The history of custom stickers can actually be traced back to Ancient Egypt where merchants used a form of stickers to attach price labels to their wares. But the use of modern custom stickers as we know them began in the 20th century with simple adhesive paper labels. The subsequent development of materials and digital technologies, allowed consumers to easily create and print personalized designs.
The First Half of the 20th Century: The Birth of Modern Stickers
R. Stanton Avery invented the first self-adhesive paper in 1935 made possible the use of custom stickers as we know them today.
Avery, an American entrepreneur, developed a process by which he applied adhesive to the back of a sheet of paper covered with a removable protective film. These self-adhesive labels with peel-off backings revolutionized the global label market by enabling mass sticker production and simplifying sticker usage and application. Avery went on to found Avery Dennison, which is still a leading manufacturer of self-adhesive materials today. His invention laid the foundation for the widespread use of stickers to identify products, and sell and organize consumer goods. In addition to retail and advertising, early stickers were used in logistics, shipping and many other industries.
The Second Half of the 20th Century: Sticker Collecting and Sticker Art in Pop Culture
An interesting aspect of the history of stickers is the tradition of collecting them. In the 1960s, children and adults began collecting stickers in books or albums.
This "sticker craze" continued in the decades that followed.
Especially popular were the stickers produced by Panini, a company founded in Italy in 1961. The company produced sticker albums with themes ranging from soccer world championships to cartoon series and enjoyed international success. In recent decades, personalized stickers have also found their way into pop culture. From the colorful, often politically motivated stickers of the punk movement in the 1970s and 1980s to the modern vinyl stickers that adorn laptops, lunch boxes and water bottles, as well as bumper stickers on cars, they have become an expression of personal identity and creativity.
Stickers Today: Uses and Applications of Adhesive Labels
Today, custom stickers have become an integral part of our lives and are a widely used tool in marketing and branding. But they also serve as a creative medium for artists and a means of expression for individuals. From company logos to unique works of art, the possibilities for stickers are almost limitless.
- Retail: Personalized stickers are used for product labeling, to help highlight price and product features, and draw attention to special offers. Adhesive revenue and tax stamps are used indicate the payment of taxes.
- Advertising industry: Stickers are a popular way to spread brand messages and attract attention. They are an inexpensive and effective way to reach customers and reinforce brands.
- Art and music scene: Stickers have found a permanent place, often as a means of expressing subcultures and promoting events.
- Logistics and shipping: Barcode stickers, QR code stickers and self-adhesive postage stamps can be used to track packages and optimize supply chains.
Thanks to modern custom label printing and the use of high quality materials, the production of custom stickers has become more versatile and efficient.
Wunderlabel offers a wide range of labels and types of stickers in a variety of materials for companies and individuals. Creating stickers for retail, advertising or creative projects in our online shop couldn't be easier. Standard stickers, waterproof stickers and kraft paper stickers can all be personalized with your unique design.
