LEGO sets often come with various decorations; sometimes these are printed right on the elements, and other times they are stickers that you need to apply. A good example of printed LEGO elements are minifigures. While there are a few minifigs (especially from the early days) that came with stickers to apply to their torsos, most modern minifigs are printed.
In fact in the past few years printing on LEGO minifigures has vastly expanded with details not just on the front of the torso, but at the back, the arms, the legs, and recently even the sides of the legs! I believe this has a lot to do with LEGO making more franchised products and thus needing to make the minifigs look more like the original characters. Also, because LEGO customizers are springing up everywhere, giving LEGO fans excellent quality highly customized minifigures – my guess is that LEGO realized how popular fully detailed minifigures really are. 🙂
The downside of such specialized minifigures is that their uniquely printed body-parts can’t be interchanged so freely as unprinted or more generically printed ones. For example a LEGO Legends of Chima torso-print would look a bit weird on a LEGO City minifig. However I believe LEGO is keeping a good balance with providing both specialized and plain minifig parts. At least I haven’t really heard any complaints, and I’m certainly not complaining myself; I love beautifully printed details on minifigures!
Printing on LEGO elements however is a whole other story. Despite much protest from both young and old LEGO fans, LEGO insist on using stickers in most LEGO sets. This wouldn’t be a problem if the stickers were optional and didn’t take away from the completeness of the set (like in the smaller LEGO Creator and LEGO City sets), however when the model doesn’t look good, or doesn’t make much sense without the decorations, the fragile nature of stickers causes a lot of disappointment and lowers the value and display-ability of otherwise great LEGO sets. And that’s another problem; LEGO stickers are low quality. In fact, you can get better stickers from other companies, individuals and customizers. You can probably print better ones on your own semi-advanced printer! 😕
LEGO stickers are also hard to apply, especially by children who supposed to be the target-audience for most LEGO sets, and even adults find it difficult to align and apply them properly. In addition LEGO stickers don’t last long even if the set is only used for display, not to speak of exposing stickered elements to regular play. Stickers are highly sensitive to basic things like water, sunlight, humidity, bodily oils, etc. and not to speak of dirt and grime that they can get in contact with during play. While LEGO elements themselves can handle even the occasional rough play, the stickers simply disintegrate under the lightest wear. If these parts were printed they would last so much longer, making everyone happy. (Photo below from LEGO Answers at StackExchange).
The interesting thing is that LEGO seems to be using stickers randomly. Although I have never heard or read an official explanation from a LEGO representative of why they keep using stickers, LEGO fans often cite cost as the reason. However I don’t believe this is the case, as there are cheap sets with full printing – like the LEGO Juniors sets we talked about recently (see here: LEGO Juniors – No Stickers, Pretty Prints!), or the LEGO Friends sets with beautifully printed parts – and on the other hand there are many sets over a $100 that are fully stickered – which is especially upsetting for LEGO fans and collectors. The recently released #70816 LEGO Benny’s Spaceship is a good example; a $100 set in LEGO Classic Space style, with almost all the decorated elements stickered. Some of the stickers (like on the fins at the back) don’t even fit properly!
I recently read an article by Huw Millington, the owner of LEGO fan-site Brickset.com, about his own experience with stickers, titled “Sticker Horror”. Huw is an adult LEGO fan and a collector who carefully takes care of his LEGO models. The pictures he has taken (see below and more at the above linked article) of some of his LEGO sets with disintegrating stickers is very discouraging, especially because these LEGO models were specifically designed for older LEGO fans and collectors. Do they look like they are from a company who’s motto is that “Only the best is good enough”?
