Printable vinyl vs sticker paper has become a topic of debate among stickers lover. Both of them often get confused. When it comes to choosing one option, printable vinyl is a far superior option. In this article, we will discuss in detail all about printable vinyl and stickers so that you can choose what suits you.
What Is Printable Vinyl?
Printable vinyl is a vinyl film with a surface specifically designed to accept printing and effectively hold the colour particles sprayed by printers, which allows for the creation of high-resolution images.
Vinyl films have various functional properties, one of which is their self-adhesive nature, which takes away the hassle of external glue application. Vinyl printable films come in a plethora of colours and finishes that open the door towards creativity.
Material Composition
Printable vinyl films are made with polyvinyl chloride polymer combined with different plasticisers and stabilisers to add pliable and conforming properties. This mixture is turned into the sheet either through casting or calendering and then backed with adhesive to form a peel-and-stick film.
Key Characteristics
Being made from plastic-polymer, vinyl stickers have superior waterproof properties and therefore, don’t soften upon exposure to moisture. This is primarily because PVC is non-polar in nature and does not bond with water.
Moreover, its non-porous surface prevents water from seeping in. These films are also UV-resistant and flexible in nature.
Common Uses of Printable Vinyl
The printable surface of vinyl films makes them truly versatile and allows their application across a range of uses. These can serve as decals for car makeovers as well as stickers for containers and outdoor signage.
When it comes to promotion and advertisement through products, vinyl-based stickers are commonly used as labels.
What Is Sticker Paper?
A sticker paper is a paper-based sheet with an adhesive backing and a printable surface that can be customized through full color printing. Having a porous surface, sticker paper readily absorbs and holds printing ink particles, which allows the colors to set quickly and adhere well to the surface.
However, despite the function being the same, the inert properties of vinyl stickers and paper stickers decide which one is a superior option.
Material Composition
Just like the name suggests, paper stickers are made of pulp of wood and other fibrous substances. Firstly, the paper sheet is prepared through the rolling process, and then it is made self-adhesive through glue application as backing.
Key Characteristics
Sticker papers are light in weight and are much easier to print, given the porous surface, but lack the functional properties that vinyl has. Paper stickers are not waterproof because of their organic nature and are also prone to wear and tear due to their lightweight.
However, these stickers are cheaper and offer a great price for individuals short on budget.
Common Uses of Sticker Paper
Sticker paper is best suited for indoor applications because of their senstivie nature and vulnerability to harsh conditions. Being available in glossy as well as matte finishes, they are used as creative labels for different items and crafts.
Printable Vinyl vs Sticker Paper: Key Differences
The debate of custom vinyl stickers vs printable sticker paper is just like vinyl vs paint, and in both of them, the former has various advantages over the latter.
In this section, we have put together the major differences between stickers made of vinyl and of paper, so that you can choose one according to the properties you need.
Material Difference
The vinyl films are plastic in nature, made from long chains of polyvinyl chloride polymer, which gives the films flexibility and the ability to conform. Additionally, plastic surfaces are non-porous and impermeable to water, making them the best waterproof option.
On the contrary, paper films are made of wood pulp and have a porous surface that lets water seep in.
Durability and Lifespan
Vinyl films, having long polymer chains, are resistant to wearing and tearing, and therefore, last longer than the paper stickers. Thus, given the higher durability, the lifespan of custom vinyl stickers is much longer than that of printable sticker paper.
Water and Weather Resistance
Vinyl sticker sheets are completely waterproof due to the absence of pores and maintain their tensile strength and rigidity even when they come into contact with water. In contrast, paper sticker sheets tend to absorb moisture from the environment and become damp.
Thus, vinyl stickers are suitable for use everywhere, whereas paper stickers are best suited for indoor use only.
Look and Feel
Printable vinyl sheets exhibit superior ink adhesion and hold the ink more effectively, which produces high-quality products with vibrant, eye-catching colors.
However, in the case of paper sticker sheets, the ink absorbs into the pores, which results in diffused and faded colors.
Cost Comparison
Since paper sticker sheets are less expensive, however, given the quality and durability, these are not a value for the money. Printable sticker paper can cost around $0.65 but will not be long-lasting, even under ideal conditions.
However, printable vinyl sheets cost approximately $1.35, which is only a small price difference, yet they offer significantly greater long-term value.
