Everyone loves stickers – they are a great way to show off your style and personality. From water bottles to laptops, stickers and decals are an easy way to display some great artwork. One of the best ways to use stickers is to personalize your truck or car. These stick-on accessories are a great way to bring a little flair to your vehicle and even let others know what’s important to you.
But did you know that stickers have had a storied past and have experienced an evolution of their own? In this blog post, we will take a deep dive into the fun history and interesting evolution of stickers and decals, from bumper to tailgate.
A Brief History of Car Stickers and Decals
Before car and truck stickers and decals became popular in the 1950s and 60s, they had been around for a long time already. Stickers as we know them were invented in 1839 when adhesive paper first came on the scene. Originally made for the US Postal Service as the first postage stamps, these first stickers were the precursor for the more well-known stickers of today.
After stickers found success at the USPS, the Office of Price Administration (OPA), began using them in 1942 during World War II. The OPA used stickers to track gasoline usage during the war and its corresponding ration program. Each car had a sticker that dictated the vehicle’s allotted gasoline usage.
After World War II, car manufacturers used decals to display their logos. As car culture and consumerism really started to take off in the 50s and 60s, many car enthusiasts began utilizing bumper stickers to show off their love for a hobby and the cars they drove. The love for using car stickers and truck stickers has only grown since then and continues to be a popular way for people to show off what they love while they drive.
After the initial wave of incorporating car stickers and truck stickers into pop culture, people began using stickers to express themselves more and more. By the 1970s, car stickers and truck stickers became modes of expressing beliefs, thoughts, and opinions. Some were humorous quips and political statements, while others were various pop culture references.
Car and truck stickers also became very popular with American colleges and universities. Putting your school’s logo or slogan sticker has become a common way to show school pride. Many people also use car and truck stickers to show pride in their car itself or something they love to do. Stickers can be a badge to represent a larger community you are a part of, whether that be a hobby-based community or maybe the place you’re from.
Funny and Cool Bumper and Car Sticker Sayings
Funny Bumper Stickers
- “Adults on board. We want to live too”
- “I’m not speeding, I’m qualifying.”
- “Honk if you love peace and quiet.”
- “My other car is a time machine.”
Vintage Bumper Stickers
- “Keep on truckin’.”
- “Have a Nice Day”
- “I brake for garage sales.”
Cute Bumper Stickers
- “Pawsitive vibes only.”
- “Fueled by coffee and kindness.”
- “Hakuna Matata.”
For Truck Lovers
- “You Can Go Fast. I Can Go Anywhere”
- “Truck Yeah!”
- “I’d rather be muddin’.”
Classic Car Fans
- “Oldie but goodie.”
- “Vintage soul, classic ride.”
- “Life is too short for boring cars.”
VWs Bumper Stickers
- “Peace, Love, and VW.”
- “Home is where you park your VW.”
- “VW drivers have more fun.”
Race Cars Bumper Stickers
- “Race it, break it, fix it, repeat.”
- “Eat, sleep, race, repeat.”
- “Racing is life, everything else is just waiting.”
Female-Focused Bumper Stickers
- “Girls just wanna have fun…driving!”
- “This girl can drive!”
- “Like a girl? Try keeping up!”
Car Stickers and Decal Options
Stickers and decals have begun to migrate away from the bumper to the tailgate in recent years. Particularly with truck drivers, more and more drivers are using personalized stickers and decals to decorate their vehicles in new and exciting ways. The tailgate has become the new place for sticker and decal enthusiasts. From hunting and fishing motifs to witty sayings, there is a way for everyone to put a personal twist on their vehicle.
Our favorite car or truck stickers always show off the driver’s personal style and how they roll, and our new “This Is How I Roll” truck sticker does just that! Show off your love for your vehicle, whether it be new, retro, or just plain old awesome. This brilliant sticker is available now, along with the rest of our collection for Jeep and truck lovers.
Car lovers know best that new isn’t always better, and old isn’t a bad word. What better way to let people know that you’re not old, just classic, than with our “I’m Not Old, I’m Classic” car sticker? This witty sticker is part of our larger merch collection for classic car lovers available on our website.
