How to stick film on a tablet: instructions, tips, types of protective films

Taking good care of your gadget will not allow you to avoid minor scuffs and scratches. The statement is especially relevant in relation to massive and bulky tablets, which gradually lose their aesthetic appearance. With regular use, the touchscreen may even lose its former sensitivity. The way out of this situation is simple and effective - stick a film on the tablet, ensuring its protection from mechanical influences and preventing the appearance of scuffs or scratches.

You can carry out the procedure and glue the film onto the tablet in a specialized center. This option will allow you to achieve high quality work and a maximum level of security. The second option is the ability to independently stick the film onto the tablet display at home. To perform the job effectively, without allowing air bubbles to form, you will need to carefully follow all the instructions and take into account several nuances of a certain type of film and gluing method.

Features of films

Among the features that a protective film for a tablet has is ensuring comfortable work with effective protection. The protection ensures information display and color reproduction with high sensor sensitivity, preventing scuffs or scratches even with careless use.

When choosing a protective film, you should immediately take into account that it will not protect the display from strong impacts or falls. However, everything will depend on the strength and area of the negative impact, as well as the type of protective film that is used.

Any type of film can protect the tablet display, but the sticker procedure itself and further operation will depend on the chosen product. Original products designed for certain tablet models will be more preferable and easier to install and use. You can also choose universal types of protective film, which will need to be carefully cut according to the pattern before installation.

General information

Many users are quite skeptical about the functions of tablet film, simply not understanding how they work. Or a rather annoying seller has been trying for 30 minutes, or even an hour, to almost force you to buy the film, and this completely discourages you from having anything in common with them.

Basic structure

Buying a film for a tablet is a purely personal matter; many modern gadgets initially have special tempered glass that can withstand mechanical damage, even from diamonds or sand granules. And everyday work is a completely familiar state for them, but still experts recommend using films, since even the most protected tablet can be exposed to external influences at any time.

Types of protective films

To protect your tablet, you can choose only four types of protective films - glossy, shockproof, mirror and matte. Each manufacturer's product will have certain properties, but general characteristics can also be identified that will allow you to make the right choice.

Depending on the goals and requirements for protection, you can not only determine whether a protective film is needed, but also choose the best option based on the properties of each type of product:

Glossy surface. The security of such a film will be the least. However, its low cost and ease of replacement will allow it to be used in any operating conditions. The main feature of such models will be accurate image reproduction without loss of color quality or distortion.
Matte coating. This type has a higher level of safety compared to glossy products. The matte layer is resistant to even mild impacts, protecting the display, but significantly reduces the brightness of the information display. When choosing such a product, immediately take into account the need to increase the brightness on the tablet, which will lead to a faster loss of battery power.
Shockproof film. Thick, dense and rigid film is usually designed for specific device models. The top, first layer of film can be compared to protective glass in terms of strength. The difference from protective glass will be greater flexibility and less thickness, which will make it possible to not increase the massiveness of the device so much.
Mirror film. Scratch resistance is complemented by aesthetic design. By spending a little more money on protection, you will also decorate your tablet with an original film that you can look into like a mirror.

Each type of film has its own characteristics, which will differ depending on the manufacturer and model. If you have experience using certain models of such products, leave comments at the end of the article, sharing your own opinions about the quality of protection and ease of use.

Nuances worth knowing about

After the base covers the entire area of the screen, the work of gluing the film can be considered complete. However, there are some points that are especially worth noting. So, for example, it will not be possible to lay down the film without the formation of bubbles under any circumstances. But this is not a reason to be upset, since they can be easily removed with light pressure from the card or a cloth. After completely removing air formations from the base, the second side is removed; it is its removal that will give the screen a bright, smooth look.
The finished result

Besides this, there are other nuances:

It will not work to glue the protection immediately, rather than gradually.
You should not bring the film close to either side of the tablet. This can lead to rapid peeling.
The film can be cleaned with absolutely any means.
The average service life of the protective surface is one year.

It is important to note: if after gluing a couple of days later you find debris under it, then it cannot be removed and re-glued, since you will still not achieve the desired result.

How to stick the film on the tablet yourself?

