How to Install Your Vinyl Drum Logo

Vinyl Logo Installation Guide

Installing a logo on your bass drum head is mostly about preparation and a little bit of patience. Follow these simple steps to get your logo installed cleanly and looking sharp.

Download the Quick Reference PDF

Watch the Installation

This in-depth video walks you through the process from cleaning the head and positioning the logo through to the final step of removing the transfer tape.

Before You Start

A few minutes of prep work will help make the actual installation go much smoother.

What You'll Need

  • Your vinyl drum logo
  • Glass or window cleaner
  • A squeegee, old credit card, or a firm plastic spatula
  • A small towel
  • A yardstick or straightedge for positioning

Additionally, for the wet install method:

  • A spray bottle filled with water and a few drops of dish soap

Work With the Head Off the Drum

Whenever possible, remove the drumhead from the drum before installing the logo. Having a stable surface and plenty of room to work makes positioning and applying the logo much easier, and gives you a better opportunity to check the logo for level and plumb before the final install.

Choose Your Application Method

There are two ways to apply the logo. The right choice depends on the surface of your drumhead.

Dry Method

Apply Directly to the Head

Peel the backing away, position the logo carefully, and apply it directly to the clean, dry surface.

Wet Method

Use a Fine Mist for Easier Positioning

Spray a very light mist of water on the head to create a slippery surface. This lets you move the logo into the perfect position and gives you the opportunity to work out air bubbles from underneath the logo.

Important: Do not use the wet method on coated, Calftone, or FiberSkyn drumheads.

Which Application Method Should I Use?

The type of drumhead determines whether you should use the dry or wet application method.

Drumhead Recommended Method Notes
Smooth White, Ebony, or Clear Wet or Dry The wet method can make positioning easier, while the dry method is always an option on any clean, dry surface.
Coated Dry Results can vary. Clean head thoroughly to remove loose coating and residue.
Calftone & Fiberskyn Dry The waxy surface of these heads makes adhesion difficult once the head is wet.

Step-by-Step Installation

Just remember, take your time. Careful preparation will produce a much cleaner result than trying to rush the installation.

1

Clean the Drumhead

Clean the area where the logo will go with glass or window cleaner. It is a good idea to clean slightly beyond the actual logo area as well. Remove oils, dust, residue, and any other foreign material. When doing a dry installation, allow the surface to completely dry before applying the logo.

Cleaning a drumhead with glass cleaner and a clean cloth

Cleaning matters. Oils and other contamination underneath the vinyl can become visible after the logo is installed and can interfere with adhesion.

2

Find Your Position

To find the center of the logo, fold the logo in half and use the crease or a light mark as your reference. Find the center of the drumhead using a yardstick or other long straightedge. Use that center point as your reference when positioning the logo.

Finding the center of a vinyl drum logo and a drumhead

Also consider the perceived or visual center of your logo. If the logo has uneven negative space or an asymmetric shape, the mathematically exact center may not end up looking centered.

3

Prepare the Logo

Your logo consists of three layers: the waxy silicone-backed paper, the vinyl logo with adhesive on the back, and the transfer tape on top.

Diagram showing the transfer tape, vinyl logo, and backing paper

Before applying the logo, use a squeegee, firm plastic card, or similar tool to press the vinyl firmly onto the transfer tape. Make several passes over the logo.

If the logo is cold, warming it slightly with your hands can make it easier to remove the backing layer.

4

Position and Apply the Logo

Slowly remove the backing paper while keeping the vinyl attached to the transfer tape. Align your center marks and lightly place the logo onto the drumhead.

Positioning and applying a vinyl drum logo with a blue squeegee

If you're using the wet method, don't press down firmly right away. The damp surface allows you to make small adjustments to the logo before committing to its final position.

Once you're happy with the position, use the squeegee to work across the logo and press the vinyl firmly onto the drumhead. Work systematically across the surface and concentrate on pushing air/water out from underneath the letters.

5

Give the Adhesive Time to Bond

If you used the dry method, you can proceed to removing the transfer tape once the logo has been firmly pressed onto the head.

If you used the wet method, allow the drumhead to sit somewhere warm while the surface dries and the adhesive bonds. Don't rush this part of the process.

If the surface is still damp or the vinyl starts to lift with the transfer tape, give it more time to dry before trying again.
6

Check the Logo

Before removing the transfer tape completely, look over the logo for any areas that haven't adhered. If you see a small lift, press the vinyl back down with the squeegee. Small bubbles can usually be worked toward the edge with the squeegee. Take your time rather than trying to fix everything at once.

7

Remove the Transfer Tape

Start at the lower-right corner of the transfer tape and slowly peel it away from the drumhead at a sharp angle.

Removing transfer tape from a vinyl drum logo and finished drumhead

The vinyl should remain on the drumhead. If any portion of the logo begins to lift, stop, press that area back down with the squeegee, then try again. Peel slowly with the transfer tape folded back close to the head rather than pulling it straight upward.

Troubleshooting

Click a question to expand
The vinyl is lifting when I remove the transfer tape. What should I do?
First, press the vinyl back down with the squeegee and give it more time to bond. If the problem persists after multiple attempts, it may mean there was some sort of oily contamination on the drumhead.
I have bubbles underneath the logo.
Work the bubbles toward the edge of the logo with the squeegee. Drum logos generally contain relatively narrow areas of vinyl, so concentrating on the letters and working outward should take care of most bubbles.
The transfer tape is coming off but part of the logo is coming with it.
Stop and press the vinyl back onto the head. Press the squeegee firmly over the affected area and try again. Pull the transfer tape back at a sharp angle rather than lifting it straight upward.
There is moisture trapped underneath the logo.
Small areas of moisture can sometimes remain underneath the vinyl after a wet application. Lightly work the area with the squeegee and allow additional drying time. In most cases, patience is better than trying to force the moisture out.
The logo just won't stick.
Check the surface first. Oils, dust, residue, or other foreign material underneath the vinyl can prevent proper adhesion. Clean the drumhead thoroughly and make sure it is completely dry before attempting the installation again.
Can I use a pin to release a trapped bubble?
For drum logos, this usually isn't necessary. Work bubbles toward the edge with the squeegee first. A pin-prick technique is more useful for large areas of vinyl where a bubble cannot otherwise be pushed out.
How long should I wait after using the wet method?
Allow the surface to dry and the adhesive to bond before removing the transfer tape. A warm environment can help. The exact drying time depends on how much moisture was used, so if you're unsure, waiting longer is preferable to pulling the tape too soon.

Ready for Your Next Logo?

Whether you're restoring a vintage kit, replacing a worn-out logo, or looking for something completely custom, I offer a wide variety of vinyl drum logos for both vintage and modern drums.

Browse Kline Drums Logos