Many people don’t think about the technology that goes into making stickers. But there is a lot more to it than you might think.

Custom stickers are made from scratch, depending on your selection. This makes the custom sticker printing process so interesting and is why you should absolutely reach out to a professional sticker printer for the best product quality.

In this article, we will take a look at the four main components of sticker printing: the printing process, the materials used in printing, how to customize your stickers, and the difference between stickers and labels.

1. The printing process

The printing process is the first thing to consider when looking at the technology behind sticker printing. Stickers are printed using a variety of methods, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.

One of the most popular methods of sticker printing is digital printing. It is incredibly versatile, fast and easy to set up. With digital printing, you can print on a variety of materials, like paper and vinyl, and create vibrant colours, including full colour black and white ink.

2. What type of materials are used for sticker printing?

The beauty of custom printing is that you can choose from a large range of materials. Most of them are either paper- or vinyl-based, as these make up the most popular stickers.

If you are wondering which material to choose, you can keep a simple differentiation in mind: Vinyl stickers are ideal for any use case where your sticker might come into contact with water as well as outdoor use because they can withstand the elements.

Paper stickers are less durable and should only be used indoors. However, they are a much more eco-friendly option. Many paper options are even biodegradable.

3. To laminate, or not to laminate?

Lamination is an optional step in the sticker making process. However, if you opt for vinyl sticker printing, your stickers will be laminated with a glossy or matte material to make them waterproof and scratch-resistant.

When you order a sustainable sticker, this step is likely skipped, as lamination materials are not biodegradable and can interfere with the sustainability of your stickers.

4. The cutting process

One of the most popular stickers options are die cut stickers. These are essentially custom shaped stickers that follow the shape of your design. This means that sticker printers have to have flexible cutting processes in place to cater to such shapes.

For this, most printers use either a digitally controlled cutter or a laser cutter. Both can be controlled by a computer and follow the exact cut lines of your designs, allowing professional printers to create custom shapes in record time.

By understanding the technology behind sticker printing, you can make an informed decision about what type of stickers will work best for your business or personal needs. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.