FAQs

Many items are available for purchase through our website using Paypal or an accepted credit card.  Please contact us through our website to arrange orders for custom items (e.g., custom stickers, custom tees, fundraiser items, etc.).

There are no required minimums for HTV decorated tees or transfer decals, but required minimums may apply for screen printed tees and printed stickers.

For online orders, you are welcome to pay using PayPal or accepted credit cards.

For personal orders, production begins after payment has been processed. For businesses, schools, churches, and other organizations, payment may be made following order delivery.

Once your order is placed and the invoice is paid, the details of your order are recorded on a work order spreadsheet to ensure accuracy and production tracking from beginning to end. Next, we begin designing the digital artwork for your product(s).  Once the artwork is ready and inspected by us, we send you a digital proof and ask you to review it for accuracy and to submit your approval or edit request.  Once your approval has been received, we then order any needed materials from our vendors.  Materials usually arrive within 2-3 business days and we begin physical production of your product(s) which normally takes 1-2 business days to complete.  Your product is then packaged for shipment or delivery, and you are notified that your order is complete.

Most of what we do is made to order, and production begins once payment has been processed. The production time of your order depends on the item(s) being purchased.  Readily available items can usually be processed within a week, while custom orders typically require additional time.  To give you the best price possible, we must meet minimum order requirements to avoid shipping charges from our vendors.  Therefore, the frequency with which we order materials depends on the volume of orders we receive from our customers.  This can also affect production time.  We do our best to complete all orders within a two-week cycle.   

If you are under time constraints and need us to meet a specific deadline for your order, it is necessary that you communicate this to us as early as possible.  We will try to accommodate reasonable requests, but rush orders will likely incur additional fees.

Each order is recorded on a work order spreadsheet to ensure accuracy and production tracking from beginning to end. We inspect the product throughout the production process, from the digital artwork through order fulfillment.  Once the artwork is ready on the computer, we send you a digital proof of the design.  We ask that you also review the design for accuracy and submit your approval or edit request.  Approval of the design must be received before physical production of the product begins.

Once your custom artwork is ready and inspected, we will send you a digital proof to review.  This review is a vital part of our quality assurance plan, and we ask that you inspect the proof carefully for any needed corrections.  We will wait for your approval or feedback before continuing to process your order.  Note:  Digital proofs are only sent for custom orders and are not included for items sold directly through our website.

Although we take great care to ensure that your product is perfect, mistakes can happen. We appreciate your help in reviewing the digital proof to help us identify and correct any mistakes before physical production begins.  Some things you should look for are:

- Spelling

- Design colors

- Design size and placement

- Shirt color, size(s), and quantities

Please note: Colors may appear differently on your monitor/display than they do on ours. 

At this time our primary delivery carriers are UPS and USPS.  We typically use the most economical program based on shipping calculations. 

If you prefer, you may contact us to request local pick up in the Carbon Hill or Jasper areas.

A selection of VM products are available in our booth at The Tin Cup Market located in Jasper, AL on Hwy 118 atop the hill across from Zaxby’s restaurant.

Hours of business:

- Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

- Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

- Sunday and Monday: Closed

We are proud to offer BELLA+CANVAS as our go-to brand, and here are a few reasons why:

BELLA+CANVAS tees are:

- Made in the USA (Largest dyer & cutter of fabric in the United States)

- Environmentally friendly, highly ethical, & sweat-shop free

- Airlume combed & ring-spun cotton for superb softness & comfort

- Side-seam designed & constructed for a better fit

- Highest quality & affordable

Looking for something else?

Our vendors carry a huge variety of apparel in many different brands, styles, and fabric combinations.  Chances are, we can find just what you are looking for.    

While you may provide your own new apparel, we do not guarantee any clothing article not purchased through our business, nor do we guarantee any decoration applied to the article provided. Also, keep in mind that in most cases we can purchase apparel at a lower wholesale cost, and we do not charge customers a markup on the article itself if the item is being decorated by us.  We do charge a markup on clothing articles being sold as blanks.

We use a variety of decoration methods, including: heat transfer vinyl (HTV), screen printing, sublimation, foil, and even rhinestones.  The chosen method of decoration is determined by the artwork and what is most cost effective based on the size of the order.  Screen printing is the preferred method for larger orders, while HTV is most commonly used for smaller orders or where customization of names and numbers is required.

Kiss cutting allows your sticker to be printed and cut out in virtually any shape, including the shape of your design.  Our equipment will make a precision contour cut that cuts cleanly through the vinyl but not through the paper backing.  The surrounding border can also be printed on and helps protect your sticker from damage prior to application.