➡ So what do to about the LEGO sticker problem? One thing is to make sure to apply stickers as carefully as possible. Wash and dry your hands before touching the sticker-sheet, and make sure that the elements you will be applying stickers to are clean. Instead of peeling off the stickers with your fingers (and thus leaving fingerprints and possibly damaging the adhesive), use a thin blade or hobby-knife to lift them up at the edge and apply them to the surface. It helps to attach another element to the stickered part, so you have a handle you can hold on to while applying the sticker. Align stickers carefully before fully pressing them down. Press them from one end to the other gradually, eliminating any air-bubbles. Once all the stickers are applied, do not expose them to direct sunlight as it can deteriorate the adhesive quickly and making the stickers curl up or fall off. Sunlight and heat can and also dry out the sticker-paper making it crumple to pieces. Ideally you should lock away your LEGO sets in a climate controlled vault and never touch them or play with them… just kidding… 🙄
➡ A lot of LEGO fans deal with the issue by simply not applying stickers. Again, sometimes this is not a problem as the decorations are there to enhance the model instead of being integral part of it, however they are times when this just doesn’t work. For example on the #10232 LEGO Creator Palace Cinema – an expensive sets catering to collectors – the posters on the windows are stickers. Without them the building looses a lot of its charm and character. Interestingly, the same window-panes are fully printed in the much cheaper LEGO Ninjago sets. And the fact of the matter is that if someone buys a LEGO set – especially an expensive one – they should be getting what is displayed on the box, with both parts and decorations lasting for the lifetime of the product under normal and reasonable usage.
➡ Another thing LEGO fans do is buy extra sticker-sheets at BrickLink or other second-hand outlets. They apply the original stickers to the set, and keep the additional ones carefully stored away in ziplock bags as replacements. This is actually what I do as well, although it is not something I’m happy about. As I said above; LEGO should be taking care of the problem of disintegrating stickers and not expect customers having to spend extra money to replace them. You can actually get replacement stickers from LEGO directly, but only while the set is still in production. Also, if you make too many requests, they will deny your ability to use the replacement service.
➡ If you have a high quality printer you might consider scanning the original sticker-sheets and print them out. Use the printed stickers to apply to the set, and keep the originals stored away. When you need fresh stickers, just scan and print from the original again. This unfortunately doesn’t work with transparent stickers or stickers with metallic printing as most printers can’t handle them. However LEGO’s transparent stickers tend to be better quality and last longer, although they have the problem with attracting fingerprints and dust – nothing is as unattractive as a LEGO sticker with lint sticking out from under it. Yuck! 😡
➡ I have also found that for paper-stickers applying a thin layer of clear nail-polish or other clear glaze or top-coat used in various hobbies can expand its life considerably. Make sure you test whatever you are planning to use on a non-essential part of the sticker to assure that it doesn’t smear the print. Use a thin layer on the stickers before you peel them off, let the top-coat dry, then use as normal.
➡ And if you are unhappy about stickers, please contact LEGO; call their customer service, write them a letter, talk to LEGO representatives and ambassadors at conventions and other LEGO related events. They do listen to feedback. Sometimes they are hard on hearing and takes them a long time to respond, but in general they do… at least that’s the hope… ultimately I think LEGO will make the change to fully printed parts when their business model gets threatened by competing companies and customizers – the loss of revenue is a great motivator.
So what do you think? Do you dislike LEGO stickers with the same passion as many LEGO fans do? How do you handle the problem? Do you have some tips and tricks on expanding the life of LEGO stickers? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
And you might also like to check out the following related posts:
I just bought a box of second hand Lego at a flea market and noticed a lot of parts with sloppily attached stickers…
That stickers are used for premium sets and printed parts for retail sets isn’t actually as counter-intuitive as it seems, since the retail sets have a much larger production, printed parts would be more cost-efficient.
That’s actually a good point. Haven’t thought about that.
yeah stickers are SO OBNOXIOUS!
Thank you for a very thorough and well documented article of a legitimate quality issue that LEGO should address.
I don’t get what people hate about stickers so much. All of my LEGO sets’ stickers stick on fine and are of fine quality. Sometimes I have a bit of trouble lining them up straight, but that is mostly on bigger pieces. And I actually really like stickers, as a printed part has less usefulness. A sticker can be peeled off, so the piece underneath has more usefulness. I hope I didn’t offend anybody, but that is just my opinion.
