Which printing is best for my stickers?

The words "decals" and "stickers" are often used interchangeably. Here at BBP, we prefer saying "decals" because stickers can, at times, be made from BOPP material, whereas decals are always made from vinyl. We tend to steer clear of using BOPP materials for projects because they don’t hold up as well over time. It’s common to see fading, peeling, and/or cracking with BOPP material. Vinyl, on the other hand, has a longer lifespan and offers the best appearance, which is why we always use vinyl. For this blog post, I’ll be using "stickers" because it’s a bit more common as an expression.

There are two options we tend to use when it comes to printing stickers: Spot Color (Screen Printed) or Digital (also known as 4 Color Process). Each printing method has its pros and cons.

Screen Printed / Spot Color

Pros:

  • Vivid colors

  • Longer lifetime

  • Pantone colors (or spot colors) can be used for the inks

  • Can be cheaper at higher quantities (depending on the number of ink colors)

Cons:

  • Doesn’t capture fine details as well due to the screen printing process

  • Can be more expensive than digitally printed stickers (depending on the quantity being produced and the number of ink colors)

  • The inks are not as environmentally friendly as digital inks

  • Production times often take longer due to the screen printing process

Digitally Printed / 4 Color Process / CMYK Printing

Pros:

  • Can handle an incredible level of detail, gradients, and achieve more photo-realistic designs

  • Pricing doesn’t depend on the number of imprint colors, so if you have a multicolor design, this is a great option

  • More environmentally friendly inks

  • Production times are typically faster than screen printed stickers

Cons:

  • The colors are often less striking (a bit more subdued) compared to screen printed stickers. However, using a gloss finish can help make the colors pop more.

  • If you have exact Pantone colors you want used, the color matching may be less accurate. While we can still reference Pantone colors, the spot color and digital processes are different, so the match may not be perfect.

Choosing between screen printing and digital printing comes down to the specifics of your design and your project’s needs. Whether you’re after vivid, long-lasting colors or intricate details with faster production times, both methods have their advantages. At BBP, we’re happy to help you select the best option for your stickers to ensure they look great and stand the test of time. Reach out to us with any questions, and let’s create something awesome together!

Rachel Thornton