The slogan at one time for Freely Creative, Inc., the parent company for Websticker was “The Power Of Stickers”. I like the simplicity of that statement and wholeheartedly believe in its sentiment. I’m in the sticker business because I firmly believe that promotional stickers are one of the most cost effective marketing tools available. As I have often stated, custom stickers build identity, advertise, support and enhance overall marketing programs, and can also make profitable stand alone products.
There is another side of stickers – their role as street art. This, of course, is also “promotional” just of a different sort. Promoting individuals, ideas, causes or just prompting reactions from viewers. I re-watched Exit Through The Gift Shop a documentary film produced by Banksy, a well known street artist. I still highly recommend this film as a peek into street artist’s lives, graffiti, and an exploration of the question of what is “art”. Regardless of whether this is a true documentary or a “Banksy prank”, it still is a great piece of art and entertainment.
My favorite quote in the film regarding custom stickers and delivered by Shepard Fairey is…
“Even though the Andre the Giant sticker was an inside joke and I was just having fun, I like the idea of the more stickers that are out there, the more important it seems… the more people wanna know what it is, the more they… (talk) and it gains real power from perceived power.”
– Shepard Fairey
I love that. Whether promoting a product or service, making a joke, or starting a worldwide movement… behold, the power of stickers.
How to Design the Ultimate Promotional Stickers
Jeff Nicholson is the founder and Creative Director at 
4 Responses
Graffiti has a bad rap. It comes from the Italian word which means "scratch" which mankind has been doing since his beginnings. In some parts of Europe the graffiti or "street art" is done with stencils and paint. Now that stickers really are removable they have certainly become a popular medium for street art, graffiti and self expression in our country. I love this story of sticker art creating a character – Andre! Go stickers!
Thanks for those comments (who ever you are)! I'd love to review your stuff and make suggestions. Please e-mail your thoughts over to jeff@freelycreative.com The timing is also good as I am starting a new company that aims to help get art out on the streets and across the globe (in sticker form) as well as sell unique sticker art. We are building a site now.
I too have been quite amused and enlightened by the documentary "Exit Through The Gift Shop"
I am seriously considering designing a small sticker maybe 3.5×3.5 .What considerations should i have in the design with a bleed or a boarder? I am a visual Artist but ready to reach more people the fastest and with the most impact that i can muster. I live in a college town and it has come to my attention that this documentary is having it's impact on my hometown. I hear everything about Sticker Art Tagging from "just another method of trashing the neihborhood" to "How Art is evolving in our Current Society". Kings and Royals no longer need the "court painter". Lots of us just want to be heard, noticed or be part of this Evolution of Art in this medium. I believe i can make a better statement with my 3,5 x 3.5 sticker than getting the same voice heard through the mire of Visual Art and Gallery Show.
Stickers make the whole world my canvas. Galleries are interested in me making money for them. I know i have to be a camelion and cater to these two venues. Just look what happened to these seemingly unheard of Street Artists in the documentary. Suddenly they were having funded "shows" where the folks that appreciate Art in it's many forms were actually paying for this "graffitti". Didn't you just love the guy that snuck his art into an actual museum and stuck it, framed, on the wall then took off. Usually you have to be dead for a certain # of years to get that exposure.
Are you able to look at my design and give me pointers on what is most cost effective for a small run. (to begin with). Bleeds, boarders, colors and number of colors. Type of sticker, definately outdoor, but screen printed or digital or any other type of printing. What should i consider before getting the design to you? I'd like it to be camera ready. But will take any and all suggestions. Thanks Banksy!
And you Jeff.
What an excellent, enlightening film! This wiki entry explains the Andre the Giant sticker phenomenon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_the_Giant_Has_a_Posse