13 fun facts about stickers you didn’t know

Stickers are part of everyday life, on laptops, water bottles, fruit, packaging, and even street signs. They’re fun to collect, easy to customize, and surprisingly useful. But there’s more to them than meets the eye.

Stickers have a long, unexpected history, from ancient labeling methods to modern-day art and self-expression. Here are some of the most interesting facts about stickers that most people don’t know.

1. Stickers go all the way back to ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, traders used natural adhesives like tree sap or starch paste to attach handwritten labels to pottery and baskets. These early paper tags helped identify contents, ownership, or price.

While basic, they reflect the same need for organizing and tagging that stickers still fulfill today. It's one of the oldest known examples of using visual tools for communicating information.

2. The invention of postage stamps paved the way

In 1839, Sir Rowland Hill introduced pre-paid postage using a printed adhesive stamp. A year later, the "Penny Black" became the first modern version of a postage stamp.

This small invention inspired future uses of custom stickers in business, advertising, and product packaging.

3. Stanton Avery changed everything in 1935

In 1935, Stanton Avery invented the first self-adhesive label with a machine he built in a rented loft. His design allowed stickers to be mass-produced and precut.

This breakthrough led to his company, Avery Dennison, now a global brand in the sticker market. January 13 is celebrated as National Sticker Day in his honor.

4. Bumper stickers started post-WWII

After World War II, bumper stickers became one of the first ways people used printed decals to promote places, politics, or humor in public.

By the 1950s, they were widely used for everything from protest slogans to local services, and helped make stickers a part of public life.

5. National Sticker Day celebrates sticky creativity

National Sticker Day happens every January 13 and honors Stanton Avery, the pioneer behind self-adhesive labels. The day celebrates the creative role stickers play in expression, identity, and design.

People share fun collections, launch new sticker drops, or explore designs from their favorite sellers or indie brands.

6. Scratch-and-sniff stickers were a happy accident

In the 1950s, scientists at NCR Corporation developed microencapsulation to improve carbonless copy paper. The process involved tiny capsules that released ink under pressure.

This same technology was later adapted to hold scents instead of ink, leading to the invention of scratch-and-sniff stickers. They became especially popular in the 1970s and were a hit with kids, often handed out in classrooms or collected for fun.

7. Fruit stickers are edible (but don’t eat them)

Fruit stickers use food-grade adhesives and materials considered safe if accidentally ingested, but they're not meant to be eaten and offer no nutritional value.

Each sticker includes a PLU code for price tracking. Artists have even used these tiny shapes in sticker collages and minimalist art projects.

8. Custom stickers power self-expression today

Custom stickers are used for everything from decorating laptops and water bottles to promoting causes or small brands. They’re a creative, easy way to share your design with the world.

Online services allow anyone to create and order high-quality stickers, perfect for events, packaging, or even gift tags.

9. Stickers have their own street art scene

Around the world, stickers are part of urban art. Artists use them to promote messages, build identity, or showcase their design style.

Many use eggshell decals, which are hard to remove and help keep artwork visible longer. Others choose blank labels to handwrite personal messages or protest slogans.

10. Sticker collecting has broken world records

Some collections include over 100,000 unique pieces. A record-breaking sticker ball, weighing 230 pounds, was made to celebrate National Sticker Day.

Collectors often use binders or storage containers to manage their growing stash of stickers, and some even digitize their collection using apps or spreadsheets.

11. Pop culture stickers became a 90s obsession

In the 90s, fun sticker brands like Lisa Frank, Pokémon, and Wacky Packages turned stickers into collectible gift items. Many were traded at school or saved in sticker sheets or albums.

Their colorful designs and tie-ins with popular shows helped make stickers a lasting part of childhood culture.

12. Stickers used to be worn on faces

In 17th-century France, people wore small velvet or taffeta patches called mouches to cover blemishes or follow beauty trends. Though not stickers by today’s standards, they were early decorative adhesives.

They served a similar purpose to modern pimple patches: combining skincare with style. While not adhesive in today’s sense, they’re an early example of using sticker-like items for both beauty and personal expression.

13. Stickers are still used in protests and activism

Stickers remain an effective way to promote messages in activist spaces. They're quick to apply, easy to distribute, and often used on walls, signs, or public spaces to spark awareness.

They’re also used to create visibility for movements that don’t rely on traditional advertising.

Final thoughts

Stickers might seem small, but their role in design, branding, culture, and personal expression is huge. They’ve gone from handmade labels to mass-market tools that carry ideas, memories, and fun facts across generations.

If you’re ready to make your own, try Sticker it. You can create your design, choose from templates, or get help from our team to make professionally printed, high-quality custom stickers worth sharing.