Carbo, that is totally fine to have a different opinion. Thanks for sharing yours! I think the issue also has a lot to do with the difference between a child playing with LEGO, vs. an adult who mostly collets LEGO sets or use them for display. Adults want their collection to last. LEGO bricks do last, but stickers don’t. Imagine if the stickers on the Palace Cinema peel off or crumble. Those stickers are some of the highlights of the set. Without them the set looses a lot of its meaning.
That second hand box I found included some printed parts that, according to Bricklink, are nearly 50 years old, and, though evidently having been in use, still are clearly visible. A huge advantage compared to stickers that are close to falling off after only 10 years…
And you are very lucky if stickers would last 10 years! If you read the comments in the Brickset article I linked to, there are people who complain about stickers curling up and falling off after just a few days. For me the worst experience was the Viking shields. I only had them on display for a year or so when they the white on the stickers crumbled into tiny flakes. I ordered a fresh sheet from BrickLink and applied a thin layer of clearcoat to the stickers (as I mentioned inthe article), and they have been holding up fine.
There is a way to remove the printing from printed elements, but I see what you mean. I would prefer simply all printed pieces because all and all, if I really want to moc build with certain pieces, I would just buy the printed version and remove the printing or buy an unprinted version of the piece.
I primarily buy the larger $100+ sets, and often make a decision to buy or not based on stickers! It’s very frustrating because some sets have the potential to be wonderful beatiful sets, except for the stickers! Case in point is the 10241 Maersk Line Triple-E. When I first saw this was coming it was an almost sure-buy for me.. until I found out that it had over 100 stickers for the cargo containers.
If you’re building something like this, you want it to last and you want it to look perfect! 100 stickers are not going to last, and there is no way to get them “perfect” as far as alignment. I actually saw this model in the display window of the Lego store, and though someone had done a “pretty good” job with the stickers, it was clear that they weren’t all aligned and centered perfectly — that’s a nearly impossible task, and even the Lego store builders were not up to making that set look as good as it would have with printed cargo containers instead of stickers.
I was also considering getting the SpaceShip SpaceShip SpaceShip until I read your article — if there are so many stickers and some are poorly-done, I’ll probably be skipping that set as well.
Really it’s a disappointment as both of those sets would be sure buys for me if they used all (or at least, mostly) printed pieces.
Agree on everything you said. I had the Maersk Train and I actually ende up trading it because I really disliked the stickers. Especially the one at the front which was over an assembly of several small pieces. Basically the set could have never been taken apart, completelely defeating the purpose of it being made of LEGO elements. And a Maersk Train, or Maersk Ship doesn’t look like the real thing without the logos. I hope LEGO will reconsider at some point. All we can do is to remind them that we don’t like stickers! 😕
I really like Benny’s Spaceship and for me that one is going to be a keeper. I’m also planning to buy several extra sticker-sheets on BrickLink once the prices come down a bit. Fortunately none of the stickers go over several pieces, and they are the clear kind which last better. You just have to be careful applying them; don’t touch them with your fingers. Once applied properly though they look almost like printed elements. So at least that’s okay for now – I don’t know how long they will hold up though. The three slopes with the small Classic-Space logos are printed. Everything else is stickered.
Ok, so I have a few off-topic questions. So, at the end of this month I could spend money to get the Fairground Mixer and the battery box and motor and get a free mini cooper or I could buy the rest of the stuff I need to set up my city (tables and some plywood for under the tables as it will be on top of the tables and under the tables). I can’t decide between the two because I still want the mini cooper polybag. Admittedly, not having my room set up is slowing down my progress of putting together the current sets a new sets that I buy because I have no place to put them. Also, as a point with the mini cooper polybag, I thought I could potentially just buy that on its own by a re-seller but I was curious, anyone that has it, can the seat pieces be removed from the inside to fit a minifigure? I is the roof tall enough for a minifigure to sit inside without altering the design too much? And what would advise, Fairground mixer or room set up? Just wanting opinions. May or may not pick the most popular one.
