Scratch & sniff stickers made in the late 1970s and early '80s got their scent from microscopic bubbles laid down in a thin layer over printed label stock. This "Microfragrance" was developed by 3M and is still used today on a variety of scented products.

This Quick Reference Guide answers some of the most common questions eBay buyers and sellers have about vintage scratch & sniff stickers. My hope is that you find it a useful and informative resource.

~~~MATTE vs. GLOSSY~~~
When searching for and viewing scratch & sniff stickers on eBay, you will notice that many are classified as either "matte" or "glossy". These terms refer to the type of label stock on which the stickers are printed. All sniff stickers were printed on matte (in other words, not shiny) adhesive paper until 1983, when some sticker companies chose to start using thinner, shinier "glossy" paper, most likely to save money. While the glossy stickers usually have more vibrant colors, they do not hold the scent of the Microfragrance for very long. This is a major reason why matte stickers tend to be worth more than their glossy counterparts, even though in some cases their printed designs may be the same. After 1985, all sniff stickers were printed on glossy stock. While some companies printed only matte or glossy stickers, many made both.

Trend and CTP are probably the most popular companies that printed both matte and glossy stickers, and they were the only ones who did so using the same designs for each scent.

~Trend Enterprises~
Trend round Stinky Stickers produced between 1980 and 1984 were printed on both matte and glossy stock, yet they retained the same designs (with some very slight modifications) when the switch was made. Therefore, it can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between matte and glossy stickers when viewing them on a computer screen if a listing does not mention whether they are one or the other. There are few things you can keep in mind when trying to decide: glossy Trends usually have larger images, sometimes touching the edges of the sticker; and the "(c)TREND" may be printed in more of a curved arc than on the matte version. Some stickers also have slight design or color differences.

Note that the first six Trend stickers printed in 1979 were never printed on glossy paper. These include Banana, Bubble Gum, Gingerbread, Licorice, Peanut, and Rose, all shown below. In addition, glossy versions of the scents Cave and Rubber Tire were either never printed or are extremely hard to find.

~Creative Teaching Press (CTP)~
CTP matte and glossy Sniffy's stickers also have slight differences, even though at first glance they may appear identical. A big difference is the use of phrase "SCRATCH AND SNIFF" on the matte stickers, and "SCRATCH 'N SNIFF" on the glossy versions. An example of this is shown below (enlarged to show detail).

~~~"(c)TREND" vs. NO "(c)TREND"~~~
You may also notice in listing titles and descriptions a note about whether round Trend Stinky Stickers have a copyright printed on them. In 1982, Trend began adding "(c)TREND" to all their designs. Before that, none of the stickers had any copyright mark. This is a good way to tell the age of a sticker, and in most cases the value (no (c) mark = older = more valuable). However, while a sticker that does not have a copyright usually sells for more than the same design with one, some of the most rare Trends were those printed in 1982 that can only be found with "(c)TREND" on them.

Note: All glossy Stinky Stickers have "(c)TREND" printed on them.

~~~RESOURCES~~~
For more information, there is the Vintage Scratch & Sniff Stickers Collector's Guide available from all major booksellers (ISBN 978-1-4303-0364-0). This book further elaborates on the topics mentioned here, and also provides information on over 40 brands of sniff stickers from the 1970s and '80s.

If you have any questions about vintage scratch and sniff stickers, or if there is a topic you'd like to see covered in this guide, please feel free to email me anytime!

This information is provided for reference only and is based on my experience and observations. I assume no liability for any losses incurred due to the use of this information.