Can you make stickers with clear vinyl? – Sticker it

Yes! Custom clear stickers are stickers that are printed onto vinyl with a transparent background. That is why clear stickers are also often referred to as transparent stickers.

It can be as easy as selecting your clear vinyl of choice and get printing. However, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when creating a clear vinyl sticker. Read on to find out what they are.

What is clear vinyl?

Our clear stickers are made from a transparent vinyl that consists of see-through calendered PVC.

Calendered is a grade of vinyl and describes how the material is made. All the "ingredients" needed are mixed and then kneaded by huge rolls that form a thin sheet of vinyl.

This sheet is then fed through so-called calender rolls that heat and flatten the vinyl. Every time it passes the rolls, the vinyl gets thinner. You can learn more about calendered vinyl here.

Once the film has cooled down, the vinyl can be transported and is ready to get printed on.

Is all vinyl printable?

Unfortunately, it depends. Not all vinyl is printable vinyl. Or let's say not all vinyl can be printed onto with any inkjet printer.

We order vinyl that is made for our digital printer to create high-quality custom stickers.

If you are looking to create your own stickers with standard inkjet printers, you need to look for the right sticker paper. You will find plenty of options from removable vinyl to heat transfer vinyl.

To make your own clear stickers, be sure to choose a transparent self-adhesive material can will not melt once you feed it to your printer.

Does this sound like too much hassle? Then check out a sticker manufacturer!

How are custom clear stickers made?

After you have approved your digital design proof, your clear sticker designs are sent to your manufacturing department where they will be printed, laminated and cut within 4 working days. Let's look at each step:

1. Printing

When we print your transparent sticker design, we sometimes add a layer of white ink in between your colourful design and the clear vinyl.

We do this if you do not want the clear effect to shine through your colours. White ink dilutes this stained-glass effect and allows us to create vibrant and opaque colours on your clear vinyl sticker.

2. Laminating

Our clear vinyl stickers are laminated. This protects them from scratching and fading in the sunlight and makes these stickers waterproof and weather resistant.

The standard lamination we recommend for clear stickers is gloss: it elevates the transparent effect of your stickers and makes them even shinier. If you are after a matte finish, please contact us before placing your order.

3. Cutting

Then it is time to cut your stickers. When you order clear stickers, only your material is pre-decided. You are still free to choose any shape from die cut stickers to kiss cut over more traditional shapes such as square or oval stickers.

If you are not sure which shape is right for you, or what a kiss cut or a die cut sticker is, is an article that can help you figure it out: What is the difference between kiss cut and die cut stickers?

And now it is time to get your hands on your own custom clear stickers!

If you are still looking to create your own artwork, give our free design software Graphic a try and create great quality designs in no time.

In the meantime, browse our custom stickers UK range or learn more about the world of custom sticker printing right here: