The Ultimate Guide to Sticker Types: PET Tape, Washi, Flakes & More

If you’re new to the world of stickers and stationery, you might be surprised by just how many different types of stickers there are! From rolls of decorative PET Tape to tiny Flake Stickers and easy-to-use Transfer Stickers, each type has its own look, feel and best use.

Whether you’re decorating your planner, creating a journal spread, scrapbooking, making hapxpy mail or simply adding a little personality to your everyday stationery, this guide will help you work out which type of sticker is right for you.

1. PET Tape

PET Tape is a favourite among journalers and stationery lovers, especially if you love intricate illustrations, transparent backgrounds and beautiful decorative details.

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, a durable plastic material. PET Tape is generally more water-resistant and durable than paper-based tapes, and many designs have a beautiful transparent or semi-transparent finish.

Unlike a traditional sticker sheet, PET Tape comes on a roll, allowing you to cut exactly the amount you need. It’s particularly lovely for layering over other stickers, paper and photographs.

Perfect for:

• Journaling and scrapbooking
• Creating decorative borders
• Layering illustrations
• Collage-style spreads
• Adding larger decorative elements

2. Washi Tape

Washi Tape is probably one of the most recognisable stationery essentials. Traditionally made from paper, washi tape is lightweight, flexible and easy to tear or cut.

It comes in an enormous variety of colours, patterns and designs, making it incredibly versatile. Use it to create borders, divide sections in your planner, decorate envelopes or simply add a pop of colour to a journal page.

One of the great things about washi is that it is generally easy to reposition, making it a forgiving choice if you like to experiment with your layouts.

Perfect for:

• Planner decoration
• Journaling
• Scrapbooking
• Creating borders
• Decorating cards and envelopes
• Adding colour and pattern to a page
  
  

3. Kiss-Cut PET Tape

Kiss-Cut PET Tape gives you the beautiful look of PET Tape, but with individual designs already cut into the tape.

Instead of cutting around each illustration yourself, you can simply peel away the individual elements you want to use. This makes it particularly convenient when you want detailed decorative stickers without having to reach for your scissors.

Because the designs remain on a continuous backing, you can also choose exactly which elements you want to use and how you want to arrange them.

Perfect for:

• Quick and easy journaling
• Detailed decorative layouts
• Layering individual illustrations
• Beginners who want to try PET designs
• Creating scrapbook-style pages

4. Tape Loops

Tape Loops are a handy way to enjoy PET Tape or paper tape without buying an entire roll.

A loop is a pre-cut section of tape featuring the full repeat or a selection of the original design. They're especially popular if you love trying lots of different designs or want to add a small amount of tape to your stash without committing to a full roll.

They're also a great option for stationery lovers who enjoy variety and collecting different designs.

Perfect for:

• Trying new designs
• Small journaling projects
• Building a varied stationery collection
• Travelling with your favourite tapes
• Adding decorative elements without buying a full roll

5. Flake Stickers

Flake Stickers are individual stickers that are usually packaged together in a small packet or set.

Unlike a sticker sheet, each sticker is separate, so you can easily grab the exact design you want. Sets often contain multiple illustrations from the same theme, sometimes with several copies of popular designs.

They're particularly fun for creating collage-style journal pages because you can mix and match different shapes, sizes and illustrations.

Perfect for:

• Junk journaling
• Collage
• Decorating planners
• Scrapbooking
• Adding small decorative details
• Collecting themed sticker designs

6. Label Stickers

Label Stickers are exactly what they sound like: stickers designed to look like labels.

They can be used for writing notes, adding headings, identifying sections or simply creating a decorative label on your page. Some are blank, while others feature printed words, phrases or decorative designs.

They're especially useful in planners and journals when you want your pages to be both functional and pretty.

Perfect for:

• Planner organisation
• Headings and titles
• Labelling journal sections
• Adding handwritten notes
• Creating decorative text elements

7. Sticker Sheets

Sticker Sheets are a classic stationery favourite and one of the easiest ways to get a collection of coordinating stickers in one place.

A sheet can contain anything from tiny functional icons to larger decorative illustrations, words, borders and themed designs. Because the stickers are arranged together on a backing sheet, it's easy to see your entire collection at a glance.

They're a great choice if you want a coordinated set without having to choose individual stickers.

Perfect for:

• Planning
• Journaling
• Scrapbooking
• Themed spreads
• Functional stickers
• Beginners building their sticker collection

8. Transfer Stickers

Transfer Stickers are a little different from traditional adhesive stickers. Rather than placing a sticker with a visible backing directly onto your page, the printed design is transferred onto the surface.

This creates a more seamless look, almost as though the design has been printed directly onto your paper.

Transfer Stickers are particularly beautiful for minimalist journal spreads, vintage-inspired pages and layering because there is no obvious sticker border around the design.

Perfect for:

• Minimalist journaling
• Vintage-style spreads
• Scrapbooking
• Layering
• Creating a printed-on-the-page effect

9. Vinyl & Die-Cut Stickers

Vinyl & Die-Cut Stickers are individual stickers that have been cut around the outside shape of the design.

Unlike stickers that remain attached to a larger sheet, each die-cut sticker is its own piece, making it easy to peel, move and use wherever you like.

Vinyl die-cut stickers are particularly popular for decorating items such as laptops, water bottles, notebooks and other smooth surfaces, while paper versions can be lovely for journals and scrapbooks.

Perfect for:

• Laptops
• Water bottles
• Notebooks
• Journals
• Scrapbooks
• Decorating everyday items

So, Which Type of Sticker Should You Choose?

There’s no single "right" type of sticker. It really comes down to how you like to decorate.

If you love large decorative designs and layering, try PET Tape.

If you prefer classic patterns and flexible decoration, Washi Tape is a great place to start.

If you love the look of PET Tape but want individual designs that are ready to peel, try Kiss-Cut PET Tape.

If you want to try lots of tape designs without buying full rolls, Tape Loops are a fun option.

For collage and junk journaling, Flake Stickers are hard to beat.

For something more functional, Label Stickers and Sticker Sheets are incredibly useful.

If you love a seamless, printed-on-the-page look, Transfer Stickers are worth trying.

And if you want an individual sticker that you can use on almost anything, Die-Cut Stickers are a stationery staple.

Build Your Perfect Sticker Stash

The best part about stationery is that you don't have to choose just one!

Try combining different types to create layers and textures in your planner or journal. Pair a piece of Washi Tape with a Flake Sticker, add a Label Sticker for your heading and finish the page with a few tiny details from a Sticker Sheet.

Whether you're a dedicated journaler, planner lover, scrapbooker or simply someone who believes stationery should make everyday life a little more fun, there's a sticker type waiting for you.

Explore the full range of stickers and tapes at Happy Mail Studios and find your next favourite way to decorate.