Selecting the perfect material for your stickers is just as important as any of the other design choices you have to make, including the size, shape, and colour scheme. This being said, it can be difficult to choose the right one. If you’re unsure of the differences between each material, you’re not alone. To make the process that bit easier, we’ve created this quick guide to the best material for you.

At Stickershop, we have a variety of materials to choose from. These are:

Our three most popular materials are premium paper, white waterproof vinyl, and clear waterproof vinyl. As you probably guessed from the list above, vinyl is the most versatile sticker material.

It all depend on your packaging needs, but we've compiled a few tips to decipher which of our popular materials may be right for you.

Premium Paper
Despite being the cheapest option when it comes to cheap label printing, paper stickers can fulfil a whole range of needs whilst still being very high quality, eco-friendly, and protean. Able to fulfil a wide range of packaging needs, you will often find paper labels on bottles, jars, and other food items. Paper stickers are available in un-coated or gloss finish, and a permanent or removable adhesive.

White Waterproof Vinyl

Vinyl stickers and labels are extremely popular due to their durable nature. Used for multiple purposes and applications, white waterproof vinyls are favoured for personal care products, including shampoo and lotion bottles, and cosmetic products, including lip balms, moisturisers, and eye shadows. White waterproof vinyls are available in a matte or gloss finish, and either a permanent or removable adhesive.

Clear Waterproof Vinyl
As the above, vinyl stickers are an excellent choice if you're looking for a weatherproof option. Their long-lasting durability means they'll withstand wet weather conditions so they can be used outdoors and indoors. Clear waterproof vinyl stickers, also known as transparent, are your best bet if you require a clear background. They are often used in windows and on glassware products. At Stickershop, we use semi-translucent inks, so keep this in mind if you're wanting to stick to coloured backgrounds! Clear waterproof vinyl are available in a matte or gloss finish, and either a permanent or removable adhessive.

Now that we've gone over the different type of materials, you may be wondering what sort of finishes are available to you. This will depend on the type of material you go for, but the finishes available at Stickershop are:

The most popular finishes for stickers are gloss and matte as they are available on the majority of our stocked materials.

Is matte or glossy better for stickers?

This choice mainly comes down to preference as they both have their advantages in terms of styling.

Glossy
Glossy labels, also known as shiny labels, create an attractive and vibrant look, and offer a subtle decorative touch to your designs. This finish is also known for achieving a higher contrast with your colour scheme, really making them pop!

Matte
Matte labels are a non-shiny alternative to glossy labels, and offer a satin like finish - perfect for a more subtle and muted look for your artwork. This finish is very popular on stickers that have writing or a lot of detail as it provides low glare. 

When it comes to sticker materials, there really is no wrong choice - it's all about preference. Still have some questions? Contact our experts who will be more than happy to help you perfect your ideal custom stickers.