The Ultimate Guide to Sticker Care: How to Make Your UV DTF Stickers Last Longer
- Stickeristic & Gifts SG
- Sep 22
- 4 min read
If you're anything like us and love pasting stickers on your belongings, you soon realise that stickers are not easy to apply correctly - They fall off quickly, fade over time, or peel off as soon as they come into contact with water. Thankfully, there are a few simple and easy-to-follow steps in order to get your stickers to last longer and make them look nicer!
Step 1: Choosing the right type of stickers
With so many different stickers out there, how do you know which stickers are the best to use? Well, that would depend on the surface you're sticking it on, and what you need from the sticker! Regular die-cut or foil stickers are usually not waterproof, and because of that, sticking it onto a surface that is often washed would just make it fall off from all the water its coming into contact with. You wouldn't want the beautiful design to peel from its paper backing and fall off, would you?
Normally, most people would turn to vinyl stickers for versatile, waterproof options. And who would blame them? Vinyl stickers are versatile, durable and also waterproof, what is there not to like? Except, there is something to not like. Vinyl stickers tend to be printed a sheet layer that is then stuck onto the surface, making it obvious to the touch and just ever so slightly irritates you from the sticker edge that doesn't blend seamlessly onto the surface. It also peels off easy, and the pattern is usually scratched off long before the sticker sheet does.
This is the reason why we here at Stickeristic & Gifts, choose to make UV DTF stickers. When pasted on correctly, it doesn't leave any uneven edges, providing that seamless finish that isn't as easily removable, while also retaining the waterproof and durable qualities of vinyl stickers! (it is also much more scratch-proof than vinyls) This is also why many companies turn to UV DTF stickers for their labels and packaging, because of the high-quality finish and easy application!
Step 2: Apply your sticker on a clean, smooth surface
This feels like a no-brainer. Everyone always says to 'prep and dry the surface before applying anything', and there's a reason for it. Any oily, dusty or uneven surfaces can cause your sticker to not get the best adhesion for it to stick properly. That is also the reason why stickers end up falling off quicker. In most cases, the best way to prep and dry any surface would be to take a rubbing alcohol wipe and clean the surface of any oils and dust, before making sure the surface is properly dry with a tissue or paper towel.
When it comes to UV DTF stickers, hard smooth surfaces like glass, plastics, metals or ceramics are the best to be applied on. Unfortunately, UV DTF stickers are not the best to be used on non-smooth surfaces such as walls, fabrics, cardboard or wood because it can crack from the flexibility, or unable to stick onto the uneven surface properly. For those materials, getting DTF sheets might be a better option as they are applied with a heat press and are better suited for fabrics and garments.
Step 3: Make sure there are no air bubbles/gaps between the surface and the stickers
Often times when a sticker is not applied properly, it will trap air and cause air bubbles to form on the inside of the stickers. That would ruin the design of the sticker you painstakingly customised, and we don't want that. So in order to fix that, the next time you apply a sticker, try using a flat object that can push the sticker down onto the smooth surface and force out any air bubbles.
This is best done while applying the product, starting from one end and slowly pushing the air out while smoothing the sticker down onto the surface. This also applies to when you're removing the plastic film for UV DTF stickers, because the film might lift the sticker with it if pulled too quickly. This is a process that shouldn't be rushed, so take your time and get every little air bubble out from your sticker. We want our UV DTF stickers to look as smooth and in its best condition it can be.
Step 4: Don't purposefully damage the sticker
While it is perfectly fine to see some wear and tear over time, actively scratching or peeling the sticker would shorten your sticker's lifespan and make it less durable. This also means that scrubbing it with a sponge isn't a good idea either since the abrasive and force of scrubbing would cause more wear and tear.
In order to properly care for your sticker, it is best to rinse it in room temperature water and if need be, mild cleaners, and rubbing it gently so as to not scratch the design. Then, make sure the sticker is cleaned dry. This ensure the sticker gets its best life as intact as possible with minimal damages to it! A reminder is to try not to expose the sticker to water for too long as well, because that would affect the adhesion and longevity of the sticker.
It is also not a good idea to place UV DTF stickers under strong, direct sunlight for too long. While yes, the UV DTF stickers are UV-cured, but that does not mean too much sunlight is good. Excessive sunlight can cause the sticker's designs to fade out and lose its colours over time, which is not what you want from a sticker. Avoiding dishwashers are also a good idea since the heat, moisture and detergent would damage the stickers over time and cause the stickers to peel off easily and possibly break down the sticker.
With all this being said, we hope you've learned something from this blog. Some are common basic ways of taking care of items, while some are specific to stickers and UV DTF stickers.
Want to learn how to apply UV DTF stickers like a pro? Watch our quick tutorial video and start decorating without bubbles or peeling.
At Stickeristic & Gifts, we believe your stickers should last as long as your memories. If you’re ready to level up your collection, explore our range of UV DTF stickers — durable, waterproof, and scratch-resistant. Don’t forget to join our Stickeristic Family community for more tips, exclusive deals, and sneak peeks at upcoming designs. Start decorating with confidence today!
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