Problem Nº 05 of 10

§ Field Problem · Nº 05 UV-Resistant

“I need a label that
survives the sun.”

Outdoor durability is a function of two things: the substrate and the ink chemistry. Most UV failures are actually ink failures — dye-based inks fade in weeks. The right combination lasts five years.

Find my material → UV Sample Pack

The Euphora scale

Levels,
measured not marketed.

Manufacturers love absolute claims. We made a scale because “uv-resistant” means different things in different jobs. Pick the level your job actually requires.

Indoor only

Standard paper, dye-based inkjet. Fades within weeks of indirect sun.

Materials at this level

Uncoated paper, dye inkjet

Indirect sun

Behind glass, window-facing, 3–6 months before fade.

Materials at this level

Coated paper, pigment inkjet

Short outdoor

Direct sun, 6–12 months. Events, promo, seasonal.

Materials at this level

Vinyl with UV laminate

Medium-life outdoor

Direct sun, 1–3 years. Window decals, signage.

Materials at this level

Cast Vinyl, Eco-solvent print

Long-life outdoor

Direct sun, 3–5 years. Vehicle wraps, professional signage.

Materials at this level

PET, UV-cure inks on premium vinyl

Industrial / marine

Direct sun, salt spray, 5–10 years. Equipment markers, marine.

Materials at this level

Specialty PET with UV-stabilised laminate

The Recommended Set

Materials that
passed every test.

V-04 Most ordered

Cast Vinyl with UV Laminate

3 / 5

Vehicle wraps, window decals, outdoor signage

MOQ: 100 sheets
From: From $0.48 / sheet

F-04

PET (Long-Life)

4 / 5

Professional signage, equipment markers, durable branding

MOQ: 500 sheets
From: From $0.72 / sheet

F-06

Marine-Grade PET

5 / 5

Marine applications, industrial outdoor, regulated signage

MOQ: 1000 sheets
From: From $1.20 / sheet

Lab Report · UV-Resistant

Tests every plate had to pass.

3 months direct sun (Guangzhou summer)

✓ Minor fade on Vinyl, no fade PET

Vinyl (laminated), PET

12 months direct sun, outdoor signage

✓ No fade on PET, slight fade Vinyl

PET, Marine-Grade PET

Accelerated UV (1000 hours QUV)

✓ No fade

PET, Marine-Grade PET

Salt-spray test (ASTM B117)

✓ No corrosion, no fade

Marine-Grade PET only

5-year outdoor (East-facing wall)

✓ Mild yellow on Vinyl, PET intact

PET, Marine-Grade PET

Field Notes

Questions we
get most weeks.

How long will my Etsy holographic sticker last outdoors?: Holographic Inkjet Sticker Paper without laminate: 3–6 months direct sun. With UV laminate: 12–24 months. For permanent outdoor, use Holographic Vinyl.
Why do my outdoor stickers turn yellow?: PVC vinyl yellows under UV without protective laminate. Specify a UV-stabilised cast vinyl, or step up to PET, which doesn't yellow.
What about vehicle wraps?: Cast Vinyl with UV laminate is the industry standard for vehicle wraps. Eco-solvent or UV-cure ink is required for outdoor durability.
Are there sun-resistant inks for home inkjet?: Yes — pigment-based inkjet inks (Epson EcoTank, Canon Pixma Pro) survive 2–3× longer than dye-based inks outdoors. Dye-based fades in weeks.

Press Run

Test it in
your own sun.

Sample packs ship 3–5 day air to qualified buyers. Test the material in your real environment, with your real product, before committing.

UV Sample Pack → Open Advisor

“I need a label that survives the sun.”

Cast Vinyl with UV Laminate

PET (Long-Life)

Marine-Grade PET

Tests every plate had to pass.

Test it in your own sun.

“I need a label that
survives the sun.”

Test it in
your own sun.