Welcome to the in-depth Sticker Glossary, your go-to resource for understanding the world of stickers, labels, and adhesive products. This extensive collection of terms covers everything from design and printing techniques to materials and applications, providing valuable insights for both beginners and professionals in the sticker industry.
• Explore the art and science behind sticker creation
• Investigate different printing methods and technologies
• Learn about distinct types of stickers and their uses
• Grasp the tools and materials essential for sticker production
Adhesion: The process of a sticker sticking to a surface, facilitated by adhesive types from Avery and 3M.
Adhesive Backing: The sticky side of a sticker allowing it to adhere to surfaces, provided by brands like Avery and 3M.
Adhesive Strength: Determines the bonding power of a sticker's adhesive, essential for application. Leading brands include Avery and 3M.
Application Tools: Tools used to apply stickers smoothly and accurately, with Cricut and Silhouette offering reliable options.
Black and White Printing: Utilizes only black ink, making it ideal for text and simple designs. Popular with HP and Brother.
Branding: involves creating a unique identity for a product or company through design elements, exemplified by brands like Apple and Nike.
Bulk Printing: Cost efficient high volume production of stickers, offered by companies like Uline and Vistaprint.
Bumper Stickers: are durable and weather resistant, specifically designed for outdoor use on vehicles, with popular choices from Avery and Sticker Mule.
Business Stickers: are utilized for branding and marketing purposes, available from Vistaprint and StickerYou.
CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; a color model used in printing for accurate color reproduction, commonly used by Epson, Canon, and HP.
Circle Stickers: Stickers cut into a circular shape, commonly used for logos and labels. Available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Clear Stickers: Stickers with a transparent background, allowing the surface to show through, offered by Avery and 3M.
Color Calibration: The process of adjusting the colors in a printer to match the design accurately, with tools from X Rite and Datacolor.
Color Gamut: The range of colors reproducible in printing, managed by color models and methods from brands like Epson and Canon.
Color Profiles: Settings that manage color output for consistent and accurate printing, managed by ICC and Adobe.
Custom Labels: Labels designed to specific requirements for branding or organization, available from Vistaprint and Uline.
Custom Printing: Printing services that allow for personalized designs and specifications, offered by Vistaprint and Sticker Mule.
Custom Shapes: allow stickers to be cut into specific, often unique shapes based on design requirements, with services from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Custom Stickers: are made to specific designs and specifications, offered by services like Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Cutting Plotter: A machine that cuts sticker designs from digital files using a blade, provided by Cricut and Silhouette.
DPI: Dots per inch; a measure of spatial printing or video dot density that determines the resolution of printed images, essential for high quality prints by Epson, Canon, and HP.
Decals: serve decorative purposes and are often larger and more intricate, with products offered by Cricut and Silhouette.
Die Cut Stickers: are cut to the exact shape of the design with no extra backing, offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Die Cutting: A process using a die to cut stickers into specific shapes, typically performed by machines like Cricut and Silhouette.
Digital Files: Electronic files such as PDFs or JPEGs used for printing designs, managed by Adobe and CorelDRAW.
Digital Printing: uses digital files for printing, ideal for short runs and customization, with printers from Epson, Canon, and HP.
Dye Ink: Ink using dyes for vibrant colors, though less fade resistant than pigment ink, used by Epson and Canon.
Eco Friendly Stickers: are made from sustainable materials and processes, offering an environmentally conscious option from brands like Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Embossed Stickers: feature raised designs, providing a tactile, three dimensional effect, available from companies like Avery and 3M.
Embossing: is a technique that creates raised designs on stickers for a textured effect, commonly used by Avery and 3M.
Fluorescent Stickers: are bright and highly visible, often used for warnings and safety, with options from Avery and 3M.
Foil Stickers: include a shiny, luxurious foil layer, making them ideal for visual effects and luxury branding, with options from Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Full Color Printing: A printing technique that utilizes multiple colors to produce vibrant, detailed images. Prominent brands include Epson, Canon, and HP.
Gloss Finish: A shiny, reflective finish applied to stickers for a vibrant look, provided by Avery and 3M.
Glossy Paper: Paper with a shiny, reflective surface used for high quality image printing, offered by Epson and Canon.
