General

Do you have old or damaged stickers left on your car, water bottle, or laptop? At Carstickers.com, we use top-grade vinyl stickers with air-egress technology to make the removal process fast and simple. However, not all stickers are as easy to remove, so we've provided this handy guide to help you remove any sticker from any surface.

Before starting, it�s important to consider the material your sticker is stuck on. Materials like glass or stainless steel allow for different techniques and tools compared to surfaces like a laptop or car door. For example, we wouldn�t recommend using a box cutter or excessive window cleaner on car paint or electronics. While there are many unconventional methods out there, we�ve found that the following simple step-by-step techniques will remove almost any sticker.

Method 1: Heat

Step 1

Using a hair dryer or other heat source, heat the sticker slowly, starting in the middle and working your way out to the edges. Be careful not to heat the sticker too quickly, as you might accidentally burn or melt the adhesive onto the surface underneath.

Step 2

Using a plastic card such as a gift card or hotel key, start at one corner and gently push the sticker off the surface. Apply enough pressure to remove the corner while maintaining a firm grip on the card.

Step 3

Grab the corner of the sticker and pull it slowly towards the rest of the sticker. The lower the angle, the better. Pulling at a 90-degree angle increases the chance of ripping the sticker and leaving more residue on the surface.

Step 4

After removing most of the sticker with heat and the plastic scraper, spray the area with window cleaner. Use wet wipes or a soft cloth to rub off the remaining adhesive. If you removed the sticker from car paint, buff the area with car wax.

Method 2: Rubbing Alcohol

Step 1

For this method, you will need 90% or higher rubbing alcohol, cotton balls, and a plastic card or razor blade (use the razor blade only on hard surfaces like glass).

Step 2

Dab the rubbing alcohol on the cotton balls until they are wet but not soaked. Rub the surface of the sticker until it begins to absorb the alcohol.

Step 3

Let the sticker sit for 5 to 10 minutes while the rubbing alcohol soaks in. If the surface dries out, add more rubbing alcohol and continue to let it soak. Once ready, simply pull off the sticker!

Step 4

Using your plastic card or razor blade, scrape off any remaining sticker and adhesive.

Sticker sizes vary depending on the design. Most of our stickers are available in custom sizes. The size of each sticker is displayed in the description next to the sticker in the shopping cart.

All of our stickers are custom-made, so most orders are processed and shipped within 5-7 business days. Production time for bulk orders depends on the quantity ordered. If you live outside the United States, please allow 2 to 6 weeks for delivery, depending on customs and your chosen shipping method.

Absolutely not! Our stickers can be applied to any smooth surface. Popular options include cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, skateboards, bicycles, helmets, laptops, and much more!

Reordering stickers from a previous purchase is simple. Just log in to your account and click on the "Orders" button located to the right of the search bar. In the Order History tab, find the order you want to reorder and click the green "ReOrder" button. This will add all the items from that order to your current shopping cart, where you can adjust the quantities as needed.

No, once a sticker has been applied, it cannot be reused. After removing the sticker, it will no longer adhere properly and should be discarded.

California's Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, also known as Proposition 65, was enacted in 1986 to protect residents and the environment from exposure to harmful substances, including chemicals that can cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. To comply with Proposition 65, businesses must provide clear and reasonable warnings to individuals in California before knowingly and intentionally exposing them to chemicals identified by the state as hazardous. Our vinyl suppliers have indicated that their products contain chemicals such as lead, lead compounds, vinyl chloride, and toluene, which are listed by the State of California as chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

It is a common misconception that decals are for your car and stickers are for everything else. In reality, there is no difference between a sticker and a decal! Whether you call them stickers or decals often depends on where you're from. Many people on the East Coast prefer to say decals, while on the West Coast, they are more commonly called stickers. Another reason for the confusion could be the difference between transfer stickers and printed stickers.

Here are some examples of transfer and printed stickers, and the differences between them:

1. Transfer Stickers

Transfer stickers and decals are cut out of solid color vinyl rolls using a plotter and have no background. They consist of three essential parts: the paper backing, the decal, and the transfer tape. The transfer tape adheres to all the pieces of your sticker or decal, no matter how small, so you can apply it as one piece. The decals below are shown in red, green, black, and pink. We offer 40 colors of vinyl to choose from!

2. Printed Stickers

Printed decals and stickers are made using a high-resolution digital printer and eco-friendly, non-toxic solvent inks. The inks are applied using a heating technology that allows them to adhere to the vinyl and last for years. Printed decals can have an endless amount of colors and are perfect for multicolored designs and photographs.

These stickers can be cut out in various sizes and shapes to meet any personal or business need.

CarStickers.com is the Coolest

The lifespan of a sticker depends on the material and where it's placed. Vinyl stickers with adhesive can last up to 5 years, while cling stickers typically last up to 6 months. Specialty materials like glow-in-the-dark vinyl are not meant for long-term outdoor use but can last indoors for up to 5 years. Perforated film, designed for one-way visibility, will last up to 3 years.

For more detailed information on the materials we offer, visit our sticker materials page.

Uploading an existing image or design to create a custom sticker is easy! However, there are some common issues with uploaded files that can delay the production process. Follow these best practices to ensure a smooth experience:

Embed Images/Files

When placing an image or file into your Illustrator document, make sure the file is embedded. With the placed file selected, check whether the image is Linked or Embedded in the top left corner of the document.

Outline Fonts

After designing your sticker in Illustrator or another design software, make sure your fonts are outlined. If artwork is submitted without outlined text, we may not have the fonts needed to print your design as intended.

White Stickers

If you�re ordering a sticker where the only color in the design is white, you can choose between a white transfer sticker or a clear vinyl sticker with the design printed in white. Transfer stickers have the design cut out of a piece of white vinyl, with the background elements removed. Clear vinyl stickers have the design printed in opaque, white ink and can be die cut around the shape of your design or cut to a standard shape like a circle, square, or oval.

**In some cases, if a transfer sticker is too small to cut, we may recommend switching to a sticker printed on clear vinyl.

Cut Paths on Sticker Sheets

When ordering a sticker sheet, cut paths are signified by a 1 pt. stroke around your artwork. The stroke must be a spot color named �CutContour.� For detailed instructions on adding cut paths to your artwork in Adobe Illustrator, view this short tutorial video.

If you want a sticker sheet but prefer not to set up your own cut paths, simply select the �I need cut paths� option.

Submitting Transfer Sticker Artwork as a Black Image

We often receive white artwork on a black background from customers looking to purchase a white transfer sticker. Please submit your artwork as a black image on a white background. After uploading your file, you�ll be able to select the color of your sticker.

Transfer Sticker File Types

You can check your file type by looking at the extension at the end of your file name. Example: transfer_sticker_file.eps

Printed Sticker File Types

The lamination on vinyl stickers is 2.5 mil thick.

Lamination is a process that adds a protective layer to your sticker, enhancing its durability, strength, and appearance. At CarStickers.com, we apply a laminate layer to our printed stickers to make them scratch-resistant, weatherproof, and more resilient to UV rays. This extra layer can extend the life of your sticker by 1-3 years and comes at no additional cost. Lamination also allows you to choose between a glossy or matte finish, giving your stickers the perfect look.

Sticker Layers

1. Protective Laminate Layer
2. High-Resolution Digital Print
3. Superior Sticker Material

Why We Provide Free Lamination for All Stickers

We�re proud to offer free lamination on all our stickers! In the past, lamination was an added cost, but we now include it at no charge because we believe in delivering the highest quality products to our customers. This added value ensures your stickers are not only durable but also look fantastic, whether you choose a matte or gloss finish.

Why We Laminate Stickers

• Resists Scratching and Abrasion
• Weather and Water Resistant
• UV Protection
• Choice Between Matte or Gloss
• Improved Durability

Matte Lamination

Matte lamination provides a subtle, non-reflective finish that enhances the sticker's durability, UV protection, and weather resistance. It�s perfect for a sleek, sophisticated look.

Gloss Lamination

Gloss lamination adds a shiny, high-impact finish that�s ideal for making your stickers stand out. It offers the same protective benefits as matte lamination but with a vibrant, reflective sheen.

Die cut stickers are custom stickers precisely cut around your artwork, giving the design its own unique shape. This creates a more polished and professional appearance compared to standard-cut stickers or decals. Die cut stickers are highly customizable and are especially popular among business owners for branding and promotional purposes.

Yes, clear stickers are always laminated with a gloss finish to protect them and maintain their crystal-clear appearance.

Lamination offers several benefits that help your stickers last longer. Our lamination is scratch-resistant and waterproof, providing a durable layer of protection. It also shields the print from fading due to UV rays, keeping your stickers vibrant and preventing damage over time.

Lamination is offered on the majority of our printed stickers, but some products, such as perforated film stickers and specialty material stickers like glow-in-the-dark, printed glitter, neon, and fluorescent stickers, are not laminated. This is because lamination can cause issues, such as hindering visibility on perforated film, blocking light on glow-in-the-dark stickers, and dulling the finish of specialty materials.

Transfer stickers are not printed but are made from a sheet of colored vinyl, so they do not require lamination.

Due to the production process of Multi-Color Transfer Stickers, lamination is not possible for these stickers.

We offer matte or gloss lamination for custom vinyl stickers. In most cases, you can choose the type of lamination you prefer. However, for certain products, we only offer one type to ensure your sticker looks as good as possible. For example, clear stickers receive a layer of gloss lamination because matte lamination reduces their transparency.

Our stickers come in a variety of thicknesses based on material type and lamination options. Please see the table below to find the thickness of the sticker material you are looking for. We have included the thickness of the sticker alone as well as when it is still secured to the backing.

Sticker Material Thickness

We offer a wide variety of sticker materials to ensure you have the best choices for your sticker's look and feel. While not all materials are available for every sticker type, here's a comprehensive list of our sticker materials:

• White Vinyl
• White Repositionable Vinyl
• Reflective Vinyl
• Front-Facing Adhesive
• Glow in the Dark Vinyl
• Perforated Film
• Clear Vinyl
• Clear Cling
• White Cling
• Permanent Adhesive
• Front-Facing Cling
• Car Door Magnet

For more details on our material types, visit our Materials Page.

If you're using a website builder, you can easily add our link to your site. Start by downloading our logo, and then watch one of the instructional videos below for step-by-step guidance:

• Wix Instructions
• GoDaddy Instructions
• Squarespace Instructions

Applying your stickers is easy! We provide detailed instructions on our Application Instructions page, and a set of these instructions will be included with each sticker order.

At Carstickers.com, we measure and price all our stickers based on square inches. To calculate the square inches of a sticker, simply multiply the width by the height. For example, a sticker that is 4�W x 4�H (4 inches wide and 4 inches high) and a sticker that is 2�W x 8�H (2 inches wide and 8 inches high) will cost the same because both are 16 square inches.

These measurements are based on the widest and tallest areas of the sticker's shape, measured from left to right and top to bottom in a straight line.

Please note: The measurements are taken when the design is upright and in the same position as it will be applied. This ensures that the sticker you order will fit in the intended space. For example, while a diamond-shaped sticker could theoretically be rotated 45 degrees and measured as a square, a 3�x3� diamond and a 3�x3� square rotated 45 degrees are not the same size and will not fit in the same space.

Vinyl stickers adhere best to smooth surfaces, including:

• Glass
• Plastic
• Smooth or sanded wood (treated wood)
• Smooth canvas or board
• Posters
• Paper

Vinyl stickers will NOT adhere well to:

• Fabric
• Silicone
• Leather
• Rough wood
• Rough canvas