What is a Vinyl Sticker and what is a Vinyl decal?

[toonsign]

Good afternoon,

I cut vinyl in 1, 2 and 3 colors, then overlay each color on top of one another to create "3 color decals".

I see others who print on vinyl and call them decals.

My question is, if you print on vinyl and cut to size, is it a sticker or decal?

Thank you,

Fred
Melbourne FL

 

[BIG EASY DOES IT]

A preference. A decal is a sticker. A sticker is a decal. Same thing. Decal makes it appear as though you are somehow better then the guy that prints "stickers" on his home computer. Personally we sell Adhesive Backed Vinyl Artwork. Lie. We make Decals also.

 

[GaSouthpaw]

I always thought of stickers as something they put on my kid's homework in kindergarten when he got a good grade.
Decal just sound more professional to me- whether it's a printed decal or plotter cut decal. Or printed decal, cut to shape, etc.

 

[Fred Weiss]

Decal is simply a word preferred by many because it sounds more professional. Either can be used to describe an adhesive backed vinyl graphic (solid color(s) or printed and cut) that is intended to be installed onto a substrate.

 

[All Graphics Calgary]

And why is it pronounced "deecal" in some parts of North America and "decal" in other parts?? Inquiring minds need to know!!!

 

[GaSouthpaw]

And why is it pronounced "deecal" in some parts of North America and "decal" in other parts?? Inquiring minds need to know!!!

It's like pee-can and pa-cahn.

 

[ChaseO]

And why is it pronounced "deecal" in some parts of North America and "decal" in other parts?? Inquiring minds need to know!!!

I guess I'm a little sheltered here in Redneck, USA, but I've never heard anything other than "deecal" So obviously "deecal" is the right way.

 

[TrustMoore_TN]

When I traveled to Eastern Canada they would pronounce it "deck-el".

I guess I'm a little sheltered here in Redneck, USA, but I've never heard anything other than "deecal" So obviously "deecal" is the right way.

 

[All Graphics Calgary]

As long as customers are getting vinyl to make "deecals" or "deckals", I'm fine with however it's pronounced. But yes, we do say "deckals" up here:Big Laugh And my brother who lives in Louisiana loves to make me cringe..."deecals"...

 

[cmwpmm]

Yeah, I don't think there is any industry standard definitions here. I know at our company, we refer to anything printed on a roll of vinyl and cut out on another machine as a decal. Anything we print on the Xerox, using previously die-cut sheets, we call a label. But of course, these terms only apply to us in house. Our customers are clueless to our naming conventions and will call absolutely anything we send them by any name they can think of. Just today I had a guy refer to velcro as foam tape. And last week I argued with a guy who thought .020 polystyrene was "paper".

 

[Jburns]

I would define a sticker: 1. something that is produced in the hundreds- is not waterproof and for short term promotions ( sales, price markdowns- paper and inkjet based).

I would define a decal:2. a product made for - long term use- waterproof- and made for outdoor exposure- usually lower quantities.

 

[Pixels Are Bad Mmmkay?]

You guys have been referring to them all wrong. According to my Mimaki user's manual, they're not called stickers or decals, but rather 'seals'.

 

[Solventinkjet]

Per Google:

Decal - a design prepared on special paper for transfer onto another surface such as glass, porcelain, or metal.

Sticker - an adhesive label or notice, generally printed or illustrated. Synonym - Decal

To me, decals are what my father and I put on our model rockets growing up as a decoration or embellishment. A sticker is something that has a message like a bumper "sticker" or a sticker with a cartoon on it after getting a shot.

 

[Gene@mpls]

Decal is simply a word preferred by many because it sounds more professional.

Hence... the decal is more expensive than a 'sticker'.

 

[eahicks]

We've had many quote requests lately asking for "deck-uls"...and as mentioned, Canadian or WAY up north U.S. Cracks us up, all being Texan. But I despise people calling them 'stickers'. Stickers are what gets stuck in your socks and shoelaces when you're out in the woods.

 

[All Graphics Calgary]

We've had many quote requests lately asking for "deck-uls"...and as mentioned, Canadian or WAY up north U.S. Cracks us up, all being Texan. But I despise people calling them 'stickers'. Stickers are what gets stuck in your socks and shoelaces when you're out in the woods.

You have woods down there..... in the US, eh??

 

[Gino]

So, is it a bumper decal or bumper sticker ??

Does Chiquita or Dole use stickers or decals ??

Are post-it notes considered decals or stickers ??

What are those little red/orange things called with a price on it for various items in a store ??

This could get very intense and splitting of the ways. ​

 

[Tim4]

You buy stickers at Walmart. We sell custom vinyl graphics.

 

[eahicks]

So, is it a bumper decal or bumper sticker ?? trash

Does Chiquita or Dole use stickers or decals ?? label

Are post-it notes considered decals or stickers ?? notes

What are those little red/orange things called with a price on it for various items in a store ?? price tags

 

[Billct2]

I'm with Tim, we usually refer to what we do as "Vinyl Graphics", though when selling items for customer application we will use the "Decal" term.
Stickers are what my kids get on their homework.