Frosted Window Decals & Lettering
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Finishing Options
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What Are Frosted Window Decals?

A frosted window decal is an image or graphic created from a sheet of translucent vinyl material that has a "frosted" or "etched" appearance. These decals are designed to be transparent enough to let light through a window yet opaque enough to offer privacy. You are able to choose between a traditional frosted window decal or frosted lettering. With frosted window decals, your design will be printed with UV ink onto frosted vinyl material. With frosted lettering, your design will be cut out of a sheet of frosted vinyl material. Each design option displays your custom message or graphic in a unique way. Custom frosted window decals provide an elegant, professional appearance at a low cost and will last up to five years with proper installation and care./p>
Frosted vinyl window decals can be used both indoors and outdoors and are often used to display company logos, advertise products and promotions, offer general business information, and provide privacy for company boardrooms, offices, and retail storefronts.
Why Signs.com?
Frosted Window Decal Features

Provides Privacy

Fully Customizable

Lowest Price

Professional Appearance

Safe for Outdoor Use
Types of Frosted Decals & Lettering Available
Frosted Lettering (Reverse Cut)

How It's Made

Shape

Print Surface Options

Adhesive on Back
Your lettering will adhere to the outside of the window you apply it to.

Adhesive on Front
Your lettering will adhere to the inside of the window you apply it to.
Frosted Lettering (Reverse Cut) Installation
Your frosted lettering with a reverse cut will be pre-spaced and pre-masked with transfer tape. This creates an all-in-one simple installation that allows all components of your lettering to be installed at the same time. This is a wet install that requires a water and soap-based solution to adhere the lettering to your intended glass surface. Follow the step by step instructions below or view the installation video for assistance.
Please Note: For large lettering intended to cover entire windows or large surfaces we recommend professional installation for best results.

Before beginning the installation of your frosted lettering, gather the following supplies to help with the process:
- Spray bottle
- Paper Towels
- Masking or Painters Tape
- Application Squeegee (available for purchase with order)
- Window Squeegee
- Razor Knife
- Ruler

Thoroughly clean the surface where you intend to place the frosted window lettering, removing all dust and dirt. Allow time to air dry or use a window squeegee to wipe away excess water.

Create an application solution for your decal by combining 3 drops of dish soap (not hand soap) per 1 gallon of water and place into a spray bottle.

Measure and mark your desired installation location. Hold your decal up to the window in the correct location and apply a horizontal strip of masking or painters tape to the top of the decal with the top half of the tape on the window, creating a hinge.

Hold the bottom edge of the frosted window lettering away from the window and spray the glass surface with the application solution you created in the previous step.

Begin to remove the back liner from the lettering, starting at a top corner and working your way down to an adjacent bottom corner. As you are removing the back liner, be sure to generously spray application solution on the adhesive side of the decal.

Once the back liner is removed and both the decal and glass surface are wet, use a squeegee* and apply pressure to the front of the graphic, adhering it to the window. Be sure to squeegee from left to right from the top down. If bubbles or creases begin to develop during this process, carefully lift the affected portion of the decal away from the window and repeat the application process.
*Available for purchase with your frosted lettering
Once the entire decal has been adhered to the window without major bubbles or creases, run the squeegee over the entire decal one final time to ensure the adhesive is firmly attached to the surface.

Begin to remove the premask, starting at a top corner and working your way towards the adjacent bottom corner. If any vinyl begins to peel off the window, use your squeegee to firmly adhere it back to the surface and continue peeling away the premask.

Once you have removed the entire premask, lay the removed back liner over the top of the installed lettering and apply hard pressure with the squeegee. This will help remove any air bubbles or creases that have formed during installation.

Use paper towels to clean the glass surface and to remove excess water from the edges of the lettering. It may take several days for the adhesive to fully dry and bind to the glass surface.

If your lettering goes to the edge of your window, use a razor blade and ruler to trim excess material away until the lettering is flush with the edge of the window.
Download or Print Frosted Lettering (Reverse Cut) Installation Instructions
Frosted Lettering

How It's Made

Shape

Print Surface Options

Adhesive on Back
Your lettering will adhere to the outside of the window you apply it to.

