What vinyl are you printing your stickers onto, and why?

Our cheap stickers are printed on Orajet 3641 with Briteline Shield laminate. If a higher quality decal is needed, we'll use Avery 2903, 2105, or 2126 (high tack) with 2060 lamination

 

3164

 

Why are you looking for a certain thickness of media for stickers?

Some more information on how you using these stickers are needed
* What are they going on?
* What size?
* How long for the life span?
* Who is installing?

Typically, "stickers" are short term and cheap. "Decals" are a higher quality, long life and more $

 

Correct. We do not make stickers. Stickers come in Cracker Jack boxes and kids activity books.

 

second the 3164 for cheap generic stuff. Pretty easy to apply when laminated too. We Also use that for short term indoors stuff, like selfie boards and such.

anything longer term we use the 3551 and if it’s going on a curved surface then we use the 3651. Put a lot of the 3651 on street lights etc when they’re numbering them for repairs.

 

For the most part, most calendered vinyls are gonna be somewhere between 2.5mil to 4mil in thickness. Matching laminate will be in the neighborhood of 3 mil. I have no idea what or how you would use an 11 mil vinyl WITH laminate on anything.

You seem to have a grasp on what you are using and why, but you might want to get more acquainted with what the rest of the industry is using for the same things you mentioned.

Being thicker does not equate to quality. Giong to a better grade of vinyl such as cast would be giving quality. Calendareds usually don't have a quality level other than low end.​

 

I LOVE Substance Media. They are a direct manufacturer and seller. They have been great to work with and will send test rolls out too.
https://www.substanceincorporated.com

 

A sticker is to a decal as a fiddle is to a violin. One is the correct nomenclature the other is not.

 

Decal sounds fancier but by definition, most of us are sticker makers. Just embrace it, nobody will think less of you.
Definition of decal
: a picture, design, or label made to be transferred (as to glass) from specially prepared paper
Definition of sticker
1 : one that pierces with a point
2a : one that adheres or causes adhesion
b : a slip of paper with adhesive back that can be fastened to a surface

 

A fiddle is a violin with attitude.

 

If you people don't know the difference between a decal or sticker, who gives a flyin' f*ck ?? As long as you can communicate with your customer, that's all that matters.

I've called things by many many other names in order to get a job. I ain't about to split hairs over something so silly.

 

Want cheap and thick but looks like a million bucks? Kapco 3.4 mil calendared with their 5mil textured floor laminate.

 

So you are contradicting yourself. You don't want to use PVC but you want to use vinyl? You understand PVC is Vinyl correct? It literally is Polyvinyl chloride.

Anyway there are many ways to skin this cat. Our preference for decals is Arlon 510MT and if it's air release than either Avery 2105EZRS or Arlon 4600MLX.

 

I use oracal 3165 and 215 laminate. Its thick which makes it easy to handle for sticker application, holds up real well and is relatively inexpensive.

 

The cheapest possible, which is the thickest. That results in the ability to cut them first, then print them. So my edges have perfect fit and cut.
And no problem with lifted edges like when printing on a good vinyl. All are happy. And please stop talking about sticker life. When they fade, they will order new.
Now if i have to make them properly and laminated, i will charge double, which no one around me wants to pay so...