Funko Pop stickers explained
The sticker on the front of a Pop box tells you what kind of release it is and where it was sold. Here's how to read the most common ones.
No sticker
Most regular (“common”) Pops ship without a sticker. Exclusives and special variants are the ones that carry one, which is why collectors check for it.
Retailer exclusive stickers
Pops made only for one store carry that store's sticker — for example Hot Topic, Target, Walmart, GameStop, BoxLunch, Amazon or Entertainment Earth. The sticker shows where the Pop was sold, not that it's rare in itself.
Convention stickers
- True convention exclusives are sold at the show itself (for example SDCC, NYCC or ECCC) and carry that event's branding.
- Shared convention exclusives are released at the same time through Funko.com and retail partners. Funko says these carry a general sticker instead: “Summer Convention Exclusive” for San Diego Comic-Con and “Fall Convention Exclusive” for New York Comic Con.
Chase sticker
A Chase is a rarer variant packed at random in place of the common, with a stated “1 in 6 chance” on Funko's product pages. Collectors describe the sticker as gold, reading “Chase” or “Chase Limited Edition”. More about Chase Pops.
Limited Edition and numbered stickers
Funko uses “Limited Edition” for one-run collectibles with a capped piece count that aren't restocked. Some stickers show the run size, such as “LE 1000” or “LE 3000”.
Glow in the Dark, Flocked and other finishes
Glow-in-the-dark Pops often carry their own sticker. “Flocked” (a fuzzy finish) and “metallic” describe the figure's finish; they often appear as part of an exclusive or Chase rather than as a sticker type of their own.
Pops! With Purpose
Funko's charity line, launched in 2021, has a dedicated sticker and box art showing that Funko made a charitable donation with the release.
Octane5 authentication stickers (2024 onward)
Since New York Comic Con 2024, Funko has replaced event and retailer exclusive stickers with Octane5 authentication stickers. They use micro-optic technology and a unique item code you can verify by scanning the QR code. If you're buying a recent exclusive second-hand, this is the easiest way to confirm it's genuine. More checks for spotting fakes.
“Vaulted” isn't a sticker
Vaulted means Funko has retired a Pop from production. It's shown on Funko's website, not on the box. What vaulted means.
Keep stickers straight in your collection
Two copies of the same Pop with different stickers are different items to a collector. PopArchive lets you record exclusives, Chase, Vaulted, Flocked and other variants for each Pop, so your list matches your shelf.
Common questions
What does the sticker on a Funko Pop mean?
It shows the Pop is an exclusive or special variant and where it was sold — for example a retailer, a convention or a Chase. Some stickers also show a numbered limited run, such as “LE 1000”.
What is a Summer Convention or Fall Convention sticker?
Funko uses it on shared convention exclusives sold through Funko.com and retail partners, not only at the show: Summer Convention for San Diego Comic-Con and Fall Convention for New York Comic Con.
What is an Octane5 sticker on a Funko Pop?
Since NYCC 2024, Funko has used Octane5 authentication stickers on exclusives. They use micro-optic technology and a unique code you can verify by scanning the QR code.
Is “Vaulted” a Funko sticker?
No. Vaulted means Funko has retired the Pop from production. It's shown on Funko's website, not on the box.
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Search a PopSources
- Funko blog: SDCC 2022 — shared exclusives carry the Summer Convention sticker
- Funko blog: NYCC 2024 — Fall Convention Exclusive sticker
- Funko blog: Funko x Octane5 new stickers
- Funko: Limited Edition FAQ
- Funko press release: Pops! With Purpose (2021)
More collector guides: What is a Chase Funko Pop? · How to spot a fake Funko Pop · What does vaulted mean? · all guides.