The Sticker Jargon?

The pressure-sensitive glue layer that allows a sticker, label or decal to bond to a surface.

Types:

• Hi-Tack – high-strength

• Permanent – medium-strength (industry-standard)

• Removable – low-strength

Adhesive performance depends on surface type, environment and material.

Glue left on a surface after a sticker, label or decal is removed.

Residue typically forms when:

• the adhesive is too strong for the surface

• the material has aged or been exposed to heat or UV

• removal is performed incorrectly

• the product was not meant for that surface

A key quality metric for removable adhesives is residue-free removal.

A tool (commonly a squeegee) used to press a sticker or decal onto a surface.

Helps to:

• remove air bubbles

• improve adhesive bond

• ensure smooth, even pressure

• support installation of large decals or transfer graphics

The precise positioning of a sticker or decal during installation.

Alignment ensures the design is:

• straight

• centered

• evenly spaced

• correctly oriented

Transfer film is used when perfect alignment is required for multi-piece designs.

A textured laminate applied to floor decals to provide slip resistance and comply with safety standards.

Prevents accidental slipping and protects the printed design from abrasion and foot traffic.

The digital design file used for printing stickers, labels or decals.

Artwork should be print-ready and typically includes:

• vector shapes or high-resolution raster images

• correct color profiles (CMYK)

• proper bleed and cutlines

• readable text and line widths

The quality of the artwork directly affects final print quality.

The surface where the sticker, label or decal is applied. Its quality greatly affects adhesion and durability.

Also called release liner, carrier or backing paper.

The paper or film layer that protects the adhesive before application.

Any intentional cut or score in the backing liner designed to make peeling easier.

J-cuts and crack-back liners are types of back scoring.

Extra printed area extending beyond the final cutline of a sticker, label or decal.

Bleed ensures that no unprinted edges appear after cutting.
Standard bleed is typically 1–3 mm depending on product type.

A feature or technique that reduces air pockets during application.

A four-color printing model using Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black).

CMYK is the standard color system for printing stickers, labels, decals and transfers.

A cutting method where the machine follows the outer shape of the design.

Contour cuts can be:

• Die-cut (through material and backing)

• Kiss-cut (through material layer only)

The diameter of the cardboard or plastic core inside a roll of labels.

A material with a topcoat or surface treatment designed to improve print quality, color vibrancy or durability.

A vinyl material intended to be cut into shapes rather than printed.

The vector line that instructs the cutting machine where to cut the sticker, label or decal.

Any sticker, label or decal shape that is not a standard shape.

A heat transfer method where the carrier film is peeled off only after the print has cooled.

A backing liner with multiple parallel slits, allowing users to bend and crack open sections of the liner for fast peeling.

A large-format, durable graphic often used on windows, vehicles, walls or signage. What is a Decal?

A cut method where the machine cuts all the way through both the material and the backing liner.

Creates standalone stickers or decals. Make Die-Cut Stickers.

A preview of the final sticker, label or decal shown before production.

Used to confirm:

• size

• shape

• cutline

• bleed

• design placement

• colors and effects (approximate)

The expected lifespan and performance of a sticker, label or decal under specific conditions.

A printing method where full-color artwork is printed onto transfer film, coated with adhesive powder, and applied using heat or pressure.

A measurement of print resolution.

Higher DPI means finer detail and sharper image quality.
Recommended DPI for raster graphics is 300 DPI. Vector artwork is resolution-independent.

When the edges of a sticker, label or decal begin to peel away from the surface.

A sign that adhesion has been compromised.

A sticker coated with a clear polyurethane resin dome, creating a raised glossy 3D effect.

Also known as domed stickers or resin domed stickers. Make Epoxy Stickers.

A polyurethane resin applied as a liquid that self-levels and cures into a thick, domed finish.

Creates a premium, glass-like surface.

The top protective layer that affects appearance, durability and tactile feel.

Impacts scratch resistance, UV protection, color depth and overall look.

A printed decal designed specifically for application on floors. Make Floor Stickers.

The ability of a material to bend and conform without cracking.

A print produced using CMYK (and optional white ink) to reproduce photos, gradients and illustrations.

A sticker with the adhesive on the front (printed side).

Used when applied inside windows and viewed from outside. Make Front Adhesive Stickers.