A transfer decal is a sticker that has multiple pieces or components.  In order to make application easier, the different pieces are held in place by transfer tape that is applied to the top of the decal.  When you install the decal, you use the transfer tape to peel the decal from the paper backing and then apply it to the desired surface.  Once applied, the transfer tape is then removed from the decal to give you a great finished look!

Oftentimes, the terms sticker and decal are used synonymously.  However, at the Vinyl Motif we use the term sticker to refer to a one-piece adhesive-backed product that is applied without the use of transfer tape, while the term decal is used to refer to a multi-piece adhesive-backed product that is applied using transfer tape as explained above.  Stickers are typically printed on digital media using eco-solvent inks and then either contour cut or cut out as a square or rectangle.  Decals consist of multiple pieces or components that are cut from rolls or sheets of vinyl using a plotter.

The higher cost of decals is associated with the additional materials and labor involved in producing them.  Decals consist of multiple pieces or components which must be held in place by transfer tape for application.  After the decal is cut on the plotter, the unused portions of the vinyl must be removed by hand from the cavities and surrounding areas of the decal before the transfer tape can be applied.  The process of removing this scrap material is called weeding, and can often be tedious and time-consuming.

There are many factors that contribute to the lifespan of a sticker or decal.  Some of these factors include:  the primary location & environmental conditions in which the product is used, the substrate onto which the product is applied, the method in which the product is used, and the quality of materials from which the product is made.  At the Vinyl Motif, LLC, we take great pride in our products and we use high quality materials for everything we sell, including our stickers & decals.  Our printed (kiss cut) stickers are made from outdoor digital vinyl media with a (nonprinted) durability rating of up to 5 years.  All of our printed (kiss cut) stickers are also overlaminated to extend the life of the vinyl for up to 2 additional years.  Our transfer decals are made from outdoor calendered vinyl with a durability rating of up to 6 years.

Products purchased through The Vinyl Motif, LLC are guaranteed from defects for 15 days from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required.  The Vinyl Motif, LLC is not responsible for product damage resulting from failure to follow recommended care instructions.  Customer assumes complete responsibility for any and all damages associated with the use and installation of decals purchased from The Vinyl Motif, LLC, including damages to personal property or to the product itself.        

Magnetic Signs Care & Application:

Storing Flexible Magnet

• When not using flexible magnetic sheet, keep it in a clean, dry place.
• Store rolled sign material on end with the printed or vinyl side out.
• Stack flat magnet on a level surface. Avoid placing objects (such as cartons) on top that could damage the face; do not stack with magnetic sides facing each other.

Preparing Magnetic-Receptive Surfaces

• Before affixing magnetic sheet to a metal surface, be sure all surface paints, clear coats and waxes are cured (hardened). *(Approximate curing times: paint - 90 days; clear coat - 60 days; wax - 2 days.)
• Clean the metallic surface and the magnet with mild detergent.
• Wipe with a soft cloth or allow to dry.

Applying Flexible Magnet

• Before applying, test all inks and paints used on the magnet for adhesion and solvent compatibility.
• Affix to smooth, flat or gently curved metallic surfaces.
• Make sure the entire magnet is flat against the metal surface. Do not place over protrusions (molding, decals, pin striping, etc.) or concave areas. There must be NO air pockets.
• The magnet itself should be at a room temperature of 60 deg F (16 deg C) or above when installed to achieve best results.
• Do not apply magnet that has been curled with the magnet side out. The magnet may not attach properly to the metallic surface resulting in lifted corners or air gaps which will weaken its holding strength. Follow instructions for Storing Flexible Magnet.
• If you place the magnet in the wrong position, completely remove the magnet from the surface and reaffix. Lift at sides and not at corners to remove. Do not pull the magnet across the surface, or it may stretch due to the resistance caused by the high magnetic strength.
• Do NOT use on horizontal metal surfaces exposed to direct sunlight (such as automobile hoods), temperatures exceeding 160 deg F (71 deg C) or temperatures below -15 deg F (-26 deg C). Exposure to cold weather will make the magnet more brittle so use caution when handling.
• Be aware that long-term use on surfaces frequently exposed to sunlight (such as vehicles) can result in uneven fading of the surface because the magnet-covered area is shielded from ultraviolet rays.
• Do NOT use on non-metallic body fillers, simulated wood grain siding and repainted surfaces.

NOTE: Doors and panels on some vehicles are not made of steel. This product will not work on aluminum and plastic surfaces.

• Our magnetic sign corners are rounded to help prevent magnet from being wind-lifted.

