Frosted Window Decals & Lettering

You are able to choose between a traditional frosted window decal or frosted lettering, with two different types of frosted lettering available (standard or reverse cut). Frosted window decals and frosted lettering are both made from the same material, use the same general installation method, and create an etched/frosted appearance for the window they are applied to. The major difference between the two lies in how your chosen design is incorporated into the frosted vinyl material. As for which one you should choose, that is entirely up to your preference and depends on which type you think looks best. Here is a quick breakdown on the distinguishing characteristics for each type:

Frosted Lettering (Reverse Cut): Your design is cut away from the frosted vinyl material, allowing you to see directly through the decal anywhere you had placed an image, graphic, or text.

Frosted Lettering (Standard Cut): Your design is cut to exact shape out of the frosted vinyl material. Inside elements of your design that are transparent will be picked/weeded out as well (example - the inside of an "O" is cut out, as opposed to leaving the "O" solid).

Frosted Window Decal: Your design is printed directly onto the surface of the frosted vinyl material using UV ink and an advanced four-color printing process. This allows you to maintain all colors used in your design.

In most cases, the individual letters contained within your frosted lettering will be appropriately spaced and placed on a single sheet of transfer tape, making installation quick and simple. However, if your frosted lettering exceeds 48" (for colors black and white) or 24" (for all other colors) in both width and height, your lettering will be split and placed onto two sheets of transfer tape. You will also receive your frosted lettering in multiple sheets if you are using three or more different colors. In this case, each separate color will be grouped together on its own sheet.

Frosted window decals and lettering are made from an adhesive material called etched glass that is roughly .002" thick. The decal comes with a clear backer that can be peeled away to reveal the adhesive. Frosted lettering will also come with a layer of transfer tape placed over the top of the decal, allowing for a simple, all-in-one installation.

Frosted Window Decal - Due the nature of the material, the printed color (as well as the areas that are left unprinted) will print translucent, allowing some light and shadow through. Frosted Lettering - Your design will be cut instead of printed and will not have any color aside from the frosted material.

Frosted areas are indicated by the gray frosted background within the design tool. If you want any part of your sign to be frosted instead of being printed or cut out, that gray background or must be visible on your proof. If you have uploaded a JPG file to the site with a white background, we will NOT print the white of that background. That white portion will instead, be frosted. Please note that if you are creating frosted lettering you will need to use vector artwork (ai, eps, svg, pdf) to achieve the correct frosted background. If you need help, please fill out our free design request form.

Yes, in addition to the frosted window decals we also offer clear window decals, opaque window decals, vinyl lettering and perforated window decals. Additionally, we offer clear window clings and opaque clings that cling to your window. A more detailed explanation of the differences and advantages/disadvantages of these decals can be found here: Window Signage Options.

Our frosted window film is razor thin. Technically speaking they are 2 mil or .002". The easiest way to visualize this thickness is to say that it is just thinner than four pieces of standard computer paper.

Cut options and possibilities differ depending on the type of decal ordered. Frosted Lettering (Reverse Cut) - The decal itself will stay square/rectangular with the exact shape of your design and lettering cut to exact shape away from, or out of, the background. Frosted Lettering - Your design and individual letters will be cut to exact shape with inside spaces picked/weeded out. Frosted Window Decal - Individual letters cannot be cut to exact shape. You can choose between several shape options, including Square/Rectangle, Rounded Corners (1/4" or 1" radius), Circle/Oval, Custom or Custom with Border. The Custom shape option (previously known as Contour Cut) allows you to have your decal cut to the custom shape of your design, but still retain a background. The Custom with Border shape option (previously known as Halo Cut) allows you to have your decal be cut to a custom shape with a border of frosted material around it.

At Signs.com, we offer all custom sizes for your decal or lettering. However, we cannot make frosted window decals that are smaller than 6" x 6" or larger than 48" in both directions. Assuming that one of your dimensions is under 48" then regardless of the other dimension we can print your custom-made decal. If you need something larger than 48", you may need to divide your graphic into two or more pieces and then install them side-by- side.

We print all of our signs in full color at no additional charge, no matter what design you have on your sign. We charge only based on the amount of material used, not by the color choices. Please note that color will only be seen on your frosted window decal if you select the printed frosted option above.