You can independently and correctly apply bubble-free film at home by following certain requirements for preparing the workplace and accurately following all instructions. Study all stages of the work in advance, determine the tools or items that replace them necessary for gluing, and only then carry out the work.

The main condition for a high-quality protective film sticker will be a cleaned display surface, on which there are not only grease stains or fingerprints, but also the smallest specks of dust. Remember that even one speck of dust you miss can cause bubbles to appear after several days of use.

Preparatory work

The first step will be preparing the premises. Carry out a damp cleaning, thoroughly wipe the table or stool, and also clean and degrease the display. There should be no fingerprints or smears on the screen.

The screen can be kept clean by using a microfiber cloth and a special glass cleaner. Do not use soap solutions, they may damage the touchscreen. Washing is also excluded, as it can lead to moisture getting inside the device.

Before removing traces of grease and dust, you should pay attention to the place where you will be working. It should be a stable, flat surface on which it is convenient to place the tablet without drooping edges.

You can use the bathroom as a room for the sticker. When you open the tap, the water will attract dust particles, which will reduce the likelihood of bubbles forming on the display.

Film gluing

A high-quality film consists of several layers, a protective coating on the outside and the same layer on the adhesive surface. The sticker is carried out in several stages, each of which will be accompanied by alignment of the film using a plastic card on the display. The plastic card will remove air bubbles and provide a tight seal without damaging the surface of the film.

There are four main stages of gluing:

Cleaning the display and preparing the work area. At this stage, not only the touchscreen is cleaned with a special cloth, but also degreasing, as well as getting rid of the smallest dust particles. After this, you can also use a can of compressed air, blowing away even small particles that settle.
Installing the film at the beginning of the display. Typically, on a film, the adhesive surface protection will be divided into several parts, each of which takes up a third or even 20%. Using the guide stickers as a guide, you should place the first part with the protective film already removed on the tablet, carefully and carefully leveling it with a card.
The entire protective part of the film is removed one by one and attached to the display with a sticky surface. It is better to remove one part at a time, carefully leveling it and immediately getting rid of air bubbles, which will be more difficult to remove later.
The fully pasted film is leveled from the center to the edges. Roll the bubbles towards the edge to remove them from the film.

For those who perceive visual information better, we suggest studying this video. Step-by-step instructions with comments for each action will help you tune in to completing the task more easily and understand it more clearly.

How to get rid of bubbles

Branded protective coatings are easy to apply. To straighten them, just press on the swollen tubercle. Bubbles appear due to dust particles that have penetrated under the film. In this case, you should go to “plan B” - use tape:

cut two pieces of adhesive tape - a larger one and a smaller one;
stick a larger piece to the edge of the covering, pry it lightly with a ruler and peel it off;
Stick the second piece on the back side under the swollen area to remove debris.

Useful tips

Each user will have their own secrets that will help get rid of air bubbles or carry out the entire sticker procedure with minimal effort. If you have information or just want to share your impressions of using various types of protective films, leave comments on this page or share the link on a social network. We offer several tips that may be useful when choosing protective films and sticking them yourself.

It is not necessary to use only a plastic card for leveling. You can gently press the napkin onto the already pasted film to move the bubble to the edge of the device.
Wet film, which is washed with running water, will also be a convenient method for getting rid of possible dust and bubbles. Shake off the film before applying the sticker and squeeze out the moisture, removing even small air bubbles. Be careful not to allow moisture to enter the device through the microphone or speaker openings.
Paper tape will easily remove small dust particles without leaving any adhesive on the display or other debris.

Fast film application method

As a rule, this is resorted to only in the most extreme cases, for example, the surface of the tablet is heavily soiled and cannot be cleaned. You can't do this without using water. The film is generously moistened and applied to the screen in the same way as discussed earlier. The drops will be able to absorb debris, and they can also be removed using a card, as shown in the photo. However, this method is considered unsafe, since there is a high probability that water particles may get into the device itself.