A shiny, reflective protective film applied on top of printed graphics.

A smooth transition between two or more colors.

An industry term for adhesive-backed printable materials used for stickers, labels and decals.

A backing liner with a printed grid pattern for alignment and cutting.

A textile decoration method using heat and pressure to bond ink into fabric fibers. Make Heat Transfer.

A high-strength adhesive designed for extreme environments and long-term applications. Make Hi-Tack Stickers.

A heat transfer technique where the carrier film is removed immediately while still hot.

A color management file that defines how colors appear on specific printers or materials.

Ensures accurate and predictable color reproduction.

Any sticker, label or decal intended for indoor use with minimal exposure to UV and weather.

A single slit in the backing liner that allows easier and more controlled peeling.

A cutting method where only the material layer is cut, leaving the liner intact.

Used for sticker sheets and easy-peel designs. Make Kiss-Cut Stickers.

A backing liner made from kraft paper, known for strength and grain texture.

A functional adhesive product used to identify, mark or provide information. What is a Label?

A protective film applied over printed artwork to improve durability and appearance.

A water-based, eco-friendly ink used for indoor wall decals and large-format prints.

The protective backing layer covering the adhesive until application.

Liquid coatings applied and cured directly on the sticker surface.

A removable adhesive designed for temporary or repositionable applications. Make Low-Tack Stickers.

Artwork with insufficient pixel density for high-quality print (below 300 PPI).

The base film used for stickers, labels or decals.

Common types:

• PET

• PVC

• PP

• PE

A non-reflective protective film applied over printed graphics.

A unit used to measure thickness.

1 micron equals 0.001 mm.

Artwork consisting of separate cut shapes.

Requires transfer film for correct alignment.

Large-format wall decals designed for indoor use.

A clear or semi-clear film used to lift and align multi-piece designs.

Artwork printed in reverse for front-adhesive window applications.

A textured laminate designed specifically for floor graphics.

A section of a sticker or label where no adhesive is applied.

The measure of how much background shows through a material.

High opacity ensures accurate color reproduction.

The expected lifespan of a product when exposed to outdoor conditions.

A standardized color matching system used for precise brand colors.

An industry-standard adhesive designed for long-term bonding.

A strong, thin and recyclable material used for labels and stickers.

A lightweight synthetic film with a lower carbon footprint.

A flexible and durable vinyl material used for stickers and signage.

A digital artwork file correctly prepared for production.

Extra printed area extending beyond the final cutline.

An adhesive that bonds using light pressure only.

A full-color printed decal applied directly or using transfer film.

Pixels per inch, describing digital image resolution.

A machine-readable barcode that stores URLs or product information.

A low-strength adhesive that allows clean removal. Make Removable Stickers.

See Epoxy Stickers.

Labels supplied on a continuous roll. Make Labels On Roll.

Printed marks used to align cutting with printed artwork.

A digital color model used for screens, not print.

A standalone adhesive graphic. What is a Sticker?

Multiple kiss-cut stickers on one backing liner. Make Sticker Sheets.

A non-adhesive material that sticks using static electricity.

A finish between matte and gloss.

A protective laminate designed to reduce abrasion.

A flat tool used to apply stickers smoothly.

Cleaning a surface before applying a sticker.

Labels supplied on flat sheets.

An application method using transfer film for multi-piece designs.

A decal applied using transfer film.

An ink-only transfer applied to hard surfaces. Make UV DTF Transfer.

A clear or semi-clear application film.

A thin coating applied to improve durability.

A clear film that requires white ink for opacity. Make Transparent Stickers.

Ink that hardens instantly using ultraviolet light.

The ability to withstand sunlight exposure without degradation.

A material without laminate or topcoat.

A thin liquid coating used to enhance surface appearance.

A flexible PVC-based film. Make Vinyl Stickers.

Printing where each label contains unique information.

Artwork built from mathematical paths instead of pixels.

Large printed decals designed for indoor walls. Make Wall Stickers.

Able to withstand direct contact with water.

Resistant to water, UV light, temperature changes and outdoor wear. Make Weather-resistant Stickers.

The process of removing excess material around a cut design.

Stickers designed specifically for window applications.

A white underbase printed beneath colors on transparent materials.

Gradual discoloration caused by UV exposure, heat or oxidation.