Analyzing which materials for car decals are actually available in Yekaterinburg, how Oracal 641 differs from automotive series KPMF and Avery, and why we do not do car wrapping.
Advertising on wheels: what you need to know about car stickers
Car stickers are one of the most effective and affordable advertising methods for businesses in Yekaterinburg. Every day, a car with a sticker travels dozens of kilometers around the city, catching the eye of thousands of potential customers. At the same time, the cost per contact with the audience is significantly lower than that of static outdoor advertising. However, the durability and appearance of the sticker directly depend on the correct choice of material and printing technology. In this article, we will look at what types of car stickers exist, how to order them, and what to pay attention to so that the sticker lasts for several years.
What types of car stickers do we produce
At the Седьмой Легион printing house, all popular formats are available: from small information stickers to partial vehicle body branding. We divide orders into several categories so you can choose the optimal option for your budget and tasks.
Advertising stickers for cars
This is the most common request. This includes stickers with a logo, contacts, and slogan. Most often they are stuck on the rear window, door, or bumper. For such stickers, we use ORAJET films — they are designed for printing with solvent or latex inks and provide bright colors for outdoor use. Service life is up to 3–5 years depending on operating conditions.
Fleet branding
For companies with multiple vehicles, we offer comprehensive branding. This can be partial wrapping (hood + doors) or a full wrap. The second option is more expensive but looks like factory paint. For such projects, we use ORAJET films that are resistant to UV and scratches.
Important: we manufacture stickers but do not provide installation services. You can apply the car wrap yourself or contact specialized professionals.
Informational and decorative stickers
This includes stickers like 'Baby on Board', 'Spikes', taxi phone numbers, as well as decor — stripes, graphics, matte inserts. For such orders, we use plotter cutting. Previously, Oracal 641 film was used for these purposes, but it should be noted that it is not intended for long-term use on a vehicle. For temporary solutions (promotions, events, seasonal advertising) this is an acceptable option, but for permanent branding we recommend more durable materials.
We also produce car stickers for events: temporary branding for exhibitions, weddings, car rallies. We use removable vinyl — it is easily removed without leaving glue residue.
How to choose a material for a durable sticker
The durability of a car sticker directly depends on the material. In Yekaterinburg, the climate is sharply continental: summer heat up to +35°C, winter frosts down to -40°C. Plus road reagents. If the material is cheap, the sticker will bubble or fade within a season.
For long-term use (3 years or more), we recommend paying attention to automotive series films KPMF, Oracal, and Avery. These brands offer specialized lines for vehicle wrapping that have been tested for resistance to UV, chemical reagents, and mechanical stress. Recently, such films have become difficult to obtain.
Printing technologies: solvent and latex
For printing on automotive films, we use two main technologies:
- Solvent printing — ink penetrates deeper into the film, so the sticker is resistant to scratches and car washes. Recommended for outdoor advertising on vehicles.
- Latex printing — more eco-friendly, gives brighter colors, but requires additional lamination for protection. Suitable for interior solutions and short-term promotions.
Important: lamination is mandatory for any car stickers. Matte lamination removes glare, glossy lamination enhances colors. Without lamination, a sticker will fade within 6–12 months.
Step-by-step guide: from layout to finished sticker
To order car stickers in Yekaterinburg, you don't need to be a designer. We accept layouts in any format: PDF, AI, CDR, PSD, TIFF, JPEG. If there is no layout, our designers will make one.
The process looks like this:
- Preparing the layout. Minimum requirements: 300 dpi resolution, CMYK color model. If the file is in RGB — colors may differ. We check the layout for errors free of charge.
- Cost calculation. The price depends on size, print run, material, and installation complexity. Send a request — we'll prepare a calculation.
- Printing and cutting.
- Installation. You can pick up the self-adhesive stickers and apply them yourself or entrust the installation to specialists. We recommend professional installation for complex projects — this guarantees no bubbles or wrinkles.
Common mistakes when ordering stickers and how to avoid them
We see the same mistakes from clients. Here are the top 5 and ways to avoid them:
- Error 1: Saving on material. Cheap monomeric vinyl cracks in the cold. Solution: for vehicles use only polymeric or calendered vinyl — ORAJET or automotive series KPMF, Oracal, Avery.
- Error 2: Ignoring lamination. Without lamination, the sticker fades in 6 months. Solution: always order lamination — it increases the service life several times over.
- Error 3: Incorrect size. A sticker that is too small is unreadable from a distance. Solution: for advertising stickers on cars, the minimum text height is 5 cm.
- Error 4: Self-mounting without skills. Bubbles and wrinkles ruin the look. Solution: entrust the installation to professionals.
- Error 5: Using an RGB layout. Print colors differ from the screen. Solution: convert the layout to CMYK before sending or entrust color correction to us.
By avoiding these mistakes, you will get a sticker that will last 3–5 years and will not require replacement.
Sources
Based on materials from the editorial board of the 'Седьмой Легион' printing house (Ekaterinburg, since 2011).