30/05/2026
How long does a Decal/Sticker last?
It’s a question I get asked from time to time🧐
It is a difficult one to answer, because it depends on how the sticker is looked after and the environment it is used in. If the sticker is un-laminated and kept outside and exposed to the weather, the ink will start to fade quite quickly. If it has been laminated it could last several years.
Could a sticker last 16 years?😱
OK, this is a photo I took, today, of my RC Plane Controller case. I printed and wrapped this aluminium case 16 years ago! 😱 The Spektrum DX8 radio has long gone, so has the DX18, DX18QQ and the DX9 that followed it and it’s now home to my iX14. Just never got round to replacing the wrap! There are a few marks on it from bumps and scrapes, but that is why I wrapped the expensive aluminium case in the first place and to hide the Futaba branding underneath. It has not faded or come un-stuck anywhere. It wasn’t even a special vinyl, just the standard vinyl I still use today
The manufacturer of the vinyl and laminate I use say lifespan of the material is 3 - 5 years if looked after. fluorescent vinyl will fade in 6 to 12 months and un-laminated, printed, standard vinyl will also fade outside fairly quickly.
Will my sticker last 16 years?
Probably not! But hey, I didn’t expect that case to survive 16 years either🤪