π Printing Guide · Sabah
Roadtax Sticker Printing — Face Out, Face In & Both Sides Explained
By Percetakan CCS · Kota Kinabalu, Sabah · Est. 1991
πͺ Understanding the Windscreen: How the Sticker Sits
Before comparing the three types, note that a roadtax sticker is placed on the inside of the windscreen, facing outward so it’s visible from outside.
This means the sticker serves two viewers: someone outside and someone inside. Who needs to read it correctly determines the print type you should use.
ποΈ The Three Viewing Types
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Face Out View
The design is printed right-reading from outside. Once applied inside the glass, it appears correct when viewed from outside—text reads normally and logos face the right way.
π Where it's used
- JPJ roadtax disc — must be visible & readable by enforcement from outside
- Insurance & road tax renewal stickers
- Parking season pass stickers
- Government vehicle permit decals
- Express toll window stickers
- Product stickers for ice cream display freezers
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Face In View
The design is printed right-reading from inside. Once applied to the inner glass, it reads correctly for the driver, while appearing mirrored from outside.
π Where it's used
- Parking reminder stickers (e.g. "Parking Paid Until 6pm")
- Internal reminder decals for drivers (fuel type, tyre pressure, maintenance dates)
- Ride-hailing driver info stickers (GrabCar, inDrive route reminders)
- Temperature & cargo reminders for delivery vans
- Staff car park level indicators in basement carparks
π↔οΈπ
Both Sides View
Readable from both inside and outside. This uses special double-layer printing—either a normal print plus a mirrored layer, or a double-sided transparent film so both sides are visible through the glass.
π Where it's used
- Shop window promotional stickers — readable by passers-by and staff inside
- Hotel or office lobby glass branding
- Car dealership window price tags — visible to walk-in customers and from the road
- Restaurant glass door promotions
- Glass partition branding in corporate offices
π‘ Quick Reference Summary
- Face Out — outside people read it correctly. Use for official roadtax, permits, compliance decals.
- Face In — driver reads it correctly. Use for internal reminders, personal or driver-facing info.
- Both Sides — everyone reads it correctly. Use for commercial glass branding, shop windows, showroom glass.
β οΈ The Transparent Border — Why You Must NEVER Trim It
This is a common—and costly—mistake. Customers see a clear “empty” border around the design and assume it’s excess material that can be trimmed to make the sticker look neater.
Do not do this.
π« Never Trim the Transparent Border
Cutting into or removing the transparent area around a roadtax sticker will damage or destroy its structural integrity and functional design. Here's exactly why:
- The adhesive extends into the clear zone. The sticky layer isn’t just on the printed area—it extends across the clear border. This full surface ensures a strong, even bond to the glass. Trim it, and you reduce grip, causing edges to lift, bubble, or peel—especially in Sabah’s humid heat.
- Static cling stickers depend on the full surface area. Static cling roadtax stickers (no adhesive) depend on full surface contact to stay in place. The clear border isn’t decorative—it’s the gripping area. Trim it, and the sticker may fall off, especially in heat or direct sunlight.
- It protects the printed design edges. The clear border acts as a buffer, protecting the printed edges from chipping, cracking, or peeling as temperatures change. Without it, the ink is directly exposed to heat, moisture, and vibration.
- It prevents cracking during application. Applying a sticker to curved or uneven glass creates micro-flex stress. The clear border absorbs this. Remove it, and you risk tiny tears at the design edges during installation.
- It is part of the design's safety and readability zone. For official JPJ roadtax and compliance stickers, the clear border keeps key details visible—avoiding obstruction by window frames, tint edges, or water marks. Trimming it can misalign the sticker and make information harder to read.
β‘ The Simple Rule
If the clear border looks distracting, reposition the sticker slightly during application instead of cutting it. The transparent area is more functional than it appears.
π Face Out vs Face In vs Both Sides — Quick Comparison Table
| Feature |
Face Out |
Face In |
Both Sides |
| Readable by |
Outside viewer |
Inside viewer |
Both sides |
| Print orientation |
Normal |
Mirror-flipped |
Normal + mirrored layer |
| Sticky Surface |
Faces inward |
Faces glass |
Faces glass |
| Material complexity |
Standard |
Standard |
Specialised / double layer |
| Typical use |
Roadtax, permits, compliance |
Driver reminders, internal info |
Shop glass, office branding |
| Cost |
Standard |
Standard |
Higher (double process) |
π Wrapping Up
Whether for a personal car, a fleet, or shopfront glass, choosing the right viewing type makes all the difference. Face Out is standard for compliance, Face In suits driver-facing use, and Both Sides is ideal for premium branding.
And always, always leave that transparent border alone.
π Related Products from Percetakan CCS
Need a roadtax sticker or custom windscreen decal for your vehicle or fleet? WhatsApp us with your size, quantity and viewing type — we'll get back to you fast.
π¬ WhatsApp +60 10-503 7607
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