First stage

The first thing you need to do is clean your smartphone screen from dust, fingerprints and other dirt. Rest assured that your screen will be completely clean after cleaning. After all, if you put a protective film on a screen with dirt, it will remain there until you attach it again.
It's best to use wipes when cleaning your screen, but use ones that don't leave anything behind, i.e., don't leave lint. If you use a handkerchief that leaves marks, you'll likely end up with an even dirtier surface instead of the desired result.
Many people use alcohol-based screen cleaners. However, substances such as abrasives should not be used. Plain water is the best way to clean your screen as there will be no side effects. But you shouldn’t overuse water either; just a small amount is enough to slightly wet the napkin.

As you already understood, at the first stage we just need to prepare the smartphone screen for gluing. The screen needs to be made as clean as possible, since once glued, it cannot simply be removed and peeled off to clean the screen and then glued back, as this will deteriorate the quality of the coating.

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How to wipe the screen

Water or damper napkins are not suitable for such procedures. Special compounds sold in equipment care stores can help you get rid of greasy stains. Often these forms take the form of a spray. The spray should be applied to a napkin, and it, in turn, should be used to wipe the screen. There is no need to press hard on it - the composition deals with harmful substances with simple contact.

Dust particles are removed using paper tape. It needs to be glued and then immediately torn off. The adhesive surface will take all the trash with it.

If the glass of the tablet is damaged so badly that cracks have formed on it, then there is no point in trying to glue the fragments together - the monitors of all modern devices, even those not equipped with sensors, contain liquid that spills out when broken. The display can be replaced at a service center.

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Preparing the place and accessories

Prepare your work area. Clean the table where the gluing process will take place. It is recommended to place a table lamp above the phone to better see “problem areas” on the screen. Also remember to wash your hands with soap and dry them.

Typically, the kit includes tools with glass or film. In most cases the kit looks like this:

The green "dry" bag is a dry cloth for cleaning the screen.
The pink “wet” bag is a damp cloth for cleaning the display.
A microfiber cloth that reduces the likelihood of “catching” dust particles.

The first step is cleaning the glass. Place your phone on the table. Take a napkin that says “wet” (sometimes even numbered). Wipe the smartphone screen with a damp cloth. Try cleaning the display so that dust particles are not visible in the light.

The second stage is “drying”. Now take the second cloth labeled “dry” (numbered two, similar to the previous cloth) and wipe the screen dry. Please note that your fingers should not touch the display.

The third stage is “intermediate”. Some manufacturers include masking tape to further clean the screen of dust particles. If you have such a tool, stick it to the display and remove it after a couple of seconds.

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Main varieties

Protective films can be universal or special for a specific gadget model. The master has a selection of coatings in his store. When choosing a film yourself, you need to know that the universal one will have to be cut and adjusted to the size of the screen, the location of buttons, and speakers. In addition, there are several other types of coatings that differ in their protective properties.

Matte

The anti-reflective coating allows you to work with the tablet outdoors or in bright indoor lighting. Thanks to the matte protection, the device will not slip out of your hands, and your fingers will not leave marks on the screen. But the image becomes grainy, which is especially noticeable on a white background.

Glossy

A transparent thin coating protects the screen from scratches. The gloss does not change the color and clarity of the image, is almost invisible on the screen, and protects the screen from dust and ultraviolet radiation. Transparent films are produced to fit the size of displays. The downside of gloss is fingerprints.

Shockproof

Thicker and denser films protect the screen from cracks due to impacts, pressure and falls from a small height. The shockproof layer can be glued to the child’s tablet. To protect the device, shockproof glass is also glued to the display. The thin but durable transparent plate will withstand the impact of the tablet on the ground with the display facing down. Glass preserves sensor sensitivity, color rendition and is easier to stick on.

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Confidential

Through a special filter in the protective layer, information can only be seen by looking directly at the screen. The tablet cannot be viewed from the side or at an angle. Confidential films are used to protect personal data and passwords - if necessary, enter them in public places.

Choice of coverage

Phone protection

Before choosing a protective device, you must know the exact size of the touchscreen of your device. This is primarily needed in order to quickly and correctly select the required size. Then you should pay attention to the following:

Manufacturer of protective coating;
Set. The following equipment will be considered the best: coating, microfiber, scraper and instructions;
It is better to take a film pre-cut for a specific model than a large monolithic piece of covering.