Should I use the wet or dry method to apply a cornhole decal?

If this is your first decal, use the wet method. A light mist of soapy water lets you slide the decal into position before it grabs, so small misalignments are easy to fix. The dry method is faster and gives a crisper result once you are experienced, but the decal sticks the moment it touches the board.

How do I get air bubbles out of a cornhole decal?

Work from the center outward with a credit card or squeegee. For stubborn bubbles, prick the bubble with a fine pin and press the air toward the hole. Tiny bubbles usually disappear on their own within a day, especially in warm weather.

Do I need to clear coat over a cornhole decal?

We recommend it. Two or three thin coats of polyurethane seal the edges of the decal, protect the print from bag abrasion and weather, and give the whole board surface a consistent slide. Let the decal cure for at least a day before applying poly.

How to Apply Cornhole Decals

Decals are a quick and easy alternative to painting cornhole boards. However, if you have never applied decals before, this task can seem daunting. But don’t fret: we’ll show you how to apply cornhole decals perfectly each and every time.

Choose a Method: Wet or Dry

There are two general methods for applying cornhole decals: wet or dry. The method you choose will depend on the type of decal you wish to apply and your experience with decal application.

Wet and dry applications are very similar except wet application uses a bit of water in the process, as the name implies. Remember that decals should only be applied to clean surfaces for best results.

Method One: Wet Application

Generally speaking, wet application is better for first-timers because it is more forgiving, allowing you to slide the decal around a bit before making the final placement. Here’s how to apply cornhole decals with the wet method:

Decals should only be applied to clean surfaces. Wipe down your boards to remove any debris.
Before applying your decal, be sure to measure and re-measure its placement. Marking your board lightly with a wax or graphite pencil can help you keep the decal on target when you begin the application process.
Once you are comfortable with your decal’s placement and have marked guidelines on your board, lightly mist the board with a solution of one drop of dish soap per 12 ounces of water.
Peel off the backing tape of your decal and mist the back of the decal too.
Place the decal on your board according to the guidelines you made, starting from one edge and slowly laying down the rest of the decal. You should be able to slide the decal slightly if you miss your marks.
Use a credit card or squeegee to smooth out the surface of the decal. This will help you massage out those pesky air bubbles that are a seemingly unavoidable part of decal application.

Method Two: Dry Application

The dry application process is a little less forgiving than the wet application process because once the decal touches your board it is pretty much stuck. For dry application, your board and decal need to be clean and dry. To apply decals with the dry method:

Measure and re-measure your decal’s placement. Wax or graphite pencils are great for making light marks to serve as guidelines for your decal’s placement.
Once you are satisfied with your decal’s placement, tape one edge of the decal, preferably a straight edge, to the board while the decal’s backing sheet is still in place. This tape will serve as a hinge to help keep your decal aligned during application. Painter’s tape works best for this because it harms neither your board nor your decal.
Flip the decal over so that the backing sheet is facing up.
Begin to remove the backing sheet, starting at the hinge and peeling off about an inch of the backing sheet.
Place the now-exposed part of your decal on the board, starting at the hinge and within the guidelines you made in step one.
Continue to peel off the backing tape, inch by inch. Take your time with this step to ensure that you are staying within your guidelines. Use a credit card or squeegee to smooth out the decal as you go.

Air Bubble Removal

Whichever method you choose, chances are you will have to deal with air bubbles in your decal design. This is an almost unavoidable part of the application process. Thankfully, these bubbles are removable. Here are some tips to help with bursting those pesky bubbles:

Use gentle strokes with a credit card or squeegee to ensure that your decal goes on as smoothly as possible the first time.
Starting from the center of the decal, use your credit card or squeegee to push out bubbles once the decal is already applied.
For bubbles that just won’t go away, you can use a small pin to poke a hole in the bubble. The hole only needs to be large enough for air to escape, and once the bubble is deflated the hole will not be visible. Once you create a hole, you can push air out of the bubble starting from the farthest edge of the bubble and working your way toward the hole.
Smaller bubbles tend to deflate on their own over time. Allow your boards to sit for a day after you apply cornhole decals. This will allow smaller bubbles to disappear on their own.

Protecting Your Decal

Once you have removed the air bubbles, allow your cornhole board decal to dry for a day (especially if you use the wet method). If you are in a hurry, you can use a hairdryer on low heat to help the decal set more quickly.

Once your decal is dry, you’ll want to apply a polyurethane clear coat to protect your decal from wear and tear. We have an all-inclusive guide to caring for cornhole boards and applying a poly clear coat, linked below. You’ll want to check that out before applying the poly.

Cornhole board designs vary greatly, and decals are a great way to customize your set. From sporting teams to college cornhole boards, decals allow you to show your allegiance when playing your favorite game. We have a great selection of cornhole decals and full-board wraps, including NFL, NHL, NBA, MLB, and NCAA team logos and fully custom designs. Browse our cornhole decals collection to find the right one for your boards.