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Free samples · 3–5 day air
EUPHORA
Problem Nº 05 of 10
§ Field Problem · Nº 05UV-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.

0
Indoor only
Standard paper, dye-based inkjet. Fades within weeks of indirect sun.

Materials at this level

Uncoated paper, dye inkjet
1
Indirect sun
Behind glass, window-facing, 3–6 months before fade.

Materials at this level

Coated paper, pigment inkjet
2
Short outdoor
Direct sun, 6–12 months. Events, promo, seasonal.

Materials at this level

Vinyl with UV laminate
3
Medium-life outdoor
Direct sun, 1–3 years. Window decals, signage.

Materials at this level

Cast Vinyl, Eco-solvent print
4
Long-life outdoor
Direct sun, 3–5 years. Vehicle wraps, professional signage.

Materials at this level

PET, UV-cure inks on premium vinyl
5
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-04Most 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 Notes · UV-Resistant

Tests every plate had to pass.

01
3 months direct sun (Guangzhou summer)
✓   Minor fade on Vinyl, no fade PET
Vinyl (laminated), PET
02
12 months direct sun, outdoor signage
✓   No fade on PET, slight fade Vinyl
PET, Marine-Grade PET
03
Accelerated UV (1000 hours QUV)
✓   No fade
PET, Marine-Grade PET
04
Salt-spray test (ASTM B117)
✓   No corrosion, no fade
Marine-Grade PET only
05
5-year outdoor (East-facing wall)
✓   Mild yellow on Vinyl, PET intact
PET, Marine-Grade PET

Field Notes

Questions we
get most weeks.

Q. 01
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.
Q. 02
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.
Q. 03
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.
Q. 04
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.

Go deeper

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