-7

PIC 7-8

Repeat the above process for the rest of the panels. The only difference is you always leave the right grid guide in place from the previous panel to guide the next panel. (PIC 7-9, PIC 7-10, PIC 7-11) After you have finished, double-check alignment. If necessary, you can shift panels a little to the left or right by gently nudging the bottom edge. (PIC 7-12, PIC 7-13)

PIC 7-9

PIC 7-10

PIC 7-11

PIC 7-12

PIC 7-13