You've probably slapped stickers on your laptop or peeled decals off a car window. But do you know when to choose a decal over a sticker or vice versa? Moreover, are there easy ways to determine which option might better fit your needs?

Yes, there are! Today, we're going to discuss a few key differences between these two types of popular adhesive graphics and also explore what makes each one unique.

TL;DR

What is a Sticker?

We'll start by clarifying our terms.

Stickers stick directly to surfaces and primarily use a method of adhesion called "peel-and-press."

You'll find two layers here: the printed design with adhesive backing, plus a paper liner. You'll remove the liner and then press the sticker to the appropriate surface. Then, you're done-no special skills needed.

Stickers often integrate both the graphic and a background image. These cannot be separated from each other as the background is part of the overall design.

Image: Done By Alex

Is a Decal Just a Sticker?

Decals are a bit different.

A decal is a three-layer design made of an adhesive transfer film, a printed graphic, and a a separate backing paper. 

These are oriented like a sandwich, with the graphic placed onto the transfer film and backing, then laminated.

To apply, you first peel away the backing paper, then position the graphic onto the surface before peeling away the lamination layer.

The application process leaves only the vinyl graphics and adhesive. Because of this, decals are often much easier to precisely position than stickers. They also offer a more seamless, polished look with no background image incorporated into the graphic.

However, applying decals can be slightly more difficult than applying stickers.It's not a process you want to rush. Slowing down will help prevent trapped air bubbles, and may also keep you from having to reprint your design altogether.

Finally, while all decals are technically stickers, not every sticker can be classified as a decal.

Image: Nolan Kent

A Note on UV DTF Decals

It's worth mentioning that decals used to be difficult for most small businesses or hobbyists to create because of the equipment required to produce them.

But recent printing trends in UV DTF (direct-to-film) printing have made decal production on smaller scales much more viable.

With UV DTF decals, one can use a UV printer to make decals according to their design preferences. This design is printed on UV DTF type A film, and then laminated using specialized UV DTF type B film and a laminating machine.

The process results in decals that look professional, and share similar costs to stickers. However, UV DTF decals need no weeding, are tougher, and are more customizable.

One machine providing exceptional UV DTF functionality is our own eufyMake UV Printer E1. It's the world's first personal 3D-texture UV printer, and it makes at-home decal production possible at scales normally reserved for commercial machines.

E1 is small enough to fit on your desktop, and it costs thousands less than commercial UV machines. If you're interested in making your own decals, or other types of UV printing, you really should check it out.

Decals vs. Stickers : Materials and Environment Matter

Another important variable here is environmental longevity.

Stickers, for example, will often come in paper or vinyl configurations.

Paper stickers are intended for short-term, indoor use, while vinyl offers increased durability. But both configurations are primarily meant for short-term use.

Decals, on the other hand, use heavier weight materials that are engineered for harsher conditions. These materials can often resist UV rays, moisture, and temperature swings.

Ultimately, your environment will be the biggest consideration when choosing which option is best for your project. Regular stickers, for example, can last months indoors but will falter under sun and rain, while paper versions can fade in as little as a few weeks.

Vinyl stickers, on the other hand, could survive a couple of years on a protected surface. Therefore. you'll want to choose stickers for things that don't get much outdoor exposure like water bottles or laptops.

Conversely, decals dominate the world of outdoor applications. High-quality decals can withstand several years of UV exposure, temperature extremes and chemical contact.

You'll find decals are commonly used for highway signs, marine applications, fleet vehicles, storefront windows, and industrial/construction equipment. Pretty much anywhere that outdoor longevity is needed.

Image: Mike Bird

Where to Use Decals or Stickers: Everyday Examples

Making the correct choice of either stickers or decals for the job is integral to getting the results you want. That's why we've listed a few practical application use cases for both stickers and decals below.

When Should You Choose Stickers?

• Branding or retail packaging:Stickers can be used to brand generic packaging for retail distribution. They can also be used to indicate special features, sales, promotions, or one-of-a-kind deals.

• Personalizing tech gear:Stickers are often perfect for adding a personal touch to tech gear like water bottles, laptops, electronics cases, toolboxes, etc.

• Running limited-time promotions:Slap stickers on current products to indicate time-sensitive deals. Test different promotions using different stickers without changing general product packaging.

• Decorating notebooks or journals: Add a sticker of your alma mater, your favorite sports team, your niche hobby, or just about anything else to make your notebooks unique.

• Labeling organizational systems:Stickers are the perfect method of labeling organizational systems as their peel and stick nature lets you label items rapidly.

Why Should You Choose Stickers?

Overall, you'll want to choose stickers when you need affordability and a quick turnaround. They should be your go-to for marketing materials or temporary displays. They're cheaper to produce, especially in bulk.

You can also apply them without special tools, and they provide customization options like glossy finishes, die-cuts, or holographic effects. They're also lightweight and easy to ship.

Image: Cottonbro Studio 

When Should You Choose Decals?

• Vehicle wraps and fleet branding: These applications are often larger in size and need marked weather resistance. Decals would be the premium option in these cases.

• Permanent storefront signage:Decals allow you to put logos for your business on your storefront windows, add banner graphics, or make permanent signs.

• Safety labels on machinery:Safety labels require a level of permanence best suited for decals. While some stickers can be used, ideally decals are the optimum choice.

• Architectural wall graphics: These types of graphics are an alternative to traditional wall art. They use the wall as the background canvas for the decal. You can find them in nurseries, commercial offices, and sometimes even as accent wall decor.

• High-traffic floor markings: Hospital striping, loading zones, OSHA compliance, and other floor markings are the domain of decals.

Why Should You Choose Decals?

Opt for decals when you need both professional levels of messaging and long-term durability. They deliver polished results for businesses and serious DIYers. Additionally, decals are workhorses that handle curves and rough textures better than stickers. Their multi-layer construction allows intricate designs and ultra-crisp edges. With decals, you'll get professional-grade durability without sacrificing visual impact. And properly applied decals become permanent fixtures.

A Few Important Limitations

For stickers, paper variants tear easily and can't handle moisture. And vinyl stickers struggle with curved or textured surfaces. Once applied, repositioning stickers often damages the adhesive or tears the background. Some stickers aren't biodegradable, which raises slight environmental concerns.

The higher costs associated with decals could strain tighter budgets. As well, applying decals requires patience and practice. If you botch the installation, you'll waste expensive materials.

Finally, more complex decal designs need "weeding" to remove excess vinyl, which can be beyond a beginners' skill level.

Image: Image: Markus Spiske

Make Your Choice

Based on the information we've provided here, it should be much easier to decide whether stickers or decals are the best fit for your project.

However, if you're still a bit unclear as to the right choice, then these questions can help you finalize that decision. They are:

• How long do I need this graphic to last?
• Will this graphic be exposed to outdoor weather or other types of physical wear?
• What sort of surface do I play to apply this graphic to?
• What's my budget?
• What sort of result am I expecting?
• Am I comfortable performing technical application, and/or will hiring a professional installer compromise the project in some way?

It's often a safe bet to match stickers to temporary, low-stakes projects, and reserve decals for professional, long-term applications where durability trumps convenience. Whatever your choice, the decision between decals and stickers will shape your project's success.

By understanding the differences between these two types of adhesive graphics, you'll be able to select a method that will achieve the results you're looking for.