Tried it out with similar pieces. Maybe if you raise the windscreen by one plate first. (Although dark green/ earth green plates still seem rather rare.) But that’s just the bare minimum to fit a minifig inside, it would still look too tight to look natural. (Although I guess that could be considered a bit cute.)
And dang, I gotta set up my own room, myself. Too much stuff to put somewhere, wherever…
Kim, I don’t have the mini Mini Cooper, however if you look at a picture of the official instructions here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tormentalous/14284666057/in/photostream/, it seems like a minifig should fit just fine. The car seems quite similar to Emmet’s Car in size. Last time I checked the mini Mini Cooper was about $15 on Bricklink. A bit high in my opinion, but the price should come down as more people add them to their store.
Would it be possible to split up your LEGO purchase so you would meet the minimum purchase to get the Mini Cooper, and also have enough money to start setting up some of your tables? Maybe just get the Fairground Mixer and get the electric parts later, or vice versa. I’m pretty sure the Fairground Mixer will be around for a while; at least until Christmas, and probably through next year. And the battery package is always available as several sets use it. Unless you fear that whatever you are using for the tables won’t be available later, I would go for a split option like this. In general it is a good idea both for storage and for display to use brands that are modular and you can be reasonably confident will be around for some years. It is almost garanteed to happen that at some point you want to rearrange your display or expand on it, and it is nice to be able to use matching additions.
I don’t know if this helps, but I thought to give it a try. 😉
I could potentially hit the $99 limit by buying the bike shop and cafe and the battery and motor and still have enough to at least get the plywood and one of the tables I want, so splitting it up is definitely a possiblity. At least with the plywood I could have the flat non-carpet ground and (it’s sanded plywood and I already have 2 of the 5 tables) to set up partially to at least start placing things as I build them, so this is a good idea. The bike shop and cafe I want just as much. Or I could get the train station and the plumber’s truck from the Lego movie or some other combination of wanted sets. So good ideas everyone! Thank you!
Kim, keep us updated on how your project goes. Sounds like it is going to be an awesome city! 😛
I have mixed emotions about stickers. while I like having the detail the stickers add, I also like to have the option of using the bricks on something else. Printed decals solve wear-and-tear but can make those pieces not so convenient to use in other projects. I sometimes prefer the “sterile look” to a lego set without stickers and if your careful with them you can actually reuse them. In my onion (which is the only one I have) I am content with the way LEGO is handling their sticker situation. Of course if the set is going to have gobs of stickers… perhaps printed on some. If you want to preserve your stickers I would suggest the following:
Find some fine grit sandpaper and rough up the piece that needs to be stickerized. (NOTE; You are just scratching it up a bit NOT sanding it down to dust) Then wipe it off with a piece of cloth (not your finger because of oil) Then carefully put the sticker on how you want it. (If you don’t have the confidence find someone with OCD to do it for you) Then find some shellac spray paint and spray it lightly. That should stick it on well. Just make sure you don’t soak the piece in it or it will run. Okay let me say that I have NOT tried this specifically but with my knowledge of bricks and paint (which I have experimented with) this should work.
Whew! That was a long message!
Those are good suggestions. I do something similar with my stickers by applying a thin layer of clear-coat.
I always apply stickers using tweezers. Works really well, especially with small stickers (e.g. on a 1×2 tile). Makes it easy to line up, and also completely avoids finger prints – you can remove the sticker from the sticker sheet without touching with your fingers by bending the sheet so the sticker starts peeling back slightly and then grasp it with the tweezers from there.
The only issue I have had with stickers starting to peel off over time is when they are placed on curved parts, or when they are placed on slopes which do not have a completely smooth surface (they have a slightly rougher texture to them) – I think in both these cases Lego should have a print-only policy for this reason.
