You want to print some personalized stickers, perhaps for your business or maybe just for fun. But you're not sure where to start when it comes to choosing the perfect custom sticker for your needs. There are multiple different options for size, materials, color, shape, and more. If you don't know much about stickers, understanding what you should be looking at and which are the most important factors to think about is tricky.
Fortunately, it really doesn't have to be difficult. There are a few things to think about when choosing the right sticker format, but it's not as complicated as you might think. This guide is designed to give you an overview of what you should be looking at and how to make the right choice.
Keep reading to learn more about which sticker type is right for you so that you can order the best option.
Sticker Material
It's a good idea to start by thinking about sticker material. Stickers are generally made from vinyl, a type of plastic, or paper. At Custom Stickers, all our stickers are made from vinyl. We sourced it right here in the United States, and it offers a durable option for your sticker printing.
But what's the difference between paper stickers and something like die cut vinyl stickers? Is vinyl the right choice for you?
Paper stickers are often cheaper to make. However, that also means that the quality is often lower too. Paper stickers typically don't last long as they will eventually start to disintegrate. They can be a good choice for using indoors, especially for short-term purposes. They can also be recycled, and they can be made in a range of colors and textures.
If you're looking for something more durable and long-lasting, vinyl stickers can give you what you're looking for. They're tougher than paper stickers, resistant to tearing, and waterproof. That means you can use them outdoors and they'll still survive. They're flexible and available in many different color options. We use eco-solvent ink for our vinyl stickers too so that they're eco-friendly.
We can also make holographic stickers using special holographic vinyl. As well as clear stickers using a clear vinyl. Finally, transfer stickers are a type of decal that you can use on cars, walls, windows and more.
The material you choose goes a long way towards creating the perfect custom sticker.
Sticker Lamination
Whether your stickers are going to be laminated is another thing to think about. Laminating stickers gives them extra protection, but not everyone will decide that they need to laminate their stickers.
Laminated stickers are the best option if you want to extend the lifespan of your stickers. If you're intending for them to be used outdoors or experience a lot of wear and tear, lamination will protect them. It makes them waterproof, scratch-resistant, and UV-resistant. Laminating your stickers also gives them a high-quality look and feel.
You might decide not to get laminated stickers if you want to save money. Non-laminated stickers can be a good option for single-use stickers or if your stickers are only being used indoors.
All of our stickers are laminated. We offer both a matte finish and gloss finish to make it easy for you to choose the look that you want. The laminate coating protects your custom stickers so you can use them in any way you want, whether indoors or outdoors.
Sticker Adhesive
The adhesive used on your stickers determines how strongly they will stick to the surface they are applied to. You could choose an adhesive for removable stickers, which you want to be able to easily peel off. Or you can select an adhesive for permanent or semi-permanent stickers, which will stay in place for longer.
Stickers with a removable adhesive are suitable when you want to be able to remove the sticker after a short time. You should be able to remove them without leaving a residue on the surface. However, most stickers use a permanent adhesive because it's a good choice for the majority of materials that you might want to apply your stickers to. Permanent stickers can still be removed but they will last for a long time if you choose to leave them in place.
In some cases, you can find high-tack adhesive as an option. However, this is more of an industrial option for materials that are more difficult to stick to. Materials like wood, stone, or rubber may require a stronger adhesive.
We use a permanent adhesive, which enables your stickers to stay in place for years. However, if you want to remove them, you can peel off our stickers without leaving a sticky residue behind.
Size, Shape, and Cut
When you're planning your stickers, you also have to consider the cut, as well as the size and shape that you want.
You can have your stickers cut individually or you can choose to have them printed on sticker sheets or rolls. But why does this matter? One of the reasons it makes a difference is if you want to apply your stickers to your products in large batches.
Individual die cut stickers take longer compared to sheets. Roll labels of stickers are also a good option for applying lots of stickers quickly. They can also be used with a dispenser or machine for swift application.
However, you might want to have your stickers cut individually if you want to sell or give them away. It's much easier to be able to hand them to people or include them in a package when they're already cut out. You won't have to spend time cutting up sheets or rolls yourself. Individually cut stickers are die-cut when they are cut all the way through the backing paper.
Kiss-cut stickers aren't cut through the backing paper and are usually printed onto sticker sheets so multiple designs can be printed on one page. You can learn more about kiss cut vs die cut stickers on our blog.
Finally, you can consider the size and shape of your custom stickers. There are some classic shapes you might want to use, including round stickers, square stickers, or rectangular stickers. But you can also use any custom shape to match your design. When choosing sticker sizes, we offer from 2 inches to 6 inches for individual stickers. You can choose the size of the sheet for sheets of stickers.
Selecting the right custom stickers isn't difficult. You just need to consider how you're intending to use them to make the right choice.
Ready to order? Read more about our ordering process, or take a look at all of our custom sticker options so you can make your own stickers. At custom stickers, our graphic designers will make sure that your stickers come out just right. We offer free online proofs, free shipping, and a fast turnaround.
