How to get vinyl stickers to stick to metal

Applying vinyl stickers on metal surfaces

Are you finding your stickers won’t stick to metal surfaces? Do you have shipping containers or plant hire machinery that needs to be branded?

Finding durable vinyl stickers for metal containers doesn’t need to be a challenge!

We have been printing & supplying custom high tack vinyl stickers, for 35+ years, that can be used on spray painted metal surfaces such as:

• Plant hire machinery
• Shipping containers
• Skip hire
• Outdoor tanks e.g. gas tanks
• Silos
• Bins

For them to be suitable for use on these items the vinyl stickers will need to be:

• Durable
• Waterproof
• Light-fast
• Waterproof
• Strong adhesive

Screenprint & Display print a huge number of durable outdoor stickers for use on spray painted metal surfaces, in all shapes and sizes. To ensure that the stickers adhere to the surfaces, they are printed on a high-tack adhesive vinyl.  This is both waterproof and can withstand a range of temperatures. For further details of temperatures please request a specification sheet.

The printed stickers can be applied to powder coated metal, painted surfaces and smooth clean bare metal, however they cannot be used on rusty metal surfaces.

To ensure stickers adhere to the metal surface, apply them in warm temperatures, not on cold days or in freezing temperatures. They can withstand these low temperatures once applied correctly. Please also make sure the surface is clean, dry, grease and rust free before application.

Regarding light-fast stickers, there are factors that will affect how long the inks will last outdoors, this includes the amount of direct sunlight that they are exposed to, and the inks used. Here at Screenprint & Display we offer different methods of printing including screenprinting, so please speak to our team for further advice.

When durability is key, e.g. on plant hire, where the stickers are likely to become scratched, it may be worth considering over laminating the stickers. This seals the ink with a protective layer.

Common mistakes when purchasing stickers for use on metal surfaces:

1. Choosing the wrong adhesive: It is important when getting a quotation for your custom printed stickers that you ensure the sales team are aware of the surface you will be using the stickers on, as not all adhesives are suitable for metal – removable or some standard low tack adhesives will not adhere well.
2. Surface preparation & application: The surface will need to be clean, dry and not too cold or too hot when applying the stickers to ensure they can adhere to the surface effectively.
3. Skipping protective finishes: Adding a laminate to the sticker may increase the lifespan, this is often the case with plant hire stickers that are likely to become scratched – The laminate adds another protective layer over the ink.