STICKERS GUIDE
Stickers are labels that can be used for decoration or functional purposes, and can come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and designs. Here are some tips and tricks to get the best results for your stickers.
STICKER LAYERS
There are many types of sticker sheets. We use Paper Sticker Sheets, Printable Vinyl Sticker Sheets, Foil Aluminum Sticker Sheets, and Transparent Sticker Sheets. You can choose the right type of sticker sheet based on your design or what it'll be used for.
TYPES OF STICKER SHEETS
Vinyl Stickers are more durable in comparison to the paper stickers. It's water proof and scratch proof when added with an extra layer of laminating film. Vinyl stickers are often used on tumblers, cars, etc.
Foil Aluminum Stickers are used mostly on electronics, vehicles, and other products.
(See below for sample of Foil Aluminum Sticker Sheet)
Transparent stickers are best used for food and cosmetic products where you would want to see what's inside the packaging. We usually see transparent stickers on cups for cafes and restaurants, or labels on shampoo bottles, skincare products, perfume bottles, etc.
TYPES OF LAMINATES/TOP LAYER
Other than extra protection to the print, adding Laminates to your stickers can make so much difference to your design. You just have to pick the right one that fits.
Left: Vinyl Sticker with Rainbow Holographic top layer
Right: Vinyl Sticker with Glossy Top layer (2+ months on car windshield)
STICKER SIZES
Here at The Pasta Printers, the usual orders that come in, vary in different sizes. Most art merch sellers prefer 2" - 3" in size so that the details in their artworks/designs can still be seen. If you have sticker labels for products, you just have to make sure that the size does not compromise the quality and legibility of the text or smaller icons on your design.
STICKER DESIGN/FORMATTING
For printing, the recommended resolution for all images, designs, art files is 300 dpi. This is also required to make sure that your stickers look absolutely gorgeous when printed.
Bleed refers to a background color, graphic, or image that extends to the edge of the finished paper size and beyond. It's difficult for printing equipment to apply ink up to the cut edge of a sheet of paper. So, when you submit your files, always make sure to add enough bleed for your design to avoid mis-cuts.
If your design needs a white outline, or any color, make sure that it is already added with no/transparent background.
If you need help with formatting your files, we also offer this as an extra service for a fee.
DIE-CUT vs KISS-CUT
A die cut sticker is cut completely through the sticker and its paper backing. Whereas a kiss cut sticker is only cut through the sticker layer. The paper backing stays intact and will hold the rest of the stickers that can be lifted/separated from its background..
(die-cut stickers)
(sticker sheets)
(Kiss-cut sample video)