What are decal stickers, and how do you design & print them?
Decal stickers are a type of sticker printed on adhesive vinyl material. You can usually tell them apart because decal stickers typically involve transferring the decorative design from one medium to another, while regular stickers do not. Decal sticker printing requires special printers that can print on adhesive vinyl. The advantage of decal stickers is that they are very versatile and can be placed on almost any surface.
They can be used for various purposes, such as promoting a product, displaying a company logo, or simply for decoration.
Vinyl stickers are a versatile marketing tool because you can place them on almost any surface, including windows, walls, doors, and floors
How to Design Decal Stickers
Step 1: Get inspiration.
You may get ideas for your design by surfing the internet, reading periodicals, or even looking at natural scenery.
Step 2: Sketch out your design on paper
This will help you better visualise your ideas for the design.
Step 3: Create your design using image editing software
The decal sticker printing process typically begins with the creation of a design. This can be done using any number of software programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. You may also use a free program like Gimp. Upload or scan your sketch into the software and begin working on your design. Next, save your file in a print-ready format, such as PDF or SVG. It is best to use vector graphics for decal stickers since they can be resized without losing quality.
Decal Sticker Printing Process
It is crucial to ensure that the design is compatible with the printing equipment used. Once the design is complete, it is transferred to a piece of specialised equipment known as a plotter. The plotter uses a sharp blade to cut the outline of the design into a sheet of vinyl. The vinyl is then fed through a printer, which applies ink to the surface. After the ink has dried, the vinyl is cut into individual stickers and affixed to a backing paper. The final step is to apply a clear laminate layer, which helps to protect the stickers from UV light and scratches.
MBE offers professional decal sticker graphic design and printing services. Contact us at any of our over 40 locations across Australia for more information.