Are you unsure which custom stickers/labels you are looking for? Confused how to describe your needs with your suppliers? Experiences tells us that too many people feel not certain what kind of stickers/ labels fits their business.
We will try our best to give you enough information in this guide to help you making the right decision.
This guide will split into sections:
What is sticker/label? Are they the same thing?
- What materials can be use for custom stickers?
- Should you sticker be laminated?
- What kind of adhesive you need?
- Choose the perfect shape for your custom sticker/label.
- What is sticker/label? Are they the same thing?
To be technically speaking, custom sticker and custom label are merely the same thing,they can use the same material/printing way/lamination, both of sticker and label can choose removal adhesive or permanent adhesive.The only difference between them is:custom labels mostly are use for industry purpose (for example:wine label, perfume label, food label,packing label,product information label),and custom stickers are special for fun stickers that use for decor purpose (for example, planner sticker, aesthetic sticker, rub on sticker ).Although, both kind of sticker can be in the form of die cut/kiss cut/ in roll shape,custom sticker is seldom in roll shape.
So,custom sticker are mainly two kinds,one is called label use for bearer information of a certain product or company and use for packing as display purpose;one is called sticker use for decor purpose.
- What material can be use for custom sticker?
This is the most important part that getting the right material means if the sticker will act per your expectation.Especially for labels,as the material options are more.
Here shares some of the most use paper type and what this paper fits for.
*Art paper (labels/stickers)
It is real paper that can be tear by hand and feel smooth, normally after print, it needs to be lamination so as to protect the color and waterproof.
*Woodfree paper (stickers)
It is real paper and a bit rough,can be written on.
*Aluminum foil paper (labels )
It is metal-like texture paper.
*Kraft paper (labels)
It is real paper can be tear by hand and written on, use mostly for shipping labels, packing labels.It is more rough than woodfree paper.
*Thermal paper (labels)
*Thermal transfer paper (labels)
*Pressure sensitive sticker paper (labels/ stickers)
*Clear/Opaque PET film (labels / stickers)
*Clear/Opaque static film (labels )
*Vinyl /synthetic paper (stickers)
It is not real paper and can not tear by hand
*Laser film (labels)
*Fragile paper (labels)
- Should you label/sticker be laminated?
To be frankly speaking, lamination will increase the cost of a sticker.And except glossy film lamination and matte film lamination, there are some funny way like iridescent bubble glitter film lamination.Other film options are clear hologram film,iridescent starry glitter film,etc.
Decor sticker will have fun lamination as to get end consumers’ eye balls.
For custom labels, you may need to consider the laminate when:
*Your sticker being used outdoors
*Your sticker need to be scratched or repeatedly use
*Your want your sticker have a premium feeling
For custom stickers you may need to consider laminate when:
*The stickers also used outdoors, such as decor on a skateboard
*The stickers need to be waterproof, UV resistant
*You want to have your stickers some funny and nice looking
You may not need laminate when:
*You are looking for writable woodfree sticker
*You are looking for kraft paper label
*Your sticker are aim indoor and want to save cost
- What kind of adhesive you need?
Getting the adhesive right is really important to ensure your custom sticker doesn’t peel and look bad within a few hours.
Whilst there are many different types of adhesive, the most important factor is strength. We will focus on this.
There are 3 ‘strengths’ of adhesive used for sticker and label applications. These are:
*Removable
Stickers with a removable grade adhesive are used for applications when you want to remove the sticker after some time and to leave no residue.For example, planner stickers/ aesthetic stickers use for scrapbook,use on laptop,bottle,etc,are for decor purpose, and it surly will be peel off some day and use other trendy ones.so removable adhesive is important to protect the surface to be attached.
*Permanent
Most packing labels use this kind of adhesive. This is because they’re perfect for sticking to nearly all surfaces: glass, metal, paint, steel, paper, cardboard, leather, plastic, fiberglass, ect.
*Super strong adhesive
- Choose the perfect shape of your custom labels/stickers.
There are mainly 3 cutting way for custom labels/sticker.They are:
Die cut shape:which can be any custom shape, and the sticker itself is the entire one.Such sticker mostly are shaped stickers.
Sticker sheet:which have three styles, the first one is sticker sheet with small patterns that kiss cut through the sticker layer; the second one is sticker sheet without kiss cut, the third one is sticker sheet with kiss cut and the extra paper be got rid off(just leave the sticker )
Sticker on roll:The benefits of rolls are similar to sheets because they are easy to apply. Rolls are particularly useful if your stickers are applied automatically/semi-automatically via a dispenser or machine. Similar to sticker sheets, stickers on rolls are kiss-cut through the sticker layer but remain on the backing paper in a sheet or roll form.
To summarize, there are 4 main factors you will need to consider before you reach a supplier for a price idea and get more production suggestion/options for your reference.
*Decide the right material for your label/sticker purpose
*Decide the laminate
*Choose the right adhesive
*Decide the labels/sticker format(die cut/ sticker sheet/on roll)
For more info please contact customcrafts@yyoyiart.com
