Summary:
- Decals and stickers are both great for marketing purposes, but used in very different ways. All decals or considered stickers but not all stickers are decals.
- Decals are durable, long-term graphics made for indoor and outdoor applications. They can last several years with low maintenance and are easy to clean.
- Stickers are better for short-term, indoor applications. They’re easier to peel and stick onto their intended surfaces but don’t last as long in outdoor environments.
- Once you decide which adhesive graphic type you want to use for your marketing project, submit your design to Little Rock for professional printing. We offer customized options and use high-quality materials for the best product possible.
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If you’re looking to add a little flair to your marketing and advertising efforts, you may want to consider using adhesive graphics like decals or stickers. These graphics can be used for decorative purposes, handed out at events or trade shows or applied to other promotional items as a marketing tool for your business—just to name a few.
While decals and stickers may seem interchangeable, they’re actually quite different in terms of design, application, durability and ideal usage. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about stickers and decals, plus when to use each graphic type.
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Decals vs Stickers: Key Differences
Stickers and decals are versatile marketing tools for business owners who want to boost their branding, but there are many differences between them. It’s important to note that all decals are stickers, but not all stickers are considered decals. Let’s dive into the details of what makes each graphic type unique.
Decals
Typically used for marketing purposes, decals are stickers that are applied to both indoor and outdoor surfaces. They can liven up any office, store or retail wall space or used to advertise products or services on a storefront window. Here are some key characteristics of decals.
How it’s Assembled: Decals come in three layers: the backing paper, the decal itself (made of paper or vinyl material) and transfer tape on top. The transfer tape ensures precise placement so that the design’s pattern or shape isn’t disrupted or distorted.
Application: Use the transfer tape to temporarily hold the decal in place. Apply the decal to the surface using a squeegee or the edge of a flat plastic card. Gently remove the transfer tape and peel off the decal backing.
Surfaces Suited: Designed to adhere to smooth, hard surfaces like glass, wood, metal and painted surfaces.
Durability: Typically more durable than standard stickers, especially when it’s made with high-quality vinyl. Decals are also weather-resistant and made to withstand outdoor elements like exposure to UV rays, rain and temperature fluctuations. With basic care, it can be resistant to fading or peeling over time.
Longevity: Better for longer periods of time compared to stickers. Decals can last several years, even in outdoor environments.
Maintenance: Easy to clean with gentle washing.
Ideal Environments: Walls, windows, floors, vehicles and signage.
Stickers
Stickers come in different shapes and sizes and can be printed in bulk on either a sheet or roll. They’re great if you’re looking for a decorative marketing tool that you can quickly hand out at events. Check out some other benefits to using stickers.
How it’s Assembled: Stickers have two layers, the adhesive layer (typically paper or vinyl) with the design printed on the front and the paper backing protecting the adhesive.
Application: Stickers are self-contained with just the adhesive backing, making them easy to apply. Just peel and stick the sticker directly on the surface you need.
Surfaces Suited: They work on a variety of different surfaces, including uneven or curved surfaces, like paper, plastic or metal.
Durability: Some stickers are weather-resistant, but they don’t last as long when exposed to the outdoor elements. Their backing material can also be prone to tearing and peeling over time.
Longevity: Meant for shorter-term use indoors or outdoor areas with minimal exposure to weather.
Maintenance: Harder to clean and the adhesive tends to weaken over time if they’re in a high-moisture environment.
Ideal Environments: Water bottle, notebooks, phone cases and clothing.
When to Use a Decal vs a Sticker
How do you decide which graphic type is best for your brand? Take a look at these different scenarios to help you find the right fit.
When to Use a Decal
For long-term situations where you need a larger and more permanent sticker, use a decal. Examples of this would be a company logo on a car window, a large wall mural or advertising signage for a business. Decals are also best for designs that need clean edges or have an intricate pattern.
When to Use a Sticker
If you’re looking for something simple and easy to apply, a sticker is your best option. Stickers are great for placing on promotional items that you’re giving away or simply handing them out as a marketing tool at events. In most cases, they’re used for decorative purposes where precision isn’t a top priority.
You can also ask yourself these questions (and find the answers above) to help you determine which to order.
- How do you intend to use the product?
- How big or small do you want your design to be?
- What kind of surface are you looking to decorate?
- How long will you be using your product for?
Trust Little Rock With All Your Sticker Needs
Now you have all the information you need to help you choose between a sticker or a decal for your next project or event. You can usually make a quick decision once you determine how long you need the product, the surface it will be placed on and if it’s for indoor or outdoor use. Using stickers and decals will help you increase brand awareness and it’s a great marketing tool for new customers or clients.
At Little Rock, we’re here to bring your sticker designs to life. We offer a variety of customized options for your stickers and use high-quality materials for a product you can be happy with. Contact the Little Rock Printing experts if you have questions about our custom stickers or any other print products we offer.
