Labels or stickers – All labels are stickers, but not all stickers are labels.
“Labels” always carry information. They serve a specific purpose such as giving instructions or to identify an item. From providing tracking data on a lab specimen to what is located inside a cardboard box, labels tell all. They can be used for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, asset labels, clothing tags, packaging, warning labels and mailing labels. Label manufacturers tend to be very careful to match label materials to specific applications because labels are important.
“Stickers”, on the other hand… well, they’re a different story. They are labels too, but are mainly used for decoration. They are fun and friendly and often come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flashy colors. For the most part, they are not expected to have an especially long service life and they lack the informational aspect of labels, but that doesn’t mean they don’t serve a purpose. Stickers can be good advertising, such as for political campaigns, or as promotional tools reinforcing a brand’s name, perhaps adding extra product description. Everyone should be familiar with bumper stickers that have catchy slogans or that are used as travel souvenirs. Peel-and-stick “window stickers” (aka decals) for car windows or glass doors are decorative and can be more permanent in nature. Of course, stickers help embellish scrapbooks and kids love to collect them (and apply them everywhere – much to many parents’ dismay!)
Here at EIM we provide both labels and stickers, and it really doesn’t matter what you call them. If you are in search of a way to easily identify something, “labels” are the answer. If you are looking for shiny decorations to put in your employees’ cubicles, then “stickers” it will be!
Here’s something to remember:
All labels are stickers, but not all stickers are labels.