Adhesive on Front
Your lettering will adhere to the inside of the window you apply it to.
Frosted Lettering Installation
Your frosted lettering will be pre-spaced and pre-masked with transfer tape. This creates an all-in-one simple installation that allows all components of your decal to be installed at the same time. This is a wet install that requires a water and soap-based solution to adhere the decal to your intended glass surface. Follow the step by step instructions below or view the installation video for assistance.
Please Note: For large lettering intended to cover entire windows or large surfaces we recommend professional installation for best results.

Before beginning the installation of your frosted window lettering, gather the following supplies to help with the process:
- Spray bottle
- Paper Towels
- Masking or Painters Tape
- Application Squeegee (available for purchase with order)
- Window Squeegee
- Razor Knife
- Ruler

Thoroughly clean the surface where you intend to place the frosted window lettering, removing all dust and dirt. Allow time to air dry or use a window squeegee to wipe away excess water.

Create an application solution for your decal by combining 3 drops of dish soap (not hand soap) per 1 gallon of water and place into a spray bottle.

Measure and mark your desired installation location. Hold your lettering up to the window in the correct location and apply a horizontal strip of masking or painters tape to the top of the decal with the top half of the tape on the window, creating a hinge.

Hold the bottom edge of the frosted window lettering away from the window and spray the glass surface with the application solution you created in the previous step.

Begin to remove the back liner from the decal, starting at a top corner and working your way down to an adjacent bottom corner. As you are removing the back liner, be sure to generously spray application solution on the adhesive side of the decal.

Once the back liner is removed and both the decal and glass surface are wet, use a squeegee* and apply pressure to the front of the graphic, adhering it to the window. Be sure to squeegee from left to right from the top down. If bubbles or creases begin to develop during this process, carefully lift the affected portion of the decal away from the window and repeat the application process.
*Available for purchase with your frosted lettering
Once the entire decal has been adhered to the window without major bubbles or creases, run the squeegee over the entire decal one final time to ensure the adhesive is firmly attached to the surface.

Begin to remove the premask, starting at a top corner and working your way towards the adjacent bottom corner. If any vinyl begins to peel off the window, use your squeegee to firmly adhere it back to the surface and continue peeling away the premask.

Once you have removed the entire premask, lay the removed back liner over the top of the installed lettering and apply hard pressure with the squeegee. This will help remove any air bubbles or creases that have formed during installation.

Use paper towels to clean the glass surface and to remove excess water from the edges of the lettering. It may take several days for the adhesive to fully dry and bind to the glass surface.
Download or Print Frosted Lettering Installation Instructions
Frosted Window Decal

How It's Made

Shape Options

Square/Rectangle
The shape of your decal will be a standard square/rectangle cut to any custom size.

Custom
The shape of your decal will be custom to match the shape of your design.

Custom with Border
The shape of your decal will be custom with a small border around the edge of your design.
Print Surface Options

Adhesive on Back
Your lettering will adhere to the outside of the window you apply it to.

Adhesive on Front
Your lettering will adhere to the inside of the window you apply it to.
Frosted Window Decal Templates
Frosted Window Decal Installation
Please Note: Frosted window decals can be difficult to install. We recommend either professional installation or a thorough review of our installation instructions before attempting to install. This is a wet install that requires a water and soap-based solution to adhere the decal to your intended glass surface. The instructions below also apply to a blank piece of frosted window decal.

Before beginning the installation of your frosted window lettering, gather the following supplies to help with the process:
- Spray bottle
- Paper Towels
- Masking or Painters Tape
- Application Squeegee (available for purchase with order)
- Window Squeegee
- Razor Knife
- Ruler

Thoroughly clean the surface where you intend to place the frosted window lettering, removing all dust and dirt. Allow time to air dry or use a window squeegee to wipe away excess water.

Create an application solution for your decal by combining 3 drops of dish soap (not hand soap) per 1 gallon of water and place into a spray bottle.

Spray a generous amount of application solution to the desired glass surface or window.

Lay your frosted window decal on a flat, smooth surface and begin to remove the back liner (be sure to keep the liner nearby for a later step). As you are removing the back liner, generously apply the application solution created in the previous step to the back of the decal. You may want to apply some application solution to your hands when doing this so you do not damage the adhesive side of the decal withyour fingers. Do not submerge the decal into water in order to soak the adhesive side.