If driving or racing is not only a big part of your life—it is your life, we have the collection to let your passion ring loud and clear. Our “Race Hair Don’t Care” stickers or “Eat, Sleep, Drive” stickers are both some of our favorite sayings. These stickers are sure to spark a smile on others’ faces as they drive by.
With our custom collection of car and truck stickers, you are sure to find something to fit your personality and vehicle. Stickers are a fun way to show off your passions and let everyone know what you love. Don’t hesitate to start decking out your car or truck!
Why Use Car Stickers?
Besides showing off what you love with car stickers, bumper stickers can also help you identify your car among the rest. Trying to find your car within a crowded parking lot or street is always more difficult than you want it to be. Try using car stickers or truck stickers to make your vehicle stand out in the crowd. While being easier to find, your ride now might just also be the best-looking car in the lot.
Bumper stickers can make people smile, too. Something as simple as reminding people to be thankful in their life or to stay positive never fails to bring a smile to someone’s face. It might not just be a positive statement; maybe it’s a great joke that another driver can enjoy while passing you on the road. Pop culture references or “memes” are always a fun addition to cars and trucks. Fun little messages on bumper stickers are another aspect of larger car culture. In fact, people might even strike up a conversation if they like your bumper sticker enough!
Another reason to use bumper stickers is that they might even help other drivers keep a safe driving distance from your car. Driving can be tedious, and drivers aren’t always paying attention 100% of the time. Having a bumper sticker may pull a driver’s attention back to the road and help them avoid getting too close to your car and causing a potential accident.
Car Stickers and Culture
Over the decades, car culture is something that has become synonymous with American culture. Car culture was born out of consumerism in the 1950s and 60s but has grown into more than just buying new cars. A car is the mode of transport for people and things first and foremost, but it is also an integral part of many car enthusiasts’ identities. The purchase and ownership of a car is more than owning the vehicle itself; it becomes part of your life in more ways than one.
Personalizing your car is one way that represents the way cars are a part of our lives. However, when personalizing your vehicle with stickers or decals, you don’t have to commit forever. Choosing a paint color or wheel type for your car is a big decision because you will have it for a while. With stickers, you can change them out as you please. They are a small addition to your ride that makes a big difference but doesn’t have to be permanent if you don’t want it to be.
Car and Truck Sticker FAQs
Like any decision you make for your vehicle, you want to know all the important details. Stickers and decals are a great addition to any car or truck, but make sure you know how to apply them correctly without leaving any damage after removal.
Car and Truck Stickers: Personalization with Style
Stickers and decals have made it a long way since their modest beginnings in the US Postal Service. Today, they are a fun way to make a big difference and add a little something fun to your car or truck while showing off your interests and hobbies. Expressing yourself through stickers on your vehicles is also another way to show that you are part of a larger community. Whether that be the fishing and hunting community or your alma mater, it is a reminder that you’re part of something bigger than you and your car.
Don’t be afraid to deck out your ride and let everyone know what passions and hobbies drive you. Personalize it using car and truck stickers to truly make it your own!
Alice Trellakis is a 26-year-old University of Illinois alumni residing in Chicagoland. She has carved a successful career as a digital advertising saleswoman at Google, where she thrives on utilizing her strategic mindset and passion for technology to drive impactful results for clients. With her deep knowledge of the digital landscape and keen understanding of market trends, Alice has consistently exceeded expectations and achieved exceptional sales growth.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Alice is also an influential figure in the fitness community. Her Instagram page, with a dedicated focus on fitness content, has amassed an impressive following of 354K followers. Through her posts and stories, Alice shares her fitness journey, offering tips, workout routines, and motivational content to inspire and empower her audience. Her genuine passion for health and wellness shines through her engaging and relatable posts, making her a trusted voice in the online fitness sphere.
In addition to her accomplishments, Alice also boasts six years of writing experience as an author, collaborating with a diverse range of digital brands. Through her compelling and engaging writing style, she has effectively conveyed brand stories, developed captivating content, and strengthened brand presence across various digital platforms. Alice’s passion for writing, combined with her expertise in digital advertising and fitness, has allowed her to establish a unique and multifaceted professional portfolio. Whether she is working as a digital advertising saleswoman at Google or creating captivating content as an author, Alice continues to showcase her versatility, talent, and commitment to delivering exceptional results in every endeavor she undertakes.