Graphic Design: The art of creating visual content to communicate messages, often used in sticker creation with Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Holographic Stickers: feature a holographic effect that changes color and appearance with light, available from Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Industrial Stickers: are durable and used in industrial settings for labeling and safety, with products from Brady and DuraLabel.
Inkjet Printing: A method that sprays ink onto paper or vinyl to create images, with leading brands like Epson and Canon.
Kiss Cut Stickers: are cut through the top layer but not the backing, allowing for easy peeling, offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Kiss Cutting: involves cutting the top layer of the sticker without cutting the backing paper, commonly done with Cricut and Silhouette machines.
Label Stickers: are used for labeling products, packages, and more, with options from Avery and Uline.
Laminating: Applying a plastic layer to stickers to protect and improve durability, commonly done by brands like Scotch and Fellowes.
Lamination Film: A protective film that increases sticker durability, applied using brands like Avery and Scotch.
Laser Printing: Uses laser technology to transfer toner onto paper or vinyl, commonly used by HP and Brother.
Masking: Technique of covering parts of a sticker design to protect it during printing or cutting, often done by 3M and Avery.
Matte Finish: A non reflective finish applied to stickers for a subdued look, also provided by Avery and 3M.
Matte Paper: Non reflective paper suitable for text and graphics, used by Epson and Canon.
Metallic Stickers: have a shiny, reflective metallic finish for aesthetic appeal, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Offset Printing: is a traditional method using plates, suitable for high volume runs, with equipment from Heidelberg and Komori.
Oval Stickers: are cut into an oval shape and are popular for different uses, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Packaging Stickers: are used to seal or brand packaging materials, offered by companies like Avery and Uline.
Paper Stickers: made from paper, are suitable for indoor use and are less long lasting than vinyl, with brands such as Avery and 3M.
Paper Stock: The type and quality of paper used for printing stickers, mainly supplied by Avery and 3M.
Peel and Stick stickers: are designed for easy application with a peel off backing, available from Avery and 3M.
Permanent Adhesive: guarantees stickers stay in place permanently, with reliable options from Avery and 3M.
Photo Stickers: are printed with photographic images, often used for personalization, with services from Shutterfly and Snapfish.
Pigment Ink: Long lasting, fade resistant ink using pigment particles, utilized by Epson and Canon for durable prints.
Prepress: The process of preparing digital files for printing, including color correction and proofing, managed by Adobe and CorelDRAW.
Print Quality: The overall excellence and clarity of printed stickers, determined by image resolution and printing methods, using brands like Epson, Canon, and HP.
Print Shop: Businesses offering printing services, including sticker printing, like FedEx Office and Staples.
Print and Cut: A process where designs are printed and then cut into specific shapes using a cutting machine, often from Cricut or Silhouette.
Printable Material: Any material suitable for printing sticker designs, with Oracal and Avery Dennison being popular choices.
Printable Vinyl: is a vinyl material designed specifically for printing with inkjet or laser printers, available from Oracal and Cricut.
Printing Resolution: The detail and clarity of printed images, measured in DPI, with high quality outputs from Epson, Canon, and HP.
Promotional Stickers: are used to promote products, events, or brands, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
QR Code Stickers: feature scannable QR codes for information or links, offered by companies like Vistaprint and StickerYou.
Raster Graphics: Pixel based images that lose quality when scaled up, commonly edited in Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
Rectangle Stickers: Versatile stickers cut into a rectangular shape, suitable for diverse applications. Offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Reflective Stickers: improve visibility in low light conditions due to their light reflective properties, with options from 3M and Avery.
Registration Marks: Marks printed alongside designs to ensure accurate cutting and alignment, vital for Cricut and Silhouette operations.
Removable Adhesive: allows stickers to be removed without leaving residue, with products from Avery and 3M.
Repositionable Stickers: Stickers that can be moved and re applied without losing adhesive strength, available from Avery and 3M.
Roll Stickers: are printed on a continuous roll for easy dispensing, with products from Uline and StickerYou.
Screen Printing: is a printing method that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto stickers, utilized by brands like Speedball and Ryonet.
Static Cling Stickers: cling to surfaces without adhesive using static electricity, available from Vistaprint and UPrinting.
Static Cling Vinyl: adheres to surfaces without adhesive, using static cling, with options from Oracal and Cricut.