Pick up the decal by grabbing the two top corners. Be sure to keep the decal straight so that it does not krinkle when moving it to the desired surface.

Now that both the adhesive side of the decal and the glass surface are now sufficiently wet, apply your frosted window decal to the window. The application solution will allow the decal to slip and move once it is on the window. You can then slide the decal into the final position you would like it to be.

Lay the removed back liner over the face of the decal and begin to use the application squeegee to remove air bubbles/application solution from under the decal. Be sure to start in the center of the decal and press firmly to the right or left. Continue this process until you have ran the squeegee over the entire surface of the decal. For optimal results, we recommend using two people during this step, having one person hold the decal away from the glass surface as the other squeegees in a downward motion.

Use paper towels to clean the glass surface and to remove excess water from the edges of the decal. It may take several days for the adhesive to fully dry and bind to the glass surface.

If your decal goes to the edge of your window, use a razor blade and ruler to trim excess material away until the decal is flush with the edge of the window.
Download or Print Frosted Window Decal Installation Instructions PDF
Additional Specs
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Frosted Lettering
Frosted Window Decal
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Weight:
.07lbs per square foot (about the weight of 7 quarters)
.07lbs per square foot (about the weight of 7 quarters)
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Thickness:
.002" (2-mil or 50 microns (about the thickness of half a sheet of copy paper)
.002" (2-mil or 50 microns (about the thickness of half a sheet of copy paper)
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Details:
Semi-transparent, provides privacy, permanent, easy to install with transfer tape
Semi-transparent, provides privacy, permanent, installation requires water
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Uses:
Indoor/Outdoor; Retail, home or office windows
Indoor/Outdoor; Retail, home or office windows
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Print Method:
Cut, not printed, from vinyl sheet
4-color printing, eco-friendly, weather, fade and abrasion resistant UV ink. No white ink will be printed
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Estimated Lifespan:
Approximately 8 years depending on climate and use
5+ years with proper placement and care
Care

Don't allow your frosted window decal or lettering to become exposed to, nor submerged in, water or excessive moisture for an extended period of time before installing. Do not power wash your decals after they are installed. Lightly clean them with a damp cloth. Remove by peeling the decal away from the window, using a window cleaner and razor blade to remove leftover residue.
Easy to Use Design Tool

Create your etched glass decal with the easiest and simplest design tool in the signage industry. Upload artwork, create objects, add text, adjust sizing, change color, and so much more!
Free Professional Design Services

Whether you need help uploading your design or are interested in creating something entirely new, our team of professional graphic designers is here to help. Nothing beats free!
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Product Specs
What is the difference between a frosted window decal and frosted lettering? Which one should I choose?
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.
Can I only create letters with frosted lettering?
With frosted lettering, will all of my individual letters/design elements be placed on the same sheet of transfer tape?
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.
What material is your frosted window decal made out of?
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.
How does color look when it's printed on the frosted decal?
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.
How do I know where my decal will be frosted?
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.
Am I able to order a blank sheet of frosted vinyl material?
Do you offer other types of decals?
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.
Are frosted window decals/lettering the same thing as etched glass decals or stickers?
How thick are your window decals?
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.
What is the lifespan of your frosted window decals?
Will the exposure to sun or the elements ruin my decal or lettering?
Can the decals be cut to shape? Individual letters?
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.
How small or big can my window decal be?
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.
What if my printed frosted decal has more than 2 colors? Will it cost more?
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.
Do I have to use one of your templates for my decal?
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.
How do frosted window decals differ from clear or opaque window decals?
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.
Usage
Will the decal or lettering damage or ruin my window?
What are frosted window decals and frosted lettering typically used for?
Will the decal impact the transparency of my window/storefront?
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.
Can I place my decal or lettering on the inside of my storefront/window and have the graphic be visible to those outside?
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.
Can the decal or lettering be used only on a glass surface?
Will my signs fade or scratch?
Can I use frosted window decals or lettering on my vehicle?
Installation & Care
Does my decal have a backing? How do I remove it?
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.
How do I install my frosted window decal?
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.