Custom Decals, Stickers, and Labels – The Master Guide

249

Decals, stickers, and labels may sound similar, but each option differs slightly. And though the difference may be slight in some cases, it can still affect which option is best for which scenario.

In this article, we will define these differences clearly and show you each option’s benefits and disadvantages. By the end, we hope to give you a better understanding of the difference between decals, stickers, and labels so that you can make a more informed decision the next time you use one of these options in your packaging project.

Defining a Sticker, Label, and Decal

Now that you know each option differs from the other, what is a decal? What is a sticker? What makes them different? What are they best for? You might have many questions that now need answering, but let’s first focus on the basic definition of a sticker, label, and decal. A better understanding of each option will allow us to give a much more accurate answer to each preceding question.

To begin, let’s look at the sticker. Custom stickers are small pieces of paper, vinyl, or fabric with an adhesive backing. They are available in various colors, shapes, and designs, making them versatile for branding and decoration.

Source: PakFactory

Decals are similar in that they have a self-adhesive backing but are larger, more permanent, and often used for identification and branding. They are typically made from vinyl, are cut to a specific shape, and have clear backgrounds to blend in when applied to various surfaces.

Source: PakFactory

Finally, custom labels are also a self-adhesive option made from materials like paper, vinyl, and polyester, but their usage is neither for decoration nor identification. They are usually printed with text or images that contain information about a product, its content, or its usage.

Source: PakFactory

As you can see from the above definitions and images, stickers, labels, and decals are similar in that they are all meant to stick to surfaces. Still, their intended purposes are generally different, and these differences don’t end there, so let’s dive deeper.

Decal vs. Sticker vs. Label

We briefly mentioned the different intended purposes for each adhesive option, but they also differ in other aspects. Though there are definitely similarities between the materials used and the types, styles, and production processes, it is essential to note the differences too.

Below, we’ve provided a simple chart to showcase the main differences. However, we will also go more in-depth to give you a complete picture of why stickers, labels, and decals should be considered separate adhesive options.

Differences in Materials

First, let’s look at the materials. We also briefly mentioned materials in the definitions section, but we’ll look at this topic in more detail here.

Source: Unsplash

For stickers, various materials are possible, like glossy paper, matte, vinyl, or fabric. Stickers are the most versatile when choosing materials and have many options for different intended looks, durability, and costs. For example, paper stickers are the most affordable option but are less durable than vinyl stickers.

Source: Jason Leung

Decals, however, typically use vinyl materials, which are durable,  weather-resistant, and highly customizable with colors and designs. This is necessary as decals are generally much larger and, depending on their usage, can be exposed to more weather elements than stickers.

Source: Natasha Kendall

Labels use similar materials to stickers but are usually thinner for easy mass application onto products. Common labeling materials include Biaxially-Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP), vinyl films, or paper. However, other materials like holographic or metallic are still possible, though rare.

Design, Application, and Durability Comparison of Stickers, Labels, and Decals

Regarding design options, stickers, and labels are very similar. They come in various sizes and have many design possibilities to suit different needs ranging from small and round adhesives to large and rectangular or even full-color printed designs. Both options are also available as a die-cut (cut to the exact shape) or a kiss-cut (cutting the material and leaving the backing paper untrimmed).

Where the similarities end, however, are in their application and durability. Stickers are typically applied manually, whereas labels can be applied manually but are generally mass applied through a specialized machine. On top of this, stickers can last much longer than labels depending on the materials, as labels are produced much thinner to accommodate mass application.

Source: Олександр Луценко

Decals are slightly different. As the largest of the three options and typically exposed to more outdoor elements, they are also the most durable. But unlike stickers and labels, decals are only available die-cut but can be designed in various shapes and sizes to work on surfaces ranging from glass, walls, metal, or sidewalks.

Source: Jan

Furthermore, leaning to its more prominent design, applying decals requires manual precision to ensure proper application with no lingering air bubbles. Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek the aid of professionals so that your decal is applied correctly!

Pros and Cons of Each Option

Now that you know the differences between stickers, decals, and labels, let’s examine the advantages and disadvantages to know which adhesive option works best for your next project. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the main pros and cons for each adhesive option:

When to Use Decals, Labels, or Stickers

With the benefits and disadvantages covered, you might still wonder when is the best time to use each option.

Stickers are best used to promote a brand. They are often included in product packaging to encourage customers to decorate their personal water bottles, notebooks, or laptops with your company’s branding. Stickers are also excellent for generating word-of-mouth and can even be sold as an individual product too!

Learn more on how to make and sell stickers online here!

