The sticker world can be confusing. You think you are ordering a straightforward product and suddenly there are so many options and variables to choose from.
While choice is the great thing about personalisation, it does prolong the decision-making process. But that does not have to be the case.
We are here to help you find your ideal sticker material in no time. The material forms the foundation of your sticker, and we want to help you make the right decision to ensure that you will love your personalised stickers.
Are you ready to find out more? Then let’s jump straight in.
Find your main objective
Your perfect sticker material can depend on many factors. And we will go through them all. But before that, it is worth thinking about why you want to invest in stickers. What is your main objective?
Do you want to use them on your products? Is it essential that they will stick to a specific surface? Do they have to withstand the elements? Are you after a particular look or design? Do you want them to be sustainable?
You do not have to have answers to all these questions. But it will speed up the process if you can write down one or two priorities.
How durable should they be?
One of the main questions when it comes to stickers and labels is durability. This relates to how long you want your stickers to last and how “strong” you need them to be.
There are three different types of stickers you can look at when it comes to durability.
- Paper is among the least durable materials. It can create a beautiful matte finish, but it is neither tear- nor waterproof. This means paper stickers should mostly be used indoors for short periods of time.
- Vinyl stickers are great all-rounders that can be used indoors as well as outdoors. Because of their plastic base, they make great tear- and waterproof stickers.
- Heavy duty stickers are made for extreme environments like racing tracks and industrial workshops. They resist the elements, heat, and oils. These are perfect if you are looking for a super sticky sticker. But be careful, they can damage paint and walls.
What conditions will they be exposed to?
If durability is not really an issue for you, think about the conditions your stickers will have to withstand.
Will they be used mainly indoors or outdoors? Should they be used outdoors, you will want to choose a waterproof sticker, like the ones you can find here. These come with a special lamination that will keep your stickers intact.
The same goes for products that are likely used in the shower. The condensation can impact the look of the sticker if they have a non-waterproof paper base.
What look do you want to create?
Once you have decided how resistant you need your stickers to be, you can move on to find your perfect look.
Stickers come in many different colours and effects. If you are not really interested in this, a white vinyl sticker will be ideal for you. This is the perfect base to create any design.
However, if you are looking for a more luxurious finish, have a look at the different custom vinyl materials with effect. These are available in metallic colours, glitter, or even fluorescent and can create premium looks for your products.
If your main objective is neither of the above, and you are looking for a sustainable sticker option, you can usually choose between biodegradable paper and so-called bio-plastics. All of these options are completely compostable.
The same rule of thumb applies for these materials: a paper base should mostly be used indoors, whereas a bio-plastic is more resistant and can be used around water.
Now, what do you think? Are you ready to tackle the world of sticker materials? We hope so and are excited to hear from you in the comments below.