Why printed magnets still earn their place
A printed magnet is one of the few pieces of marketing people choose to keep on display. A takeaway menu on the fridge, a plumber's number on the side of the washing machine, a save-the-date that sits on the fridge door for six months. For businesses with vans and cars, a magnetic door sign turns a private vehicle into a work vehicle in the morning and back again in the evening, without vinyl or paint.
Magnets look simple, but the material choice matters a great deal. The same printed artwork can work perfectly as a fridge magnet and fail badly as a car sign. This guide covers the main types of printed magnets, how they are made, how to pick the right magnetic sheet thickness and what to watch for with vehicle magnets.
How printed magnets are made
Almost all printed magnets use flexible magnetic sheet: a rubbery material filled with magnetic particles, supplied on rolls or in sheets. There are two common ways to print them.
- Direct print on white-faced magnetic sheet. The magnetic sheet has a white printable surface bonded to it. The design is printed straight onto that face with UV or solvent inks, then cut to shape. This is efficient for runs of fridge magnets and simple shapes.
- Printed vinyl mounted onto magnetic sheet. The design is printed on adhesive vinyl, often with a laminate on top, and then applied to plain magnetic sheet. This is the usual method for vehicle magnets and anything that faces sun and rain, because the laminate protects the print.
Small runs are often cut on a digital cutting table, which can follow any outline. Large runs of a standard shape may be die-cut, which is faster per piece once the cutting forme is made. Paper printed and laminated onto thin magnet is also used for low-cost promotional magnets, such as calendar magnets sent by post.
Choosing magnetic sheet thickness
Thickness is the main decision, and it controls both holding strength and cost. Sheet is often quoted in millimetres or in mil (thousandths of an inch).
| Thickness | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| About 0.3 mm (12 mil) | Promotional fridge magnets, business card magnets, mailers | Light and cheap to post. Holds itself, but not much more. |
| About 0.5 mm (20 mil) | Thicker fridge magnets, calendar magnets, magnets that hold a sheet of paper | Noticeably stronger and stiffer. A good all-round promotional choice. |
| About 0.76 mm (30 mil) | Vehicle door signs, magnetic signs on steel doors and equipment | The standard for car magnets. Strong enough to stay on at road speed when used correctly. |
Ask your printer which thicknesses they stock, as exact figures vary slightly between suppliers. If the magnet only needs to hold itself on a fridge, thinner is fine and saves money. If it needs to hold a photo, a note or stay on a moving car, go thicker.
Fridge magnets and promotional magnets
Fridge magnets work best when they are useful, not just decorative. A magnet that someone needs to look at keeps your name in front of them.
- Takeaway and delivery menus. A short menu or "order online" with a QR code.
- Emergency trades. Plumbers, electricians, locksmiths and pest control, with one clear phone number.
- Calendars and schedules. A yearly calendar, a sports fixture list or bin collection days.
- Save-the-date magnets. Weddings and events, often in a custom shape with a photo.
- Appointment reminders. Dentists, vets and salons with a space to write the next date.
For writable magnets, the surface needs a matte laminate or uncoated face that takes pen. A gloss finish looks bright but smudges. Custom shapes are popular: houses for estate agents, teeth for dentists, a pizza slice for a takeaway. Keep the outline simple, with no thin spikes that can tear or curl.
Magnets are often ordered alongside other promotional giveaways. Our article on printing on promotional items covers the methods used on pens, bags and drinkware.
Vehicle magnets: what makes them stay on
Magnetic car signs are a practical option for sole traders, delivery drivers and anyone who uses a personal car for work. They need a little more care than a fridge magnet.
Check the panel first
Magnets only stick to steel. Many modern cars use aluminium, plastic or fibreglass for some or all body panels, especially doors, bonnets and tailgates. Test the exact spot with a fridge magnet before you order. Panels must also be reasonably flat. Strong curves, deep body lines, mouldings and trim strips break the contact and let air get under the edge.
Size and shape
- Measure the flat area of the door, leaving a gap from handles, trim and body lines.
- Rounded corners are standard. Square corners lift more easily at speed.
- Larger magnets hold better than you might expect, because more surface is in contact, but they must still sit flat.
Care and safety
- Apply to a clean, dry, wax-free surface. Dirt under the magnet reduces grip and can mark the paint.
- Remove the magnet regularly, ideally every few days, clean both surfaces and let them dry. Moisture trapped underneath for a long time can affect the paint.
- Take magnets off before a car wash and in very strong winds.
- Store them flat, never rolled tightly or folded. A creased magnet will not sit flat again.
- Check the edges before each drive. If an edge lifts, air gets underneath at speed and the magnet can come off.
For signs that need to stay on for years, or on non-steel vehicles, cut vinyl or printed vinyl graphics are the better option. Our article on vinyl decals and window graphics explains the adhesive choices.
Artwork tips for printed magnets
- Bleed. Add 2 to 3 mm of background past the cut line so no white edge shows after cutting.
- Safe area. Keep text at least 3 to 5 mm inside the edge.
- Readability for vehicles. A car sign is read from several metres away in a few seconds. Use a large business name, one service line and one phone number or web address. Skip small print.
- Colour outdoors. Inks fade in strong sun over time. A laminate with UV protection helps a vehicle magnet keep its colour. For more on how materials age outside, see our guide to durable label materials.
- Cut lines. For custom shapes, supply the outline as a separate vector path on its own layer.
A note on magnets and children
Flexible sheet magnets are much weaker than the small rare-earth magnets found in some toys and gadgets. Even so, small promotional magnets can be a choking hazard for young children. If you are giving magnets out at family events or schools, choose a sensible size and check any labelling rules for promotional items in your market.
Ordering printed magnets with us
We print fridge magnets, calendar magnets, save-the-date magnets and vehicle door signs in thicknesses from thin promotional sheet to heavy vehicle-grade magnet. Through our business printing service you can choose custom shapes, matte or gloss laminates and writable surfaces, and we will check your artwork for bleed, safe area and readability before printing.
For vehicle magnets, send us the make and model of the vehicle and the measurements of the flat area you want to use, and we will suggest a size that sits clear of handles and body lines. If you are not sure which thickness suits your project, ask for samples. Holding a 0.3 mm and a 0.76 mm magnet side by side settles the question in about two seconds.
