stickers

Stickers are pieces of material with an adhesive backing that can be affixed to surfaces. They usually carry a printed design, image, or text, and are designed to be removable or permanent depending on the adhesive. Stickers appear in a range of substrates, including paper and synthetic films, and in various shapes, colors, and finishes.

Materials and production: The most common substrates are paper and vinyl (PVC), with polyester as a durable alternative. Adhesives include permanent acrylic, removable acrylic, or silicone-based formulations. Finishes span matte, gloss, and transparent. Stickers are produced by printing methods such as digital printing, offset lithography, or screen printing, followed by cutting, die-cutting, or kiss-cut to create individual shapes.

Types and uses: Decorative stickers are popular for personal expression and crafts; product labels and shelf tags are used in retail; decals applied to vehicles, laptops, or bottles are common in branding and hobbies. Die-cut stickers are cut to a shape, while kiss-cut stickers leave the backing intact for easy peeling. In some cases, stickers function as information labels or promotional items.

History and environmental notes: Self-adhesive labels emerged in the early 20th century and evolved with adhesive technology. With growing environmental awareness, some producers offer removable or recyclable options, while vinyl stickers may pose recycling challenges. Consumers and organizations may choose materials with lower environmental impact where available.