Sticker, Label and Decal – these three terms are often understood as the same type of product; however, they refer to adhere to various surfaces through different application methods. Despite their common usage interchangeably, each term holds distinct characteristics that cater to specific applications.
It is challenging to establish a uniform division that allows determining which of these terms best defines a particular type within this group of products. The most common approach involves categorizing individual products based on their characteristic elements, as outlined in the following article.
What are Stickers?
Stickers are considered the most popular and the easiest-to-apply type of self-adhesive products. Any type of printed paper or foil, covered with a layer of adhesive on the back, can be classified as a sticker. They are used to adhere to various surfaces to convey information or as an ornament.
For what purposes are stickers most commonly used?
Stickers are printed directly onto a backing material and can be applied to various types of smooth surfaces, significantly limiting their application possibilities, for instance, on certain vehicle elements or other objects with curved surfaces. They are characterized by the ease of removal, making them a safe way to decorate items for a short period because there is only minimal risk of surface damage when removing the sticker. The most commonly used materials for creating stickers are paper or foil, onto which the design is directly printed and can later be applied to the selected surface.
What are Decals?
They are types of prints that can be applied to various surfaces in a slightly more complicated way than stickers, using water or a special activating fluid. Unlike stickers, the prints are not directly printed on the backing materials that are applied to the target surface. These types of prints are transferred from the carrier to the target surface, after which the medium is removed, leaving only the final design without paper or foil on the target surface.
For what purposes are decals most commonly used?
Decals, created on a transfer medium and applied to the desired surface during the proper application, are more durable. Their enhanced durability allows them to be used on objects exposed to adverse environmental conditions and for decorating elements that need to remain on the surface for an extended period. Moreover, they can be applied not only to various types of smooth surfaces but also to curved surfaces, expanding the range of possibilities for their use.
What are Labels?
The term ‘labels’ refers to self-adhesive product labels, usually available in two forms: permanent and removable, and printed on sheets or rolls. Labels are typically crafted from paper or film materials, which can be easily and quickly peeled from the backing and applied on the end product.
For what purposes are stickers most commonly used?
Labels are most often utilized by companies to mark individual products and their packaging. Typically produced in bulk, they serve as product labels attached to items such as bottles, boxes, jars, etc., for products like cosmetics, medicines, beverages or food. Labels can be applied to products in two ways: manually (by hand) and automatically (by machine). They play a crucial role in branding, helping companies establish a visual identity and communicate with customers. The design, material, and placement of labels contribute to the overall presentation and perception of a product.
Although the described division is quite common, it often happens that the terms for the above-mentioned types of self-adhesive products are used interchangeably. Different sellers and their customers in various environments may use different names for the products designed for attaching to various types the surfaces. The simplicity in application and diverse uses make stickers a ubiquitous and effective method of decoration in today’s world.
A universal tool with the ability to design stickers, decals, and labels – regardless of which product you mean using these terms – is Sticker Builder by Antigro Designer. Thanks to such software, users can seamlessly design patterns for their dream stickers, decals, or labels. Using the creator, customers can design graphics for printing, which can later be automatically generated as ready-to-print files by the printing house.