Stickers, decals, labels and signs are everywhere, from the logo on a tradie's ute to the label on a jar of market-stall jam, the frosted band on an office door and the banner on the school fence. Getting them right is part craft, part materials knowledge and, sometimes, part regulation. Decals Guide is an independent information site that explains it all in plain English. We don't print, sell or install anything, and we base the rules we describe on official Australian sources.
Clear view
Car window rule
Ahead, behind, each side
150 mm
NSW powerboat rego numbers
Minimum height
20%
NSW exempt window sign
Or 6 m², whichever smaller
Vehicle decals
Vinyl on cars, vans and boats has to survive sun, rain, washing and salt, and it mustn't block the driver's view. Our vehicle decals section explains how to apply vinyl decals neatly with the hinge method, how to remove decals safely without damaging paint, what the road rules say about car window stickers, and how to display boat registration numbers correctly.
Stickers and labels
The right material, adhesive and laminate decide whether a sticker lasts a week or years. Our stickers and labels section compares vinyl and paper stickers, explains designing stickers that work with bleed, safe zones and cut lines, covers printing labels at home, and outlines the rules for food and product labels.
Signs and banners
A good sign works every hour your business is open. Our signs and banners section helps you in choosing sign materials, explains banner design basics, covers window and wall graphics, and sets out when you need sign approvals and council permission.
Try the sticker sheet planner
Ordering or printing a batch of stickers? Our free planner shows how many stickers of a given size fit on an A4 or A3 sheet, or a custom sheet or roll width. Enter the sticker width and height, the gap between stickers and the margin around the edge, and it works out the best grid, whether rotating the stickers 90 degrees fits more, how much of the sheet is used and how many sheets you'll need for your run. It uses only the numbers you enter. Printers and cutters have their own margins and registration marks, so always check their template before finalising artwork.
A few principles
Preparation beats products. Most decal failures come from a dirty surface or the wrong conditions, not cheap vinyl. Clean thoroughly and work in mild weather, out of hot sun.
Choose materials for the conditions. Paper is fine indoors; outdoors and wet conditions need vinyl or synthetic films, ideally laminated. Australia's UV levels are high, as ARPANSA notes, so outdoor graphics need UV-resistant inks.
Design for a glance. Stickers, signs and banners are read quickly. Short messages, bold lettering and strong contrast work best.
Check the rules. Window stickers mustn't block a driver's view; boat registration numbers have size and placement rules; food labels must include required information; and many signs have planning limits. We explain where to check.
Respect other people's work. Only use images, fonts and logos you have the right to use.
Who these guides are for
Our guides are for DIYers personalising a car or a laptop, small business owners ordering their first signs or product labels, club and school volunteers making banners and stickers, boat owners lettering a hull, and anyone who's ever struggled with a stubborn sticker. No experience needed: we explain terms like cast vinyl, bleed, kiss-cut and exempt development as we go.
How we write our guides
We research each guide from practical experience of how materials behave and, for rules and regulations, from official sources such as state legislation, the NSW Government, the NSW Department of Planning, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, the ACCC, IP Australia, Safe Work Australia and ARPANSA. We list sources on every page and don't publish invented statistics, prices or quotes. Rules differ between states and change over time, so we always point you to the regulator to check. Read our editorial policy for more.
Important note
Decals Guide provides general information only. It isn't legal advice. Check the rules that apply in your state and council, follow product instructions and safety data sheets, and use licensed professionals where required.
Key points
- Independent, practical guides to decals, stickers, labels and signs in Australia.
- Clean surfaces and mild conditions are the secret to good decals.
- Match materials to conditions and design for quick reading.
- Check road, maritime, food and planning rules where they apply.
- Try the free sticker sheet planner to plan your next print run.
