If you want vinyl lettering to be displayed on the inside of a window but read correctly from outside, you need reverse-cut window lettering.

Sometimes described as mirror-reversed lettering, the vinyl is cut backwards so that the adhesive is on the front of the lettering. It can then be applied to the inside surface of the glass, facing outwards.

Who Makes Reverse-Cut Vinyl Lettering?

Sticky Lettering makes custom reverse-cut vinyl lettering to your chosen wording, font, colour and overall size. Use our online designer to create your lettering and select REVERSE cut when ordering. Your lettering will arrive pre-spaced and ready to apply to the inside of the glass so that it reads correctly from outside.

Why Apply Vinyl Lettering Inside a Window?

Applying lettering inside the glass can help protect it from rain, wind, dirt and people touching or picking at it. It can also make cleaning the outside of the window easier.

Reverse-cut lettering is particularly useful for:

  • Shop names and window displays
  • Business names and contact details
  • Opening hours
  • Reception and office windows
  • Clubhouse and community-building windows
  • Temporary promotions and seasonal messages
  • Vehicle windows, where suitable and legally permitted

From outside, the finished lettering looks the correct way around. From inside, you will see the adhesive side through the glass.

Reverse Cut or Standard Cut?

Choose standard-cut lettering when the vinyl will be applied directly to the outside of a window or another surface.

Choose reverse cut when the lettering will be fitted to the inside of a window and needs to be read from outside.

When creating your lettering with the Sticky Lettering online designer, select the REVERSE cut option before placing your order.

Check Your Glass Before Ordering

Before choosing reverse-cut lettering, look carefully at the window where it will be fitted.

Tinted, mirrored or heavily reflective glass can make lettering fitted inside the window less visible from outside. Double glazing, interior lighting and reflections can also affect how bright the vinyl colour appears.

If you are unsure, place a piece of coloured card behind the glass and view it from outside. This gives you a simple indication of how visible a similar vinyl colour might be.

For dark or tinted windows, white, bright yellow and other light colours usually provide stronger contrast. Dark lettering generally works best against a pale or brightly lit background.

How to Measure for Window Lettering

Measure the usable area of the glass rather than the complete window frame.

Check both the maximum width and height available, allowing space around the lettering so that it does not look cramped. Remember to avoid window handles, seals, vents and any existing graphics.

Our lettering is supplied to the overall size you order. If your wording contains several letters or lines, the size refers to the complete design rather than the height of each individual letter.

Preparing the Window

For the best result, apply vinyl lettering to clean, smooth glass.

Remove dust, grease, fingerprints and cleaning-product residue before installation. Allow the glass to dry completely before applying the lettering.

Avoid fitting vinyl to very cold or wet glass. A mild, dry day or a comfortable indoor temperature will usually make application easier.

What Can You Put on a Window?

Reverse-cut lettering can be made in your chosen wording, size, font and colour. Popular choices include:

  • Business names
  • Telephone numbers
  • Website addresses
  • Opening times
  • “Please use other door”
  • Reception or entrance instructions
  • Club names
  • Promotional messages
  • Decorative words and quotations

The lettering is supplied pre-spaced, so the individual letters remain correctly aligned while you apply the complete design.

Order Custom Reverse-Cut Window Lettering

Create your wording using the Sticky Lettering online designer, choose your preferred font, colour and size, and select REVERSE CUT if the lettering will be applied inside the glass.

Your custom lettering will arrive pre-spaced and ready to apply.

Create your custom vinyl lettering