I think that on the rougher-edge parts (such as 1×3 slopes), it’s not possible to make printings on them because the bumps would destroy the smoothness of the print, and make it harder to see. 😉 Curved pieces can’t exactly be printed on, but there must be a way around that. 😕
LEGO has been pretty good at being able to print on pretty much anything. Especially lately. They definitely print on curved parts; consider the printed 1×1 and 2×2 round bricks with printing on the sides, all the different types of domes (like R2-D2’s head), minifig arms, and all the various printed helmets and hair pieces. I can’t think of a printed rough slope piece, but it might be an interesting research to see if they exist. 😉
Oh, hm, I forgot about those, although I was thinking more about the larger Bow Bricks. Rough slopes include 1×3, 2×3, 3×4, 2×2, and 2×8 slopes. As they are used more on roofs, there isn’t need to print on the sides of the slopes, and I have never seen prints (or stickers) on the rough side. 😕
Yeah, I was very surprised to see stickers on rough slopes in Benny’s Spaceship. They are not the old kind of slopes that are really rough though, but the newer less rough ones, but still.
There are lots of rough-slope prints. See here: http://www.bricklink.com/catalogList.asp?pg=4&q=slope+pattern&catLike=W
Interestingly, Benny’s Spaceship has four stickers that are applied to slopes with rough surfaces. I’m really curious of how they will hold up. I have heard a lot of people complaining about stickers on curved elements. I have a few and they are still fine, but I will watch them more carefullly from now on.
I often have to help my younger siblings to put on stickers as well. They really are an annoyance and your article and research has proven that printed bricks is a far superior option for details. Hopefully the LEGO Company can use less stickers!
Yeah, I had to do the same for my younger siblings. It might actually make sense to contact LEGO about this and get an official response. The more they hear from us about this, the better. 😉
Most of my sets do not have sticker issues, and they see constant use. But I have an old Racers set from 2009, and most of the stickers on the cars have peeled off partially or broken, though they are on clear backing. And my old Dino Attack sets don’t have any of their stickers either, but I can’t recall ever seeing them on the sets.
Also, my cousin has that 2004 Ferrari shown in Huw’s pictures, and I don’t think any of its stickers have problems. But then, it’s been sitting on a shelf, partially buried and untouched, for who knows how long. 😕
I have heard about those little racer sets having really bad stickers. I don’t have any, but I considered getting some. After hearing about the sticker issues I won’t. Huw doesn’t play with his sets either, he is an adult collector, so his issues with the stickers are particularly disturbing. But it is interesting that your cousin doesn’t have problems with the same set. Perhaps a different batch of print, or different environmental factors?
Well, the is the set I’ve got: http://brickset.com/sets/8126-1/Desert-Challenge , I checked the black car, and the only stickers that were peeling were the ones on the side: I had taped over them recently. 😕 The rest of the set is fine.
As far as my cousin’s set, he’s had it for a while, but it’s always just sat on a high shelf collecting dust. I doubt it has ever been in direct sunlight. And it was collecting dust until 2 months ago when my brothers and I inspected it so we could identify it on Brickset. 😉
How do you like those large plates (or whatever they are called) for the recers sets? I was always interested in those, but never got one.
I would almost call those interactive boxes, since they fold up to store the set. I have no room for it when it’s open, though, so I keep it folded up, inside the cardboard box. But it’s pretty cool when unfolded. I wish I could get the other three in the series, so I can make the complete course. Then I’d have some good races! 🙂
That’s why I was attracted to those! When my three cousins come over we like to have races, but we just do it in the hallway where we have tile floor. 😛
I have at least 15 sets of that racer series, all of the stickers are peeling off except on two sets, which for some reasons all of the ones on the cars (and the helicopter are in perfect condition, but not the ones on structures (although that one was in a room untouched for years and I found it in Toys-R-Us 3 years after it was being sold so it has 3 years exposure than the other sets) and the other one I just found built in its box in a closet 3 months ago, and it probably had been there since I built it.
