Where to Place Car Decals

People love car decals for all sorts of reasons; from adding a touch of personality to your vehicle, to showing off social media handles, or even using a company car for on the-go marketing. 

But whether you’re new to car decals or you’re a seasoned sticker bomber, one commonly asked question is: where should I place my car decals? While you can technically stick them anywhere, some placements work better than others, and the placement you choose may dictate the actual decal you get, especially if you want them to stay secure and stand out.

In this guide, we’ll break down key tips for popular car decal placements, how to get the best results, and different decals for specific areas on your car. 

 

Different Kinds of Car Decal Placement

There are a few main factors to consider when choosing car decal placement, such as how visible you’d like your decal to be, and what kind of decal you’re working with. 

Some decals are designed with specific placement locations in mind, for example:

 

• Door banner stickers
• Windshield banner stickers
• Quarter windows decals

 

Others, however, are normally smaller decals and have a bit more flexibility regarding where they can be placed. Popular choices include the bumper, bonnet, rear windshield, quarter windows, and even the external mirrors. 

If you’re not sure what size suits each area, check out our blog on what is a good size for a car decal for more info. 

 

Car Decal Placements for Business Promotion

When it comes to promoting your business, choose car decal placements that can be easily seen when your car is parked up or on the road. 

Whether you want to display your brand name, logo, contact details (like a phone number), or social media handles, custom decals on your car are a great way to make your brand look professional while giving you the best possible ROI. 

We believe that every business can benefit from using your car as a promotional tool – but if you’re wondering where to place car decals for promotion, choose options like: 

 

• Door banners: A popular choice for tradies, fleet vehicles, or businesses with delivery services, like bakeries. 
• Rear windshield: Prime real estate for branding – anyone driving behind you will see your brand loud and clear. 
• Quarter window stickers: These are a slightly more subtle choice, yet still a great place for some visible branding. Choose this spot for social media handles or contact details.

 

Where Not to Place Car Decals

While you can technically put a sticker anywhere, there are a few places we tend to recommend avoiding. Firstly, try not to place over scratches or damaged paint, as this could peel off more paint when removed. 

We also recommend not fitting decals over curved edges unless they are specifically designed for that area because they could wrinkle and lift over time. 

And finally, this one sounds obvious, but avoid sticking large stickers over car door windows or windshields, unless it’s specifically designed as a window banner, as these could block your visibility while driving. 

 

Tips for Applying Stickers

Once you’ve chosen your perfect spot and ordered the right decal, it’s time to stick it down. We go into more detail in this blog about how to apply a car decal, but here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

 

1. Clean the surface with a microfibre towel and surface cleaner. 
2. Position it with masking tape to test how it looks first
3. Once you’ve chosen the perfect car decal placement, remove the backing and stick it down. 
4. Use a vinyl squeegee tool to secure it and push out any bubbles. 
5. Remove the top film, and avoid washing your car for 24 hours to help it.

 

Need some tips on how to remove stickers safely? Check out our blog on how to remove a car decal.

 

Stick with a Brand that Gets it Right

At IVD Vinyl Co, we don’t just sell stickers. We live and breathe car culture. That’s why every decal we make is cut with precision, made with premium vinyl, and built to last. Whether you’re building your brand, expressing your personality, or going all out with a custom design, we can turn your vision into a reality. 

Now you know where to place your car decals, check out our full-service custom vinyl printing for brand promotion and unique designs, or check out our styles online.