Did you know that many people buy the type of sticker that they don’t really need and pay a lot more than necessary? It’s a sad story but fortunately, if you are reading this, we’re sure that you won’t make that mistake. We’re here to give you a comprehensive guide on how to choose a perfect sticker that suits your sticker needs. Without going too deep into complicated techniques, this article will focus on 5 decisions that you have to make throughout the process of creating a custom sticker, which are choosing the right shape, material, the right finish, type of adhesive and the feasible cut. Ready to make the best choice with us? Let’s dive in!
1. Choose the right shapeUniform shape or die cut sticker? This is the first question that comes to your mind. Choosing the right shape for your sticker determines whether your design is aesthetically pleasing or not.
Die Cut or Uniform Shape will make your perfect sticker?Die cut stickers are a great option if you have a unique design and want it cut to the shape. This custom shape is visually attractive and memorable so it gets more attention to your stickers design and what details you put in. However, as it requires complicated cutting techniques, die cut stickers cost more than usual sticker types. In contrast, uniform shaped stickers such as square stickers or circle stickers are easy to cut so they are much cheaper than die cut stickers and suitable for a fixed outline design.
For more information about this comparison, you may want to explore more in a detailed blog: Die cut sticker vs. regular stickers.
2. Choose materialMaterial is the layer on which your designs will be printed. Getting the sticker material right is not only aesthetically meaningful but also ensures that you can enjoy your perfect stickers for years without tearing or fading. There are 2 main materials for making stickers: paper or vinyl. So choose paper or vinyl? This depends on your intended use because both types have their own advantages suitable for different cases. Based on the highlights below you can choose the right one for you.
Highlights of paper stickers
Highlights of vinyl stickers
Thus in terms of durability and prominence, vinyl stickers clearly prevail over paper stickers. However, if your sticker is only for indoor use and is rarely affected by water or weather elements, then a paper is a cost effective and eco-friendly option to make a perfect sticker. To better understand sticker materials, you may want to check out our in-depth articles like Vinyl stickers vs Paper stickers or Coated vs Uncoated paper.
3. Which finish do you need?There are types of finishes that a sticker can have. And choosing the right finishing option leads you to a common question: lamination or not?
Do I need laminated? Lamination, or laminating a sticker, is to cover the top surface of a printed sticker by an extra plastic layer. This layer offers the sticker a protection from scrabbling, scratching and tearing. Because lamination is not a required layer when producing stickers, knowing whether you need it or not will help you save significant costs.
Do your stickers need lamination?Non-laminated stickers are the right sticker type for you if
You need lamination for your perfect stickers if
Matte or glossy lamination? If you need an extra protective sticker, there are 2 types of lamination available which are matte and gloss. Gloss laminating stickers are visually attractive as the laminate layer produces crisp lines and vivid colors. Meanwhile, matte lamination is a less reflective finish so colors will be less intense and generally resulting in a softer appearance.
4. Getting the adhesiveA sticker peeling off within days or even hours is actually not your perfect sticker. To prevent it from happening, you need to get the adhesive right. A suitable adhesive will ensure the stickiness of your sticker for the period of use you desire. So how long do you want this adhesive piece to last?
Removable adhesive for temporary use or expensive things: Custom stickers with a removable adhesive are recommended for a very short time use. This adhesive type would allow you to remove stickers without leaving any residue. The same principle applies to expensive items, so sticking or peeling the sticker will not affect the appearance of your object’s surface.
Permanent adhesive is used for most kinds of stickers. This is because almost all sticker types including clear stickers, transparent stickers or holographic stickers are manufactured with high quality materials for long-term use. Thus, they need a strong adhesive to strengthen their durability. Custom permanent stickers are well sticking to various surfaces such as paper, leather, plastics, glass, metal and even powder coating.
As a user, choose carefully between the two adhesives above to ensure that they last as long as you want and they won’t damage the surface they’re applied to.
5. What is the perfect cut?There are commonly 3 options for your perfect sticker finishing cut which are individual cut, sticker sheets and sticker rolls. Knowing which is right not only saves you money but valuable time on applying and storing custom stickers.
Decide that whether you need individual cut, sticker sheets or sticker rollsIndividual cut is right for you if you are in need of stickers to distribute, sell or use in small quantities. Singular stickers allow you to easily divide them into packs, each for a different purpose. You can find many printers that offer individual cut stickers in small quantities as they are cheaper and easier to store than sticker sheets or rolls.
If you need more stickers than that, about hundreds or thousands, you probably need stickers on sheets. All stickers on a sheet are kiss-cut through the sticker layer and the coating layer (in case your stickers are laminated), but they all remain on the backing layer. This makes your stickers super quick and easy to remove from the sheet. Getting your custom stickers on sheets also helps in easier sticker inventory.
