StickerYou Blog

While the biggest difference between stickers, labels, and decals is in their intended use, they also differ in other areas, namely size, application surface, and longevity.

Use Cases

Stickers, labels, and decals mainly differ in how they are used. Stickers usually have illustrations, graphics, logos, and other designs and are used to decorate or personalize a piece of merchandise. Businesses can also give them away to employees and customers as part of a marketing campaign.

Labels, on the other hand, are meant to be informative in nature, relaying information about a particular product in its packaging. This can be anything from nutritional facts, brand information, or for regulatory compliance. Finally, decals are larger-scale applications, often used as decoration or for advertising purposes on windows, walls, floors, and vehicles.

Size

Because of their differences in intended use, stickers, labels, and decals also come in different shapes and sizes. Stickers are often the smallest among the three, perfect for installing on small items like water bottles, laptops, cellphones, etc.

Labels can either be the same size or slightly bigger than stickers. They usually come in conventional shapes to stick over a product, but there are also wrap-around labels used for water, juice, beer, wine, or other liquor bottles.

Because of their small size, stickers and labels are typically ordered in bulk in the form of sheets or rolls.

Decals are much larger than stickers and labels, applied to wider surfaces like the body of a vehicle, or an establishment’s walls, floors, and windows. Decals are usually ordered and applied in small quantities since one is enough to cover an entire surface.

Location/Surface

Stickers, labels, and decals are all adhesive and can be applied on a range of surfaces. But you’ll commonly see each one stuck on different items and locations. Stickers are mostly applied to small and smooth surfaces, whether laptops, notebooks, or water bottles. Most stickers are easy to install and easy to remove as well.

Labels are primarily applied to product packaging, displaying important information about the product. You’ll spot them in cans, bottles, jars, bags, and other merchandise. Labels are typically for business use, ordered in rolls for easy and quick application.

Decals come in different types, each with a different area of application. Floor decals, for example, are stuck on flooring. Wall decals go on walls or windows. And car decals are installed on a vehicle’s body. There are also permanent decals for outdoor applications.

Longevity

Because of their differences in application, stickers, labels, and decals are also made to have different lifespans. Decals have the longest, lasting up to five years depending on how they’re used.

They’re followed by stickers, which can last three to five years depending on the type of sticker material. Labels have the shortest life, especially when used for perishable goods. Most labels last only one year when stored in the right conditions.