Decals vs Stickers vs Labels vs Window Cling

Many times, we'll get requests from customers that use multiple product types to describe the same product, despite each term really meaning products that are much different from each other. This can lead to confusion and frustration, especially if a customer ends up ordering one kind of product when they were actually needing another product entirely.

The three products that people tend to confuse most often are our Decals, Stickers, and Window Clings. At first glance they might appear to be the same thing, however each product has its own unique properties and uses which helps to distinguish one from another.

Decals

Decals are generally intended for outdoor and indoor use. They're made using a latex based vinyl with semi-permanent adhesive, and have an outdoor life span of 3-5 years depending on elemental exposure. We can produce decals using either a base clear or a base white vinyl, and with either face adhesive to be applied to the inside of a surface to be seen from the outside or back adhesive to be applied the the exterior of a surface. The designs are either made Cut to Shape or Contour Cut, and come with a translucent transfer tape over the top of the decal to make the application process quick and easy. Because of the nature of the vinyl material and the semi-permanent adhesive, our decals are usually easy to remove from the application surface in one piece leaving little to no adhesive residue behind. Once removed, however, a decal can't be reused again later.

Stickers

Stickers tend to be made using thinner materials than decals, and are often times paper based instead of vinyl. This usually limits their uses to indoors, as being exposed to the elements can cause the inks and material to fade and break down very quickly. Most stickers come with multiple prints to a sheet or a roll and are easily removed to be applied to the intended surface. Since stickers are generally meant for short term use, they don't come with transfer tape over top of the design and no additional application methods are required. Stickers can require some additional effort to completely remove from a surface, like soap and water or spray on adhesive remover.

Labels

Labels are intended for indoor use, and generally placed on a roll for easy removal and placement. And, unlike Decals, labels do not require any transfer tape for application; they can simply be peeled off the roll and applied. Labels can often times be cut to custom shapes, but are most commonly cut to circles, squares, and simple shapes for easier placement and application.

Window Clings

Window Clings, also known as static clings, are non-adhesive vinyl graphics that stick to glass using static, making them easy to apply, remove, and reuse. Unlike traditional stickers or decals, window clings do not use glue, so they won’t leave behind residue or damage your surface. This makes them a great option for temporary or reusable displays.

Window clings are designed for smooth, clean surfaces such as glass windows, doors, storefront displays, and other non-textured materials like smooth plastic or metal. They are best suited for indoor use and are not recommended for external use on vehicles, especially on tinted windows where performance may be limited.

Window clings can be produced as either face cling or back cling, so it’s important to choose the right option based on how and where your design will be displayed. Back cling window clings are applied to the inside of a surface and viewed from the same side, making them the most common choice for indoor applications. Face cling window clings are also applied on the inside but are designed to be viewed from the outside, making them ideal for storefront windows or interior-facing vehicle glass. You can learn more about the differences on our Face Cling vs Back Cling tutorial page.

One of the biggest advantages of window clings is their ease of use. They can be applied in seconds without tools, removed cleanly, and reused multiple times. If needed, they can be cleaned with soap and water to restore their grip, making them a flexible and practical solution for seasonal displays, promotions, and temporary signage.