Your product instructions are not literature. They’re a rescue mission. A good instruction sheet prevents 80% of complaints by stopping the three classic disasters:
“They popped off in 2 hours.”
“My nails feel tight and weird.”
“Glue is everywhere except on the nail.”
Step 1: Pick ONE outcome to optimize
Different customers want different wins:
Longest wear (glue focus)
Fast + beginner-friendly (tabs focus)
Damage-minimizing removal (aftercare focus)
If you try to optimize all three equally, your instructions become a novel—and nobody finishes novels on the bathroom floor.
Step 2: Write like a GPS, not a professor
Rules:
One step = one action
Verbs first (“Clean,” “Size,” “Press”)
Time is explicit (“Press 20 seconds”)
“If X, then Y” beats paragraphs
Bad: “Ensure adequate preparation for best adhesion.”
Good: “Wipe nails with alcohol. Let dry 30 seconds.”
Step 3: Use a 3-layer structure (so everyone wins)
Layer A: 6-step quick start (for the “I don’t read” crowd)
Layer B: Pro tips (for enthusiasts)
Layer C: Troubleshooting (for the angry-at-2am crowd)
A Sample Instruction Sheet (Glue Version)
Quick Start (6 Steps)
Wash hands and dry completely.
Push back cuticles gently.
Lightly buff nail surface (5–10 seconds each).
Clean nails with an alcohol wipe. Wait 30 seconds.
Size your tips: choose a nail that fits sidewall to sidewall. If between sizes, choose smaller.
Apply glue: a small dot on your nail + a thin line inside the press-on. Press 20–30 seconds.
Avoid water for 1 hour.
Pro Tips (Make it last longer)
Start with thumbs last (they’re harder).
Press from cuticle → tip to push out air bubbles.
If glue floods the sides, you used too much. Use less next nail.
Removal (Don’t pry!)
Soak in warm soapy water 10–15 min or use remover.
Gently lift from the sides. If it resists, soak longer.
Tabs Version (Beginner-friendly)
“Warm the tab between fingers 5 seconds before applying.”
“Press 30 seconds.”
“Best for 1–3 days wear; avoid hot showers for longest hold.”
Step 4: Add microcopy that prevents mistakes
Customers fail at predictable moments. Add tiny warnings exactly where they need them:
Next to “Buff”: “Do not over-buff (stop when shine is gone).”
Next to “Size”: “Too big = lifting. Too small = tight.”
Next to “Glue”: “Use a small amount. More glue ≠ longer wear.”
Step 5: Make it visual and scannable
Use icons (water drop, clock, warning triangle)
Bold the numbers and times
Add a QR code to a 30-second demo video
The real KPI: fewer support tickets
If your “popped off” complaints don’t drop after improving instructions, the problem might be sizing options, curvature, or adhesive quality. But instructions are the cheapest fix—so make them sharp first.