If you would like to keep the sets, you might consider getting some replacement stickers from BrickLink. As far as I remember, stickers for Racer sets are inexpensive.
IHATESTICKERS!IHATESTICKERS!IHATESTICKERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I share the feeling that this article talks about stickers. Mine also have the same issues, and I put them carefully using tweezers lately. I think that if someone wants to use the printed version to build something else, he/she can order the piece without printed version, just plain.
In my opinion all stickers should be printed pieces instead, and I support the idea to contact LEGO just to make them know.
Sorry for my english 😉
Tony, thanks for sharing. Your English is just fine. 😉
I think tom if all of them where printed it would be more expensive thus making us (more) broke. 😀
Well, that was my point; that it doesn’t seem to be the case; many cheap sets have printing and many expensive sets have stickers. It seems to be quite random, so it doesn’t seem to be about the money. 😕
stickers are annoying, but fun at the same time! (heh, heh, kind of. )
Stickers are annoying because sometimes if not put on correctly, the model doesn’t look as good. sometimes you put it on up side down, (or is that just me? 🙄 ) then if your a perfectionist you have to take off the sticker and put it on again and it becomes less sticky and all wrinkled up so then it doesn’t look goo and you have to put it on again definitely when you put it on sideways and sometimes you just have to take it off or sometimes you forget to put it on!!!!!!! am I missing something? 🙄 the fun thing is, well, I like stickers… oh yes, now I can officially say I am an expert sticker-putter-on…er? person! they just look at me weird. 😀 but look at it this way, like you said. back then they had to put it on the minifigs torso’s and now we don’t have to do that! we are special. in other words. look at the bright side of things. stickers won’t kill you. 😀
LOL! This reminds me that just recently I put a sticker on upside down! I didn’t notice until months later! Don’t tell anyone though! 😳
I totally agree – stickers suck. I would gladly pay $20 more to get printed pieces. All my Lego from 25 years ago (space) is still holding up. As a AFOL, thank God I read about the tweezers trick early on. Come’on Lego! You’re better than this. The first fellow to offer printed pieces for replacement will get my business.
Hi I don’t like the stickers that come with the Lego sets I would rather have someone pad print or UV digitally print the designs on for me the stickers look very tacky to me especially when they start to peel this is very distressing to me.
Does anyone else agree?.
Dave, yeah, that’s what the whole discussion has been about. Peeling stickers. 😕
Thanks admin I was aware of the topic thanks 🙂 I especially hate it when lint starts to build up on them too.
Oh, the lint problem! Just ouch! 😕
Please let’s begin a partition to LEGO to stop using stickers all together and only make printed pieces! LEGO, you suck for using stickers! Kids and adults both hate using your stickers and until you make sets with only printed pieces, I will never buy anymore of your sets nor will I buy any for my kids. We dont support cheap quality, especially when you are the largest toy company in the world … You are a billion dollar company and definitely can afford more technology to make all your pieces printed….No one young or old wants to see horrible stickers… There are no pros to using stickers except that Lego is selfish, greedy and does not care about all the customers that spend tons of money telling you to stop using stickers! LEGO YOU SUCK FOR THIS! LISTEN, OR I HOPE MORE CUSTOMERS WILL NOT SUPPORT YOUR PRODUCTS UNTIL YOU BEGIN USING ALL PRINTED PIECES!
Ash, I agree that stickers are the weak-link in LEGO sets, and hope that they will consider printing at least on parts that are vital to the appearance of the set (like for example in the new LEGO Speed Racers). Some people like stickers to customize their sets, so for decorating it is good to have some. Please note that in the LEGO Juniors sets all elements are printed, and they have some really beautiful decorations, so you might consider sticking with those.
