The Evolution of Custom Bumper Stickers: From Horse-Drawn Carriages to Digital Printing

Custom bumper stickers have become a ubiquitous part of our culture, adorning the backs of cars and conveying messages ranging from political slogans to personal statements. However, the journey of bumper stickers dates back further than you might think, with their roots reaching back to the early days of automobiles and even horse-drawn carriages.

The Era Before Bumpers: Advertising on Horse-Drawn Carriages Long before the advent of bumpers on cars, people found creative ways to advertise on their horse-drawn carriages. The concept of turning one’s mode of transportation into a mobile billboard has been a part of human history since before the 1900s.

Bumpers Enter the Scene with Ford’s Model A: 1927 The introduction of bumpers to cars came with the release of Ford’s Model A in 1927. However, it took a little while before the idea of custom bumper stickers emerged. Before stickers, people improvised with cardboard signs attached to their bumpers using strings and ropes—a makeshift solution that didn’t withstand the elements.

Ray Stanton Avery and the Birth of Modern Stickers: 1930s Ray Stanton Avery is credited with creating the modern sticker by developing the first pressure-sensitive labels. This innovation laid the groundwork for the birth of custom bumper stickers, offering a more durable and weather-resistant alternative to cardboard signs.

Forrest P. Gill’s “Bumper Strips”: 1940s In the 1940s, Forrest P. Gill took adhesive-backed paper and fluorescent paint, combining them to create what could be considered the first-ever bumper sticker. Known as “bumper strips” at the time, this marked the beginning of the commercialization of custom bumper stickers.

Tourism and Political Campaigns Embrace Bumper Stickers: 1950s The tourism industry was quick to adopt custom bumper stickers as a means of advertising. Resort staff would affix stickers to visitors’ cars, turning them into mobile advertisements. Political campaigns also recognized the potential of bumper stickers during the 1952 Dwight D. Eisenhower and Adlai Stevenson Presidential Election.

Evolution of Printing Methods: Flexography to Digital Printing Early bumper stickers were handmade and messy. Flexography, a method dating back to 1890, became popular in the 1950s, allowing for quicker production. Screen printing, introduced by James Black in the 1960s, became the standard until the 1990s when digital sticker printing revolutionized the industry. This method, using computers to send artwork to printers, is efficient and versatile, accommodating both short-run and long-run orders.

Bumper Stickers Today: Diverse, Personal, and Enduring In the present day, custom bumper stickers are a staple in various industries. They continue to be a prominent form of political advertising and are used by religious groups, individuals expressing personal beliefs, and for communication on the road. Available in various shapes, sizes, and materials, these stickers have evolved into a dynamic means of expression, loved by many and, perhaps, disliked by some. Regardless of personal opinions, one thing is clear: custom bumper stickers have secured their place in our culture and are here to stay.