What kind of stickers do we print?
The stickers we print are mostly vinyl stickers. They consist of matte opaque, gloss opaque, matte clear and gloss clear. We use 3 different self-adhesive stickers, also called vinyl. Cast vinyl, monomeric and polymeric vinyl. To read more about these vinyls, please scroll down.
We can do a variety of sticker printing, from bumper stickers, magnets, car stickers all the way to metallic stickers for those who want their brand to be edgier. Sticker printing, also called vinyl can be used for a variety of items. Stickers can be used on steel, wood, paint, aluminum and almost all plastics. Our stickers can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
The metallic sticker range that we have, is the ideal way to give your printed stickers the extra competitive edge. We have two different colors available. We have the metallic stickers available in rose gold, gold and silver.
Metallic Stickers
The metallic sticker are already a set color (either gold or silver). You print your artwork over the metallic sticker just like you would print onto a normal sticker. Whatever would have been white, see through or light will now be the color of the metallic sticker.
We are able to design and complete your metallic sticker solution for you in any shape and size you require. From round, square to rectangular and any other shape in between. We have such a wide range of promotional stickers available for you to choose from.
The advantage that digital printed stickers have is that they can be cut into any shape. An added advantage is that the turnaround time is relatively short and should an emergency arise the stickers can be printed within a day.
At wet-drop printing we do realize that emergencies do happen sometimes and that is why we have service available where we can print stickers for you outside of our normal working hours to ensure that you get your stickers in time.
Monomeric PVC’s
In this case, the plasticisers used are short-chain; which means that they do not bind into the film particularly efficiently, thus having a tendency to migrate out of the film and leave it brittle. These films are generally 70 to 80 micron thick and are prone to shrinkage. They are also quite stiff and hard on blade wear. Generally, the films have an expected outdoor life of 3 – 5 years for black and white and 2 – 3 years for colours. They are available in a range of matt and gloss finishes and are economically priced. They are suitable for most internal applications and selective short-term external applications. The films are barely conformable over contours and are recommended for flat-sided applications only.
Polymeric PVC’s
These are sometimes known as stabilised films or extended life films. The plasticisers used are long-chain, which allows them to bind into the film more efficiently, thus reducing the migratory effect. These films are generally 60 to 80 microns thick and are less prone to shrinkage, typically 50% less than the Monomeric range. They feel softer and in general have an outdoor life expectancy of 7 – 8 years for black and white, 5 – 7 years for colours and 3 years for metallics. These films are primarily available in a gloss finish, although translucent and matt finishes are also obtainable. They are suitable for most external applications, but conformability over complex contours is somewhat limited.
Cast Films
The term “cast” refers to the manufacturing process of this type of vinyl. Making a cast vinyl film is a lot like baking a cake. The vinyl begins with a “recipe” calling for a list of ingredients known as the formulation. These materials are added to a “bowl” or mixing churn in a predetermined order while mixing at specific speed and for a set amount of time to ensure a complete and consistent mixture. This liquid mixture, known as organosol, is then precisely metered or cast onto a moving web known as the casting sheet and is then processed through a series of ovens which allows for the evaporation of solvents. When the solvents are evaporated, a solid “film” is left behind. The film is then wound up in large-diameter rolls for subsequent adhesive coating. The casting sheet determines the texture of the film.
Because the vinyl is cast on the casting sheet in a relaxed state, this material offers very good dimensional stability. This process also allows the film to be very thin (most cast films are 2 mil), which helps with the conform-ability of the product. Material manufacturers recommend the use of cast films on substrates such as fleets, vehicles, recreational vehicles or boats where the customer wants a “paint-like” finish that will last a long time, usually five to 12 years depending on how the film is processed.