We offer templates only for your convenience. If you see something you'd like, feel free to use it and tweak it to fit your needs. If you don't see what you're looking for in our templates, there are a few more options. You can always upload your own design using our easy uploader, or you can start from scratch and create your sign using our design tool. We also offer free design services, if you are in need of assistance.

Frosted window decals bridge the gap between clear and opaque decals. Clear decals allow light to pass through them, while opaque decals don't. Frosted decals allow some light and shadow through, making them ideal for privacy and decorative elements.

Yes, the frosted decal is made to create a frosted, translucent look. It will lower the transparency of the window/storefront, although it will not block out all light. Use translucent frosted decals to create an interesting visual. Alternatively, clear decals allow light through where there is no printed design. Opaque decals allow for no light to get through. Alternatively, one-way visibility is achievable using a perforated decal, which allows someone to see out of the window, but no one to see in. A more detailed explanation of the differences and advantages/disadvantages of these decals can be found here: Window Decals.

Yes. You can choose to have your window decal and/or lettering placed on the outside of the window or placed on the inside of the window facing out in the options selector above or on the design tool. These options can be found in the Print Surface section, and are referred to Adhesive on Back (for placing on outside of glass) and Adhesive on Front (for placing on inside of glass). Due to the production implications with Adhesive on Front, a small charge will be added to your order if this option is selected.

Yes, the decal you purchase will come with a clear backing on the material. It is difficult to see, but it is there. It's easiest to remove the backing if you use a piece of tape to separate the decal from the backing. We recommend not removing the backing on your decal until you have reached the point in installation that calls for you to do so.

Installation instructions for your frosted window decal differ depending on the type of frosted window decal you have chosen. If you have chosen printed frosted or blank frosted, you will follow one process for installation. If you have chosen reverse cut vinyl or standard cut vinyl, you will follow a different process for installation.

Frosted Window Decal Installation - Installation of your frosted window decal consists of two main steps. The first is to clean the window and allow the surface to dry before installing the decal. Secondly, install the decal using a spray bottle full of water and a couple drops of dishwashing soap (do not use hand soap). Spray the adhesive side of the decal as well as the window itself generously with water. By getting the decal and window wet, it will provide you with some wiggle room while installing the decal to the window. Do not at any time submerge the decal in water as this can ruin the adhesive properties. Place the decal on the window. Once the decal is placed on the window, place the removed backer over the face of the decal and use a flat edge or squeegee to firmly adhere the decal to the window and remove any excess water.

Frosted Lettering Installation - Begin by thoroughly cleaning the glass surface you wish to apply your frosted lettering, removing all dust and dirt. You will then need to create an application solution for your lettering by mixing a couple drops of dish soap per 1 gallon of water and place this solution in a spray bottle. Next, hold your lettering (with the backer and transfer tape still applied) up to the glass surface, mark your desired location, and tape the top of the lettering to the glass surface using a strip of masking or painters tape. Next, hold the bottom of the lettering away from the window and generously spray the window with the application solution. You will then need to remove the back liner from the lettering, starting at a top corner and working your way down towards an adjacent bottom corner. Be sure to spray the adhesive side of the lettering with the application solution as you are removing the back liner. Next, press the lettering up against the window and use an application squeegee to firmly adhere the lettering to the window, going from left to right from the top down. Once you have ran the squeegee over the entire decal, peel away the transfer tape that is on top. If you notice any part of the lettering begin to peel off the window as you remove the transfer tape, stop the removal process and firmly run the application squeegee over the area. Once the all of the transfer tape is removed, place the removed back liner over the face of the lettering and run the application squeegee over the lettering one last time to ensure it is firmly adhered to the surface.

Be careful not to use an edge that will rip or tear your decal. For this reason we recommend a rubber tipped squeegee. If certain small spots or areas are proving difficult to smooth out then small holes can be punctured with a pin or razor blade and the air removed by smoothing it out with a finger. Once the water is removed and the backing dries, your decal will be applied to the window. We do not recommend trying to reposition the decal once it is fully adhered to the window. The decals aren't designed to be repositioned after the initial installation. If this is what you need, we recommend using static clings.