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Facts on Stickers

Stickers are made from adhesive paper or plastic. One side is usually covered with a printed image, color, or label and the other side is coated in a sticky substance that allows it to stick to surfaces. They have a variety of uses and usually signify some sort of statement of support for a particular brand, person, message or idea. Stickers are inexpensive and relatively accessible.

History
- The self-adhesive label was invented by Stanton Avery in the 1930s in response to paper being an insufficient labeling solution for shop items. The first self-adhesive label was created by adding a thin layer of glue to the back of paper stock and then applying a liner over the adhesive side to stop it from drying out before coming into contact with the desired item. This method soon became the industry standard for labeling products and filtered into mainstream usage in the 1980s. The invention of inkjet printers allowed small companies and printer owners to print their own stickers, without the need to commission professional printing companies.
Types
- Stickers come in many different shapes and sizes, to suit a variety of uses. Types of stickers range from those with a political message to those produced purely for aesthetic purposes. The surface area on a sticker can be printed in any design, or left blank to allow the user to write onto it. Some people enjoy collecting stickers, but serious collectors tend to focus on a specific type, such as scratch-and-sniff stickers, hologram stickers or political stickers.
Function
- As well as industry use, stickers serve many other practical and aesthetic purposes. They are often used to express support of ideas or concepts and can be seen anywhere from locker doors to scrapbooks. They are also frequently distributed as part of promotional, advertising and political campaigns. Bumper stickers are another popular use. Bumper stickers are applied to the car to make a statement about something that the driver is interested in. Stickers also function as part of a reward system in school. Stickers in the shape of stars are often placed on children's work to reward them for doing a good job.
Misconception
- The main misconception about stickers is that they are enjoyed only by children. Stickers have a variety of other uses that are not suitable for children. For example, some extreme bumper stickers have themes of an aggressive nature. Serious sticker collectors can make a great deal of money if they trade their stickers at the right time and place.

Other Collecting