Creating Wedding Shoe Decals: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding shoe decals are a fun and creative way to personalise your big day. You can buy them ready-made from sites like Etsy and Amazon, or make your own using a Cricut machine. If you're creating your own, you'll need to apply your decal to a smooth surface, like leather or faux leather, and use transfer tape to get your design from the backing paper onto your shoe. You can also buy iron-on decals, which you apply using an iron or hair straighteners.

Choosing a design

When choosing a design for your wedding shoe decals, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, think about the overall theme or colour scheme of your wedding and choose a design that complements this. You could also consider incorporating your new surname and wedding date into the design, or even a romantic phrase or quote. If you're feeling creative, you can design and make your own decals using a Cricut machine, or you can find a range of customisable options on sites like Etsy and Amazon.

If you're looking for some inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Romantic phrases such as "I do", "Me too", or "Wifey for Lifey".
• Your names or initials, either individually or as a couple (e.g. "Mr & Mrs Smith").
• Your wedding date, especially if you're getting married on a special date such as 10/10/2020.
• A romantic quote or line from a poem or song that has special meaning for you.
• A monogram of your shared initials, or just the initial of your new surname.
• A small heart or other romantic symbol.

Remember, your shoe decals can be as unique and creative as you like, so feel free to think outside the box and design something that truly reflects your personality and style.

Selecting a font

Readability:

The font you choose should be legible, especially if you plan to include important details such as the wedding date or the couple's names. Avoid highly scripted or thin fonts that may be difficult to read. Opt for a font with clean, simple letters that are easy on the eyes.

Compatibility with your Wedding Theme:

Consider selecting a font that complements your wedding theme. For example, if you're going for a contemporary bash, sans serif fonts with their focus on clean lines might be a better choice. On the other hand, for a traditional wedding, serif or script fonts could be more suitable.

Formality:

The font you choose should also reflect the formality of your wedding. Serif fonts with looped edges are perfect for formal, traditional affairs, while sans serif fonts are more appropriate for informal, low-key gatherings. If you're having a whimsical event, consider a font like Carried Away (Ballerina Script), which is perfect for adding a touch of playfulness.

Accent Fonts:

Using accent fonts is a great way to highlight specific information, such as names or the wedding date. Choose a font that stands out from the rest of the text and adds a special touch to your design. Playful calligraphy-style fonts or bold, italicised fonts can be perfect for this purpose.

Consistency:

It is important to maintain consistency with your font choice. If you use a particular font on your wedding invitations, consider using the same font on other wedding elements such as programs, escort cards, and cocktail napkins. This creates a cohesive design concept for your special day.

Contrast:

While it's important to maintain consistency, you can also introduce contrast by pairing two complementary fonts. For example, you can pair a script font with a sans serif font to make your shoe decals more engaging and memorable. Just remember to use contrast intentionally and strategically to avoid a haphazard look.

Size and Capitalization:

When it comes to font size and capitalization, less is more. Reserve capital letters and larger font sizes for headings or important information you want to emphasise. For essential details, use clear, clean text in a smaller font size to ensure readability.

By following these tips, you can choose a font for your wedding shoe decals that not only looks beautiful but also effectively communicates your wedding details to your guests.

Preparing the decal

The first step in preparing your decal is to design it! You can write out the wording or text you want, such as "I do", "bride", or the wedding date, and choose a font and size that will fit the space on your shoe. You can also add images or shapes, like a heart, to your design.

Once you're happy with your design, cut a piece of vinyl that is large enough for your decal, and place it face-up on a cutting mat, ensuring it is smooth and free of air bubbles.

Now, you can send your design to be cut. If you're using a Cricut machine, place your vinyl on the cutting mat and set the machine to cut "vinyl". If you don't have access to a cutting machine, you can carefully cut out your design by hand, using a craft knife and a metal ruler for straight edges.

After cutting, carefully remove the vinyl that is outside of your design, including the insides of letters, to leave just the words, numbers, or images that you want to transfer to your shoe. Be careful not to accidentally remove any small dots or characters that are part of your design.

The next step is to apply transfer tape to your decal. Cut a piece of transfer tape large enough to cover your entire design, then peel off the backing layer. Place the tape carefully over your decal, trying to get it as straight as possible, and smooth it down with a store card or vinyl applicator to remove any air bubbles.

Now your decal is ready to be applied to your shoe!

Applying the decal

Prepare the Decal:

Before you begin, ensure your work surface is clean and that you have all the necessary materials, such as your decal, transfer tape, a store card or applicator, and a pair of clean shoes with smooth soles. If your decal hasn't been weeded, carefully remove the excess vinyl around and inside your design, leaving only the letters and numbers you want to transfer.

Apply Transfer Tape:

Take your transfer tape and lay it over your decal, trying to keep it as straight as possible. Use a store card or a plastic loyalty card to smooth down the transfer tape, removing any air bubbles or bumps.

Peel Off the Backing:

Once the transfer tape is securely adhered, slowly peel off the paper backing of the decal. Be careful not to peel off any letters or numbers with the paper. If you notice any letters lifting, gently press them back down onto the transfer tape.

Apply the Decal to the Shoe:

Determine the placement of your decal on the shoe, ensuring the surface is clean, dry, and smooth. Stick the transfer tape to the shoe and use your card or applicator to smooth out the decal, removing any air bubbles or bumps.

Remove Transfer Tape and Secure Decal:

After ensuring the decal is securely adhered to the shoe, slowly peel off the transfer tape. Go over the letters and give them a final press to ensure they are secure.

Repeat this process for the other shoe, making sure the decals are lined up and placed identically on both shoes.

Your wedding shoe decals are now ready to be shown off! Remember to take photos before the dance floor, as the decals may not last all night, especially if they are light-coloured.

Smoothing out air bubbles

Prepare the Surface:

Start by ensuring the shoe surface is spotless and free of any residue. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the area where you will apply the decal. You can also use soap and water or rubbing alcohol to remove any dust, dirt, or grime. This step is crucial to prevent air bubbles from forming due to dirt or residue.

Apply the Decal:

Peel back a corner of the decal's backing and gently place the exposed area onto the shoe surface. Slowly ease the rest of the decal off the backing, smoothing it onto the shoe as you go. This gradual application process will help prevent air bubbles from forming.

Use a Squeegee or Credit Card:

To aid in the smoothing process, use a wide, flat tool like a squeegee or a credit card. Flatten the decal with your chosen tool, gently pushing out any air bubbles that may have formed. Work from the centre of the decal outwards to ensure that all air bubbles are removed.

Remove Remaining Air Bubbles:

If there are any stubborn air bubbles that remain, don't worry. You can use a sewing pin or a sharp razor blade to gently puncture the bubble. Create a tiny hole and then use your finger, a squeegee, or the edge of a credit card to push the air out and smooth the decal. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer set to low heat and hold it about 3-4 inches away from the decal. The gentle heat will cause the air inside the bubble to expand and escape, leaving you with a smooth finish.

Final Touches:

Once you are satisfied that all air bubbles have been removed, give the decal one last press with your squeegee or credit card to ensure it is securely adhered to the shoe. Check that the edges are fully stuck down and make any necessary adjustments. Now you're ready to show off your customised wedding shoes!

Frequently asked questions