How to install printable flooring into your project

Installing your miniature floor is easy.

Prepare your printable 

Print flooring and let dry for at least 10 minutes. Spray the paper on both sides with clear acrylic sealer or even hairspray and let dry another 5 minutes. 

Step by step instructions 

Create a template

1. Using printer paper or any paper with decent weight to hold its shape, lay your first sheet down in one corner of the room where you wish to apply your flooring printable.  

2. Make sure the corner is flush into the corner and square to the walls.

3. If the walls are not at right angles lay a second sheet to match the edge of the wall and tape to the first.

4. Repeat this step if the paper has not covered the entire floor area.

5. Using a fine tip pen or sharp pencil, mark any edges that you will need to cut around 

6. Cut the paper as marked and re fit to ensure it is accurate.  

7. Make any adjustments by taping new sheets of paper to align with your wall edges.  

8. Tape all loose edges down so that the template is now one solid piece.

9. Using white card stock or print paper create a final template using the first as your guide, however this time glue and trim all joins neatly.  Check for accuracy back inside your model.  Your downloaded flooring will be glued in pace over this final template.  

10. Print your chosen flooring designs to card stock.  Print as many copies will be necessary to cover the entire final template. 

11. Starting at one corner, apply the first sheet to the final template with glue stick, ensuring edges align and are glued securely. Be generous with this glue.  Smooth out using a foam brush, pressing gently as you brush from the centre out to all the edges

12. Match the pattern and continue laying your sheets this way, side by side, covering the width of your template first. 

13. Once you have covered the entire width of your flooring it is time to pattern match the next sheets. If you are applying a herringbone of chevron floor, you may wish to pattern match most accurately by cutting to follow the flooring shape (at the top of the printable sheet) and overlay this shaped edge until the shapes of the flooring and pattern aligns with the sheet already glued to your final template.

14. Repeat as required until you have no remaining template showing.  

15. Turn the template over and using it as your guide, trim the flooring printable to the template edges.

Seal your finished flooring 

You have a couple of options depending on whether you want to let your floor to float i.e. not be permanently adhered to your project, or if you will be glueing your flooring in place.

If allowing the floor to 'float' you can seal with 

a. another layer of sealing spray

b. cover with clear contact

c. apply Mod Podge* and let dry

 *Mod Podge comes in gloss and matte so think about the effect you are looking for. 

If sticking the floor in place

Alternatively, you can stick your flooring into place using Mod podge or watered down PVA.  Using a foam brush apply the adhesive to both surfaces and then using a plastic card gently 'squeegy" the flooring down to remove any air bubbles.

Clean as you go any excess adhesive that will build up in the corners and edges. We find "no alcohol" baby wipes are good for dabbing excess adhesive away and keeping the project neat and tidy. 

Finally seal the adhered floor with another layer of mod podge using a foam brush working quickly to spread across the entire area and removing air bubbles as they appear.  (Some small bubbles will appear later but usually disappear in the drying process) Follow all the instructions on the jar and  let dry for at least 24 hours.