The Different Types And Styles Of Stickers

various differenty types and styles of stickers on a gray rectangle background

There are many types of stickers out there - not only regarding their themes and uses, but also their materials, which serve your various specific sticker-related needs. Indeed, no two labels look alike, and that’s because brands tend to use different materials for their stickers:

There are stickers better suited for outdoor pipelines, for curved surfaces and for glass jars - all you have to do is find the right fit, and “stick to it”. That’s why different sticker materials and sticker “cuts” matter a great deal.

Different Types Of Sticker Cuts

There are many different types of sticker cuts, ranging from die cuts that focus on cutting stickers completely from their frame and usually come in packages of one large sticker to kiss cuts, that leave their framing material intact (and usable).

Each cut serves a different purpose, so try to keep that in mind when purchasing stickers online - complimenting the right cut WITH the right sticker material is the best way to ensure that you will have the ideal product for the job.

The Main Sticker Materials

Below you will find 3 distinct categories of stickers, based on their materials:

Polyester stickers

The metal-like look of polyester stickers grant them a glossy finish and a chrome-like aesthetic.

The ideal application of polyester stickers is labeling machinery, house appliances or piping systems, but they can just as easily be used for “sprucing up” your bike or laptop. Indeed, polyester stickers can withstand the harshest of conditions, shrugging off minor wears and tears with relative ease.

Vinyl Stickers

futuristic style stickers on a gray square background

Vinyl stickers are also known as tattoos and are cut with Vinyl plotters during their manufacturing. Flexible, durable, resistant to UV radiation and perfect for those tricky curvy surfaces, vinyl stickers are excellent for window displays and other various forms of art.

Lasting up to 6 or 7 years without discoloring (unless exposed to severe heat or sunlight), vinyl stickers take longer to fade than regular stickers and are relatively easy to apply as well as to remove.

Polypropylene stickers

Solvent resistant, usually more affordable than their counterparts and extremely durable, polypropylene stickers come in different shapes and sizes, according to their specific characteristics.

Offering better clarity and a mirror-like sheen, polypropylene stickers are further divided into different types of BOPP Labels, which are water resistant and are suitable for windows, jars and other glassy surfaces.

They are somewhat more professional, non-toxic, and widely appreciated by food packaging industries worldwide, BOPP labels are preferable amongst large companies for wide use.

What kind of stickers are there?

Different sticker materials determine the utility of each type of sticker.

However, material isn’t everything: when it comes to stickers, you need to keep in mind that different cuts also affect and determine a sticker’s perfect use!

For example, you will need kiss cut stickers (meaning stickers that are easily peeled out of their frame) when buying stickers for, let’s say, teaching purposes, as they come in bulk and leave their backing material for further imaginative use!

On the other hand, die cut stickers (which are wholly laser removed from their frame) are ideal for custom pieces for your laptop, your walls and even your vehicles.

What is the best material for stickers?

The best material for each sticker is different and multivariate, depending solely on its use and purpose - from BOPP labels that are usually used on food packaging to custom made die cut stickers that are popular among VSCO girls, there is no single best material for stickers.

However, depending on the task at hand, at the target surface and at the resources that you have at your disposal, there are stickers fit for every job!

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