The Difference Between Vinyl Stickers and Vinyl Decals

The terms vinyl stickers and decals are used interchangeably by those looking for a wall feature, car wrap, or small bumper logo. But when considering using stickers and decals for advertising, it’s important to understand the differences between them. Whether custom vinyl decals or stickers are a better choice for your project depends on the color, design, and purpose. There is a common misconception that decals are designed for large applications such as car wraps and window advertisements, while stickers are smaller and applied to laptops, car bumpers, or furniture.

Stickers and decals can be cut into different shapes and sizes, and both are suitable for covering large and small areas. The main difference between vinyl stickers and decals is how they are made. Decals tend to last longer than stickers, so they are often used for larger, more expensive advertisements.

Whether you need decals, stickers, or other custom prints, it’s important to work with a trusted service like Vinyl Mayem to ensure you receive a high-quality product. With 25 years of experience in the printing industry, we have a reputation for creating quality stickers and decals at affordable prices.

What Are Vinyl Decals?
Vinyl decals are specially designed and cut from vinyl rolls for transferring or applying to other surfaces, such as glass, plastic, or metal. Vinyl Mayhem provides vinyl decals in a range of colors and finishes, but typically decals are monochromatic as they are cut and shaped from a single roll of vinyl.

A vinyl cutter is used to create the decal silhouette. The vinyl cutter is connected to a computer, where vector design files are accessed. The machine reads these files and cuts the vinyl into specific shapes and designs using a small blade for precision. Once the decal is cut, it must be weeded. This involves removing the excess vinyl and is usually done by hand. Weeding can be time-consuming for particularly complex and large decals, like those for a car or window. The final step is to apply a layer of adhesive tape to ensure the decal can be transferred easily onto another surface. To apply this adhesive layer, the decal is fed through a taping machine. As soon as the device rolls application tape onto one side of the decal, it is ready for use.

Although you can create multicolored vinyl decals, the process is more difficult because it involves cutting individual sections from different vinyl rolls before connecting them to form a single image. This type of decal takes more time to craft and uses more materials, so it is likely to be more expensive. It may also be more difficult to apply due to the number of individual portions. If incorporating various colors is the most important aspect of your design, you should consider using a vinyl sticker rather than a decal.

What Are Vinyl Stickers?
Vinyl stickers are often recommended for more colorful and intricate designs. Using high-resolution printers, we print sticker images directly onto vinyl that can absorb different colored inks, ensuring longevity and durability. Our printers are capable of generating clear, sharp, and colorful images, even for complex designs.

If necessary, we use a vinyl cutter to shape the sticker in the same way we cut vinyl decals. We also apply the adhesive layer using a taping machine, just like with decals. For custom stickers of an existing picture, design, or logo, we request that our clients provide high-resolution photos or vector files. This allows us to create the best quality prints. However, if you only have access to low-resolution copies, with your permission, our design team can rework the images to ensure a high-quality print. If you don’t have an existing design and would like help creating one, you can send us an outline of your idea, and we’ll develop a custom sticker from scratch. We always use quality vinyl for our stickers, ensuring they are moisture-resistant and stand up to wear and tear. It’s also essential to use a powerful adhesive so the stickers don’t fall off easily. All our stickers are backed with industrial-strength adhesive, ensuring they remain in place for years.

If you encounter problems applying a sticker, you shouldn’t attempt to reapply it straight away as this may cause damage to the sticker. Solvent and heat must be applied to remove the sticker without harming it. A key advantage of using high-quality stickers from Vinyl Mayhem is that they are weather resistant. Coated with a UV-resistant laminate, they can maintain color and clarity even if they are exposed to the sun regularly. All our vinyl stickers can withstand wear and tear from wind, rain, and snow, making them ideal for outdoor applications.

What Are Vinyl Stickers and Decals Used For?
Vinyl stickers and decals are suitable for a range of applications across different sectors. While many Vinyl Mayhem customers purchase novelty items to display on their car bumpers or rear windshields, our custom stickers and decals are popular advertising materials. Car wraps or branded stickers are forms of mobile advertising that can effectively promote your brand or company. Whether you want a patriotic vinyl sticker for your pickup truck or a custom car decal for your small business, Vinyl Mayhem can help you create the best design for your advertising campaign.

Shop for Vinyl Stickers and Decals From Vinyl Mayhem
Browse our online store to view our wide range of decals and stickers. If you need a custom design, contact Vinyl Mayhem to learn more about our products and the design process.

Operating since 1996, our work has been featured in popular automotive magazines, such as D Sport and Import Tuner. We have also worked on projects for popular events, including the X Games, Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and Gumball 3000.