Decal And StickerStickers, as well as decals and labels, are a great solution to decorate any item, surface or space, and do it in an interesting way. They can express individuality and serve as a good advertising tool too. However, there is no significant difference between them, since the decals and stickers often consist of similar layers: adhesive and paper. Still, when it comes to choosing the right variant, many buyers easily get confused. Let's find out what is the difference between a decal and a sticker, and is a decal actually a sticker?

What Is Decal?

Typically, decals are widely used as stickers for decoration. The decals are often printed on vinyl that provides great stability and durability. Such stickers usually consist of some layers – a paper layer on the back and the front with a film, and a layer of a decal itself. There are numerous variants of what may be depicted on your decal – from vivid images to single colors as well.

Decal Intended Use

When it comes to what is a decal and for what purpose it is intended, the first thing we need to mention is the outdoors use. It will suit the best for your car, for instance, providing a nice resistance to external factors. Besides, decals are usually used for the walls and floors with their advertising and ornamental purposes. These stickers are responsible for a visual aspect with their uniqueness and attractiveness.

Decal Application Surface

Actually, decals will suit best for any smooth enough surfaces. It usually included car's and bike's surfaces, laptops, bottles, glassware, windows, etc. Unlike stickers and labels, decals usually come in large sizes since they are applied on larger surfaces like walls and floors.

Decal Lifespan

Decals in most cases will have the longest lifetime, however, it depends on the use and the surface where they are applied. For example, the wall decals will serve on average for around 5 years or more. Nonetheless, window decals will stay the same for around 3 years. Be sure that decals will last the longest compared to the labels and stickers.

Decal Removal

When it comes to removing decals, there are some efficient methods. First, you need to heat your decal carefully with a hairdryer until it gets pliant – keep in mind that heating won't be suitable for glass. Then, clean a residue with any glue cleaning agents – again, you need to test it on a hidden area of the wall or a floor. Another nice method for a decal remover is soaking the sticker with soapy water for at least 15 minutes, then you will need to wipe the area with a glue remover if there are some leftovers. This variant will be perfect for plastic surfaces. Use a plastic scraper or vinyl chipper for removing your decals as well, but be as careful as possible since the paint from the vehicle or other surfaces may be damaged.

What Is Sticker?

In fact, a sticker can go for anything from a bottle label to a range of office stickers as well. A sticker often has no more than two layers – paper and adhesive. The ornamental part provides an adhesive layer on the back and an elect design or info on the front. A sticker is considering a kind of label too.

Sticker Intended Use

Since stickers and decals have similar features, they are different at the expense of their use. Stickers are usually intended for various illustrations and solutions for logos. They typically go for an advertising purpose and a little for the decoration of the area you have chosen.

Sticker Application Surface

Stickers will be suitable mostly for smooth and flat surfaces, like metal, plastic, or glass products. They are small and bright, and you can remove stickers at any time you wish. Users often apply stickers on their laptops, gadgets, notebooks, bottles, etc. When it goes for car surfaces or a glass window, the best solution will be a decal anyway since its more permanent compared to the stickers.

Sticker Lifespan

The lifespan of the stickers depends on many factors, such as the material (a sticker is made from ink) and the place where it is applied. For example, vinyl stickers will last up to five years, but their name rather will be the decals. Such vinyl stickers are perfect for outdoor use. At the same time, the stickers made from cling material will stay alive for around six months.

Sticker Removal

Stickers were created for removal without any hassle, providing their small format and easy to peel off an adhesive layer. Once you got rid of a sticker, some leftovers may be left anyway. Decals and stickers are similar in a removing process – heating and soaking will be either the good variant. Besides, using a plastic scraper for careful removal is also a good idea. Using rubbing alcohol is considering one of the safest methods to get rid of stubborn glue stains – all you have to do is to wipe an area with leftovers or let it soak for a few minutes. The key for every glue removal is a testing of a cleaning agent or glue remover on the hidden area of your surface.

Is A Decal A Sticker

It may sound confusing, but many experts assure that all the decals are stickers, however, not every sticker is a decal. The main difference between decal and stickers lies in the intended use, size, and layers they consist of. A decal typically is covered with a mounting film on the front side, unlike the sticker that has only a layer of paper and adhesive layer. Decals are more permanent and used for larger areas and surfaces – they are perfect for an outdoors using purpose. Nonetheless, the stickers are many times easier to remove.

There is a hard choice when it comes to a decal vs sticker. Do you want a permanent effect and a large format? Go for the decals. And if you want easy to remove and replace small things, then stickers are definitely for you.