Continuing in our series on what makes for a “good sticker,” let’s take a look at some of the elements that go into whether outdoor custom stickers were printed with the appropriate materials and inks. For the other posts in our series, check out the following topics.
- Introduction to a good custom sticker
- Does the sticker look good, and was it printed correctly?
- Does the graphic design result in an effective custom sticker for your brand?
Custom Sticker Material Should Match The Intended Use
My daughter loves stickers and enjoys peeling them off the backer sheet and sticking them to anything in sight. It’s been fun to watch her receive so much joy from something so closely related to my daily job. In the same sense, it’s also a very different product from the majority of what Comgraphx produces.
The stickers she plays with are paper princess stickers purchased from a children’s store. These stickers are well printed and kiss-cut with precision. In the eye of most consumers, they would be labeled as “good stickers.” And indeed they are good stickers, because the materials, ink, and print process match the intended use.
The stickers your brand uses as a way to generate brand loyalty should not be printed on paper material using indoor inks. While very good looking stickers can be made out of paper, they will not last outdoors.
Outdoor Durable Branding Stickers
What makes for a really good princess sticker is not the same set of attributes that make for a highly effective brand-promotion sticker. Yet, they are both be considered “good stickers.” The reason is that branding stickers must be capable of lasting outdoors for 4-5 years with no sign of deterioration. In other words, they should look GOOD for many years to come.
What Are Common Materials and Inks for Outdoor Custom Stickers?
The best outdoor stickers are screen printed using UV outdoor durable ink. This produces the classic outdoor sticker product we’ve all come to know and love. In terms of material, vinyl is the standard material used in the industry, but certain uses require polyester.
In recent years digital printing has become very common. Some digital presses are capable of printing outdoor durable stickers, but not all. You should be very cautious with digital printing until you know for sure the press is capable of producing an outdoor durable product.
Materials to Watch Out For
Be very cautious if your printer starts talking about polypropylene (some times referred to as bopp). Because this material is intended to be used as a product packaging/labeling material, it’s not well suited for outdoor usage. Some flexo printers will push bopp material because it’s what they are used to using in other areas of their business. They don’t have your best interest at heart.
Print Processes to Stay Away From
Please don’t buy outdoor stickers that are offset or flexo printed; they won’t last outdoors and your money will be wasted. We offer both print processes within our capabilities, but we would never recommend either as a suitable process for outdoor stickers.