Bird’s Eye View
In this section, we have put together all the facts, benefits and disadvantages in a table so that you can have a head-to-head comparison of both custom sticker options. Based on the differences in this table, you can decide which option suits your needs and price range.
| Characters | Vinyl Stickers | Paper Stickers |
|---|---|---|
| Material Used | Plastic based | Wood pulp |
| Durability | Do not wear and tear | Prone to tearing |
| Life-span | Upto 3 - 7 years | A few days to months |
| Water Resistance | Water Proof | Absorb moisture |
| Scratching | The print layer does not come off with scratching | The print layer comes off with scratching |
| Color Results | Vibrant colors | Diffused colors |
| Cost Comparison | $0.65 per sheet | $1.35 per sheet |
Printable Vinyl Vs. Sticker Paper: Use Cases
Still confused between vinyl stickers and paper stickers? Well, don’t worry, this section will explain which sticker is suitable for which real-life scenario.
- Best for Outdoor Use: For outdoor use, vinyl stickers are the best option because they can withstand the harsh external environment. Exposure to water does not soften the material of vinyl stickers, nor do the colours fade easily due to UV exposure.
- Best for Indoor Labels: For indoor use, both vinyl and paper stickers are suitable, and the choice largely depends on your preference for appearance. However, if the sticker needs to be applied to an area that frequently comes into contact with water, vinyl is the preferable option. Moreover, for labelling jars or items that require washing, vinyl still remains the better choice.
- Best for Small Businesses: Small businesses need to put their best impression forward and, therefore, should prefer the highest quality sticker, which is the vinyl ones. These stickers not only withhold the ink better but also deliver vibrant, eye-catching results.
- Best for Short-Term Promotions: For short-term campaigns, you can choose paper stickers if there is complete assurance of zero water exposure. Otherwise, for the fail-safe, you should prefer vinyl stickers so that you can run your campaigns carefree and worry-free.
- Best for Temporary Use: For temporary use, both vinyl and paper stickers can serve the purpose; therefore, the choice depends on your preference and the nature of the application. If water exposure is involved, opt for vinyl without a second thought.
How to Choose Between Printable Vinyl and Sticker Paper?
In this section, we have broken down the factors that you need to consider when finalizing whether you should choose custom vinyl stickers or paper stickers.
Consider Your Application Purpose
The primary deciding factor between custom vinyl stickers and paper custom stickers is where you have to apply them. Look no further than vinyl for outdoor and long-term applications, whereas paper stickers are suitable for temporary use when quality is not a priority.
Evaluate Required Durability
If your application involve requent handling with abrasion and moisture exposure, then only sticker sheets of great quality can survive. Therefore, choose stickers of vinyl material for long-lasting results.
Think About Printing Method
Once you have chosen the sticker sheet type, it is equally important to consider different full-colour printing options to obtain the results you want. If you have an inkjet printer, any type of clear vinyl and paper will work. However, for commercial printing, you must choose vinyl sheets of great quality.
Budget vs. Performance Trade-Off
Since paper stickers are cost-effective, they are the best choice when the usage is short-term and indoor, with no water exposure or frequent handling. However, when long-term performance is required, vinyl sticker sheets will be your best purchase.
Cricut Machine for Die Cut & Kiss Cut
If you have a Cricut machine for making custom stickers with custom shapes, then you must purchase vinyl sheets that are compatible with your model. Vinyl sheets allow the Cricut machine to create a cleaner cut in both kiss cut and die cut options.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, both printable vinyl and sticker paper have their own applications in different settings, but the difference comes in performance. No matter how well sticker paper is manufactured, it can not compete with vinyl in terms of functionality. Therefore, even if vinyl costs two cents more than paper, it is worth the investment.
Increase Your Customers’ Satisfaction With CarLike®’s Printable Vinyl
CarLike® has been serving the vinyl film industry long enough to establish itself as a giant manufacturer in this field. Businesses around the globe trust our products and services for the top-notch quality that we provide in both.
With a well-established manufacturing facility, we offer lightning-fast production and shipping so that your business never stops. So, contact us now and take your business to the next level.
FAQs
Q1: Which sticker material looks more premium?
The aesthetic appearance and premium look of stickers directly depend on how vibrant and vivid the printed colours appear. Therefore, because printing colours stand out better on vinyl stickers, they look more premium.
Q2: Do vinyl stickers curl after a week?
No, vinyl stickers exhibit a stronger adhesive backing that properly sticks to the surface and does not curl. However, in the case of paper stickers, humidity and surface oils weaken the adhesive, which causes the edges to lift.
Q3: Which option works better for e-commerce packaging labels?
Printable custom vinyl stickers do not damage due to abrasion and scuffing during shipping. Therefore, vinyl custom stickers are the best option for product packaging and labelling.
Q4: What is your MOQ for printing vinyl?
Carlike’s standard minimum order quantity (MOQ) is ten rolls, but we can accept smaller trial orders for new customers to help evaluate our products.
Q5: Can I get a sample of your printing vinyl?
Yes, Carlike provides samples so you can assess the quality and suitability of our printing vinyl. Please contact us with your details to request one.