Sticker Cutter: A device used to cut stickers into specific shapes and sizes, offered by Cricut and Silhouette.
Sticker Designs: The artwork or graphics created for printing on stickers, typically designed using Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Sticker Sheets: are printed with multiple stickers on a single sheet for easy distribution, available from Avery and 3M.
Stickiness: The quality of how well a sticker adheres to surfaces, determined by the adhesive type from brands like Avery and 3M.
Substrate: The base material, such as Oracal and Avery Dennison, onto which sticker designs are printed.
Sustainable Printing: Environmentally friendly printing practices and materials, promoted by Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Thermal Printing: A method using heat to transfer ink onto stickers, commonly employed by Dymo and Zebra.
Transfer Paper: Special paper used to transfer designs to stickers, with brands like Avery and Cricut specializing in this material.
Transfer Stickers: are applied using transfer tape to move from a backing paper to a surface, with products from Cricut and Silhouette.
Transfer Tape: Tape used to transfer stickers from backing to application surface, facilitated by Cricut and Silhouette.
Transparent Stickers: have a see through background, blending seamlessly with surfaces, with options from Avery and 3M.
UV Coating: A protective coating applied to stickers to improve their durability and appearance, offered by companies like Avery Dennison and 3M.
UV Printing: Uses ultraviolet light to cure or dry the ink, employed by companies like Mimaki and Roland.
UV Resistance: The ability of stickers to resist fading from UV light, featured in products by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Vector Graphics: Graphics using geometric shapes and paths, scalable without loss of quality, often created with Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Vinyl Cutter: A machine used to cut vinyl materials into specific shapes for stickers. Common brands are Cricut and Silhouette.
Vinyl Sheets: Sheets of vinyl material used for printing and cutting stickers, commonly from Oracal and Cricut.
Vinyl Stickers: are long lasting and waterproof, crafted from high quality vinyl material by brands like Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Waterproof Stickers: Stickers designed to resist water and moisture, provided by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Weather Resistance: The ability of a sticker to withstand exposure to weather conditions without damage, with products from Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Weatherproof Stickers: are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and weather exposure, made by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
White Ink Printing: A method that includes white ink, useful on transparent or dark materials, with options from Epson and Roland.
Adhesive Backing: The sticky side of a sticker allowing it to adhere to surfaces, provided by brands like Avery and 3M.
Adhesive Strength: Determines the bonding power of a sticker's adhesive, essential for application. Leading brands include Avery and 3M.
Application Tools: Tools used to apply stickers smoothly and accurately, with Cricut and Silhouette offering reliable options.
Black and White Printing: Utilizes only black ink, making it ideal for text and simple designs. Popular with HP and Brother.
Branding: involves creating a unique identity for a product or company through design elements, exemplified by brands like Apple and Nike.
Bulk Printing: Cost efficient high volume production of stickers, offered by companies like Uline and Vistaprint.
Bumper Stickers: are durable and weather resistant, specifically designed for outdoor use on vehicles, with popular choices from Avery and Sticker Mule.
Business Stickers: are utilized for branding and marketing purposes, available from Vistaprint and StickerYou.
CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; a color model used in printing for accurate color reproduction, commonly used by Epson, Canon, and HP.
Circle Stickers: Stickers cut into a circular shape, commonly used for logos and labels. Available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Clear Stickers: Stickers with a transparent background, allowing the surface to show through, offered by Avery and 3M.
Color Calibration: The process of adjusting the colors in a printer to match the design accurately, with tools from X Rite and Datacolor.
Color Gamut: The range of colors reproducible in printing, managed by color models and methods from brands like Epson and Canon.
Color Profiles: Settings that manage color output for consistent and accurate printing, managed by ICC and Adobe.
Custom Labels: Labels designed to specific requirements for branding or organization, available from Vistaprint and Uline.
Custom Printing: Printing services that allow for personalized designs and specifications, offered by Vistaprint and Sticker Mule.
Custom Shapes: allow stickers to be cut into specific, often unique shapes based on design requirements, with services from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Custom Stickers: are made to specific designs and specifications, offered by services like Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Cutting Plotter: A machine that cuts sticker designs from digital files using a blade, provided by Cricut and Silhouette.
DPI: Dots per inch; a measure of spatial printing or video dot density that determines the resolution of printed images, essential for high quality prints by Epson, Canon, and HP.
