Signage Tips and Advise: Why not CLEAR Stickers or Decals?

photo credit: mag3737Almost weekly I have been asked to supply Clear Stickers or Decals. The first question I have is, how will the Stickers or Decals be used? What is the color of the item they will be applied to? Generally the color to which they are mounted to has to be a light neutral color, preferably white or white.

Colors need to be backed up with white, or the printed graphics and text colors will bleed out and take on the background colors. Basically with any sign, vehicle graphic or even banner, has to isolate and or support the colors intended. All efforts of color matching and color management will be a waste of time and effort of clear medias or substrates. 

If you look closely at clear decals or stickers, there will generally be a halo of white around the image or printed text. Even though it appears to be clear, additional costs of materials and equipment have been incurred, to apply a detailed layer of white ink first.

So remember, a clear background on a sticker, decal, vehicle graphic or other signage, does not necessarily relate to a lower cost. A contour or detailed die cut on a white media, may offer the best unit cost long term.