Comparison · Nº 01
Vinyl vs. PET
The single most common material choice in B2B sticker sourcing. Vinyl is the workhorse, PET is the premium specialist. Most projects fit one of the two and pick the wrong one routinely.
Side by side
The specifications, measured.
★ = clear advantage at this property
When to pick which
The decision, by use case.
- →You’re running an Etsy shop or a first-batch DTC brand on a tight budget.
- →The label needs to wrap a compound curve — cosmetic bottle with shoulders, vehicle panel.
- →You need holographic, glitter or specialty finishes — vinyl is the standard substrate.
- →Quantities are small (100 to 1,000 sheets) and MOQ matters more than absolute durability.
- →The product is premium cosmetics, electronics or anything dishwasher-bound.
- →You need the label to survive −40 °C freezer to +150 °C hot fill.
- →The substrate is oily, chemical-exposed, or marine-grade.
- →You want mirror, brushed metallic or chrome finishes — these are nearly all PET-based.
- →Long-life outdoor use is required (12+ months unprotected).
Common questions
Answered straight.
Which is dishwasher-safe, vinyl or PET?
PET (with UV ink). Vinyl only survives 2–3 dishwasher cycles. For anything dishwasher-bound — premium drinkware, reusable containers — use PET.
Which handles heat and cold better?
PET — rated roughly −40 °C to +150 °C versus vinyl’s −20 °C to +90 °C. For hot-fill, freezer, or long outdoor exposure, pick PET. For everyday indoor and short-life use, vinyl is fine.
Is PET worth the higher cost?
When the product justifies it: premium cosmetics, thermal/dishwasher/chemical exposure, or a chrome/brushed-metallic finish. For a low-cost Etsy decoration, vinyl wins on price and conformability.
Editor’s verdict
For most small-brand work — Etsy decorative, low-MOQ cosmetics, candle and soap labels — vinyl wins on price and conformability, and you should pick it unless something specific demands otherwise. PET is the right answer when the product justifies the cost: serious cosmetics, anything thermal- or dishwasher-bound, anything that needs to look like a chrome or brushed metallic finish. The mistake is using PET for a $4 Etsy decoration, or using vinyl for a $80 serum bottle.
Press Run
Sample both — and decide.
We ship a side-by-side sample of either material free, in 3–5 days. Decide with your printer, your bottle, your shipping process.
Materials facts verified by
Kevin— co-founder, materials & manufacturing, Guangzhou. Every claim traces to the factory-floor knowledge base.About Euphora →