18/09/2026

Black metal drinking bottle with a UV DTF rub-on sticker, with the words rub-on stickers across it

Rub-on stickers or vinyl stickers? Which to use when

Rub-on stickers are printed designs that you rub onto smooth, firm surfaces without a press and without heat. Only the design remains, with no film edge around it, as if it had been printed directly onto glass, metal or plastic. We print them as UV DTF transfers for business customers, from a single piece. In this article, you will learn what sets rub-on stickers apart from vinyl, what they are suitable for in your business, which surfaces they adhere to and how to apply and remove them.

What are rub-on stickers and how do they differ from vinyl?

A rub-on sticker is a self-adhesive UV DTF transfer. The design sits on a transfer film. You place it on the object, rub it on firmly and peel off the film. Only the printed design remains.

Structure: colours in CMYK, an opaque white layer underneath and a glossy protective varnish on top (with UV DTF Standard).
No film edge: no visible sticker edge, free-standing designs without weeding.
Weatherproof and UV-resistant.
No press: You need neither heat nor any tool apart from a squeegee.

The difference from a vinyl sticker: A vinyl sticker is a printed film that sticks to the object. When laminated, it is weatherproof too. With a rub-on sticker, only the ink is bonded to the material, there is no film or anything similar.

Bonds with the material: Because only ink sits on the object, the sticker bonds really well with the surface.
Subtle 3D effect: UV DTF is slightly raised, especially Standard with its glossy varnish.
Looks premium: really attractive on the surface, with a pleasant feel.
Durable: weatherproof and UV-resistant.
Easy to apply: rub it on, peel off the transfer film, done. No film is left on the object.

What business customers use rub-on stickers for

Promotional items: logos on bottles, tins, pens, lighters and other giveaways.
Product labelling: lettering and logos on devices, machines and housings.
Packaging: premium boxes, tins and bottles, with Matt also without gloss.
Hospitality and events: glasses, carafes and decorations with a logo, kept away from the drinking rim.
Sign making: signs, glass panes, shop windows and car windows.
Retail: decorated gift and decor items made of glass, ceramics or metal for resale.

Aluminium sign of a bakery with a free-standing UV DTF rub-on sticker, pretzel, wheat ears and the lettering Backhaus Sonne without a film edge

Which surfaces do rub-on stickers adhere to?

Adheres	Does not adhere
glass and mirrors, clear or frosted	car paint
ceramics and porcelain	silicone and oily surfaces
metal, brushed or painted	heavily textured or flexible surfaces
hard plastic, including rigid PVC	special coatings
smooth leather	cardboard
painted or sealed wood	textiles (for these, there are DTF transfers)
car windows
stone

Clean the surface so that it is free of grease and dust, a glass cleaner is enough.
Test materials and coatings you do not know yet before a larger run.
Drinkware: UV DTF is not food-safe. Keep the design away from the drinking rim and wash by hand, there is no general approval for the dishwasher.

Standard, Matt or Transparent?

Feature	UV DTF Standard	UV DTF Matt	UV DTF Transparent
Surface	glossy, with protective varnish	no gloss, low reflection	with protective varnish
White underneath	yes, opaque	yes, opaque	no, the surface shows through
Suits	bold logos, also on dark objects	packaging, devices, signs, understated brands	glass and light surfaces

Transparent is not suitable for opaque logos on dark objects.

Your own UV printer or have them printed?

If you need rub-on stickers regularly, at some point you will consider buying your own UV printer. With us, you get the same rub-on stickers without a machine of your own. There is a suitable format for every situation, all from a single piece and with no minimum order value, with tiered prices for larger quantities.

Single design: You upload a design and enter the quantity, and we build the sheet. Ideal for logos on promotional items. Example: €0.42 for a design measuring 100 x 100 mm.
A4 and A3: for individual orders, samples and small groups of designs.
Half metre (560 x 500 mm) and full metre (560 x 1000 mm): for series and mixed designs.
UV DTF custom length: 560 mm wide, 10 cm to 3 m long, and you pay for exactly your length.
Rub-On Designer: You put together your sheet for UV DTF Standard online, with PDF, PNG or JPG.
Express: Standard, Matt and Transparent are also available as Express. If payment and error-free files reach us by 11:00 German time (up to 10 metres by 14:00), we produce on the same working day and, with express shipping, dispatch your parcel the same day.

Print files: PDF or PNG with one page, 300 dpi, CMYK, details from 0.4 mm, transparent background, around 10 mm of space between the designs, not mirrored. For A4, A3, the half and the full metre and the custom length, you will find a suitable template on the product page. You match colours with the UV DTF colour chart. More in Setting up print files correctly.

UV DTF single design

Example: €0.42

per design 100 x 100 mm

Prices excl. VAT plus shipping costs

Configure now

UV DTF A4

From €3.40

sheet 210 x 297 mm

Prices excl. VAT plus shipping costs

Configure now

UV DTF full metre

From €12.60

by the metre, 560 x 1000 mm

Prices excl. VAT plus shipping costs

Configure now

Applying and removing rub-on stickers

Clean the surface so that it is free of grease and dust, a glass cleaner is enough.
Cut out the design with a small margin and place it on the object, still on its transfer film.
Rub it on evenly and firmly with a squeegee, from the centre outwards.
Slowly peel off the transfer film. A little warmth makes it easier.

Removing: With warmth, the sticker can be loosened again, and a squeegee helps to lift it off.