Stickers decorate laptops, water bottles, notebooks and car bumpers. They reward children for good work, promote bands and businesses, and let people show off their interests in a small, colorful way. National Sticker Day, on January 13, celebrates all of them. It is the perfect day to start a sticker book, design your own sticker, or finally decide where to put the stickers you have been saving.
History of National Sticker Day
Early versions of stickers existed in the 1800s as gummed labels and paper decorations that had to be moistened before they would stick. Fruit sellers and merchants used them as labels and advertisements.
The modern self-adhesive sticker owes a lot to R. Stanton Avery, an American inventor who developed the first self-adhesive labels in 1935. His company, which became Avery Dennison, made labels that could be peeled from a backing and stuck without water. National Sticker Day is often linked to Avery's birthday, January 13.
In the decades that followed, stickers became part of popular culture. Bumper stickers spread with car culture after World War II, scratch-and-sniff stickers and sticker albums were huge in the 1980s, and today laptop and water-bottle stickers are a popular way for people to express their personality. Artists and small businesses also sell custom sticker designs online.
Why National Sticker Day Matters
Stickers are a cheap and easy way to be creative. They let people show their interests, support causes and personalize everyday objects.
For children, stickers are a simple reward and a fun way to practice fine motor skills, while collectors trade and swap them much like stamps or trading cards.
How to Celebrate National Sticker Day
- Decorate something: add stickers to a notebook, laptop or water bottle.
- Start a sticker book: collect and organize stickers by theme.
- Design your own: create a sticker from your drawing and print it on sticker paper.
- Support an artist: buy stickers from an independent illustrator.
- Leave a positive note: share encouraging stickers with friends or coworkers.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, teams can design a sticker with the team name or a project logo, or use stickers as quick, fun recognition on a shared board. Marketing teams may enjoy a sticker design contest. In classrooms, students can design their own stickers to learn about logos and visual communication, create sticker-based art collages, or use stickers in math for counting and patterns. At home, families can start sticker books with young children, decorate homemade cards, or organize a sticker swap with friends. When decorating, choose removable stickers for furniture and walls so nothing gets damaged.
Fun Facts About National Sticker Day
- R. Stanton Avery developed self-adhesive labels in 1935.
- Scratch-and-sniff stickers were a major craze in the 1980s.
- Many teachers use sticker charts to reward progress.
National Sticker Day FAQs
When is National Sticker Day?
National Sticker Day is January 13.
Who invented the modern sticker?
R. Stanton Avery developed self-adhesive labels in 1935.
How do I remove sticker residue?
Rubbing a little cooking oil or rubbing alcohol on the residue usually loosens it.
How can I make my own stickers?
Draw or design an image, then print it on sticker paper or order custom vinyl stickers online.