What surfaces do custom magnets stick to?

Custom magnets stick to anything with steel or iron in it: fridges, filing cabinets, whiteboards, metal doors, tool chests, and most car body panels. They will not stick to wood, glass, plastic, drywall, or aluminum. Not sure about a surface? Hold a fridge magnet to it. If that sticks, your custom magnet will too.

Surfaces that work

Anything with steel or iron works: fridges, filing cabinets, whiteboards, metal doors, tool chests, lockers, and most car body panels. These give a custom fridge magnet the flat metal it needs to grip, and the smoother the surface, the stronger the hold. See how strong custom magnets are.

Custom printed fridge magnets arranged on a refrigerator door

Surfaces that do not work, and a quick test

Magnets will not stick to wood, glass, plastic, drywall, or aluminum, since none of those are magnetic. This catches people out with cars, since some newer ones use aluminum or fiberglass. Before you order, hold a fridge magnet to the spot. If it sticks, your magnet will. More on cars in whether magnets work on cars.

Stainless steel, aluminum, and galvanized steel

Stainless steel is the common surprise. Some grades are magnetic and some are not. Many appliance fronts, especially newer fridges, use a non-magnetic stainless finish, so a magnet sometimes will not hold on the door even though the sides do.

Aluminum is not magnetic, so a printed magnet will not stick to aluminum panels, window frames, or aluminum car bodies. Galvanized steel is just steel with a zinc coating, so magnets still hold. With any metal, the fridge-magnet test settles it.

Related questions

More about where custom magnets stick.

Sometimes. Stainless steel comes in different grades, and only some are magnetic. Many appliance fronts use a non-magnetic stainless finish, so a magnet may not hold on a newer fridge door even though it holds on the sides. Test the exact spot first.
No. Aluminum is not magnetic, so magnets will not stick to aluminum panels, frames, or aluminum vehicle bodies. If the surface is aluminum, a magnet is not the right fit and a sticker or decal works better.
Yes. Custom magnets stick to flat or gently curved steel car panels like doors and tailgates, but not to aluminum or fiberglass, so test the spot with a fridge magnet. See which car panels work.
Custom magnets hold firmly on steel, and the more flat surface a magnet covers, the stronger the hold. See what affects magnet strength.
Yes. The print is made to handle rain, sun, and temperature changes in normal outdoor use, and outdoor magnets usually last around two to three years. Learn how outdoor magnets hold up.

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