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October 2020 - Antique Shoppe - 5
MODERN LAPTOP STICKERS MAY BE A COLLECTIBLE THAT STICKS
By William Flood
Stickers are hot right now, process for retaining a smell in Digital printing, in use by the quantities printed “on-demand.” The
particularly with college and high- scented ink. That led to the creation late 1990s, laid the foundation process made promotional stickers
school students. Commonly referred of scratch-and-sniff stickers which for today’s sticker craze. Digital available to even the smallest of
to as laptop stickers, you’ll find were first used by educators. The printing is speedier and much companies.
them on everything from water scented stickers remained popular less costly than traditional offset There is a clear demand for these
bottles to phone cases; and, if you into the 1980s. printing, and allows for minimal stickers, particularly from the tech
plant yourself at a local coffee shop, generation. Among the student
you’ll see laptops plastered with populations, laptops are ubiquitous
stickers promoting everything from and laptop stickers provide a cheap
popular merchandise to athletic outlet for individualizing one’s
teams. computer and letting the world
While there are a number of know who they are. In short, they
interpretations as to when the sticker provide a sense of identity.
was invented, some pointing as far In the patchwork of stickers
back as ancient Egypt. The most decking one’s laptop lid, a student
plausible account is with R. Stanton can tell the world about what’s
Avery, the founder of the popular important to them - which causes
Avery Labels, who in 1935 invented they support, what their favorite
the first self-adhesive label with brands and forms of entertainment
a peel-off back. are, or even tout where they’ve
Today’s stickers often traveled. A single sticker can
serve as business cards, become a great conversation starter.
given out at restaurants, On the supply side, the stickers
destinations, and even for are everywhere. They can be
upcoming movies. This role picked up free at events and
of stickers as marketing tools popular establishments.
isn’t particularly new. Vintage Boutique stores often sell
crate labels, often sought by them and they make good
today’s ephemera collectors, inexpensive gifts. Many
were used in the late 19th are purchased on sites
and early 20th-century to like Redbubble and Etsy,
identify produce boxes. e-commerce platforms
Using full-color that provide outlets for
lithography, the labels independent artists to sell
would advertise the their work. A quick snapshot
company, the crate’s of sticker offerings on Redbubble
contents, and usually uncovered hundreds of choices
have a clever slogan - all ranging from indie band ones to
to make the box stand out at public those for popular video games.
markets. If you have a mind to, collecting
Bumper stickers, popular during Some stickers, like the Columbus Blue Jackets promote laptop stickers is an affordable
the late 1960s and 1970s, like popular sports teams. Others promoting popular spots, (if not free) hobby. But, like any
today’s stickers were also popular like the one from Max’s South Seas Hideaway in Michigan, modern collectible, the payoff is
with a young demographic. They are prized collectibles. Many restaurants give out laptop years down the road. Sticker value
were promotional, too, advertising stickers for building their brand. The VW Bug is one of many will ultimately be determined by
stickers sold at various boutique stores across the country.
everything from travel destinations age, popularity and/or uniqueness,
to political campaigns and even and condition. One interesting
popular bands of the era. facet to sticker collecting is, there’s
In the 1960s and 70s, the Topps really no way to salvage a used
Company started combining sticker. Thus, all those now stuck
stickers and bubble gum similar to laptops and water bottles will
to baseball card packs. Known as ultimately be lost to time. On the
Wacky packs, the stickers spoofed flipside, collectible stickers (almost
well-known products like cereals by definition) remain unused. That
and soups. Popular items like Del equates to a collection that should
Monte Tomatoes became DeMented be in naturally good condition. And,
Rotten Tomatoes; and, Swiss Miss storing, protecting, and displaying
hot cocoa devolved into Swiss Mess, the collection is a snap; albums are
Thrills and Spills in every cup! The readily available as are the archival-
parodies were so popular that they quality sleeves to go inside.
outsold Topps baseball cards in the Each year, on National Sticker
1970s. Day (January 13), you can
Also in the 1960s, a chemist celebrate, share, and grow that
working at 3-M discovered a collection.
