What Sticker Material is Right for You

So you're looking for the perfect sticker for your business or personal project.

But are you struggling to decide whether to go for paper, vinyl, or something extra fancy? One wrong move could result in fading, peeling, or not attracting potential customers. Plus, it's an investment of your money and time!

Stickers are a great way to brand your business, add a professional touch to products, and personalise your stuff. Choosing the right material can create a positive impact on your business.

According to Forbes, excellent product packaging is the best way to attract customers who have never seen, tried, or heard of your products.

Stickers complement your packaging presentation, whether operating a small retail shop, gift hamper business, or e-commerce.

This blog post will teach us how to find the right material for your sticker needs.

Let's break down their differences and specific uses!

Paper-Based Stickers: Affordable, Nonwaterproof, & Indoor Use Only

Art Paper Stickers 

The most affordable sticker paper is also powerful in spreading brand awareness and turning plain packaging into branded items. It is available in matte, glossy, and uncoated finishes.

Best for: product labels, packaging, envelopes, mailers, invitations, DIY craft projects, personalised belongings, and more.

Classic Paper Stickers

These writable stickers are printed on non-lustrous surfaces and are ideal for writing and stamping. Although they have a matte finish, they look more elegant than the matte paper sticker. The base is off-white with a neutral tone, making it less intense or sterile than pure white. So, a possible colour gap is inevitable.

Best for: labelling jars, bottles, bakery packaging, homemade candles, personalised envelopes and invitations, freebies, giveaways, and merchandise.

Kraft Paper Stickers

Kraft paper has a brownish tone, creating a homemade and rustic look for your stickers. It has a similar texture to standard cardboard paper. Its organic, recycled look is best for attracting environmentally conscious consumers.

Best for: luxurious and ornate designs, product labelling, packaging, complementing DIY craft projects, artisan products, and sustainable branding image.

Vinyl-Based Stickers: Waterproof, Weatherproof, UV-resistant, & Outdoor-Ready

Bumper Stickers

These durable bumper stickers are created for outdoor applications and withstand extreme temperatures. They are perfect for outdoor advertising, making a bold statement, spicing up vehicles, and personalising outdoor gear with your brand name or logo.

Best for: cars, trucks, water bottles, tumblers, laptops, tractors, walls, storefronts, helmets, bicycles, and other smooth surfaces.

Standard Vinyl Stickers

Also known as waterproof indoor stickers, this vinyl material is designed to withstand water, moisture, and cold but is limited to indoor use only. Though this sticker is waterproof, unlike the other vinyl materials, it cannot withstand prolonged outdoor exposure.

Best for: cosmetics, personal care products, beverages, frozen goods, food packaging, and other retail items.

PVC Stickers

PVC vinyl stickers are made of synthetic resin (plastic) and are much thicker than our regular vinyl products. Although waterproof and sturdy, this material is only for indoor and temporary outdoor use. This is because the ink used in the printing process is not weatherproof.

Best for: indoor water tanks, washing machines, laptops, phone cases,  jars, bottles, retail packaging, tumblers, and short-term outdoor promotions.

Transparent Stickers

Clear vinyl stickers are waterproof, durable, see-through, and seamless. Care must be taken, especially considering the surface's nature or background, to ensure they are highly visible. We offer them with or without white print under the base to make your artwork pop on every surface.

Best for: skin care products, cosmetics, candles, jars, bottles, tumblers, laptops, promotional merchandise, and product packaging.

Gold Vinyl Stickers

These metallic gold vinyl stickers are an excellent option for high-end branding. Consumers looking for luxury and premium products are easily attracted to upscale packaging that screams a luxurious touch. Leveraging this tool in your marketing approach shows that your brand creates a sense of prestige and sophistication.

Best for: packaging, invitations, product labels, gift wrapping, cosmetics, beauty products, personalised wine labelling, and more.

Silver Vinyl Stickers

Another excellent tool for high-end branding, silver vinyl stickers have a more sleek, modern, and professional appeal than gold. Their metallic silver finish gives a clean and sophisticated look with semi-heat-resistant properties. Perfect for brands that convey innovation, elegance, and exclusivity.

Best for: electronics, microwaves, tech products, luxury packaging, premium labelling, and automotive branding.

Custom Decals

These heavy-duty outdoor vinyl decals are weatherproof, UV-resistant, and withstand extreme temperatures and rough handling. They act as portable mini billboards that spread the message. Perfect for promoting brands, products, campaigns, events, and businesses.

Best for: storefront displays, business signage, guerilla marketing, car graphics, floors, walls, windows, boats, vehicles, and other commercial or personal use.

Vinyl Lettering Stickers

Another excellent branding solution that doesn't need complex artwork because it only consists of letters or numbers. Vinyl lettering stickers are ideal for sign-making to promote your business, reinforce brand awareness, and customise dull space with a slogan, quote, or business name. Type your message using our lettering designer tool and customise the font, colour, or size to align with your specifications.

Best for: business signages, store hour operation details, walls, boats, vehicles, windows, seasonal promo.

Special Stickers: High-End, Premium, & Luxurious Branding

Foil Paper Stickers

Foil paper stickers are available in gold and silver. These metallic premium stickers convey a high-end brand and products. They complement your upscale packaging, which resonates with consumers looking for premium and deluxe products. Note that these are paper-based, so they are waterproof and for indoor applications only.

Best for: invitations, gift wrapping, product labelling, certificates, envelopes, weddings, retail shops, and decorations.

Embossed Paper Stickers

Embossed paper stickers are ideal for elegant and premium branding. They feature a raised design where an image or text is pushed from the back, creating a textured and high-quality feel. Plus, this material gives a classic and sophisticated look, often used by brands that want to emphasise exclusivity and craftsmanship.

Best for: luxury packaging, corporate seals, certificates, documents, gift items, wine labels, wedding invitations, boutique branding, and other special events.

Hologram Stickers

Custom holographic stickers exude beauty, boldness, and electric tones that are perfect for unique, high-end branding. They have a three-dimensional, iridescent effect that makes your product truly stand out. Hologram stickers are also perfect for showing brand security and authenticity and avoiding product counterfeiters.

Best for: sealing products, personalising packaging, labelling, promotional items, laptops, car windows, tumblers, water bottles, and other clean and smooth surfaces.

Dome Stickers

Custom 3D dome stickers are coated in a protective layer of clear epoxy resin, creating a bubble-like effect. These domed epoxy labels are durable, weatherproof, and waterproof and designed for unique branding, labelling, and promotional purposes. Their unique appearance helps boost branding and set your products apart from the others.

Best for: luxury packaging, automotive and motorcycle badges, industrial equipment, electronics, gadgets, home appliances, and storefront logos.

Final Thoughts: Make the Right Choice For Your Sticker Needs

Now that you know their differences and specific uses, you can make the right choice to meet your sticker needs. To reiterate:

Paper-Based Stickers: Affordable, non-oil proof, nonwaterproof, and applicable for indoor applications only.

Vinyl-Based Stickers: They are much more expensive than paper-based stickers, but they are versatile and applicable both indoors and outdoors. They are all waterproof. Some products, like bumpers, custom decals, and vinyl lettering, are weatherproof and UV-resistant.

Special Stickers: These are excellent for high-end brands and products, luxury, and premium packaging. However, you can also use products made from paper or vinyl with metallic foil stamping to achieve that premium feel.

Aside from knowing the right sticker material, it's also crucial to understand the basics of sticker design. This way, you can ensure that the sticker you use with compelling text and artwork complements one another to convey your brand message.