If you’re asking what’s the difference between decals and stickers, you’re probably looking to buy one. The trick is figuring out which one is right for you. Decals and stickers are very similar. Oftentimes, they are used interchangeably. Decals, stickers, and labels are all comprised of two layers: a paper backing and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is placed on the paper backing (usually some form of wax paper or something equivalent) and the design is printed on the front of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer can be made of a number of materials including vinyl, paper, and aluminum.

When it comes to buying decals, stickers, or something else like labels, there are a number of things to consider: intended use, size/quantity, application surface/location, and lifespan. Check out the table at the bottom of this post for a comprehensive guide to figure out which sticker/decal is right for you.

Intended Use

Decals, labels, and stickers share many of the same qualities, but the key differences lie in their intended use. Typically stickers are used for logos and illustrations. Labels are used for more informative purposes such as product packaging. And decals are used for decoration or advertising purposes on floors, windows, walls, vehicles, etc..

Size/Quantity

Stickers and labels are usually smaller in nature and applied to smaller products such as laptops, water bottles, and other product packaging. Decals, on the other hand, are usually larger and applied to things such as walls, windows, floors, and vehicles.

Because of their size, decals are usually ordered in smaller quantities. A business might order one wall decal for their wall and/or one window decal for their window. Stickers are ordered in quantities of one to many. Businesses may want to buy stickers with their company’s logo to hand out to employees or customers. Because of their intended use, labels are sold in rolls and come in large quantities. Check out our Roll Labels for more information.

Application Surface/Location

As mentioned above, decals are great for walls, windows, and floors. With that said, there are a number of different types of decals. A decal that goes on the floor is different than a decal that would go on a wall and both of those are different than a decal that would go on a window. If you’re looking for a decal/sticker that can be used outdoors and is more permanent, check out our permanent decals.

Stickers are typically used for small format advertising. They are typically applied to smooth surfaces and can be easily removed. If you’re looking for something that’s easy to install, stickers are perfect. People like to decorate their laptops, notebooks, and water bottles in stickers.

Labels are primarily used on product packaging: jars, cans, bags, bottles, etc. They come in rolls making them quick and easy to install on numerous items.

Lifespan

Another important factor to consider is lifespan. Decals last the longest, followed by stickers, and then labels. If you are looking for something that will last over a year, you will want to go with some type of decal. If you’re looking for something that is small and quick and easy to install, you’ll want to go with a sticker or label.

Decals, Stickers, and Labels

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Regardless of your decal, there are a couple of general rules to follow:

• For best results, Installation should be in temperatures above 50°F(10°C) and below 90°F(32°C)
• You should always clean the application surface before applying the decal—remove all dirt, dust, grease, etc.
• When applying, begin in one corner/side and work your way out from there. Don’t place the decal all at once as this can lead to large air bubbles
• Use a squeegee to get rid of small/minor air bubbles—it is normal to have small air bubbles following installation, most of them will work their way out after 24 hours.
• Place the (removed) backing as a liner between the squeegee and the decal to prevent scratch marks from the squeegee.
• You can use a dry erase marker (on applicable surfaces) or masking tape to ensure better positioning and more accuracy when applying your decal.

Generally speaking, there are two different install methods: wet and dry. It is important to determine whether your decal is wet or dry install, as the installation processes are very different. Check out this table to see whether your signs.com decal is a dry or wet install:

Dry Install

First and foremost, clean the surface where the decal will be applied. Be sure to remove any grime, dirt, grease, dust, or anything that will prevent the decal from fully sticking. Depending on the surface, you may want to use a damp washcloth, glass cleaner, or other common household materials to clean the surface. Make sure the surface is completely dry before beginning the application process.

Remove the backing. When removing the backing, it is better to remove part of it and begin applying the decal to the surface as opposed to removing the backing all at once, especially for larger decals. This will make it easier to manage the decal and make sure that it is applied smoothly. **For vinyl lettering, it is important to note that you will first position and then remove the backing.

Position your decal how you want it. Use a level if necessary. Tip: Apply a strip of masking tape to the top of your decal and use that to properly position the decal and hold it in place. You can create a ‘hinge’ with the masking tape allowing you to lift the decal prior to removing the backing.

Apply pressure. Start in one spot (usually a corner or top) and begin applying pressure using your hand or a squeegee, gradually working your way across the entire decal. Go slow, making sure to remove any excess air bubbles.

Finishing touches. Once you’ve reached this point, use a squeegee to remove any minor air bubbles and remove all backing. You can now use the backing as a protective barrier between to protect your decal from scratches while using a squeegee. This step may include cutting off extra materials (especially for perforated decals). If you used masking tape to position your decal, you can remove that here as well.

Wet Install

First and foremost, clean the surface where the decal will be applied. Be sure to remove any grime, dirt, grease, dust, or anything that will prevent the decal from fully sticking. Depending on the surface, you may want to use a damp washcloth, glass cleaner, or other common household materials to clean the surface. Dry the application surface before moving onto the next step.

Create application solution by adding 3 drops of dish soap to 1 gallon of water. Mix it together and put in a spray bottle.

Remove the backing. Unlike dry decals, you can remove all of the backing at once.

Spray surface and back of the decal with the application solution. Be sure to generously apply the application solution (do not submerge or soak the decal as too much liquid can ruin the decal). This will make it easier to move the decal around to the desired position on the application surface.

Position your decal how you want it. Use a level if necessary. Tip: Apply a strip of masking tape to the top of your decal and use that to properly position the decal and hold it in place. You can create a ‘hinge’ with the masking tape allowing you to lift the decal prior to removing the backing.

