How are Vinyl Stickers made?

Vinyl stickers are everywhere, for good reason. They have become so popular because of their durability, affordability and option to personalize them however you like!

But how are vinyl stickers even made? Can you make them yourself? And if not, how can you find custom vinyl stickers in the UK?

Look no further, we have the answers you are looking for. Read on to find out more.

Step 1: Create and approve your design

The beauty of custom stickers is that you are in full control over every step. So your sticker design marks the first step of the vinyl sticker process.

Let your creativity run free and bring your design to life. If you do not have a design ready to go, do not worry. Many sticker printers offer a free way to create personalised stickers without any design experience. You can browse their libraries of pre-designed templates, edit them until they match your branding, and send them to production.

Step 2: Vinyl sticker printing 

The printing process for vinyl stickers is fairly similar to other types of printing – the main difference being the material that is being used. In most cases, vinyl stickers will be printed on a large format printer that can handle big sheets of vinyl material.

Once you have approved your design, it will be loaded onto the printer and then printed onto your chosen material using CMYK inks. CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black (key). You might be familiar with these colours through your desktop printer. However, professional sticker printers print much faster and crisper.

Step 3: Laminating 

You can choose whether you want your stickers to be laminated. There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to laminate a vinyl sticker.

Think about the intended use- if the sticker will be used outdoors or in high-traffic areas, then lamination is a must as it will protect the ink from fading or being scratched off.

Lamination will also make the sticker more durable and resistant to water and other environmental factors. However, if the sticker is going to be used indoors or for less demanding applications, then lamination may not be necessary.

Step 4: Cutting process

Once your sticker is printed and laminated, it is all about that custom shape. Professional printing companies can cut your stickers precisely with digital or laser cutters.

This is especially useful if you are looking for a custom die cut sticker that is cut in the exact shape of your design. Be sure to inquire with your chosen printer about the possibilities of custom die cuts.

And then it is already time to wrap up your stickers and send them your way. Is there anything else you would like to know about the vinyl sticker printing process? Let us know in the comments, and we will get back to you.