Summary:
To make stickers that last in Canadian weather, start by choosing the right vinyl for the job. High-tack permanent vinyl works best for outdoor spaces and rougher surfaces because it has a stronger adhesive that provides more grip. Apply stickers to surfaces on a dry day when the temperature is between 10–25 °C after cleaning the surface with isopropyl alcohol. Let it cure in place for at least 24 hours without getting wet or being exposed to temperature extremes.
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Canadian weather can be a lot to handle at the best of times. One week, half the country is buried in sleet and salt, the next, it’s suddenly 10 degrees and t-shirt weather. Depending on where you are in the country, temperatures might range from -40°C to +40 °C throughout the year.
Extremes like these can cause stickers to curl up, crack, or lift off completely over time, especially if they aren’t applied right or aren’t made from a durable enough material. You’ll learn how to pick the right substrate, how to install them correctly, and how to design stickers that last in this guide.
Step One: Pick the Right Material for The Weather
At Little Rock, we have three main vinyl options for you to choose from. You’ll get the same high-quality results no matter which one you go with, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll perform the same outdoors. See the chart below for a quick overview, then we’ll get into the specifics.
| Vinyl Type | Best Use | Adhesion Strength | Indoor/Outdoor | Typical Lifespan* |
| Permanent Vinyl | Long-term use (e.g., tumblers) | Strong | Indoor/Outdoor | 1–3 years |
| Removable Vinyl | Short-term use (e.g., event setups or advertising) | Light | Indoor | Up to 1 year |
| High Tack Permanent | Long-term use or cold weather installs | Extra strong | Outdoor | 3+ years |
When to Choose Each Option:
- Use Permanent Vinyl when you want your stickers to stay put, but don’t need extra grip.
- Use Removable Vinyl when you want to be able to remove them easily later on.
- Use High-Tack Permanent Vinyl for rough or textured surfaces and outdoor environments.
Best for Outdoor Installs: High Tack Permanent Vinyl
High-Tack Permanent is what you want to go with if your stickers will live outside.
That’s because:
- It contains a stronger, thicker layer of adhesive that provides more gripping power.
- It’s also more durable to outside influences, which means it’s more likely to hold up over time.
- The installation temperature range for most brands is usually around 10⁰ C to 32⁰ C.
Note that we’re talking about initial adhesion on that last point, not how long your stickers will last in wild weather. Proper installation is what allows them to withstand our brutal weather patterns longer.
One Vinyl Sticker Installation Guide to Rule Them All
Installing vinyl stickers isn’t rocket science, but it is actually a bit scientific. What you need to know is that most adhesives rely on a combination of surface energy, temperature, and contact area to form a proper bond. If the surface is too cold, dirty, or oily, they won’t “wet out” like they’re supposed to do.
“Wetting out” is a technical term for how well an adhesive spreads across a surface. If you’ve ever attached a screen protector to your phone or tablet, you’ve watched this play out in real-time.
Follow these steps to give your stickers what they need to “stick it out” long-term.
Step 1: Make Sure The Temperature’s Right
Our stickers are waterproof once they’re cured down, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you can apply them to wet surface. For best results, apply stickers on a mild day between +10 °C to +25 °C.
Avoid applying stickers when:
- It’s raining, snowing, hailing, or foggy outside
- You’re working in peak midday heat (aim for before noon or after 4 p.m. instead).
- The surface is covered in condensation, even if you dry it off first on the spot.
ProTip: If you don’t want to wait, bringing movable surfaces like vehicles or guitar cases inside for a while is an acceptable alternative. Wait until the surface warms up or cools down before you proceed.
Step 2: Prep the Surface
Clean the surface carefully before applying the sticker.
- Wipe away dust, grit, oil, or salt from the surface.
- Clean the area gently with isopropyl alcohol (swab or spray)
- Let the alcohol dry completely before applying anything.
ProTip: Wash water-safe surfaces like walls or hard-sided crates down with a mild detergent first if they’re very dirty. Don’t apply alcohol to rough surfaces like canvas bags or fabric unless you test it first.
Step 3: Apply the Sticker With Firm, Even Pressure
This is the part most people enjoy the most, but it does take a bit of concentration.
- Peel the backing off of the sticker carefully.
- Do your best to avoid touching the adhesive with your fingertips.
- Line it up, then press it down firmly from one side to the other smoothly.
- Use a squeegee or credit card to push out any air bubbles.
ProTip: Work from the center of your sticker outward when removing bubbles, and try to get as many of them out as you can. Trapped air can weaken the glue over time.
Step 4: Allow the Sticker(s) to Cure
Once your new sticker is in place, it’s time to hurry up and wait.
- Try to let it “cure” in place for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid exposing it to water or precipitation for at least a day or two.
- Avoid picking at the edges to fix tiny creases and other imperfections.
ProTip: Placement problems are a drag, but the reality is that once your sticker is down, you won’t get the same level of adhesion if you peel it off and adjust it. Use a pencil or chalk to mark positioning first instead.
How to Remove Stickers Quickly and Easily
Believe it or not, not everyone wants their stickers to last so long, future archeologists will be able to use them to learn about their brand. Sometimes, you just want to switch it up!
If it’s time for a change:
- Use a hairdryer on low speed to soften the adhesive.
- Keep going until you get enough edge lifted to pinch between your fingers.
- Use firm, even pressure to peel the sticker away.
- Once it’s off, use an adhesive remover like Goo Gone or alcohol to remove any residue.
High-Tack Permanent Vinyl and Permanent Vinyl will be the hardest to remove if you applied them correctly. Removable vinyl should just peel away with a little bit of pressure.
Learn More: Canva Template + Setup Resources
Survival alone isn’t enough. We want your stickers to thrive for you by standing out and grabbing attention no matter where you are in Canada or what the weather’s like.
When you use our free Canva templates, the bleed, margins, safe zones, and monthly layouts are already in place. All you need to do is get creative and edit in your photos or text.
Click a link to get started:
For custom sizes and shapes, or to get more guidance, check out our YouTube tutorial. We’ll show you the entire process from start to finish so you can design like a pro.
Best Practices for Designing High-Quality Stickers
For best results, send us a hi-res PDF with:
- ⅛” bleed
- Outlined fonts
- CMYK colors (use Spot PMS instead if trying to print Pantone colors)
Most software programs have a specific export setting called PRINT PDF or PRESS QUALITY PDF. Choose one of these two options for best results. Or, use Canva. It’ll handle the process for you as long as you download the file as a PDF PRINT.
Get High-Quality Stickers that Last With Little Rock
Little Rock’s Permanent, Removable, and High Tack Vinyl sticker materials make it easy to create designs that hold up well indoors and out as the seasons change. Install them correctly and they shouldn’t give up at the first sign of a snowflake or let you down when the sun’s high in the sky.
Send us your print-ready file now to create custom stickers in any size, shape, or style. Need a hand setting up your next run? Just send us a message.
