At Websticker we quote (and print) a good deal of custom outdoor stickers. Often people want the cost of a “laminated sticker”. In the case of outdoor quality stickers we often tell them for their end purposes (like a bumper sticker on a car), over laminating is not needed. But, often they’ve been told by another company laminating is necessary. So, what’s the deal?
Well, the deal is that there are many different methods for printing stickers. For some printing methods, like screen printing, over laminating is only needed to add thickness to the sticker or add durability when the sticker or decal may come into contact with chemicals or abrasion – like a sticker for a gas pump, tractor or factory floor. Screen printed stickers have the thickest coating of UV cured inks and are outdoor durable for 3 to 5 years without being laminated.
Digital print methods have been rapidly improving over the last 10 years and can now be very vivid and outdoor durable for several years. But, all digital stickers are not created equally – some may need laminating and some may not.
When getting prices for any sticker or decal project it is important to communicate what the stickers will be used for and where they will be applied. It is also important to understand what printing method will be used and what the guaranteed outdoor lifespan is with the specific inks and materials (and perhaps laminate) used with that method. If there is no guarantee given, ask. Make sure the quoted sticker product covers your needs, will not damage your company image a few years down the line, and, if you are comparing estimates from different sticker companies that you understand what may underlie differences in pricing.
