For indoor stickers, the best choice is classic paper-based or printable vinyl sticker sheets. Your printer (laser or inkjet) and the intended use of your sticker will determine which paper you choose. Matching the paper with the printer will ensure vibrant and long-lasting prints.
What is a sticker? It’s more than just paper
We don’t see stickers as material engineers. As material engineers, we don’t just see a sticker. We look at a composite sandwich, made up of different materials that each have a specific job. You need to know what kind of “paper” you are working with before you choose it. The facestock, adhesive and liner are usually three layers of a sticker.
Face Stock
The top layer is where you will print your design. The material determines how the sticker will look, feel and last. Although many people call this “paper”, the options available are much more sophisticated.
- Woodless Paper: It is a classic uncoated office paper with an adhesive backing. This paper is cost-effective, and perfect for indoor uses like temporary labels or planner stickers.
- Cast-Coated Paper: This paper is a step up. It has a smooth, high-gloss finish that looks almost like a photo. This paper is excellent for printing, bringing out colors, but not waterproof. It’s best used to make premium labels inside.
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): It is a plastic that’s far more durable than regular paper. Water-repellent and flexible by nature, PVC can also be environmentally unfriendly.
- PET: A type of polyester, PET is an incredibly strong, heat resistant, and clear polymer. This is the best choice for applications that require high performance, such as electronics labels and stickers with a “no label” appearance.
Adhesive
It’s the magic behind it that turns it into a sticker. How well and for how long your sticker sticks to the surface, as well as how easy it is to remove, depends on what type of adhesive you use. The following are important terms:
- Initial Stickiness: Refers to immediate stickyness upon application. Initial tack is measured in degrees. A high initial tack grabs immediately, while low tack allows some movement.
- Acryl Adhesive An acrylic-based synthetic adhesive that is known for its durability, transparency, and resistance against UV light, temperature change, and other environmental factors. It is used for outdoor stickers and high quality stickers.
- Adhesive Hot-melt: Rubber-based adhesive that can be heated until it becomes liquid and then applied. This adhesive has a high initial adhesion, but it is not as resistant to heat or UV exposure as acrylics. It’s better for use indoors like on shipping labels.
- Solvent Based Adhesive This adhesive is made with a solvent that evaporates leaving behind the adhesive. These adhesives form strong permanent bonds, and they are used in extreme industrial applications.
Liner (the “Peel Off” Backing).
The silicone-coated paper protects the glue until the time comes to attach the sticker. Weight of the liner, measured in GSM (grams per square meter), can influence how well it passes through printers. For example, a lighter liner is less likely to cause printer jams.
Choosing Your Face Stock: Paper vs. Vinyl Showdown
You’ll often have to decide whether you want to go with a paper stock, or something more durable like vinyl. As engineers, it’s our job to choose the best material. Check out how these materials compare.
| Feature | Paper-Based Sticker | Printable Vinyl Sticker |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Low. Prone to tearing and fading. Best for indoor use only. | High. Tear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and can handle wear. |
| Water Resistance | None. Ink will run and paper will disintegrate if wet. | Excellent. Vinyl is a plastic and inherently waterproof. Ideal for bottles, cars, and outdoor gear. |
| Print Quality | Good to Excellent. Glossy and cast-coated papers produce vibrant colors. | Excellent. Provides a professional, smooth finish with sharp details. |
| Cost | Lower. More affordable for large batches or temporary projects. | Higher. The durability and performance come at a premium price. |
| Best For | Planners, scrapbooking, indoor product labels, shipping labels. | Water bottles, laptops, car decals, outdoor equipment, any long-term application. |
Inkjet or Laser Sticker Paper?
It is not possible to use any type of sticker in every printer. The wrong kind can cause poor results, or damage to your printer. Printing chemistry is different in both technologies.
For Inkjet Printers (HP Envy, Canon PIXMA, Epson EcoTank)
Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink liquid onto paper. Sticker paper needs a top coat that absorbs the ink immediately and stops it from spreading.
- The Ink Type is Important: Many standard inkjet printers are using Dye-Ink. This provides vivid colors, but it can fade and not be waterproof. Look for printers using Pigment ink. Solid pigment particles are deposited on the surface of paper, providing superior water and UV resistance.
- Use of Material: Only buy papers marked “For Inkjet printers.” The options range from high-gloss paper to matte paper.
Laser Printers: HP LaserJet and Brother
The laser printer uses heat and pressure in order to fuse plastic powder, called toner, onto paper. Sticker material should be resistant to the heat generated by the unit.
- Our Lab Experience: During our factory tests, we used a generic gloss sticker paper that was not laser-rated through a Brother printer. Intense heat (which could exceed 400degF or 200degC) from the laser printer fuser caused the top layer of the sticker paper to bubble, and acrylic adhesive at the edge to melt and ooze. The sticker sheet was ruined, but the rollers of the printer were also coated with residue.
