Addressing the weak point in the LEGO universe is essential when discussing LEGO investments. No topic among LEGO enthusiasts is more unanimous than the use of printed pieces or stickers on LEGO sets. For instance, most sets in the Friends theme feature printed bricks and pieces, while sets in the 4 Juniors series solely include printed individual bricks and parts.
It is certainly understandable that The LEGO Group does not want to impose stickers on this young target group. Again, the expensive front-runner LEGO Set No. 75192-1 Millennium Falcon, which has an MSRP of 799.99 USD, only comes with stickers. Many LEGO fans and collectors take issue with this.
The arguments for and against LEGO stickers
The main arguments for or against LEGO stickers and printed single bricks or parts can be summarized as follows:
- On the one hand, printed elements are seen as price drivers. On the other hand, most buyers are willing to pay more for printed parts.
- A sticker rarely comes alone. If a sticker is needed, it is often joined by other stickers. The background to this is the effort and printing costs involved in producing sticker sheets.
- The adhesion of LEGO stickers is often doubted. This is not least because many adults of today find heavily worn parts with stickers in their old LEGO collections. According to The LEGO Group, sticker adhesion has evolved significantly in recent decades.
- Stickers are less able to tolerate direct sunlight.
- Stickers are difficult to position. Customers complain about sheer application, unsightly bubbles, as well as sticking in the wrong orientation or on non-planar elements.
- For value and longevity, printed singles are simply better.
- Printed parts are usually difficult to reuse (e.g. with own designs or MOC’s).
- For a premium product, which Lego wants to be, printed pieces should be standard.
- Color deviations between single brick and sticker are unavoidable. Only rarely does The LEGO Group succeed in matching the colors of the stickers to the underlying single brick or part.
Summary and my thoughts
Stickers are above all one thing: a matter of taste. It is particularly advantageous that there is no compulsion for stickers. You can simply omit them, which is certainly to the detriment of the overall look of the LEGO set. Likewise, stickers can be removed even after years and the individual bricks or parts can be used elsewhere. Of course, after removing the stickers are rarely further to use.
One thing is indisputable, that both stickers and printed elements visibly increase the richness of detail of a LEGO set. There are also more and more competitors who exclusively use printed parts. Therefore, the topic will remain particularly exciting in the coming years, to what extent The LEGO Group will be impressed by this behavior of the competition or will take action itself.
A statistical evaluation of LEGO sets with stickers and/or printed individual bricks and parts is not the scope of this analysis. The individual recording of these seems too costly and so far there is no documentation about which LEGO sets use printed individual bricks and parts as well as stickers.
Furthermore, it is highly doubtful that stickers or printed bricks and parts have a noticeable impact on the performance of LEGO sets. Nor is it possible to say whether people decide against buying a LEGO set because it comes with (the less desirable) stickers. You can read again and again in posts or forums that people boycott a LEGO set because of the stickers, but the number should be vanishingly small.
FAQ
Why does LEGO use sticker instead of printing?
Let us look at some of the arguments:
– On the one hand, printed elements are seen as price drivers. — On the other hand, most buyers are willing to pay more for printed parts.
– A sticker rarely comes alone. If a sticker is needed, it is often joined by other stickers. The background to this is the effort and printing costs involved in producing sticker sheets.
How long do LEGO stickers last?
LEGO Sticker are incredibly strong and leaves no glue when removed. When stored properly, LEGO stickers can be kept for several years. However, sunlight should be avoided to prevent the sticker from fading.
Do LEGO stickers affect the LEGO investment?
It is highly doubtful that stickers or printed bricks and parts have a noticeable impact on the performance of LEGO sets. Nor is it possible to say whether people decide against buying a LEGO set because it comes with (the less desirable) stickers. You can read again and again in posts or forums that people boycott a LEGO set because of the stickers, but the number should be vanishingly small.
You are interested in LEGO as an investment? Then have a look at our article about investment costs or licenses.
What do you think about LEGO stickers and printings? Let us know in the comments!