Apply pressure. Start in the middle of your decal and begin applying pressure using your hand or a squeegee, gradually working your way across the entire decal. Go slow, making sure to remove all of the application solution between the decal and the surface. As the solution is removed, the decal will begin to stick. For best results, we recommend that you use a squeegee.

Finishing touches. Once you’ve reached this point, use a squeegee to remove any minor air bubbles and/or application solution—use a paper towel to completely dry the decal/surface.

It is important to note that these are general installation instructions and are not perfect for every product. We recommend checking the installation instructions for your specific product before installing.

For a more visual set of instructions, check out the videos below:

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Types of Decals

First, let’s talk about the different types of decals. There are various types of decals: window decals, car/vehicle decals, vinyl lettering, and permanent decals just to name a few. Window decals and vinyl lettering are often removed by just peeling away from the surface and washing the residue with a damp and soapy cloth. Vehicle decals and permanent decals are often more difficult to remove and require more work.

As mentioned above, some decals can’t be removed without leaving permanent damage. An example of this is a permanent decal that has been applied to a fragile surface such as a painted wall. A permanent decal is meant to be permanent and should only be applied on surfaces where it is meant to stay. Permanent decals will remove paint, cement, wallpaper, and just about whatever else they’re attached to.

Surface

Second is the surface to which the decal is applied. Decals are the easiest to remove from windows and other hard and smooth surfaces such as metal, glass, and plastic. Decals can often be easily removed from cars and other vehicles without damaging the paint. Vinyl lettering, which often has a low adhesive compared to other decals, is the easiest to remove regardless of surface. As a result, they are often applied to more delicate surfaces such as wallpaper and painted surfaces.

Time

Third is the amount of time the decal has been applied on the surface. It goes without saying that the longer a decal is applied to a surface, the harder it is to remove. Decals that were recently applied can often be peeled away. Whereas decals that have been applied for over a year can require more work. When a decal is left for a long period of time on a surface the adhesive will cure and harden making a firm bond between the paper or vinyl of the decal and the surface.

With the exception of permanent decals, the following steps can be used to remove just about any decal:

1. Peel the decal

   Before anything else, try peeling away the decal with your fingers and/or a plastic credit card. A credit card can be used by wedging it between the decal and the surface and continuing to slide it between the two. Slight, consistent pressure with a back and forth motion will often prove effective. Avoid using a razor or sharp edge as it can damage the surface. Oftentimes decals can simply be peeled away without tearing, making your job much easier. If this is the case, skip to step 3

2. Heat up the decal

   If the decal constantly tears or is too stuck to remove with your fingers and/or keeps tearing, use a blow dryer to heat up the decal. The heat from the blow dryer will help loosen the adhesive making it less sticky. If you don’t have a blow dryer, you may use hot water (Assuming the surface won’t be damaged with water). Refrain from using a heat gun as it can damage the paint or surface. Once heated, the decal may be more easily removed.

3. Remove the residue

   Once the decal is removed, there will probably be some residue left from the adhesive. Some residue can be removed with a damp, soapy cloth and others may require a removing agent such as rubbing alcohol or Goo Gone. Simply dampen a cloth with the removing agent and begin by gently rubbing away at the residue, increasing pressure as needed.

4. Wash the surface

   The fourth and final step is to clean the surface with a damp cloth and dry it, removing any excess residue or dirt.

Following these steps should allow you to remove just about any decal. When buying your decals and installing them, it is important to take into consideration the three factors we talked about above. If you plan on removing your sticker in the near future, avoid decals that are more permanent in nature, and/or apply them to surfaces where they will be easier to remove. You might also consider non-adhesive decals such as window clings, which can be removed and reused without any residue. Looking to buy a decal, but not sure which one? Check out this blog post to find out which decal is right for you.

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How to Remove a Decal

Signs.com offers clear window decals, opaque window decals, and frosted window decals. Each is designed to stick directly on the window. However, decals can easily be damaged or look unprofessional if installation is done incorrectly. Creases, bubbles, or scratches are common with incorrect installation. Whichever decal you’ve chosen, installing window decals is a breeze when you follow these steps!

What You’ll Need:

1. Your Signs.com Decals
2. Spray bottle with water and a few drops of dish soap (3-4 per pint of water)
3. Something with a hard straight edge. We’ve found credit cards or other pieces of hard plastic work well.

Steps for Installation:

1. Identify which side is the protective sheet, which protects the adhesive. The sheet will reflect light, as seen in the photos. The protective sheet also feels smooth, while the side with the graphics (and ink) will feel rough. 

If you’ve ordered a regular window decal, the protective sheet will be on the back of the image. The decal will stick to the front of the window.

If you’ve ordered a decal with the option of “Inside Glass”, the protective sheet will be on the front of the image. Inside glass decals stick on the inside of the window, so they are readable                    from the outside.

Installation for both types of decals is the same.

2. Remove the protective sheet by peeling the plastic away from the graphic. The plastic is thin and can be hard to see.

3. Spray the adhesive side of the decal with water. Spray liberally — you’ll want the decal to be able to slide around on the window.

4. Make sure the window where you’re placing the decal is clean. Use cleaning products on the window if necessary and allow to dry completely. Spray the window liberally with water/soap mixture.

5. Place the wet decal on the window. Because both are wet, you should be able to slide the decal around on the window. Make sure the decal is placed where you’d like it.

6. Using a hard edge like you would a squeegee, push the air bubbles and excess water out from under the decal.

Once the excess water is removed, let the decal adhesive dry for 1-2 hours. Voila! Your decal is installed! It’s important to note that installing decals larger than two feet usually requires two people to prevent the decal from rolling and sticking to itself.

For questions or concerns about your decal or with help with installation, please drop us a line. We’d be happy to help.

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