Logo stickers are made for long-term display, often outdoors. Logo labels are designed for products and packaging, typically used indoors. If you’re ordering for jars, boxes, or bottles, a custom logo label often delivers the same look you want, without paying for outdoor-grade materials.
Both logo stickers and logo labels show off your branding, but their durability and purpose differ. Let’s break down the differences so you can choose the right one for your small business.
What Are Custom Logo Stickers?
Custom logo stickers are built to be durable and versatile. They’re often printed on BOPP material with a strong adhesive and finished with a laminate that can handle sun, rain, and scratches.
- Perfect for water bottles, laptops, or outdoor signage
- Often thicker than labels, with a more “sticker-like” feel
- Designed for long-term visibility in varied environments
If you hand them out at events, your logo might end up on everything from a skateboard to a guitar case, free advertising wherever it sticks.
What Are Logo Labels?
Logo labels focus on branding products and packaging rather than enduring outdoor wear and tear. They’re typically printed with crisp, detailed graphics on materials suited for indoor use, giving products like jars, boxes, and pouches a polished, professional appearance.
- Ideal for product branding
- Often thinner and more flexible for smooth application
- Designed for indoor or short-term use, but still scratch-resistant and vibrant
The main difference? Labels are made to look perfect up close—right where your customers see them at the point of purchase.
Logo Stickers vs. Logo Labels: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Logo Stickers | Logo Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Outdoor and indoor use | Primarily indoor use |
| Material | Vinyl or heavy-duty stock with laminate | Paper, film, or specialty indoor label stocks |
| Thickness | Thicker, “sticker feel” | Thinner, flexible for product application |
| Best For | Giveaways, decals, equipment branding | Product packaging, point-of-sale branding |
| Cost | Usually higher due to materials | Typically lower for indoor materials |
Indoor vs. Outdoor: The Real Deciding Factor
Think of stickers as the rugged hiking boots of branding, they can take a beating on rough surfaces, in all kinds of weather, and still keep your logo looking sharp. Labels are more like dress shoes—built to impress in the right setting, adding polish and professionalism when appearance matters most, but not intended for the mud, rain, and bumps that stickers can shrug off.
If your logo will live on products, packaging, or point-of-sale displays: choose labels.
If it’s going on cars, gear, or outdoor surfaces: choose stickers.
When a Logo Label Can Replace a Logo Sticker
For many small businesses, custom logo labels can do the job of a sticker without the added cost of outdoor materials. They provide the same ability to showcase your brand with crisp, eye-catching graphics, but without paying for features you don’t need.
If your branding stays indoors, on shelves, in displays, or in customer hands, you’ll still get:
- Sharp, vibrant printing
- Strong adhesion to most packaging surfaces
- A professional, consistent look across your product line
Pro Tip: If your logo will mostly live indoors, label materials can give you the same vibrant finish as business logo stickers or company logo stickers at a lower cost.
How One Business Made the Switch
A small coffee roaster thought they needed company logo stickers for their bags. Once they realized their products would never face outdoor conditions, they opted for custom logo labels instead.
The labels matched their design beautifully, reduced costs, and applied smoothly to every bag, showing that the right choice can balance practicality and visual appeal.
Choosing the Right Option for Your Brand
If you’re looking for a marketing handout or decal that will survive outdoor use, go with logo stickers. If your focus is product presentation, logo labels offer the same design freedom but are better suited for indoor packaging and displays.
Quick Recap
- Logo stickers: Best for outdoor and long-term use, giveaways, gear branding, and situations where durability matters most.
- Logo labels: Ideal for product packaging, indoor displays, and achieving a polished, professional look up close.
- Decision tip: Choose based on where your logo will live—indoors or outdoors—and the level of durability you need.