{"slug":"peel-and-stick","title":"Order and apply peel-and-stick transfers","group":"Ordering with AMS","description":"Use UV DTF to add custom designs to smooth hard items. No heat press is used.","outcome":"Check the surface, order the right sizes, and apply a test transfer.","needs":["A clean, smooth, hard item and a spare sample for testing.","Artwork at the size you want on the item.","A lint-free cloth, suitable surface cleaner, and a flat-edge squeegee."],"keywords":["custom peel and stick","UV DTF","stickers","decals","cups","tumblers","glass","hard surfaces","squeegee","bubbles","small text lifts"],"sourceUpdatedOn":"2026-10-21","sections":[{"id":"surface","title":"Check the surface first","text":["UV DTF is a peel-and-stick transfer for hard, smooth, non-porous surfaces. Non-porous means liquid does not soak into it, as it would with unfinished wood or fabric.","Test the actual item. A flat side or a simple curve is easier than a ball shape. Rough, soft, rubbery, or porous items need a different approach. This is not the heat-transfer product used on shirts."],"table":{"headings":["Surface","What to check"],"rows":[["Smooth glass, metal, plastic, or ceramic","Cleanliness, finish, and adhesion on a sample"],["Straight cup or bottle","Whether the design can lie flat around the curve"],["Ball shape, sharp corners, or changing curves","Wrinkles and lifting; test before committing a run"],["Fabric, rough wood, or rubbery coating","Ask AMS about a suitable method before ordering"]]},"links":[{"label":"Compare DTF and UV methods","href":"/dtf-vs-uv-transfers"}]},{"id":"measure","title":"Measure the space for the design","text":["Measure the usable area on the actual item. Keep the design away from handles, seams, lips, and tight curves. A design that fits a flat ruler may still wrinkle around a curved item.","For a practice cup, cut a paper rectangle at the planned design size and hold it in place. If it cannot lie flat, use a smaller design or a different location. This is a fit check, not an adhesion test."]},{"id":"order","title":"Order Peel & Stick UV","steps":[{"title":"Open Start an order → Transfers to DIY","text":"Choose Peel & Stick UV. Check that the builder remains on the UV transfer type.","picture":{"src":"/images/help/customer-transfers-2026-10-21.webp","width":550,"height":460,"alt":"Choose Your Transfer Type showing DTF Transfers, Peel & Stick UV, and Single Color Bulk.","caption":"For plastisol, the order wizard uses the name Single Color Bulk."}},{"title":"Add your artwork","text":"Choose Upload my designs now, then Upload Designs in the builder to select your file. Use clean artwork at the final print size.","picture":{"src":"/images/help/customer-artwork-2026-10-21.webp","width":550,"height":555,"alt":"Artwork choices in the transfer wizard, including Upload my designs now.","caption":"Have a file ready? Choose Upload my designs now. Other artwork options appear on this screen."}},{"title":"Set the design size and copy count","text":"In Upload Design, set Width, Height, and Qty using your item measurements. Review the artwork choice, then Add to Gang Sheet. Arrange and review the prints, including small text and thin details."},{"title":"Review the cart before paying","text":"Confirm UV DTF, sizes, counts, artwork choice, delivery, and the current total. A fabric DTF transfer cannot be substituted for this product."}],"links":[{"label":"Open Start an order","href":"/start"},{"label":"Read cancellation and order-issue policies before paying","href":"/help/order-policies"},{"label":"Learn the sheet builder","href":"/help/gang-sheets"}]},{"id":"test","title":"Do one test before the full batch","checklist":{"title":"UV surface test","items":["The item is hard, smooth, and dry.","The design lies flat without crossing a tight curve.","I have a spare item for testing.","I have checked the instructions supplied for this product."],"complete":"Apply one test transfer first and check the result before doing the rest."},"note":{"title":"Plan a test, not a durability promise","text":"Do not promise dishwasher, outdoor, food-contact, or long-term performance from the word “UV.” Ask AMS about the exact item and use. A surface test is still needed."}},{"id":"apply","title":"Apply the transfer","steps":[{"title":"Clean and dry the item","text":"The published UV guide uses isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Check that the cleaner is suitable for the item’s finish. Let it dry fully and let cold items reach room temperature."