Peel & Stick: A Guide to Self-Adhesive Print Substrates and Adhesive Types for Digital Printing

But not all adhesives are the same — and choosing the wrong one can lead to curling edges, difficult removal, or failed installs. The key to success? Knowing how to pair the right adhesive-backed print materials with the right application.

Here’s your complete guide to peel-and-stick substrates and the different adhesive types used in digital printing.

What Are Self-Adhesive Print Substrates?

Self-adhesive substrates (also called pressure-sensitive materials) are print media for digital printing that include a layer of adhesive pre-applied to the back. After printing, the liner is removed and the graphic is applied directly to the surface — no glue, paste, or tools required.

They’re used across applications such as:

• Wall and window graphics

• Vehicle wraps and decals

• Floor signage

• Retail displays and packaging labels

• Interior décor and directional signage

Types of Adhesive Used in Digital Print Media

Each adhesive behaves differently — depending on the surface, duration, and removability required.

Removable Adhesive

• Designed for temporary installs

• Removes cleanly with minimal or no residue

• Ideal for seasonal campaigns, event signage, or lease-safe wall graphics

• Typical use: window decals, temporary POS, wall posters

Repositionable Adhesive

• Allows the graphic to be lifted and re-applied during install

• Great for installers who need flexibility or need to avoid bubbles

• Often combined with bubble-free air egress liners

• Ideal for DIY graphics, in-store installs, and short-term displays

Permanent Adhesive

• Creates a strong, long-term bond to the surface

• Not intended for clean removal

• Used for vehicle wraps, outdoor signage, durable decals

• Best for installs on metal, plastic, glass, and painted walls

High-Tack Adhesive

• Extremely strong adhesion for low-energy surfaces

• Used on powder-coated, textured, or irregular surfaces

• Ideal for hard-to-stick applications like plastic bins, concrete walls, or low-energy plastics

Static Cling (Non-Adhesive Alternative)

• Vinyl film that sticks through static electricity, not glue

• Ideal for short-term window graphics

• Easy to remove and reuse

• Best for smooth, non-porous surfaces (e.g. glass)

Liner Types & Installation Features

• Air release liners – microchannels allow for bubble-free install

• Opaque liners – block show-through from overlapping graphics

• PET liners – stable and resistant to humidity

• Slit-back liners – for easy peel handling during application

These options help control print quality and make installation more user-friendly — especially in environments without professional installers.

What Printers Work with Self-Adhesive Substrates?

Most self-adhesive print materials are compatible with:

• Solvent / Eco-Solvent printers – durable, weather-resistant output

• Latex printers – ideal for indoor/outdoor use with eco-friendly profiles

• UV-curable printers – fast drying, great for specialty finishes and rigid adhesive-backed sheets

Always use the right ICC profiles and check for adhesive migration with UV-curable inks over time.

Removal, Residue & Surface Safety

Always test before installing at scale — especially on painted walls or delicate surfaces. Removal best practices:

• Peel slowly at a 180° angle

• Warm the adhesive with a heat gun for stubborn spots

• Use citrus-based adhesive removers if necessary

• Clean and prep the surface before install to ensure optimal bonding

Final Thought

Peel-and-stick substrates make digital printing faster, easier, and more flexible than ever before. But the success of every graphic depends on the hidden layer beneath — the adhesive. Understanding how adhesives behave across surfaces, temperatures, and timelines will ensure every install sticks (and every removal doesn’t).

Because in digital print, the material may carry the message — but the adhesive makes sure it stays put.