Just for discussion...

[SellersSign&Design]

I've noticed a lot of us do the exact same job very differently. I never really gave it much thought, but then I began to wonder if maybe there is a reason for why we do it differently? What made me think about this is installing some lettering on a truck... the layout is wider than it is tall. I would normally center hinge both of these, because I feel like it gives more control and is more accurate. But every once in a while it can lead to a line where the "hinge" was or maybe even a few bubbles. I saw someone applying this exact same type of decal with a top hinge, and I started thinking. Maybe the top hinge would be better, but in my past experiences top hinging something that is really wide but not very tall is prone to wrinkling or buckling. Then there is the side hinge, technically that would work best, but it is awkward and hard to handle due to gravity. So what is everyone's preferred method? This is mainly just for discussion, but I'm hoping to maybe learn something that I can use. I put on a lot of hand laid gold decals that are very expensive, and to make it even worse they are all multiple layers of clear vinyl, so it is very easy to get bubbles behind them if everything doesn't go perfectly.

 

[FatCat]

It varies for me depending on the situation...

I typically center hinge (vertically) anything that is mostly square or rectangular and apply right side/left side. With very large graphics I may split it up and apply each side in half, thirds, etc..

On tall items I usually horizontally center hinge and apply do the top half first and then apply the bottom half.

On very long horizontal lines of text (such as list on the side of a pickup bed) I usually top hinge and cut small sections to apply small sections at a time.

Lots of ways to do any job, most of the time I decide how at the moment of install and let experience take over.
I've messed it up just about every way you can - so therefore I pretty much know what "not" to do in most situations. Lol...

 

[Moze]

If it's 'landscape' oriented vinyl (wider than it is tall), I typically use the third way you illustrated, except I prefer to hinge on the right and work right to left.

If it's 'portrait' oriented vinyl (taller than it is wide), I typically use the first way you illustrated, except I'll often bottom hinge and work upward. I let the top corners hang away from the install surface so they don't fold in and stick to the transfer tape/vinyl. I'll top hinge also, but sometimes laying the last bit can be a little trickier than if you bottom hinge.

If bubbles are an issue due to the tendencies of the material, applying one row of letters will often yield far better results than trying to apply multiple rows at the same time. One continuous swipe of the squeegee per row of letters...

 

[rjssigns]

An individuals comfort zone is why you see different techniques for the same install.

 

[Billct2]

For cut vinyl graphics I almost always bottom hinge. That way it can't flop down the way a top hinge does and I can split it into smaller sections if needed.
Usually only center hinge on panels, not letters.