How to, Tips & Advice

How to put on a bumper sticker: Common Mistakes to Avoid

How to put on a bumper sticker

Bumper car stickers are a great way to add personality to your vehicle, express your views, promote a cause, or even advertise your business. However, before rushing to stick a new bumper sticker to your car, it’s important to know how to do it correctly to avoid any mistakes. 

To ensure a successful result when applying your new bumper car stickers, it’s important to understand the common mistakes to avoid and how to put on a bumper sticker correctly. 

In this blog, we’ll cover some of the most typical mistakes when using stickers to put on your car. We also offer some helpful tips on how to apply a bumper sticker to help you achieve a professional-looking result every time.

What is a bumper sticker?

The application of stickers on cars is a widespread practice. And in our earlier blog posting: “Style Your Ride: The ultimate guide for using car stickers”, we discussed the complete approach to applying car stickers.

Accordingly, there are many different kinds of stickers that may be applied to your vehicles, but one of the most common kinds is the bumper car stickers. They are stickers or labels with adhesive backing that are meant to be applied to the rear of a car. 

Typically manufactured from PVC, the standard bumper sticker dimensions are 15″ x 3.75″ and 25.4″ x 7.6″. You may use bumper car stickers for a wide variety of reasons, from simple decoration to promotion.

Bumper stickers are one of the most common kinds of car stickers
Bumper stickers are one of the most common kinds of car stickers

How to put on a bumper sticker: Common Mistakes to Avoid

It is a great way to show your personality or support for a cause by using bumper stickers. It is, however, not easy to apply them properly. If you’re going to put on a bumper sticker, avoid the following mistakes:

1. Uneven surface (Dirty or greasy)

Sticking a sticker on an unclean car will cause the texture to be rough, and the adhesive may not adhere as well as it would on an absolutely spotless vehicle. 

So, when applied to a dirty vehicle, . easily. To prevent this from happening, wash the car surface off with soap and water or wipe it down with rubbing alcohol before placing the sticker.

2. Crooked Placement

Bumper stickers on cars are more likely to peel off if they are placed unevenly or crookedly. If the sticker is not aligned properly, it may look sloppy or unprofessional. It may also create air bubbles or wrinkles that can make the sticker peel off more easily.  

So, you should select a smooth, level region of the bumper free of any curves or dents. If the surface is too rough or textured, you may need to use a heat gun or hair dryer to soften the sticker and make it conform to the shape of the surface.

3. Wrong position (too high, too low)

Wrong position (too high, too low) can affect the visibility and safety of bumper stickers on cars. If the sticker is too high, it may be blocked by the trunk, the rear window, or other vehicles. If the sticker is too low, it may be obscured by the bumper, the license plate, or the road.

To avoid this problem, you should choose a position that is clear and easy to read from a distance. You should also follow the local laws and regulations regarding bumper car stickers, as some places may have restrictions on the size, content, or location of stickers on cars…

A bumper sticker was applied in the wrong position
A bumper sticker was applied in the wrong position

4. Insufficient pressure

Bumper car stickers may not attach well to your cars or last as long if not applied with enough pressure. The sticker’s ability to adhere to the car’s surface, or even to stay on the car’s surface, depends on how strongly it is pushed. 

The solution is to apply consistent pressure throughout the whole sticker. The stickiness of a sticker may be reduced if you contact the sticky side with your fingertips. If you want the sticker to stay better, wait 24 hours before washing or waxing your vehicle.

5. Trapped Air Bubbles

Bumper car stickers may look bad and eventually peel off if air bubbles get trapped below them. Make sure the car’s surface is clean and dry before attaching the bumper sticker. Air bubbles beneath the sticker are caused by any debris or moisture on the surface of your car.

Applying stickers without capturing air bubbles requires an even pressure and the use of a squeegee or credit card. Besides, if there are air bubbles beneath the sticker, you may pop them using a pin or needle.

6. Reapplication

Bumper stickers on vehicles can lose their adhesiveness, wrinkle, or become otherwise damaged after being reapplied. In the event that you position them incorrectly, you have to remove the old sticker by using a hairdryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive and then peeling it off. Then, clean the surface with rubbing alcohol and apply the new sticker. 

However, this is a waste of time, effort, and of course bumper stickers. To prevent reapplication, you have to careful plan the right placement to put on your stickers. Besides, purchasing durable bumper stickers is essential to avoid frequent replacements due to degraded stickers. 

7. Lack of Weatherproofing Measures

Lack of weatherproofing measures can affect the durability of the best bumper sticker. If the bumper sticker on a car is not weatherproofed, it may fade or peel off due to exposure to sunlight, rain, or snow.

It is recommended to apply bumper car stickers made from vinyl, BOPP, or coated stickers to help ensure their longevity.

3 tips for minimizing mistakes when applying bumper stickers

Now, you know some common mistakes you will make while applying bumper car stickers. However, the best idea is to carefully prepare before you intend to decorate your car with bumper stickers. Here are our recommended preparations on how to apply bumper stickers effectively.

1. Applying with knowledge

Searching for a reliable source, like knowledge sharing articles from reputable sites, video tutorials, can help you minimize mistakes when applying bumper car stickers.

Knowledge sharing posts and tutorials are often created by experienced individuals who have already encountered many of the common challenges associated with applying stickers. Learning from their mistakes will allow you to avoid making the same ones, saving you time and potential costs.

Additionally, experts and professionals often share useful tips and tricks that can help you achieve the desired outcome for your bumper sticker application. This can include tips related to the type of sticker or material you are applying the sticker to, as well as tricks for removing air bubbles and other common issues.

Follow experts and professionals' tips and tricks for the best result
Follow experts and professionals’ tips and tricks for the best result

2. Be careful when applying

It is important to be careful when applying bumper stickers to ensure that the sticker is placed correctly on the surface intended. When placing a bumper sticker, placing it in the right spot and make sure it’s level. Being careful can help you make sure the sticker is properly centered and aligned with the surface so that it looks professional and neat.

Taking your time to carefully apply the bumper sticker can help prevent mistakes like forming and ruining the appearance of the final product. If you rush through the application process, you’re more likely to encounter problems like wrinkles or bubbles.

3. Order bumper stickers in good quality

Bumper stickers that are made of good quality material will be easier to apply and handle. This is because they will not stick to themselves or form creases that can ruin the aesthetics.

Besides, good quality bumper sticker material is more resilient and will last longer than low-quality one. Therefore, they won’t fade, peel or become brittle in a short span of time. This durability ensures that the sticker remains securely in place on your surface and does not lose its visual impact over time.

If you are considering a reliable place to buy bumper stickers to decorate your cars, go nowhere other than our website. We provide you with the highest quality bumper stickers in various types and sizes. You just have to pick out the most suitable ones that fit your taste.

Conclusion

In conclusion, applying a bumper sticker is an exciting way to personalize your vehicle or make a statement. However, as with any DIY project, it’s important to take your time and do it right. Avoiding common mistakes in the application process will result in a bumper sticker that looks good, lasts for a long time, and is functional. 

By using the information in this article and ordering our high-quality bumper sticker printing services, you’ll be able to achieve a professional-looking result, create a positive impression and lasting impact when finding how to put on a bumper sticker.

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About Harley Williams

Meet Our Printing Expert - Harley Williams. With over a decade of experience in the world of custom stickers, Harley Williams is the creative force behind our insightful blog posts. As a seasoned writer and sticker enthusiast, Harley has her finger on the pulse of the latest trends in sticker design, printing techniques, and printing supplies. With her expertise, our blog becomes a well-rounded resource, ready to assist you in mastering the art of custom stickers and related printing topics.