How to Test Removable Wall Graphics Before Installation

Test removable wall graphics on an inconspicuous part of the actual wall before printing the full job. Use the exact material and print process you plan to install, then check both adhesion and removal using the manufacturer’s current instructions. “Removable” does not guarantee damage-free removal from every painted surface.

For seasonal retail displays, office graphics and other interior projects, the wall finish matters as much as the graphic. A sample that works on one wall does not establish that it will work on another.

Which material are you testing?

Great Lakes Graphic Supply carries Lumina® by FDC 7335 removable-adhesive wall fabric. FDC describes it as printable polyester fabric for interior wall graphics on flat surfaces. Its product page and linked bulletin both specify no wet application and no lamination.

Start with the FDC 7335 product specifications and 7335 Product Data Bulletin. The bulletin calls for pre-testing. Some details differ between the online specifications and the linked bulletin, so confirm any disputed requirement for your exact print system before production. Do not assume a setting or instruction for another wall film applies to 7335.

What should you record about the wall?

Make a short job record before applying a sample:

• The location and condition of each wall that will receive graphics.
• The paint brand, product and finish, if known, plus when it was applied.
• Any texture, repairs, peeling paint, damp areas or existing residue.
• The planned display duration and whether the wall must be returned to its original appearance.
• The exact media series, printer, ink and planned production process.

Check the paint manufacturer’s curing requirements and the graphic manufacturer’s surface-preparation instructions. Dry-to-touch paint is not a substitute for confirming the required cure. If the coating or its condition is uncertain, resolve that before committing the full job.

How do you run a useful sample test?

1. Choose a representative test area. With the property owner’s permission, use an inconspicuous area of the actual wall. Test separately where the paint, texture or wall condition differs.
2. Prepare the surface as directed. Use the cleaning method approved for the wall finish and graphic material, and allow the surface to dry. Do not invent a solvent mixture or use application fluid with 7335.
3. Use a representative printed sample. Use the intended media, ink and production process, following the applicable printing and curing instructions. Testing only an unprinted scrap leaves part of the finished job untested.
4. Apply and observe the sample. Follow the material’s application instructions. Record the application date and conditions, then check for lifting edges, bubbles, changes in appearance or other problems over the recommended test period.
5. Check removal as well as adhesion. Follow the manufacturer’s removal procedure and inspect for residue, paint lifting or changes to the wall finish. Photograph and record the result before approving production.

Ask for a product- and surface-specific test period when the instructions do not give one. A quick stick-and-peel check is not evidence that the graphic will perform throughout the intended display period. Even a successful sample cannot guarantee the condition of every part of a wall or predict every effect of a long installation.

What if the sample lifts or damages the paint?

Stop and review the material, wall condition, preparation and print process before making the full graphic. Increasing pressure, adding adhesive or covering the problem with a laminate is not a substitute for identifying a compatible system. For 7335, FDC specifically lists lamination as “No.”

Keep the failed sample and test notes so the issue can be reviewed. Changing the wall coating, material or production method calls for a new test rather than carrying over the earlier result.

Quick questions before ordering

Can I wet-apply Lumina 7335?

No. FDC lists 7335 as unsuitable for wet application. Follow its current dry-application guidance.

Does removable adhesive mean the paint cannot be damaged?

No. Check removal on the actual wall finish before production and discuss the limits of the test with the property owner.

What information should I send GLGS?

Send the media series, wall and paint details, graphic dimensions, printer and ink information, display duration and any sample-test results. See our FDC digital print media FAQs for related selection questions, or contact Great Lakes Graphic Supply to discuss the material before ordering.