},{"title":"Line up the design before exposing the adhesive","text":"Dry-fit it first. A ruler and tape hinge can help hold the position. Once the adhesive touches, moving it can damage the result."},{"title":"Remove the backing and apply from the center outward","text":"Press it down with overlapping squeegee passes to push air outward. Rub tiny letters, corners, and thin lines firmly."},{"title":"Peel the top carrier slowly at a low angle","text":"If a detail lifts, put the carrier back down, rub that area again, and try the slow peel again. Do not pull upward sharply."}],"links":[{"label":"Full illustrated UV application guide","href":"/how-to-apply-uv-dtf-transfers#no-bubble-steps"}]},{"id":"success","title":"What a good test looks like","text":["The design is aligned, all details stay on the item, and there are no lifted edges or trapped bubbles. Check the result on the item you actually plan to decorate.","Keep the care guidance supplied with the product. Water resistance does not by itself mean an item is dishwasher safe or suitable for every outdoor use."]},{"id":"problems","title":"Fix common application problems","table":{"headings":["What you see","Check first"],"rows":[["Design does not stick","Moisture, surface coating, texture, and squeegee pressure"],["Bubbles under the design","Apply from the center outward instead of sealing the edges first"],["Small letters lift with the carrier","Lay it down again, rub the details, and peel slowly at a low angle"],["Wrinkles around a curve","Stop and test a smaller design or flatter part of the item"],["Crooked design","Dry-fit and align the next one before removing the backing"]]},"links":[{"label":"Ask AMS for help","href":"/help#submit-request"}]},{"id":"help","title":"What to send AMS if a test fails","text":["Send the order number, a photo of the full item and close-up of the problem, the item’s material or coating, and the cleaning and application steps you used. Keep the unused transfers while AMS reviews the issue."],"links":[{"label":"Report an order problem","href":"/help/orders#report-problem"}]}],"next":["artwork","gang-sheets","orders"],"updatedOn":"2026-10-21","kind":"article","canonical":"https://chooseams.com/help/peel-and-stick","revision":"43abf7e9","markdown":"# Order and apply peel-and-stick transfers\n\nUse UV DTF to add custom designs to smooth hard items. No heat press is used.\n\nSource: https://chooseams.com/help/peel-and-stick\nReviewed/updated: 2026-10-21\n\nYou will: Check the surface, order the right sizes, and apply a test transfer.\n\n## What you need\n- A clean, smooth, hard item and a spare sample for testing.\n- Artwork at the size you want on the item.\n- A lint-free cloth, suitable surface cleaner, and a flat-edge squeegee.\n\n## Check the surface first {#surface}\n\nUV DTF is a peel-and-stick transfer for hard, smooth, non-porous surfaces. Non-porous means liquid does not soak into it, as it would with unfinished wood or fabric.\n\nTest the actual item. A flat side or a simple curve is easier than a ball shape. Rough, soft, rubbery, or porous items need a different approach. This is not the heat-transfer product used on shirts.\n\n| Surface | What to check |\n| --- | --- |\n| Smooth glass, metal, plastic, or ceramic | Cleanliness, finish, and adhesion on a sample |\n| Straight cup or bottle | Whether the design can lie flat around the curve |\n| Ball shape, sharp corners, or changing curves | Wrinkles and lifting; test before committing a run |\n| Fabric, rough wood, or rubbery coating | Ask AMS about a suitable method before ordering |\n\n- [Compare DTF and UV methods](/dtf-vs-uv-transfers)\n\n## Measure the space for the design {#measure}\n\nMeasure the usable area on the actual item. Keep the design away from handles, seams, lips, and tight curves. A design that fits a flat ruler may still wrinkle around a curved item.\n\nFor a practice cup, cut a paper rectangle at the planned design size and hold it in place. If it cannot lie flat, use a smaller design or a different location. This is a fit check, not an adhesion test.\n\n## Order Peel & Stick UV {#order}\n\n1. **Open Start an order → Transfers to DIY** Choose Peel & Stick UV. Check that the builder remains on the UV transfer type.