- Use of Material: It is absolutely necessary to use laser printer-specific paper. This is usually PET (polyester films) or another heat-stabilized material that remains flat and steady during the fuse process.
Never use inkjet paper with a laser printer
Under no circumstances should you feed stickers designed for laser printers. Inkjet papers are not heat-resistant due to their special coating. The paper can burn, permanently damaging the fuser and internal parts of your printer. It is an expensive repair and not covered under warranty.
The Material Engineer’s Guide to Adhesives
It’s just as important to consider the “stick” as it is to pay attention. The right adhesive will ensure that your sticker remains in place for the intended duration, be it one week or even five years.
- Adhesive Removable: Intended to be removed without residue. Ideal for laptop stickers or temporary promotional items. Peel strength is usually low, as measured by ASTM D3330 or other standards.
- Adhesive Permanent: The most popular type of glue, it is designed to provide a strong bond. Although it is called permanent, it is usually removable with a little effort and solvent. However, it may damage the sticker.
- Heavy Duty Adhesive / High Tack: For the toughest jobs. They are acrylic adhesives that have a solvent base and can be aggressive.
Get Perfect Prints with Pro Printer Tips
The right paper alone is not enough. Tell your printer exactly what you are feeding him.
- Choose the right media type: Go to your printer settings before you click “Print” and select the correct media type. Use the “Plain Paper”. Choose “Glossy Photo Paper,” Labels,” Heavyweight,” or Cardstock. It is important to adjust the print speed (on laser printers), heat (on inkjet printers), and ink amount (on inkjet printers) in order to achieve optimal results.
- Strive for high DPI. Dots per Inch (or DPI) is the measure of printing resolution. Set your print quality on “High” or Best for crisp stickers that have sharp details. It will usually print your artwork at 1200 DPI, or even higher.
- Test Print: Before printing a sheet, always print one to test your color and alignment. It will save you from wasting an entire pack of vinyl because of a mistake in the settings.
Sustainable Applications & Beyond Basics
We are conscious manufacturers who recognize that environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly important. Materials you select have an impact on the world, and greener alternatives are now more readily available than ever.
Eco-Friendly sticker: Make a greener choice
- Check for FSC certification: When it comes to paper-based stickers the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), certificate is your assurance of quality. This ensures that the pulp used to make paper comes from responsibly managed forests, preserving biodiversity and maintaining sustainability. It is an absolute requirement for all of our B2B customers who are eco-conscious.
- PVC Free Vinyl Alternatives: We’re seeing an industry-wide shift away from PVC in our materials science lab. As a great PVC-free option, we recommend that you look for polypropylene (PP) films. These films offer the same durability and resistance to water as PVC without any of the concerns about chlorine.
- Beware of the Liner: Silicone-coated backing papers (liners) are a significant source of waste for our industry, as they’re not often recyclable. Innovative suppliers now offer liners that are made of recycled PET (rPET), or are even working on linerless stickers rolls.
The Advanced Technique for Making Transparent Stickers
The clear stickers are perfect to place on colored surfaces, packaging or glass. To create them yourself, you will need specific tools and know-how.
- Select the Right Material: It is important to purchase an optically-clear facestock. This is almost always PET (polyester film) and it’s available both for inkjet printers as well as laser printers. Do not confuse with “frosted”, “translucent”, or similar materials.
- “White Ink Problem”: This is a crucial piece of information: Home printers, both inkjet and laser, do not use white ink. The CMYK model (Cyane, Magenta Yellow, Black), assumes that the white is supplied by the paper.
- A Pro Tip: If you print color onto a transparent sticker, the result will be like “stained-glass” or transparency. The white elements in your design will appear as clear stickers. You will need to source stickers from professional printers who have printers that use a white channel if you want opaque colors behind your design or solid white backgrounds. It is common for customers to make this mistake when trying at home to achieve professional results.
You’re now ready to select the right material. Discover our wide range of sticker papers that have been factory tested and approved to help you bring your idea to life.
FAQs
What is the difference between kiss-cut and die-cut stickers
A Kiss-Cut uses a very light cutting technique that leaves the backing intact. Multiple stickers can be printed on one sheet. A Die-Cut can cut through the paper backing and facestock, creating an individualized sticker.
What is the best way to make stickers waterproof?
Start with a base that is waterproof, such as printable vinyl. Inkjet printing with pigment ink is better at resisting water than dye. You can add an additional layer of protection by applying a clear lamination over the sticker printed before it is cut. It also provides UV protection to help prevent fade.
What is the cause of my stickers that are smearing after printing?
Inkjets are prone to smearing. This can be caused by two things: either you’re using the incorrect paper (e.g. laser paper with an inkjet) or that your printer is set up wrong (e.g. “Plain Paper”, instead of “Glossy”) which means the printer uses the wrong amount ink.
Can I make stickers without a Cricut?
No! You can make stickers even without a cutting machine. Print your design on an entire sticker sheet, and then cut it out using scissors or a knife.