It is ridiculous that in the cheapest sets such as, the junior sets they are all printed, but then in collector sets where even the box says age 14+ which clearly is made for an older crowd has horrible stickers… Sets such as the Star Wars Sandcrawler are $350 sets and should have all printed parts, but they decided to put stickers… For high priced sets they should all have printed pieces. Also, for the speeder sets that you said some people like to decorate the pieces differently, then those sets should come with the same piece as printed and then add an extra piece that is the same un-printed to give everyone an option. It wouldnt cost that much more to have the printed pieces and unprinted in speeder sets. stickers are an eazy and lazy way out of making a good set last, especially all Ultimate Collector sets should be printed… Hence, the word Collector in that series line and when collecting all collectors want it to last many years in Mint condition. Stickers defeat that purpose. Stickers do not last and over time no matter how good you take care of your collectibles the glue will evaporate leaving you with a falling off sticker. There are more collectors that perfer printed over stickers and there are those novice collectors that try to defend stickers saying it gives you options… Really, if you like stickers so much then buy an unprinted piece of the same piece that would be printed and then they can use there crappy stickers. Plus, for the people saying they cant use a printed piece in another project is seriously the worst defense to why stickers would be better. If you want to use pieces in other projects there are many unpinted pieces and these same pieces you can buy unprinted as well. Also, most collectors buy these pieces for the intended set and not to use those pieces for other projects. If I buy a
UCS SANDCRWALER then you better believe that is what I will use all those pieces to build it with. LEGO if you are listening, All sets $75 and up should have printed pieces… Its simple. Lego says they make there sets for kids, but meanwhile every kid I asked hates the stickers as well. Adults nor kids have any desire for these horrible stickers.. Plus, if Lego states they only make sets for kids then why are there many sets released that state 14+ on the box? 14+ does not imply any kid ages and seems to me those sets are intended for teenagers and adults… It does not say a certain age group like other sets that state age 8-12. It says + meaning that it is for 14 to any age above that showing that they do make sets for adults as well.. LEGO you need to aknowledge this situation realizing kids, teens and adults all hate using stickers… A billion dollar company can definitely make this happen, especially with all the new technology will simplify all printed lieces making it a reality the fans want. Stop being like every other coproratiom that only cares about there profits and make your products the way many are saying we want them to be when we are the ones that brought you to a billion dollar company.
Typo: lieces= pieces… Coproratiom=corporation
Ash, I agree. I dislike stickers myself and I also collect printed parts because they are so unique. I think it is quite possible that in the near future LEGO will completely switch over to printed elements. As prices on printing becomes cheaper and the logistics of printing all parts become easier, this could very well happen. It is also interesting to note that more and more LEGO customizers offer professional quality printing. This has already caused LEGO to update their printing, and it will likely continue to push them further. 😉
I strongly disagree with your sentiment about Lego not caring for customers, I think they are one of the best in terms of respecting customers, in fact, they are quite a selfless company in my opinion. You say you have broken pieces? Oh, here you go, have them for free, we’ll also pay for the shipping. Oh, our MMORPG is losing us massive amounts of money, and if we keep it up for a year it will have a net loss of $5o million? Nah, keep it up for another year, we can take that for the customers, while the subscribers few, they love the game.
I know this is an older thread, but I just thought I’d pipe in. These work great. http://toyhax.com/main-menu/1924-stickerfixer-adhesive-applicator.html
Alex, that’s interesting, however pretty much any glue would work for just re-sticking the sticker. The issue with LEGO stickers is not just that they can come up, but also certain colors will peel and crack. Basically the colors start to dry out, making them crumble. Fading is another issue for which glue would not work. But yeah, for re-applying any simple non-harsh glue would work. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hate stickers!
I have the cinema palace lego set. The stickers are starting to peel now, and I wonder if I should try to glue them back, or can lego send me a new set? I also noticed the funny second marked stickers with star wars and LOTR motives
The set is too old to get replacement stickers from LEGO, but you can still get them at BrickLink.com, the online LEGO marketplace. In general, I recommend getting a second or even third sticker sheet when a set is still readily available. They tend to be much cheaper at that time, than after they are retired.