Labels are used in many industries like food, retail, and pharmaceutical industries. They are meant to be put on the product or packaging itself and serve two purposes of brand identification and relaying important product information. Great product labels should attract attention while properly conveying product information to consumers, like expiration dates, ingredients, or usage instructions.

Finally, decals are for advertising a brand or displaying information. Because of their large and durable nature, decals are best utilized on signage, windows, walls, floors, large industrial equipment, or vehicles.

Similar, But Ultimately Different

Decals, stickers, and labels may be similar in some ways, but there are enough differences to warrant considering them separate entities. Each adhesive option has its own benefits, disadvantages, and ideal usage scenarios, so using these terms interchangeably needs to be corrected.

Here at PakFactory, we have many options for custom stickers and labels. So if you have any more questions or would like help on your next design project, please contact one of our packaging specialists today!

Jesse All Posts | Guides
4 minute read

Vinyl vs. Bopp

There are lots of options for stickers out there. A common question we get at Custom Stickers is: "Vinyl vs. BOPP, what's the difference, and which should I use for my stickers?"

At Custom Stickers, we use vinyl for our stickers and BOPP for our labels. This article will cover the differences so you can get a sense of which material is better for your application.

What is Vinyl?

Vinyl is a plastic product manufactured from ethylene and chlorine (a type of salt) to produce Polyvinyl Chloride, more commonly known as vinyl. It is a versatile product used to make various everyday products, including vinyl flooring and siding, vinyl records, and vinyl stickers. 

What is BOPP?

BOPP is an acronym for Biaxially-Oriented (BO) Polypropylene (PP). It's a type of plastic that has been stretched in two directions (biaxially) so that it is thin and flexible. Its most common use is packaging labels such as food and beverage, personal care, and more. 

Comparing and Contrasting Vinyl and BOPP

Both materials have uses outside of sticker production, but this comparison will cover the differences specifically for sticker production. Before we dive in, note that both vinyl and BOPP are waterproof and recyclable. 

Weight and Thickness

Vinyl is significantly thicker than BOPP. It is simply a heavier-duty material that is manufactured for durability. It is better for die-cut stickers because the thickness and weight have a better impact when passing them out or including them in packages.

On the other hand, BOPP is manufactured to be thin and flexible. This means it is better than vinyl for product packaging and similar applications. It is easier to apply to product packaging with various depths and curvatures. It's a better material for sticker label rolls.

Vinyl is thicker and more rigid. BOPP is thinner and more flexible.

If you plan to use your stickers for packaging, BOPP is better. For handing out, or marketing, vinyl is better.

Winner: Draw

Durability

Because vinyl is thicker and more rigid than BOPP, it has better durability. This is especially true under harsh conditions. 

For example, vinyl is much better if you have an outdoor application, such as bumper stickers or window stickers. It will hold up for years under rain, snow, and heat.  

Likewise, vinyl is the best choice if you plan to put your stickers on a water bottle because it is dishwasher safe. 

BOPP is best suited for indoor use or temporary applications. BOPP can hold up for a long time indoors.

For durability and long-term use, vinyl has the edge.

Winner: Vinyl

Print Quality

Both vinyl and BOPP can have similar print quality. This is because they are both white materials (but can also be produced to be clear and holographic).

One key difference is that BOPP material is stretched, so it is significantly thinner than typical vinyl sticker material. This can make it appear more translucent. In practical terms, this can make print slightly more dull. 

However, the more significant difference stems from the type of printers available to print on Vinyl and BOPP. There are commercial vinyl printers, such as the ones we use at CustomStickers, which print using ten colors. On the other hand, the BOPP printers with the broadest color gamut print using up to 7 colors. 

When comparing the top-of-the-line vinyl printers vs. the top-of-the-line BOPP printers, the vinyl printers win out in terms of color.

Vinyl has a slight edge, but it isn't something most people would notice.

Winner: Vinyl

Who uses vinyl, and who uses BOPP?

Vinyl tends to be more common for sticker production. Most folks would agree that it is the superior material for sticker applications. That said, several sticker producers use BOPP exclusively - they tend to be companies that focus on labeling solutions.

Vinyl Sticker Producers

CustomStickers

StickerMule

RockinMonkey

StickerYou

CarStickers

BOPP Sticker Producers

StickerGiant

MakeStickers

StickerApp

Conclusion

We use vinyl for our sticker material because it has the best durability and print quality. We also offer BOPP material for our label products. 

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article, make sure you check our blog regularly for the latest. If you're in the market for stickers, check out our guide on choosing the perfect sticker.