Materials
Are your materials PVC-free, and can I cut them with a laser?
Our vinyl sticker papers contain no PVC: the face is polypropylene-coated film or a paper-based stock. Of our sticker papers, laminates and pouches, only Pro UV is PVC, which gives off hydrogen chloride when lasered: never laser cut it or anything laminated with it. Lasering our sticker paper still makes smoke and fumes: run extraction, test on an offcut, never leave the laser unattended and follow your machine maker’s guidance.
What our sticker papers are made of
Our material composition statement, STK-SS-001, gives every vinyl sticker paper finish a polypropylene-coated film or paper-based face, a water-based pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a paper or polypropylene film liner, depending on the finish.
Our Pro UV range (Gloss & Matte Lamination Films) are the only PVC product in our range. Our Basics, Holographic, Glitter, Cat Eyes, Leather and Cross-Hatch laminates are all polypropylene, so where a PVC-free laminate matters to you, choose one of those.
Laser cutting
PVC gives off hydrogen chloride when it is laser cut, which corrodes the machine and is harmful to breathe, so laser makers say to keep PVC out of the laser. Our sticker papers contain no PVC, but cutting any plastic, paper or adhesive still makes smoke and fumes. This applies to our sheets as supplied: other vinyl sticker paper is often PVC, so check its data sheet.
- Run your machine’s extraction or an air purifier, and never cut in an unventilated room.
- Test on an offcut first: settings differ by finish.
- Never leave the laser unattended: paper and polypropylene can scorch, melt or catch fire.
- Never laser cut Pro UV laminate, or anything laminated with it.
- Follow your machine maker’s material and safety guidance. Our composition statement is not a warranty of fitness for a particular application.
- Materials & Sustainability
Why we keep a PVC laminate, and when to use it?
Pro UV stays in the range for one reason: outdoor durability. Choose it for outdoor use, UV resistance and maximum durability. Choose a polypropylene laminate for everyday indoor work, or where a PVC-free material matters to you.
It applies by hand, cold laminator or roller, with no heat laminator needed. The adhesive is permanent acrylic, the film is water-resistant, and it is rated for indoor and limited outdoor use.
- Independently lab tested to EU RoHS substance limits for heavy metals and phthalates, including DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP, and backed by manufacturer REACH and RoHS declarations.
Disposing of Pro UV
PVC is not compatible with polypropylene or polyethylene recycling streams and is treated as a contaminant in mixed plastics collections. Prints finished with Pro UV go in general waste unless a local PVC-accepting route is available. The paper release liner can go to a dedicated liner recycling service, but not household paper collections.
This is one answer from the Stickiply help centre, built from the questions customers email us.