Techniques and applications
Indoor or outdoor stickers: choosing the right specification
Surface, exposure, duration and removal requirements guide sticker selection. Prepare a clear brief before choosing the material.
The right sticker suits its intended position.
For indoor or outdoor stickers, surface, duration and exposure matter more than size alone. A shipping-box sticker differs from a temporary window offer or vehicle logo. Say whether it must later be removed. Material, adhesive and finish are chosen together for the use.
Tell us the surface it will be applied to
A plastic product is not always enough information. Describe material precisely and include a photo of the actual surface. Is it smooth, textured, flat or curved? Does the packaging flex? Is there paint, coating or existing film? These details influence material choice.
Indoor use can be demanding too. A sticker on dry cardboard differs from a chilled-packaging label or frequently cleaned appliance. Outdoor uses also vary: a short promotion differs from a long-term business marking.
A clean, dry surface is a useful starting point but does not make an unsuitable combination suitable. Discuss a trial on the actual surface if unsure. Preparation and application temperature depend on the chosen specification; there is no universal recipe.
Describe outdoor use specifically
Explain expected exposure: full sun or shelter, rain, dirt, friction or cleaning products? Is a vehicle washed regularly? Describe conditions and intended duration before selecting print and any protective layer.
Water-resistant is too general without context. Splashes differ from prolonged moisture or intensive cleaning. A protective finish may matter, but it does not fix the wrong substrate or adhesive. Outdoor suitability does not automatically establish dishwasher resistance.
For vehicles, consider curvature, joints and paint condition. Use the vehicle lettering pageto assess design and application together. A sticker for a flat panel is not automatically suitable for a complex shape.
Technical background: Avery Dennison on films and adhesive types and 3M on surfaces and application.
Consider removal before choosing material
Will an event promotion be removed, or should the label remain throughout the product’s life? Tell us before selecting material. Permanent adhesion and temporary removal are different aims. Intended duration and surface condition are part of the decision.
Removable does not mean every surface remains free of residue or damage after every duration. Paint, coating, time and conditions matter. A vulnerable surface may need assessment or a trial. A general residue-free removal promise is insufficient.
For window promotions, viewing direction matters too. Will the sticker be applied inside and viewed outside, or the reverse? Record both application side and viewing direction. Under window stickers and lettering we discuss the specification for your glass.
Assess the design at actual size
Give important information room. Small text close to cut edges can be sensitive to finishing variation and harder to read. Narrow projections and fine details in contour-cut shapes need particular attention. SDLG assesses design against dimensions and specification.
White and transparent stickers may show the same design differently. Transparent material reveals the surface colour underneath. Discuss where opacity is needed. Cut line, bleed and any white ink depend on the selected product; do not blindly reuse settings from another order.
Prefer original vector logos and photos with sufficient resolution at final size. Enlarging a screenshot does not add sharpness. Our artwork guidance helps with initial preparation.
Describe how stickers will be applied
Separate stickers can suit giveaways. Sheets or rolls may suit repeated labelling, depending on product and workflow. For machine application, size, roll direction and core must match the equipment. Discuss requirements before confirming the specification.
Organise variants in a list of filename, overall dimensions and quantity. State whether colour versions share the same total and identify image-to-size relationships. Check totals and include a simple overview image if helpful.
Three examples of useful briefs
- Packaging sticker: logo on dry cardboard, manual application, overall dimensions and quantities per variant.
- Temporary window promotion: window photo, application side, viewing direction, dimensions and promotion dates, with later removal required.
- Business object: photo and surface material, indoor or outdoor location, intended duration and cleaning method.
These examples show information that enables choices, not fixed product specifications. Different coatings, exposure or application can require another specification for a similar enquiry.
Enquire from the intended use
Specify use, surface, dimensions, quantities and required receipt date. Mention moisture, cleaning, removability or machine application immediately. Files can be emailed after initial contact. Under custom stickers we discuss design and specification together.
SDLG works from Breda and ships stickers throughout the Netherlands and Belgium. For suitable signage projects, supply and installation are agreed in Breda and the surrounding area. For a business vehicle, see our vehicle lettering checklist.
Production and delivery
Lead time: 1–5 working days, subject to stock availability. For larger projects, we agree the lead time individually. The schedule is confirmed after checking stock and the proposed work. Shipping transit time is separate. Delivery and shipping guidance.