Decals: serve decorative purposes and are often larger and more intricate, with products offered by Cricut and Silhouette.
Die Cut Stickers: are cut to the exact shape of the design with no extra backing, offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Die Cutting: A process using a die to cut stickers into specific shapes, typically performed by machines like Cricut and Silhouette.
Digital Files: Electronic files such as PDFs or JPEGs used for printing designs, managed by Adobe and CorelDRAW.
Digital Printing: uses digital files for printing, ideal for short runs and customization, with printers from Epson, Canon, and HP.
Dye Ink: Ink using dyes for vibrant colors, though less fade resistant than pigment ink, used by Epson and Canon.
Eco Friendly Stickers: are made from sustainable materials and processes, offering an environmentally conscious option from brands like Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Embossed Stickers: feature raised designs, providing a tactile, three dimensional effect, available from companies like Avery and 3M.
Embossing: is a technique that creates raised designs on stickers for a textured effect, commonly used by Avery and 3M.
Fluorescent Stickers: are bright and highly visible, often used for warnings and safety, with options from Avery and 3M.
Foil Stickers: include a shiny, luxurious foil layer, making them ideal for visual effects and luxury branding, with options from Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Full Color Printing: A printing technique that utilizes multiple colors to produce vibrant, detailed images. Prominent brands include Epson, Canon, and HP.
Gloss Finish: A shiny, reflective finish applied to stickers for a vibrant look, provided by Avery and 3M.
Glossy Paper: Paper with a shiny, reflective surface used for high quality image printing, offered by Epson and Canon.
Graphic Design: The art of creating visual content to communicate messages, often used in sticker creation with Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Holographic Stickers: feature a holographic effect that changes color and appearance with light, available from Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Industrial Stickers: are durable and used in industrial settings for labeling and safety, with products from Brady and DuraLabel.
Inkjet Printing: A method that sprays ink onto paper or vinyl to create images, with leading brands like Epson and Canon.
Kiss Cut Stickers: are cut through the top layer but not the backing, allowing for easy peeling, offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Kiss Cutting: involves cutting the top layer of the sticker without cutting the backing paper, commonly done with Cricut and Silhouette machines.
Label Stickers: are used for labeling products, packages, and more, with options from Avery and Uline.
Laminating: Applying a plastic layer to stickers to protect and improve durability, commonly done by brands like Scotch and Fellowes.
Lamination Film: A protective film that increases sticker durability, applied using brands like Avery and Scotch.
Laser Printing: Uses laser technology to transfer toner onto paper or vinyl, commonly used by HP and Brother.
Masking: Technique of covering parts of a sticker design to protect it during printing or cutting, often done by 3M and Avery.
Matte Finish: A non reflective finish applied to stickers for a subdued look, also provided by Avery and 3M.
Matte Paper: Non reflective paper suitable for text and graphics, used by Epson and Canon.
Metallic Stickers: have a shiny, reflective metallic finish for aesthetic appeal, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Offset Printing: is a traditional method using plates, suitable for high volume runs, with equipment from Heidelberg and Komori.
Oval Stickers: are cut into an oval shape and are popular for different uses, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Packaging Stickers: are used to seal or brand packaging materials, offered by companies like Avery and Uline.
Paper Stickers: made from paper, are suitable for indoor use and are less long lasting than vinyl, with brands such as Avery and 3M.
Paper Stock: The type and quality of paper used for printing stickers, mainly supplied by Avery and 3M.
Peel and Stick stickers: are designed for easy application with a peel off backing, available from Avery and 3M.
Permanent Adhesive: guarantees stickers stay in place permanently, with reliable options from Avery and 3M.
Photo Stickers: are printed with photographic images, often used for personalization, with services from Shutterfly and Snapfish.
Pigment Ink: Long lasting, fade resistant ink using pigment particles, utilized by Epson and Canon for durable prints.
Prepress: The process of preparing digital files for printing, including color correction and proofing, managed by Adobe and CorelDRAW.
Print Quality: The overall excellence and clarity of printed stickers, determined by image resolution and printing methods, using brands like Epson, Canon, and HP.
Print Shop: Businesses offering printing services, including sticker printing, like FedEx Office and Staples.
Print and Cut: A process where designs are printed and then cut into specific shapes using a cutting machine, often from Cricut or Silhouette.
