Last updated on March 13th, 2023 at 02:07 pm
Stickers make great marketing materials, they are one of the oldest ways of advertising, after all. Stickers have been used to spread the word by politicians, brands, small businesses, and more. Many companies hand out free promotional stickers to market their services, product, or just their overall brand. Stickers are eye-catching and can be placed in prime locations to grab the attention of your audience. Which makes them an ideal form of marketing.
If you are considering investing in stickers, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all of the options. What material should you choose? Do you want them laminated? Should you get them on a roll or sheet? And so on. Follow Printivity’s guide to the perfect custom sticker to help you create the perfect one for your needs.
Material matters
The most important part of designing your sticker is figuring out what material you should use. The material you choose will determine the lifespan of your sticker. The sticker material refers to the layer your design is printed onto. When it comes to stickers, there are two main types of material you can choose from, paper or vinyl. Though paper and vinyl are both viable options, there are pros and cons to both materials. It all depends on how and where you intend to use your stickers.
Paper stickers
Paper is best for short-term or indoor use as paper stickers are not waterproof or as resistant as plastic. The draw to use paper is that they are low cost, easily recyclable, offer a variety of textured finishes, and work well on product packaging or labeling. However, paper stickers are prone to fading, scratch and rip easily, and are easily ruined when they come into contact with liquid. Paper stickers may be more cost-effective. However, if you intend to use these outdoors or on items that will be handled often, you are better off investing in vinyl if you have the budget.
Vinyl stickers
Vinyl stickers are durable and hard-wearing. They do not fade, tear, or ruin when coming into contact with liquid. Vinyl stickers can withstand elements and retain their vibrancy much longer than paper stickers do. While vinyl stickers are more durable than paper, they are still flexible and able to stick on curved surfaces. Vinyl seems to be the clear winner when it comes to material. But if you are just planning to use the stickers for product packaging or labeling, you can get away with paper stickers.
To laminate, or not to laminate
When you order stickers, you often have the option to have them laminated. Opting for lamination on your stickers makes sense depending on how you plan to use your stickers. If you intend to use them outdoors, places that are prone to stretching, rubbed, or held repeatedly (such as on the back of a phone or laptop), or if you want to convey a sense of quality, you may want to opt for lamination. An extra layer of laminate makes your sticker thicker than normal, making them feel sturdy and durable. Keep in mind that adding a layer of laminate will increase the cost. So if you are on a budget, you may want to skip this layer.
Individually cut, sticker sheets, or sticker rolls?
Stickers come in a few formats, individually cut, sticker sheets, or on sticker rolls. The format you want your stickers in really depends on how you plan to use them. If you plan to give your stickers away at events, sell them, or apply them to your product packaging, individually cut stickers are the way to go. You can often purchase these in small quantities, and they come in kiss-cut or die-cut. Individual cut stickers can come in any shape you want. But the difference between die-cut or kiss-cut is that kiss-cut only cuts through the first layer and die-cut stickers cut through both the sticker and the back paper layer.
If you plan to apply hundreds, or even thousands, of stickers to products or packaging, sticker sheets would be your best option. Stickers on sticker sheets are kiss-cut through the sticker layer but remain on the backing paper in sheet format, which makes them very easy and quick to remove.
Similar to sticker sheets, sticker rolls are ideal as they are easy to apply. Rolls are especially useful if you are applying your stickers automatically/semi-automatically with a machine or dispenser. If you have a machine to apply stickers, you should opt for stickers on rolls as this is easily the fastest way to apply stickers.
Printing with Printivity
Printivity offers a variety of options when it comes to printing stickers, allowing you to print the perfect stickers for your needs. With a variety of shapes, sizes, material, and coating options, you can find stickers that are durable and perfect for any location. While any item that is exposed to the elements for extended periods will experience wear, Printivity offers white vinyl stickers with lamination. Which extends their lifespan and allowing them to last over a year in a moderate climate.
If you have any questions, or you are ready to start your order, contact Printivity at 1-877-649-5463.
