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APPLICATION GUIDECLEAN · PEEL · PRESSWATERPROOF BOPPAPPLICATION REVIEWPRINTED IN ST. PETEAPPLICATION GUIDECLEAN · PEEL · PRESSWATERPROOF BOPPAPPLICATION REVIEWPRINTED IN ST. PETE
CARRCO FIELD MANUAL · DOC 02

Sticker Tips
& Tricks.

How to apply stickers that apply cleanly and remove with care, remove them without residue, and design ones people actually want to slap on their gear.

001 / APPLICATION

The 60-second perfect application.

01
Clean the surface
Wipe with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry fully. Dust, wax, and skin oil are the #1 reason stickers peel early. Skip household cleaners — they leave residue that fights the adhesive.
02
Mind the temperature
Apply to a clean, dry surface under the conditions supplied for the exact adhesive. Ask Carrco before applying in unusual heat or cold.
03
Peel and place one edge
Peel the backing halfway, line up one edge, and lay the sticker down gradually. Never dome it down from the center — that traps air.
04
Press outward
Squeegee from the middle to the edges with a credit card wrapped in a soft cloth. Use firm, even pressure and follow the cure guidance supplied for the exact adhesive construction.
Big sticker? Use the wet method: mist the surface with water + one drop of dish soap, position the sticker, then squeegee the water out. The film lets you reposition before it grabs.
002 / REMOVAL

Clean removal, zero residue.

Heat is the trick. Warm the sticker with a hair dryer for 20–30 seconds, lift a corner with a plastic edge, and peel back slowly at a sharp angle — not straight up. Any leftover adhesive wipes away with isopropyl alcohol or a citrus-based remover.

On paint: go slower and keep the heat moving. On glass: a razor at a shallow angle after heat makes it effortless.

003 / LONGEVITY

Make them last longer.

  • Hand-wash over pressure-wash — a 3,000 PSI jet at point-blank range lifts any edge, ours included
  • Hand wash unless Carrco has confirmed the exact construction for repeated dishwasher use
  • Limit long-term sun exposure unless Carrco has confirmed the print and finish system for exterior use
  • Follow the cure time supplied for the exact adhesive before washing
  • Curved surfaces: choose sizes that let the sticker lie flat — compound curves need smaller stickers
004 / DESIGN

Design stickers people keep.

Bold beats busy. A sticker reads from six feet away or it doesn't read at all. High contrast, thick lines, and one clear focal point outperform intricate detail every time.

Size to the destination. Laptops love 2–3″. Water bottles want 2″ or under. Bumpers and coolers carry 4″+ with ease. Think about where it lives before you pick dimensions.

Die-cut earns the peel. A sticker cut to the shape of the art feels like an object, not a label. Our contour-cut stickers follow any outline you can draw.

Full artwork specs live in the Printing Guide.

005 / PRO MOVES

Tricks from the print floor.

  • Hand out stickers with every order you ship — they are the cheapest billboard you will ever print
  • Round corners survive pockets, wallets, and washing machines better than sharp ones
  • Matte finish hides fingerprints on dark designs; gloss makes color pop on light ones
  • QR codes on stickers work — keep them at least 1″ square with strong contrast
  • Label jars and bottles below the shoulder curve so the label lies flat
Sticker smarter.
Waterproof BOPP, contour cut, printed in St. Pete in 3-5 days.
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Human proofing / every custom order

A real person checks the details.

We review artwork, shape, edge quality and production readiness before anything reaches the press. You approve the proof; we make it real. Start with your artwork ↗
Print specialist reviewing custom sticker artwork and finished sticker sheets
Reviewed here · Printed here · Made to last