Printable Material: Any material suitable for printing sticker designs, with Oracal and Avery Dennison being popular choices.
Printable Vinyl: is a vinyl material designed specifically for printing with inkjet or laser printers, available from Oracal and Cricut.
Printing Resolution: The detail and clarity of printed images, measured in DPI, with high quality outputs from Epson, Canon, and HP.
Promotional Stickers: are used to promote products, events, or brands, available from Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
QR Code Stickers: feature scannable QR codes for information or links, offered by companies like Vistaprint and StickerYou.
Raster Graphics: Pixel based images that lose quality when scaled up, commonly edited in Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
Rectangle Stickers: Versatile stickers cut into a rectangular shape, suitable for diverse applications. Offered by Sticker Mule and Vistaprint.
Reflective Stickers: improve visibility in low light conditions due to their light reflective properties, with options from 3M and Avery.
Registration Marks: Marks printed alongside designs to ensure accurate cutting and alignment, vital for Cricut and Silhouette operations.
Removable Adhesive: allows stickers to be removed without leaving residue, with products from Avery and 3M.
Repositionable Stickers: Stickers that can be moved and re applied without losing adhesive strength, available from Avery and 3M.
Roll Stickers: are printed on a continuous roll for easy dispensing, with products from Uline and StickerYou.
Screen Printing: is a printing method that uses a mesh screen to transfer ink onto stickers, utilized by brands like Speedball and Ryonet.
Static Cling Stickers: cling to surfaces without adhesive using static electricity, available from Vistaprint and UPrinting.
Static Cling Vinyl: adheres to surfaces without adhesive, using static cling, with options from Oracal and Cricut.
Sticker Cutter: A device used to cut stickers into specific shapes and sizes, offered by Cricut and Silhouette.
Sticker Designs: The artwork or graphics created for printing on stickers, typically designed using Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Sticker Sheets: are printed with multiple stickers on a single sheet for easy distribution, available from Avery and 3M.
Stickiness: The quality of how well a sticker adheres to surfaces, determined by the adhesive type from brands like Avery and 3M.
Substrate: The base material, such as Oracal and Avery Dennison, onto which sticker designs are printed.
Sustainable Printing: Environmentally friendly printing practices and materials, promoted by Sticker Mule and Zazzle.
Thermal Printing: A method using heat to transfer ink onto stickers, commonly employed by Dymo and Zebra.
Transfer Paper: Special paper used to transfer designs to stickers, with brands like Avery and Cricut specializing in this material.
Transfer Stickers: are applied using transfer tape to move from a backing paper to a surface, with products from Cricut and Silhouette.
Transfer Tape: Tape used to transfer stickers from backing to application surface, facilitated by Cricut and Silhouette.
Transparent Stickers: have a see through background, blending seamlessly with surfaces, with options from Avery and 3M.
UV Coating: A protective coating applied to stickers to improve their durability and appearance, offered by companies like Avery Dennison and 3M.
UV Printing: Uses ultraviolet light to cure or dry the ink, employed by companies like Mimaki and Roland.
UV Resistance: The ability of stickers to resist fading from UV light, featured in products by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Vector Graphics: Graphics using geometric shapes and paths, scalable without loss of quality, often created with Adobe Illustrator or CorelDRAW.
Vinyl Cutter: A machine used to cut vinyl materials into specific shapes for stickers. Common brands are Cricut and Silhouette.
Vinyl Sheets: Sheets of vinyl material used for printing and cutting stickers, commonly from Oracal and Cricut.
Vinyl Stickers: are long lasting and waterproof, crafted from high quality vinyl material by brands like Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Waterproof Stickers: Stickers designed to resist water and moisture, provided by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Weather Resistance: The ability of a sticker to withstand exposure to weather conditions without damage, with products from Oracal and Avery Dennison.
Weatherproof Stickers: are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and weather exposure, made by Oracal and Avery Dennison.
White Ink Printing: A method that includes white ink, useful on transparent or dark materials, with options from Epson and Roland.
Whether you're a hobbyist, entrepreneur, or seasoned professional, this all-encompassing Sticker Encyclopedia will empower you with the knowledge to navigate the diverse and dynamic world of adhesive products. Immerse yourself and unleash the potential of stickers in your creative and business endeavors!