\n   ![Choose Your Transfer Type showing DTF Transfers, Peel & Stick UV, and Single Color Bulk.](/images/help/customer-transfers-2026-10-21.webp)\n   For plastisol, the order wizard uses the name Single Color Bulk.\n\n2. **Add your artwork** Choose Upload my designs now, then Upload Designs in the builder to select your file. Use clean artwork at the final print size.\n   ![Artwork choices in the transfer wizard, including Upload my designs now.](/images/help/customer-artwork-2026-10-21.webp)\n   Have a file ready? Choose Upload my designs now. Other artwork options appear on this screen.\n\n3. **Set the design size and copy count** In Upload Design, set Width, Height, and Qty using your item measurements. Review the artwork choice, then Add to Gang Sheet. Arrange and review the prints, including small text and thin details.\n\n4. **Review the cart before paying** Confirm UV DTF, sizes, counts, artwork choice, delivery, and the current total. A fabric DTF transfer cannot be substituted for this product.\n\n- [Open Start an order](/start)\n- [Read cancellation and order-issue policies before paying](/help/order-policies)\n- [Learn the sheet builder](/help/gang-sheets)\n\n## Do one test before the full batch {#test}\n\n> **Plan a test, not a durability promise** Do not promise dishwasher, outdoor, food-contact, or long-term performance from the word “UV.” Ask AMS about the exact item and use. A surface test is still needed.\n\n### UV surface test\n- [ ] The item is hard, smooth, and dry.\n- [ ] The design lies flat without crossing a tight curve.\n- [ ] I have a spare item for testing.\n- [ ] I have checked the instructions supplied for this product.\n\nApply one test transfer first and check the result before doing the rest.\n\n## Apply the transfer {#apply}\n\n1. **Clean and dry the item** The published UV guide uses isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Check that the cleaner is suitable for the item’s finish. Let it dry fully and let cold items reach room temperature.\n\n2. **Line up the design before exposing the adhesive** Dry-fit it first. A ruler and tape hinge can help hold the position. Once the adhesive touches, moving it can damage the result.\n\n3. **Remove the backing and apply from the center outward** Press it down with overlapping squeegee passes to push air outward. Rub tiny letters, corners, and thin lines firmly.\n\n4. **Peel the top carrier slowly at a low angle** If a detail lifts, put the carrier back down, rub that area again, and try the slow peel again. Do not pull upward sharply.\n\n- [Full illustrated UV application guide](/how-to-apply-uv-dtf-transfers#no-bubble-steps)\n\n## What a good test looks like {#success}\n\nThe design is aligned, all details stay on the item, and there are no lifted edges or trapped bubbles. Check the result on the item you actually plan to decorate.\n\nKeep the care guidance supplied with the product. Water resistance does not by itself mean an item is dishwasher safe or suitable for every outdoor use.\n\n## Fix common application problems {#problems}\n\n| What you see | Check first |\n| --- | --- |\n| Design does not stick | Moisture, surface coating, texture, and squeegee pressure |\n| Bubbles under the design | Apply from the center outward instead of sealing the edges first |\n| Small letters lift with the carrier | Lay it down again, rub the details, and peel slowly at a low angle |\n| Wrinkles around a curve | Stop and test a smaller design or flatter part of the item |\n| Crooked design | Dry-fit and align the next one before removing the backing |\n\n- [Ask AMS for help](/help#submit-request)\n\n## What to send AMS if a test fails {#help}\n\nSend the order number, a photo of the full item and close-up of the problem, the item’s material or coating, and the cleaning and application steps you used. Keep the unused transfers while AMS reviews the issue.\n\n- [Report an order problem](/help/orders#report-problem)\n\n## What to do next\n- https://chooseams.com/help/artwork\n- https://chooseams.com/help/gang-sheets\n- https://chooseams.com/help/orders\n\n## Working with a customer agent\nUse this guide as public instructions. Get current prices, stock, order status, and eligibility from authorized live tools. Ask for missing choices. The customer must review the exact artwork/proof and authorize any paid or publishing action. A copied guide does not connect an account or grant access. Do not include passwords, card details, locker codes, or private access links in public requests.\n"}