Holographic stickers vs mirror silver stickers

The main difference between holographic stickers and mirror silver stickers is the material they’re printed on. Holographic stickers have a rainbow effect, while silver stickers have a mirrored look. Both are water- and scratch-proof, but they can be used to emphasize different parts of your design or highlight specific product features.

Want to learn more? Then this blog post is for you.

Metallic stickers 101: an overview

Metallic stickers are super popular because of their eye-catching shimmer and shine. This effect is achieved by printing onto vinyl materials with a metallic finish.

That means the look of your metallic sticker depends on the vinyl material used. We offer several types: gold, silver, holographic, and glitter. More on those in a second.

Let’s first look at what all metallic stickers have in common: they’re all vinyl stickers.

Vinyl stickers are the most versatile option available. They’re suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

The base and laminate make them UV- and weather-resistant and scratch-proof.

The medium-strength permanent adhesive we use also means your stickers won’t peel off when exposed to water.

You can order your metallic stickers in any shape, die-cut, kiss-cut, circle, or square.

To help your design stand out, we recommend letting the metallic effect show through only in certain areas.

To do that, we print white ink behind the parts of the design where you don’t want the effect to show.

For all other areas, you can either let the material shine through or create metallic colors by printing color directly on top of the material.

Now, let’s look at your shiny material options:

What is a holographic sticker?

Holographic stickers, iridescent stickers, pearlescent stickers, and hologram stickers are all the same: stickers printed on rainbow-effect vinyl.

At first glance, holographic vinyl may look similar to silver vinyl. But once the holographic material catches the light, you’ll see the difference.

It’s like a rainbow reflecting and dancing across the surface. Take a look at the image below where we’ve captured the rainbow effect.

What is a mirror sticker?

Mirror stickers have a sleeker, mirror-like effect. Instead of reflecting light like holographic material, mirror vinyl reflects its surroundings, just like a mirror. These are also often called chrome stickers.

We offer two types of mirror stickers: silver and gold. Both mimic the shine of real metal.

Silver mirror stickers are sometimes confused with holographic ones, but they’re very different. Each creates a completely different effect, and can change the entire look of your product line.

What is a glitter sticker?

Finally, glitter stickers complete our metallic lineup, and they’re quite different from the others.

While holographic and mirror silver materials might look similar at first, glitter vinyl stands out with its unique texture.

It features a dense pattern of reflective particles that sparkle in the light, giving it a sequin-like appearance, hence the name glitter stickers!

When to use holographic stickers

Holographic stickers are a great choice if you want eye-catching product packaging or to upgrade your individually cut logo stickers and handouts. Their rainbow effect instantly boosts the perceived value of your sticker.

If you’re using holographic material for product packaging, go with holographic labels instead of holographic stickers. Labels come on sheets, so they’re easier to peel.

Use holographic stickers and labels to highlight your brand’s quality and add a sense of luxury to your packaging.

You can find more tips on how to use holographic stickers.

When to use mirror silver stickers

Mirror silver stickers are sleeker and more modern than holographic ones. They’re less playful, making them a great fit for tech brands, logo stickers for phones or laptops, or minimalist product packaging.

The chrome effect works especially well on black or silver packaging, where it really stands out. We also love using mirror silver stickers on laptops, bikes, helmets, or skateboards, they just look cool.

How to design metallic stickers

Designing metallic stickers may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.

You can create your design instantly using Graphic, our free online tool. Browse templates and design elements to build something from scratch or customize an existing look.

You’ll immediately see a proof of your design on your chosen metallic material, ready for print. It really couldn’t be easier.

So, which one will it be: holographic stickers or mirror silver stickers?

If you’re unsure or want more info, feel free to browse our blog.