Paper or Vinyl? Choosing the Right Sticker for the Job
The simple question that decides between paper and vinyl, plus how to choose for food labels, parcels, laptops and outdoor use.
From the team at The Printing Shop.
The choice usually comes down to one question: will your sticker get wet, or will it need to last for a long time? If the answer is yes, go for vinyl. If not, paper is probably the better value.
The quick comparison
| Paper | Vinyl | |
|---|---|---|
| Water resistance | Poor | Good |
| Outdoor use | Short term only | Yes |
| Writing on it | Easy on matt or uncoated | Difficult without a marker |
| Tearing | Tears easily | Resists tearing |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Feel | Natural and simple | Smooth and tough |
When paper is the right choice
- Packaging seals and parcel stickers, which do not last long anyway
- Labels for dry goods, such as tea, biscuits or soap wrappers
- Handwritten labels, such as dates and batch numbers
- Giveaways, where you need many stickers cheaply
- A natural, handmade look, which vinyl cannot easily match
Paper can be coated or laminated for better resistance, but it will not behave like true vinyl when wet.
When vinyl is the right choice
- Water bottles and laptops, which get carried and handled
- Outdoor signs and stickers, such as doors, gates and bins
- Bottles and jars kept in a fridge, where condensation can ruin paper
- Bathroom products, which get wet regularly
- Tools and equipment, which get handled with oily or dirty hands
Things that affect how long it lasts
- Surface: smooth, clean surfaces hold stickers better than rough or dusty ones.
- Sunlight: direct sun will fade the print over time. Lamination helps.
- Temperature: adhesive bonds poorly in cold weather, so apply above about 10°C.
- Handling: rounded corners are less likely to lift than sharp ones.
- Adhesive: permanent and removable adhesives behave differently. Ask for a removable one if you may want to take it off later.
Food labels
Paper is usually fine for dry products, while vinyl or synthetic labels are better for chilled, oily or wet ones. If your label touches food directly, you need a suitable food-grade material, so please ask us first. Food labels may also need to show specific information, as set out by the Food Standards Agency.
Choosing a shape
Once you have chosen a material, the shape is mostly a matter of what fits. See our pages on die-cut, round, square, rectangle and oval labels for ideas. If you want the surface to show through, read about clear stickers.
Can you test first?
Yes, and we recommend it. Try a small sample on your actual product, and leave it in the place it will live, whether that is a fridge, a van or a bathroom. A day or two will reveal most problems. Short runs make this inexpensive, and our artwork set-up is free when we print the job.