A Complete Guide to Journal Sticker Materials: From Washi to Fabric

Learn about 5 common sticker types and how to pick the right one for your projects.

When you buy stickers, do you only look at the design and rarely notice what they're made of? Actually, the material decides the sticker's texture, how you use it, and even its lifespan. Understanding these 5 common sticker materials will help you plan your journal pages better and even discover more uses for your stickers.

Part 1: Getting to Know 5 Common Sticker Materials

Let’s go through their main features, from the most common to the more special ones.

1. Washi Paper Stickers

These are the classic journal stickers. They are paper-based with a matte, slightly translucent finish. They give a soft, warm, handmade feel. Easy to tear and stick, they are perfect for beginners and great for everyday collages, backgrounds, or creating a vintage vibe.

2. Vellum Stickers
These stickers are made of semi-transparent or clear vellum paper, which is stiffer than washi. Their key feature is transparency. Layering them over other patterns won't completely cover what's underneath, creating beautiful depth and a light, airy effect perfect for fresh or mysterious themes.

3. PET Stickers
PET stickers are made from a smooth plastic film. They are usually completely clear or have very vibrant color prints. They have two standout advantages: they are waterproof and oil-resistant (you can wipe them clean), and they are very durable. This makes them ideal not just for decorating journals, but also for DIY projects like phone cases, water bottles, or notebook covers that get handled often.

4. Epoxy (Resin) Stickers
These are made from cured resin, giving them noticeable 3D thickness and a smooth, glass-like surface. They come in various shapes with strong dimension, making them an instant focal point. A very practical point is that they are a perfect, easy alternative to wax seals—offering a similar ornate, 3D effect, but you just peel and stick, saving all the hassle of melting wax.

5. Fabric Stickers
This is the material we want to highlight today. Fabric stickers use real cloth, giving them unique textile texture and a soft touch. The style is rustic and elegant. They are especially suited for vintage-themed pages, like travel journals or heritage notes, instantly elevating the overall feel. They are also often used as labels or cover decorations.

Part 2: How to Use Different Sticker Materials in Specific Projects

Now that we know their features, let's see how to use them in practice.

1. Vintage Travel Journal
To document a trip with a vintage, keepsake-box feel, try this combination:

• Core: Use Fabric. Fabric label stickers are the perfect choice. Use them to write locations and dates as page titles. Their woven texture and muted colors immediately set a retro tone.
• Background: Use Washi. Choose washi tapes or memo pads in cream, light brown, or other distressed colors as a background base.
• Accents: Use Epoxy. Add a small epoxy sticker with a map or transportation theme as a decorative accent.
• How-to: Start with the washi background, add your travel photos, then use a fabric label as a "caption" next to a photo. Finally, add a small epoxy piece for dimension.

2. DIY for Everyday Items: Use PET Stickers' Waterproof Advantage
Because of their laminated surface, PET stickers are waterproof and scratch-resistant, expanding their use beyond your journal.

• Decorating Phone Cases: Place your favorite PET sticker design inside a clear phone case before snapping your phone in. This creates a unique DIY case protected from daily splashes.
• Personalizing Water Bottles/Notebook Covers: Stick them on smooth plastic bottles or notebook covers. They can be wiped clean and will last a long time.
• Tip: Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of grease before applying. Press firmly and allow time for the adhesive to bond fully.

3. Easy Wax Seal Effect: Try Epoxy Stickers
Love the vintage look of wax seals but find melting wax too troublesome? Epoxy stickers are a perfect substitute.

• What they are: Epoxy stickers are designs cast in 3D resin with an adhesive back.
• How to use: Simply peel and stick them on envelope flaps, greeting cards, or journal pages. They provide the same raised, 3D effect that looks like a wax seal, but without any tools or cleanup—extremely convenient.
• Tip: Due to their thickness and weight, apply them to a sturdy spot and press down firmly to ensure they stick well.

Part 3: Two Simple Tips for Better Sticker Use

A couple of easy techniques can make your sticker applications more effective:

• Use Vellum to Add Layers: If your page elements feel too crowded, try placing a semi-transparent vellum sticker between two layers of patterns. It softens the underlying image, creating a "masking" effect that adds a sense of space to the page.
• Mix Materials to Create a Focal Point: Don't stick to just one material. For example, on a page dominated by washi paper, using a single shiny PET sticker or a dimensional epoxy sticker will instantly create a visual focal point that draws the eye.

Start Creating

Next time you shop for stickers, try choosing the material based on the effect you want. For a vintage journal, fabric labels provide the key texture; for decorating everyday items, the waterproof quality of PET stickers is practical; if you like 3D decor but want convenience, epoxy stickers are a smart choice.

We hope this guide helps you use stickers more effectively. If you're interested in trying fabric label stickers with their rich vintage texture, check out our new collection to start your next creative project.

>> Click here to explore the Fabric Label Sticker Series

We look forward to seeing your creations! Feel free to share your sticker ideas on Instagram and tag @post.flutter.