Entry IV - Durable Stickers: How to Make Them Last

14 mai 2026

In the grand scheme of things, stickers are small, but they’re still something you’ve chosen for yourself and that means they deserve to be treated with a bit of care.

We’re all out here treating ourselves when we can, and when something is a little treat, it actually matters that it lasts. I design my stickers to hold up to everyday life, but how you apply and look after them makes a real difference too.

So in this post, I’m going to share a few simple tips to help you apply and look after your stickers, so your small treat lasts a little longer in the real world.

What My Stickers Are Actually Made Of

Let me pull the curtain back for a sec. I print my stickers on vinyl sticker paper, and then I add a plastic laminate layer on top.

Not because it’s fancy, but because I learned the hard way.

When I first started, I tried using sticker paper without laminate. The print looked fine… until you actually used the sticker like a real sticker. The ink scratched off easily, water messed with it, and suddenly your cute little design looked like it had survived a minor battle. Even though the paper was mean to be 'waterproof' it wasn't really.

The laminate layer is there to:

protect the print from scratching
help resist water and splashes
make the sticker feel sturdier in everyday use
stop it from looking sad after a week of existing in the wild
To protect the print from UV

Basically, I’ve done my bit to make the sticker long wearing and capable of surviving real life. But even with good materials, stickers aren’t invincible. I'll always try and improve my products where I can, to ensure they're the best they can be and to make them last for you guys. But I also need you to do a little bit of care to ensure they last too.

Here’s how to make your vinyl stickers last as long as possible in the real world.

What “Waterproof” Actually Means

Let’s start with the biggest sticker myth: “Waterproof” doesn’t mean “invincible.”

Most vinyl stickers are water-resistant, not actually 'waterproof'. They can handle splashes, condensation, and light washing, but constant soaking, dishwashers, and harsh scrubbing will wear them down faster over time.

Most stickers that are made at home, or by indie business will be water-resistant, because waterproof stickers require UV printing. This is a really expensive and industrial type of printing which isn't usually done by people who have micro/small business (not saying never but usually not).

The Best Places to Put Stickers

Where you place a sticker also matters.

Best spots:

laptops
notebooks and planners
phone cases (on flatter areas)
water bottles (hand-washed)

Spots that shorten a sticker’s lifespan:

areas with constant friction
places that bend or crease
surfaces that get very hot or very wet frequently
the bottom of bags that get scraped on the ground

If you want a sticker to look good long term, give it a stable home.

Clean the Surface First

Ok, I'm going to be real a sec - we should really be wiping the surface down before applying a sticker. A bit like when you apply a new screen protector to you phone, you should be wiping the surface down to get some grime off before applying your sticker. I know, I know - I don't do this either, but it will make your sticker last longer.

Before you apply a sticker:

wipe the surface clean
remove dust, oils, and residue
make sure it’s fully dry

Stickers stick best to smooth, clean surfaces. If there’s grime underneath, you’re basically asking the adhesive to fail out of protest.

Hand-Wash Your Water Bottles

If you're like me and you put stickers on water bottles, this one matters a lot. I don't actually own a dish washer (my partner might say otherwise), so I (my partner) hand washes everything but if you DO own a dishwasher, this might be helpful.

Dishwashers use:

high heat
aggressive water pressure
harsh detergents

All of that slowly breaks down sticker finishes and adhesive, even on high quality vinyl. It'll also melt the glue which binds the laminate to the sticker paper, so your laminate finish will likely peel.

If you want your stickers to last:

hand-wash the bottle
avoid soaking it for long periods
let it air dry

Don’t Pick at the Edges

If you sticker does start to peel, the worst thing you can do is pick the edges. As a certified picker myself, listen, it's not worth it!

Try not to:

pick at corners
scratch the surface
repeatedly rub the same spot

Stickers wear down gradually - a lot of damage comes from fidgeting with them more than from daily use. If they do start to peel, and you'd just like to get replace them, I'd recommend heating them up with a hairdryer to melt the glue underneath and then gently remove. This ensures the whole sticker comes off and hopefully doesn't leave too much glue behind on your water bottle or laptop.

Sunlight = Fading Over Time

UV exposure is real. Sunlight will eventually fade almost anything if it’s exposed long enough and while I try to best to protect against this, it'll still happen.

If your sticker lives on:

a laptop you take outside
a bottle you carry everywhere
a surface near a window

Some gradual fading is normal over time. High-quality stickers fade slower, but nothing is completely immune to the sun. That’s not failure, that’s just life happening.

Why Sticker Care Matters to Me

I care about sticker care not because I expect perfection, but because I design my products to move through the world with you.

Your stickers are meant to:

travel
get used
pick up stories
live on everyday objects

They’re not meant to be precious museum pieces. But they are made with intention, and a little care helps them age gracefully instead of getting wrecked immediately.

I’ve Done My Bit - Now You Do Yours

I said it before, but I use better materials so your stickers can actually move through the world with you. How long they last still depends on how they’re treated once they leave my desk.

If you: