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Vinyl Stickers - More Great Information
Vinyl Stickers come in two basic flavors, flexographically printed and silkscreen printed.
Details about flexographically Printed Sticker Options
Flexography the printing process has been around for over 100 years. Invented in England in 1890 using aniline inks the process was perfected by the Germans who renamed it "gummidruck" printing, a name which has stuck around in Europe.
In the USA we call this method of printing Flexography. Flexographic printing is a process very similar to a rubber stamp. The ink is transferred from a rubber printing plate directly to the substrate or "stock" being printed. The level of detail and registration has limitations. A majority of long run, or large production product labels in the developed world are printed using this method.
- Available in a wide variety of standard shapes and sizes between ½” and 5”. To get an idea of the shapes and sizes available with flexographically printed stickers and labels check out our sticker and label templates.
- The turnaround for this product is 1-3 business days from when your order is finalized.
- Available printed on White Vinyl or Yellow Vinyl, both of which are over laminated for scuff and scratch resistance.
- Most flexographically printed stickers and labels are printed using spot colors. We have standard spot colors that are pre-mixed to save our customers the color matching charges incurred when matching Pantone (or PMS) colors.
- Four colors process can be achieved utilizing flexography, but the costs involved are prohibitive for short and medium length print runs where economies of scale can save money for longer runs of large quantities of labels and stickers.
- Gradients and screens can be a challenge when printing flexographically. Using single spot colors for gradients and screens achieves the best overall results.
- These stickers can be finished on rolls for machine application, or sheeted for an additional cost. Perforation and specific label orientation are options when ordered on rolls. This graphic explains copy position on rolls.
- Back printing is available in 1-spot color. This can add significant costs to the job as this requires the job to be run through the press twice.
- The inks are not very fade resistant. The addition of UV lamination helps them last longer. These stickers will not last as long outdoors as silkscreen printed vinyl stickers.
Details about silkscreen printed vinyl stickers
Silkscreen Printing is an ancient method of printing. Although it is ancient, the technology surrounding this method of printing has steadily evolved for 2000 years since it was invented in China. This video shows how it is done. StickerGiant has a another page all about silkscreen printing.
- Wide variety of vinyl stocks available including standard white vinyl and bright road-sign-yellow vinyl.
- Over-lamination is an option for added surface protection against abrasion, some solvents, oil, gasoline and some acids.
- Super-tac adhesive is available. This adhesive is specialized for heavy duty applications. Super-tac adhesive has an immediate and permanent tack when applied, great for super permanent applications.
- Ultra-tac adhesive is also available. This unique adhesive has a high initial tack and strong ultimate bond. These work well on powder-coated surfaces, yet comes off with traditional sticker and label removal techniques.
- NEW - Removable adhesive now available. This cool new adhesive is low tack and is completely removable with no adhesive residue. Great for "skins".
- Silkscreen looks best when printed using spot colors. We have standard silkscreen spot colors designed to eliminate the cost of Pantone color matching, (or PMS) which is also available.
- All silkscreen printed stickers and labels use very durable UV resistant inks for extreme applications demanding extreme durability.
- Silkscreen printing utilizes a lower line screen (35-65 lines per inch), is not a great way to print delicate shadows or fine gradients of color, silkscreen is definately looks best when solid colors are used.
- Silkscreen stickers always finish as individual stickers with the back liners cut to the shape of the finished sticker and a crack-n-peel (or split back) liner.
- Back printing and custom shapes are available at an additional cost.
- Silkscreen stickers are typically produced with a 4-5 business day production turnaround.
- Silkscreen is known for its potential durability of 3-4 years
- Best when used for outdoor applications like bumper stickers, car windows, store-front windows.