Stickers on a roll, similar to stickers on a sheet, are kiss-cut through the top layers and remain on the backing. Thus, sticker rolls also assist in applying a large number of stickers. Particularly, sticker rolls are the perfect sticker choice if you have a sticker dispenser. This machine, made to be compatible with dispense stickers from a roll, makes applying thousands of stickers much easier and faster.
ConclusionIn summary, to optimally make a perfect sticker, there are 5 key points in your checklist: shape, material, finish, adhesive and cut option. Getting all these right ensures that your stickers serve your desired purpose, last for a lifespan that you plan and cost you a reasonable amount of money. We hope that all the information above can help find your perfect sticker. If you have other questions about sticker printing service or want to make awesome stickers and labels, don’t hesitate to access our website or contact us via [email protected]. We strongly believe that our website is a good place to buy stickers for all of your custom printing needs.
Choosing the ideal sticker material can feel like navigating a maze—confusing, daunting, and sometimes left to chance. Shouldn’t the printer handle this technical aspect? Yet, understanding the best material for your project holds the key to sticker success. Join us as we unravel the top material types, empowering you to craft the perfect custom outdoor stickers with confidence and precision.
First off, what’s the difference between a sticker and a label? Isn’t everything with sticky stuff considered a sticker? Technically, yes, but there are quite interesting differences between these two products. We wrote a blog post looking at stickers vs labels. Check it out!
In this post, we will be looking specifically at sticker materials suitable for outdoor use.
Each of these materials serves a purpose and should be used in the appropriate situation. Keep reading to learn more about each one!
The most common and versatile sticker material is vinyl. This is the material most people think of when they hear the term outdoor sticker. It’s commonly used by brands to promote their products or services. These stickers are sometimes called promotional stickers. Vinyl also tends to be less expensive than other outdoor sticker materials. This is especially important for custom bulk stickers because the high quantities result in significant cost savings.
Vinyl decal material comes in both white and clear. The thickness of the material is 4 mils and it has a soft and pliable feel. The soft feel helps the sticker conform to rounded surfaces like a hard hat without creating annoying bubbles. This material has a matte or gloss finish before printing.
Above all, vinyl stickers are the most used in the industry and make great marketing giveaways.
We are more than happy to recommend a sticker material for your project. We know what substrates work best and give your brand the best look. Some applications are a little more technical and we recommend testing a couple of different options to make sure the final choice is correct.
There are tons of different materials and adhesives available and we will help you sort through the options. If you want to know all of the details, we’ll spill the beans. However, if you want beautiful-looking stickers without too many questions, we’re more than happy to keep the details to ourselves.
Polyester is another common sticker material. It is the best choice for heavy-duty equipment decals and other industrial applications. This material will stand up well to high temperatures and will work great for water heater decals or under-the-hood stickers. Polyester comes in white, clear, silver, and other fun finishes like brushed chrome. It makes for an excellent long-term durable decal because of its resistance to heat and abrasion.
Polyester sticker material is 2 mils thick, making it substantially thinner than the vinyl decals. The thickness (or relative thinness) of the material has no bearing on the durability of the sticker. Polyester material is a more long-term product than a vinyl sticker.
Polyester is a glossy and almost pearlescent material. Some brands prefer the upscale look of polyester and ask specifically for a polyester sticker!
The bright silver reflective decal is one of our personal favorites. This material is almost reflective (not to be confused with the reflective material used in traffic signs) and can look cool when using matte inks.
Want something cool and unique? Take your traditional vinyl sticker and print it on shiny silver material! It’s a great way to mix up your decal offering and give your customers something new. Consider a one-time specialty decal or free giveaway for your top customers. This sticker material will bring attention to your brand.
Silver reflective material is made of polyester and is 2 mil in thickness. Because of the durability of polyester, silver chrome stickers last a long time outside! It’s also an economical choice for wholesale bulk stickers.
There are tons of other specialty materials in addition to the options above. Combine your creative artwork with special pattern materials that will be a hit with your customers and make your sticker stand out. These are perfect for events or limited-use decals and keep your brand fresh and innovative while providing your customers with options!
Laminates are a touchy subject with printers. One printer is telling you that laminate is necessary to protect the inks from the weather. However, the other printer will tell you the sticker does not need a laminate for protection. And the laminate will only add unnecessary cost and environmental waste to the job.
The equipment the printer uses will determine their opinion on whether or not your sticker needs a laminate. For instance, some equipment requires a laminate to protect the sticker during outdoor use. Other equipment is made to print inks that withstand the outdoor elements.
All the equipment we use is suited for outdoor use. The inks we print do not fade or scratch off after exposure to the sun, wind, or rain. Therefore, we believe laminates are not necessary to achieve a quality sticker.
In conclusion, we offer laminates as an option because some brands enjoy the look of a quality laminate. They transform the sticker. A matte finish will add an interesting element. While a glossy laminate will provide depth to the design.
Our sticker samples will help you decide which material is best for your brand
Purchase a sample pack to check out the various material options for yourself!
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