How to Choose Stair Riser Stickers: A Buyer's Checklist

The best stair riser stickers fit your exact riser height, are printed sharply on vinyl that won't tear, come in a finish that suits your room, and are sold so you buy exactly the number of risers you have. Order a sample first if colour or feel matters to you.

This is a buyer's checklist, not a ranking. It's what we'd tell a friend shopping for stair riser stickers, from us or anyone else.

1. Sizing that fits your stairs

• Look for several heights, so you trim a little rather than a lot. Ours come in 5", 6", 6.5", 7", 7.5" and 8".
• Check the strip length covers your stair width. Ours are 48" long, which fits most indoor stairs with room to trim.
• Ask whether the seller does custom heights and lengths. Older houses often need them, and we make them on request.
• Remember the pattern scales with strip height. For matching steps, order one height and trim (see the measuring guide).

2. Material

• Thickness: most riser stickers, ours included, are thin vinyl, about as thick as paper. Thin vinyl conforms and trims well. It isn't stiff or tile-thick, and it takes a little care to apply without wrinkles. If you're expecting something thick, a sample saves disappointment.
• Tear resistance: vinyl shouldn't rip like paper. Paper-based "riser wallpaper" scuffs and tears more easily.
• Print durability: ask how it's printed. Ours use latex inks; the vinyl gets damaged before the print does.

3. Finish: matte or gloss

• Matte has a low sheen (not completely flat), hides glare and looks more like painted tile.
• Gloss looks more like glazed ceramic tile and wipes clean easily.

4. Colour accuracy

Screens vary, and printing does too. Our printer tends to print slightly cooler than some photos look on screen. If you're matching existing paint or decor, order a sample. Order all your strips, plus a spare, in one go, because colour can shift slightly between print runs.

5. How it's sold

Some sellers sell sets; we sell one strip per riser, so you buy exactly what you need, whether that's two steps or twenty. Product photos usually show a whole staircase, so check whether the price is per riser or per set.

6. Surface fit

No sticker sticks to everything. Before ordering, check your risers against our surface guide.

7. The seller

• Do they answer measurement questions before you buy?
• Will they make a custom size?
• Do reviews show real stairs, not just mockups?
• Where do they ship from? We make everything to order in Canada and ship to Canada, the US and most countries worldwide, with duties and taxes included at checkout for international orders.

Common questions

Why are some riser stickers so much cheaper?

Usually because they come in fixed sizes, often shorter than a standard stair, are made of thinner film or paper, or are printed at lower resolution. Check the dimensions and the material.

Do you sell samples?

Yes. A sample is the best way to check colour, finish and thickness before ordering a full staircase.