Crafts + DIY: How to Cover over Awnings with our DuraStik Self-Adhesive Fabric

Wait, what?
Covering over Awnings can be simple
Craft ideas below 

So what's the scope of this #DIY craft project?
We're going to go over how you can cover an awning that may have out-of-date writing on it to update the business name and information.
To repair a tear on an awning tent or sail, jacket, canopy or flag, look here.

You can cover over old names and information with DuraStik

Why would you need to cover an awning?
In the "old days", awnings were decorated with a special paint. The paint won't come off, so the best practice is to cover over with more pain- which can look pretty tacky if it's not done right. Modern awnings may be painted or if they're back-lighted, may have an area where light from behind passes thru the letters. This is called an eradicable awning.


How can you use DuraStik self-adhesive woven fabrics?
•When you're moving into a new store with an awning,
•If the information on your awning is out of date, and
•If you choose to add to the awning wording, repair a tear or to attach something temporarily, like a banner.


How long does DuraStik self-adhesive fabric last?
Our tests nationwide in Canada throughout the entire USA for the past ten years has shown a reported zero 0% failure rate when pretested and installed according to simple instructions. The material is guaranteed but we don't prepare or install it, so we do not have a way to warranty the installation, but you will get greater than the 10 test years of fade-resistant life according to our findings.
Is it a permanent adhesive? Yep; the strongest available acrylic adhesive to weather storms and strong winds

For black and dark awnings, you can use our paint mask (and paint) alone without the awning cover fabric

What else does DuraStik work on?
A popular use is for sailboat sails and covers! It sticks to marine fabric because our fabric is treated for the high-adhesive demands of strong winds and a baking hot sun.
We've seen it used by our crafters as Boy Scout tent numbering or naming, with either panels of Durastick (which can be painted with a warrior's name or troop number)
Coaches use it for panels on the backs of uniforms where a sharpie marker will allow a uniform to be used over and over.
We've seen it used as flag patches, light insulation (attaches to plastic, steel, aluminum and glass), car interior patches for ripped upholstery and more.


To create your own Awning Mask, or however you're going to use it, here are a few basics. Skip to the part you need. We've come up with a solution that almost any skill level DIY crafters may be able to do at home or in a shop table.
Here's what's involved in easy step-by-step directions:


Preliminary steps and measurements
1 Test the awning to see if it's been treated with silicone at the factory or as an after-market spray. Why? Because silicone will keep anything from sticking to it's surface. You can check by sending for a small random sample of DuraStik or by using a bumper sticker/decal to try to stick to the surface of the awning. Bumper stickers/Decals are not designed to stick to fabric, but you'll be able to tell if it won't stick at all (treated) or if it sticks a bit. Don't worry if you can't find a sticker, try office tape in a pinch.

2 While you're up there with a tape measure, measure the area you will need to cover in the format of height in inches and width in inches. You'll need this later.

3 Note the color of the awning and whether it needs washing. Probably does! You'll want to apply the project to a clean awning, in which an extension car wash brush, a bucket of warm soapy water and a rinse should do the trick. Remember, anything on the awning, even dirt may keep DuraStik from fully adhering.

Alright, that's the hard part. Now the fun begins!

With measurements of your project in hand, let's begin.
If you don't have a design and are just going to get DuraStik Self-Adhesive Fabric, skip to the last section- and don't forget to share your project with us so we can feature it on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!

Simple reference to basic typographic terms, courtesy of LetterBank™

You will need:




You will need to get or determine: 
The exact measurements (height and width of the area you want to cover over), what you want to paint onto the DuraStik including the typestyle and color of lettering and the size (We can determine the optimal size for your lettering if you provide us with the exact wording and the exact dimensions of the DuraStik panel! Send your request below.




To figure out roughly how tall a letter you can use and how many letters will fit, remember that the panel will have to be larger than the letters. A cool rule of thumb is to figure at least 1-2" above and below your lettering for best looks and to use the ratio of letter height as the approximate with of the letter and the space next to it. An example is a word BURGER is 6 letters total. If the letters are 10" tall, figure the height (10 inches) times the number of letters (six) for a rough approximation of 60 inches letter width. That should be on a 72" panel x 14" for minimum "white space" and best legibility. Get it? No worries if you don't, we will make sure you understand what you need before you order.



You can order the DuraStik by the yard here. Colors are Red, Blue, Green, Black or White. Rolls are 54" wide so determine the length you need. Sold in full rolls of 50 yards, 10 yards or by the yard with a two-yard minimum.
Order DuraStik in shorter widths in white only: 14", 18", 36" and 54" of course. By the roll or yard.

So how about the lettering?
Lettering can be cut in a contrasting color by hand, X-Acto knife or by your local sign shop on their computer router/plotter. Plotter/cutters will require a new 45° or 60° blade and a cutting force of about 300grams.

You may choose to "Craft DIY" it and order Paint Stencil, a thin self-adhesive material with your wording cut out of it already, so all you do is to align it over the DuraStik, apply it, mask off the areas that won't receive paint, and either spray paint it in even, light coatings, or using a brush or small foam roller and a paint made for fabrics like OneShot, apply to the stencil area until all the letters are painted in smoothly.

After sufficient time for the paint to become tacky or ready for paint mask removal, carefully peel away the PaintMask to reveal your painted panel, ready to apply (after it dries thoroughly, of course. See paint for drying time.) A little touch-up with a fine brush may be needed around the edges on occasion.

Kinds of paints that have been tested: OneShot (professional brand for sign painters), some Krylon spray paints and paints designed to apply to polyester dacron. You may want to test a small area for adhesion to the DuraStik, because it will be flexing with your awning, tent or flag!

Once it's dry, it's ready to apply to your awning.

Questions? Just ask.