Whatever the situation, there are a few top tips that you’ll need to keep in mind to make sure that your labels don’t end up being a total washout!
ALL Of Your Label Must Be Waterproof
You need to make sure that EVERY layer in your Printed self adhesive labels is waterproof; including the face material, the adhesive, AND the print that you add. Generally speaking, labels that are made with a waterproof face material will have a waterproof adhesive to match so you don’t need a detailed knowledge of different materials to make sure your labels are waterproof. At Label Planet, we’ve made it even easier to choose labels that are waterproof by creating a specific “Waterproof Labels” page and by clearly labelling our Waterproof Labels as being “waterproof” across our website.
Paper labels. These are the simplest and cheapest form of stickers. Paper labels are also great for vinyl record sleeves, personalizing name tags, creating instant photo stickers, and dozens of other creative ideas. Not sure what sticker paper to buy? You can choose between pre-cut labels (ie. Avery labels) and whole sheets of sticker paper (like our LD Photo Sticker Paper). Both are easy to use when printing stickers from home. Avery has pre-cut stickers if you need:
- Round Labels
- Oval Labels
- Square Labels
- Rectangular Labels
These pre-cut labels are great for jars and bottles and give personality to homemade goods. If you prefer cutting the stickers yourself, opt for whole sheets of sticker paper.
With whole sheets of sticker paper, it pays to start thinking about how you’re going to cut your stickers. If all you need is a straightforward rectangular or square sticker, a normal cutter should work. However, if you’re thinking about something with more detail, consider a Cricut Machine. Remember to leave enough room in between stickers when designing your sticker template.
If you need water-resistant sticker labels: In most instances, printable paper labels are not water- or weatherproof, and therefore won’t hold up well to the elements. If you need water-resistant stickers, look for matte label paper AND be sure to use a printer that uses pigment ink (and no it’s not a good idea to use pigment ink on a dye ink printer). Pigment ink is widely known for its archival properties. You can read more about the differences between dye and pigment in our Paper and Ink article.
Can you print stickers with a laser printer? Certainly! Just be sure to get the right type of sticker paper for the job. Using an inkjet label paper on the laser can melt and ooze the adhesive onto your laser printer and cause irreversible damages. You can find sticker paper for laser printers here.
Make sure you use inkjet sticker paper for inkjet printers and laser sticker paper for laser printers. These are not interchangeable. Inkjet sticker paper melts when you use it on a laser printer. If you want to use your laser printer to print stickers, make sure you get the appropriate laser-friendly sticker paper.