Cleaning Flexible Magnet

• To guard against moisture and dirt buildup between the magnet and the metal surface (particularly on outdoor applications), remove the magnet at regular intervals. Clean both the magnet and metal surface with mild detergent; wipe with a soft cloth or allow to air-dry. (For vehicle-mounted signs, remove and clean DAILY.)
• After waxing and polishing, allow 2 days for wax to cure before applying magnets.

The information and opinions on whether magnetic signs can damage your vehicle is mixed and inconsistent. In our experience the short answer is yes. Proper maintenance and cleaning of the magnets and the vehicle can help mitigate some of these issues, but there are circumstances in which a vehicle's clear coat/paint may become discolored from the use of magnetic signs, regardless of the care taken to prevent it. We use the very best magnetic material available and have had many customers who have enjoyed beautiful magnetic signs for years without issues. However, in rare cases customers have experienced discoloration of their vehicle's clear coat/paint from using magnetic signs for only a brief period of time. In order to be ethical and to help our customers make informed decisions, we feel that it is necessary for us to be honest and transparent regarding these issues. Magnetic signs are an effective and convenient way of marketing, but the risks of using magnetic signs on your vehicle should be weighed when making these decisions. The customer assumes complete responsibility for any and all damages resulting from the use of magnetic signs, and The Vinyl Motif, LLC may not be held liable for such damages.

As individuals who strive to follow the principles of Christianity, we believe in building our business and our customer relations on a foundation of honesty and trust. For that reason, we do not accept orders for designs containing copyrighted or trademarked items without proper licensing.  At this time, we are not licensed to create or sell items containing logos or characters from the aforementioned teams or companies. However, we will work hard to create a custom design for you that does not infringe upon the creative rights of others.

We would love to help bring your ideas to life! It is one of the most rewarding parts of our business!  (Design fees may apply.)

Graphic design is a passion of ours! We love to create original custom artwork for apparel, decals, signs, business cards, and digital graphics.  Please contact us if we can help!  (Design fees may apply.)

We are currently looking into this and may begin offering DIY transfers to our customers at a future date.

We are looking into this and may begin offering downloadable artwork for DIY customers at a future date.

Recommended care instructions are included on the product tag attached to each product.  If for any reason your product is missing care instructions, please contact us prior to using the product and we will be happy to provide them upon request.

The following care instructions apply to most VM apparel:

Care Instructions:  Machine wash cold, inside out with mild detergent.  No bleach or fabric softener.  Hang dry.  Iron inside out.

There are different methods and schools of thought for applying vinyl decals, and opinions vary as to which method is best.  Some determining factors include:  the size of the decal, the substrate material, and the shape of the surface on which the decal is being applied.  A quick Internet search will provide you with helpful video tutorials and an abundance of information.  Some decals can be applied wet or dry, although wet applications are usually reserved for very large decals.  Decals with air-egress (air-release) technology should only be installed dry, as a wet installation can result in poor adhesion. If installing dry, you may consider using a hinge method.  For most applications we have found the top-hinge method to work well.  However, depending on the orientation of your decal and the location of the installation, you may find that a side-hinge or other installation method works better for your situation. If installing a larger decal, you may want to research a vertical-hinge method which allows you to apply the decal in sections (vertical-hinge instructions available upon request). 

You can download the top-hinge application instructions by clicking the link below.  These instructions are also included on the product page of our website for your convenience.

Transfer Decal Application Instructions

VM Fleet is a division of The Vinyl Motif, LLC that produces commercial vehicle decals, including company name & logo, USDOT, MC, VIN, GVWR, truck numbers, and other state required registration numbers (CA, KYU, PUCO, etc.).

Commercial vehicles hauling cargo, hazardous materials, or transporting passengers in interstate commerce are required to register with the FMCSA and display USDOT and other required registration numbers. Requirements can vary by state and on a case to case basis, so each company/individual is responsible for determining the legal requirements applicable to their specific situation.

The Vinyl Motif, LLC (VM FLEET) does not claim to be a reliable source of information regarding the legal requirements for commercial vehicles. The Vinyl Motif, LLC (VM FLEET) is not responsible or liable for any fines, fees, expenses, penalties, or the like that result from failure to meet any of the legal requirements for commercial vehicles.

USDOT decals are required to be on both sides of the vehicle. They must be a minimum of 2" in height and of a contrasting color to the vehicle so as to be clearly visible from a distance of 50'.

Some local government registration numbers require a minimum letter height of 3".

