DIYing stickers, labels, and decals for items such as water bottles, coffee mugs, laptops, lunch boxes, notebooks, and more is one of the most popular crafts right now! You no longer need to spend a fortune on custom sticker shops, thanks to the rise of ready-to-print graphics and electronic cutting machines (e.g., Cricut, Silhouette, Scan-n-Cut). Instead, use some great sticker sheets and a home printer to make your own! However, before you dive into the world of sticker making, you should be aware that not all sticker papers are created equal. And, when it comes to producing good, long-lasting, high-quality waterproof stickers (that can withstand a lot of wear and washing), choosing the right paper is critical.
It would be nearly impossible to test every single waterproof sticker paper on the market right now (since so many brands now have their own version). I narrowed my testing pool by identifying the best-rated papers on Amazon as well as those that are commonly used in the crafting community. This provided me with the "best of the best" to test and eventually find true winners!
Waterproof sticker papers are exactly what they sound like: waterproof self-adhesive paper... When submerged in water, the images will not bleed, discolour, or run. These papers are intended to be printed on your home printer and are typically compatible with either inkjet or laser printers, and occasionally both.
Stickers, decals, and labels can be created using a variety of printable products. Most sticker papers and printable labels, on the other hand, are NOT waterproof. This means that when your printed images get wet, they will bleed or distort.
Waterproof printable vinyl, on the other hand, retains colour vibrancy whether wet or dry. Water will bead up and not permeate the surface of these papers when sprayed or even saturated. As a result, if you want to create truly waterproof decals or labels that look and function like professional versions, you should use printable vinyl paper.
Waterproof stickers can be printed using the thermal laminating method. However, the resulting stickers are not completely water resistant. Furthermore, it necessitates the use of a specialised laminating machine, which is time-consuming.
There are two effective DIY waterproof sticker methods. Choose a method based on your available resources, sticker goals, and capabilities. Weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each procedure and choose the best one for you.
Self-adhesive laminate sheets are basically two larger-than-standard-sized plastic films. One of the sides is adhesive and adheres to the sticker's surface. This seals and protects the sticker paper. Silhouette clear sticker paper can be used in place of the film.
You can use standard sticker paper as your base, but you must exercise extreme caution. Any water droplets that get underneath the sticker will shorten the life of the paper underneath the laminate sheet. Check that the sticker paper or vinyl is printer-compatible. The product packaging usually specifies whether it is designed for inkjet or laser printers.
You must ensure that Every layer of your label is waterproof, including the face material, adhesive, and print. Labels made with a waterproof face material will generally have a waterproof adhesive to match, so you don't need a detailed knowledge of different materials to ensure your labels are waterproof. At Label Planet, we've made it even easier to select waterproof labels by creating a dedicated "Waterproof Labels" page and clearly labelling our Waterproof Labels as "waterproof" throughout our website.
Our blank labels are intended for use with standard desktop printers, such as laser printers or inkjet printers. a laser printer is required if you want to create waterproof labels. this is because laser printers use a dry printing process to bond toner (a dry powder) onto a surface using heat and pressure, resulting in waterproof print, whereas inkjet printers use water-based inks, which will run or smudge if they come into contact with water.
some people believe that because they purchased waterproof labels, their labels will withstand all kinds of environments containing water and other elements, which is simply not true. while our waterproof labels are strong and durable and can withstand exposure to a wide range of environments, there are limits to what they can withstand before showing signs of damage.
we are also occasionally asked if our waterproof labels are suitable for use on items that will be placed in washing machines and dishwashers, which obviously involve water exposure. however, because of the other elements involved (specifically the ingredients used in cleaning products), none of our waterproof labels are suitable for such applications.
Stickers are one of the most adaptable and cost-effective ways to spread the word. You've probably seen it: strategically placed stickers on cars, signs, door jambs, or a dive bar bathroom stall can attract more attention. Stickers, like most print media, have the added benefit of having a longer shelf life for a low one-time cost. That bumper sticker on the back of your car will continue to send the message until you peel it off or the print fades.
After you've printed your stickers, the best way to protect them from water and direct sunlight is to laminate them. You can either buy clear laminating sheets, which are clear plastic films that lay on top of the sticker, or you can use a thermal laminating machine, which is more convenient if you are printing in bulk. If you're on a tight budget, go with a clear laminating sheet that's slightly larger than the sheet of paper you printed your stickers on because it's easier to work with.
