National Sticker Day

National Sticker Day is an American holiday dedicated to stickers—those small, colorful images that can be placed on just about any surface. For decades, stickers have delighted both children and adults, and their popularity shows no signs of fading. The holiday is celebrated each year on January 13.

History

While little is known about the origins of National Sticker Day itself, the history of stickers goes back much further. Merchants started using early versions of stickers in the late 19th century to attract customers’ attention to their products. Sometimes they even used chewing gum as an adhesive.

In the early 1900s, a special adhesive was developed, which dried quickly and created a strong bond—this was mainly used for postage stamps. When moistened, the dried adhesive would become sticky again, making these early stickers reusable.

National Sticker Day is celebrated on January 13 in honor of R. Stanton Avery, who was born on this day in 1907. In 1935, Avery invented the modern self-adhesive sticker and went on to found a company that became a leader in the industry. By the time of his death in 1997, his company was valued in the billions.

Today, stickers come in countless designs for everything from industrial use to personal collections. You’ll find stickers featuring cartoon characters, movie icons, anime, cars, greetings, and so much more!

Interesting Facts

• There is evidence that ancient Egyptians used labels resembling modern stickers on wine bottles.
• In the mid-19th century, stickers were used to mark passengers’ luggage on cruise ships, greatly helping with sorting and identification.
• Original adhesive-backed stickers from the late 1800s can fetch around £3,000 (about $3,600) at auction today.

How to Take Part

Pick up some new stickers on National Sticker Day and use them to decorate your belongings or living space. If you know someone who collects stickers, surprise them with a few unique designs!

Share the holiday on social media and talk about your favorite stickers with others. Join the conversation and celebrate this fun, creative tradition.

When is National Sticker Day in 2026?

National Sticker Day is observed on January 13 each year.

Observations