Tips when decorating your laptop with stickers and decals

These days it is hard to find a bare, unstickered laptop. Laptop stickers are everywhere and have become a trend accessory that helps you express your personality. But are you unsure how to go about decorating your laptop with stickers? Or are you a little reluctant to give them a try? 

We are here to put your mind at ease and tell you everything you need to know about laptop stickers: where to get them, what to look out for and how to apply them. 

Our secret tip: custom stickers and decals. Through getting your stickers custom-made, you can choose which designs you would like to stick to your laptop and avoid generic slogans. Instead, you are in full control. Going custom also means there will be a lot to choose from, so let us jump right in! 

Stickers vs decals: How are they different?

Especially if you are new to the process of ordering custom stickers, it can be a little daunting as you will likely stumble across multiple terms: stickers, labels, graphics and decals. But how exactly can we differentiate these from each other? There is no fundamental difference between such terms. In essence, they all describe self-adhesive pieces of paper or plastic that can be printed on. 

Yet, keeping a basic distinction often made by sticker printing companies in mind, can be helpful. As a rule of thumb, stickers are cut individually, whereas labels are printed on sheets. This makes labels super easy and fast to peel, ideal for product labels. Decals, on the other hand, are also individually cut, but usually larger than stickers, which means that you need less of these to cover your laptop. 

So, now that we are aware of the basic terminology, let us have a look at the best ways to decorate your laptop with stickers. 

Choose the right size 

Finding the ideal size for your application is essential and can save you a lot of frustration. Some sticker sizes sound great and come at a great price, but at 1x1inches, a sticker can only cover that much of your laptop. 

You want to give your designs the space they deserve. We recommend size ranges between 2x2inches up to 5x5inches in various aspect ratios. An aspect ratio describes the relation of width and height. Generally, simple shapes like circles are ideal as they are less likely to start peeling. 

If you would like to decorate the entire shell of your laptop, you might even want to look into laptop skins. This way, one design can cover your entire device.

Pick the right material 

There are many amazing materials available, some with dazzling effects, some see-through, even some biodegradable options. But the choice can be quite overwhelming, so let us break this down. 

You can roughly distinguish between paper and plastic stickers. As the name already suggests, paper stickers consist of paper. This makes them great for short-term indoor uses where they do not come in too much contact with water or oils. Paper stickers are also an amazing recyclable sticker option! While traditional vinyl stickers are made out of plastic, they are more resistant to water, scratches and oils and can be used longer and outside. 

You probably keep your laptop in a bag or a backpack? There, it is very likely to experience the occasional bump or come in contact with a leaking water bottle. Vinyl stickers are equipped for all of these scenarios. However, if you keep your laptop in a case at all times, paper stickers can work just as well for you. 

Find your style 

Platforms like Google or Pinterest are full of sticker inspiration. Finding the aesthetic you would like to replicate can save you a lot of time. 

Currently, one of the biggest trends is sticker bombing. Sticker bombing refers to the process of covering an entire surface with stickers until it becomes basically invisible. If this sounds like something you would like to try, there are two things to keep in mind: only start once you have enough stickers and save your favorites for last. 

If you want to order as many designs as possible, we recommend getting them printed on a sheet. This way, you can have multiple designs for a low price. Your most loved designs should be applied last. Otherwise, they will get covered with dozens of other stickers. 

Start off clean 

Now, once you have chosen your size and material and know what aesthetic you want to go for, you can get sticking! To achieve the best possible result, you want to make sure that your laptop is free of dust and dirt. 

The shell of your laptop is very likely to collect dust or grease. This can impact the adhesive of your sticker and cause bubbles. To avoid this, you can simply clean your laptop with an alcohol-based cleanser. A few drops on a cotton bud are already enough. Be sure to let your laptop dry fully before applying your stickers. 

That is all you need to know about laptop stickers. We hope you enjoyed this article, and maybe we even inspired you to give stickers a try? If you are unsure where to find the best custom stickers, you can find our favorite supplier right here. Should you have any questions, please leave us a comment below.