Our standard decals are made from high-quality outdoor vinyl with permanent adhesive and a manufacturer's durability rating of up to 8 years. This vinyl has outstanding performance with minimal shrinkage, and is available in a variety of colors which are pigmented throughout the material providing excellent resistance to fading. It is easily installed on flat or slightly curved surfaces, such as doors or side panels of most vehicles.

Our full-color decals are printed on high-quality polymeric digital media with an (nonprinted) outdoor durability rating of up to 7 years. Our digital prints are then laminated with a matte-finished overlaminate with an outdoor durability rating of up to 6 years, providing additional durability and UV protection to prevent premature yellowing and fading of the print. This media is backed with permanent adhesive and air-release (air-egress) technology for an easy bubble-free application.

No, they are installed together.

The adhesive side of the decal is temporarily affixed to a wax liner (backing paper) prior to installation in order to help hold the pieces of the decal in place and to protect the adhesive from debris. Transfer tape is applied to the surface (non-adhesive side) of the letters, numbers and graphics of the decal to facilitate the transfer of the decal from the wax liner to the vehicle. During installation, the wax liner (backing paper) is removed from the the back of the decal and the transfer tape temporarily holds the pieces of the decal in place while they are being applied to the surface of the vehicle. The transfer tape is then removed and installation is complete.

This sounds complicated but the process is actually pretty simple. Click on the following link to see detailed application instructions:

Transfer Decal Application Instructions

The VM FLEET Satisfaction Guarantee includes the following:

- Quick Turnaround: Our commitment is to do everything in our control to fulfill orders in 3 business days or less (shipping time not included). Unfortunately, in the current climate of the industry material/labor shortages and other circumstances outside of our control may prevent order fulfillment in the desired time frame.  Other factors (issues with artwork, proofing, editing, etc.) may also delay order turnaround times.  Please be patient and know that we want to process your order as accurately and quickly as possible, and our priorities fall in that order.

- No Worry Installation: In the event that damage occurs to your original decal(s) during installation, just e-mail us a photo of the damaged decal(s) and we will provide one replacement decal for each original that is damaged, no questions asked. 

(Replacement decals must be identical to the originals.  VMFleet never processes a custom order without first providing the customer a digital mockup and receiving prior authorization from the customer to proceed.  VMFleet is not responsible for (and will not replace free of charge) items on the basis of spelling errors, customer sizing errors, incorrect numbers, color discrepancies, or any other issue(s) that should have been identified and corrected during the customer proofing process.) 

- Free Squeegee: One quality 4" squeegee vinyl application tool is included free with each order at the customer's request.

- Free Shipping: We provide free standard ground shipping from a reputable carrier on orders of $50 or more.

Products purchased through The Vinyl Motif, LLC are guaranteed from defects for 15 days from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase is required.  The Vinyl Motif, LLC is not responsible for product damage resulting from failure to follow recommended care instructions.  Customer assumes complete responsibility for any and all damages associated with the use and installation of stickers, decals and/or magnets purchased from The Vinyl Motif, LLC, including damages to personal property or to the product itself.

Once your order has been placed, all sales are final and may not be cancelled or changed.

Your purchased product(s) may be exchanged for a different size within 7 days from date of pick up or delivery under the following conditions:

- Customer is responsible for providing proof of purchase.

- Customer must receive prior approval from The Vinyl Motif, LLC before returning item for an exchange

- Customer is responsible for all fees associated with returned shipping.

- Returned item(s) must be unused and in the same condition and packaging in which it was received.

- Item(s) may only be exchanged for a like product of equal or lesser value.  The Vinyl Motif, LLC reserves the right to determine which item(s) constitutes a like product.

- Exchanges are subject to product availability.

Defective products or products damaged in shipping may be exchanged or eligible for refund within 15 days from date of pick up or delivery under the following conditions:

- Customer is responsible for providing proof of purchase.

- Customer must receive prior approval from The Vinyl Motif, LLC before returning item for refund or exchange.

- Products damaged due to customer negligence or failure to follow recommended care instructions will not be eligible for refund or exchange.

- Item(s) may only be exchanged for a like product of equal or lesser value.  The Vinyl Motif, LLC reserves the right to determine which item(s) constitutes a like product.

- Exchanges are subject to product availability.

- The time frame for refunds may be subject to bank, PayPal, or Credit Card policies outside of The Vinyl Motif, LLC's control.

- No refunds or exchanges will be made for any item(s) more than 15 days after the date of pick up or delivery.

At this time we do not provide printing or installation of vehicle wraps.

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Quantity discounts may apply to large orders for businesses, churches, organizations, event promotions, and fundraising campaigns.  Pricing for stickers and decals are published in the pricing charts on the stickers and decals product page of our website.  Please contact us for more information.