Stickerbeat Blog: Tips, Ideas & Inspiration for Stickers and More
Pre-Made Versus Custom Die Cut Stickers -- The Difference is Undeniable
There is a difference between buying an off-the-shelf pre-made stickers and custom die cut stickers, ya know? For starters, ordering a pre-printed sticker just gets you a mass-produced repeat of what everyone else already has, and we’re not about that at Stickerbeat. If you are looking for something that is uniquely distinctive and one-of-a-kind, then you know we are talking about your ability to fully personalize a custom sticker that you design. Sure you can go to a big box store and buy an already printed sticker, but isn’t that boring?! Why would anyone want something that’s hanging in their neighbor’s home? We give you the tools to create something magical and that’s custom just for you and nobody else. Most store-bought stickers are made of paper or thin grade vinyl that just isn’t up to snuff. You can’t compare the quality, the finish or even the adhesion. That’s why when you buy cheap internet or big box store stickers they tend to peel up, bubble and just won’t stay down. A sticker that is constantly falling off your wall or other surfaces just isn’t any fun, is it?! Inferior paper or thin vinyl stickers are just nowhere near as durable as our super high-quality 3M Scotchcal Graphic Vinyl that is 4mm thick. You will notice with those other low-grade stickers that they will fade and age poorly and their glue starts to break down quickly. That’s not the case with a Stickerbeat die cut sticker, because they are weatherproof, fade resistant and they stay vibrant for years. In addition, every Stickerbeat sticker is laminated on top for extra protection. Our stickers are tough and they will stand the test of time. EVERYTHING about your sticker can be customized for you at Stickerbeat—size, shape and even color. Don’t be scared to go wild with your design because we will be able to print it out for you no matter what! If you want your sticker to be cut right up to the tippy edge with no excess showing, our Kiss Cut stickers are the way to go. No matter how swirly and complex your design may be, our laser-guided cutting machine is able to cut your image out with high precision right on the borderline. We have circle stickers, square stickers and bumper stickers for your car if that’s what you need, too. We can make you a sticker that can go on a mirror, window or glass with our clear stickers that feature a transparent background; and if you want to stop a crowd in their tracks, then our reflective stickers might be in order. Just use our simple template to make yours or contact our dandy customer service reps to help you design one. Whether your business needs a logo sticker or product sticker; or if you want to design a photo sticker or wedding sticker—we’ve got you covered at Stickerbeat. Raise awareness for your business if you are having a sale, there is no reason to use a pre-printed boring and formulaic sticker that anybody else can buy when you can have a die cut sticker that is all your own. Forget ordinary, make it extraordinarily YOU with a personalized custom sticker all YOUR own!
Learn moreThe Diverse Universe of Custom Stickers
Custom stickers have a wide range of applications, whether you’re looking to increase brand exposure, build customer loyalty, or are simply looking for the cost-effective and highly engaging form of marketing for your brand. However, the universe of stickers is highly diverse, and if you aren’t sure what they immobile, it can be difficult to choose the best option for your brand. Below you’ll find some of the most common types of stickers, along with a quick look at what they can be used for and their benefits. Die Cut Stickers Die cut stickers preacher custom shapes as they are cut out along the outline of the design, all the way through the backing paper as well. They can be used for any application and make great giveaways. The main advantage of these types of stickers is they tend to stand out and also have a higher perceived value. They also look great and tend to draw the eye more than other types of stickers, especially if you have a unique design. Geometric Stickers Geometric stickers come in a variety of shapes. They can be round, square, rectangular, oval and so on. They tend to have more space for your design but are still interesting enough to draw the eye. Like die cut stickers, they can be used in a wide range of applications, but they’re especially great when you have a more complex message you want to deliver. Lots of room means your message can be more extensive. However, don’t go overboard because you still want to grab people’s attention and keep it. An overly complex message will do the opposite. Bumper Stickers Bumper stickers are specifically designed to go on cars. They’re weather- and UV-resistant and tend to stand up to harsher environmental conditions quite well. These make a great option for brand exposure, but they’re not that great for complicated messages because the distance is a consideration. After all, if you’re using tiny writing on a bumper sticker, you can’t really expect anyone to see it properly. Remember that bumper stickers can get you a whole lot of exposure – quite a bit more than other types of stickers simply because of where they’re applied. After all, a vehicle tends to get around and be seen by many more eyes than a laptop or backpack, for example. However, to get the most bang for your back, make sure the text is easy to read from a distance and that the design draws the eye without being overly complicated. The simpler it is, the less time someone needs to look at it to get it, which is exactly what you want considering that most people will see it in traffic. Kiss Cut Stickers Kiss cut stickers are sort of like die cut stickers in the sense that the sticker itself is cut out along the outline of the design, but the cut doesn’t go all the way through and the backing paper remains intact. These are a great option for stickers with highly delicate edges that won’t stand up well to a lot of “manhandling” as the backing paper will protect them. Like die cut stickers, they can be used for virtually anything from promoting your brand to supporting your favorite sports team. Clear Stickers Clear stickers are printed on clear vinyl, which makes them excellent for putting on windows or glass walls. The design can be printed on the front or the back, depending on your needs. In other words, you can apply the sticker on the inside of a window and have it facing outwards. These stickers are perfect for store displays or for people to put in their car windows. Remember to consider the application as it will impact the design. A sticker for a car window, for example, should be much simpler in design than one for a shop window. With the latter, people can stop to look at it better, but with the former, this isn’t always the case and to get the greatest degree of exposure, you want people to get the message quickly. Reflective Stickers If you really want everyone to see your stickers, then reflective stickers are a great option. Printed on top-quality reflective material, they come with a really nice shine and glimmer that will undoubtedly draw eyes. They also make great giveaways because they have a high perceived value. Plus, people will be enchanted to receive such amazing-looking stickers and are more likely to display them on their personal belongings. This, in turn, acts as an endorsement for your brand, and no marketing is quite as effective as word-of-mouth marketing. And there’s also the fact that anyone who sees them will want some of their own. Sticker Sheets Sticker sheets are sheets of kiss-cut stickers. In other words, a large sheet with multiple stickers. These are great for a wide range of applications, but especially when you have to remove and apply a lot of stickers. Die-cut stickers are great but removing the backing paper can sometimes be a pain. Conversely, separating stickers from a sheet is much easier and faster. So, if you’re printing labels or envelope seals or pretty much anything that you have to remove in a large quantity, then sticker sheets are your best bet. They also make great giveaways since you can have multiple designs on the same sheet. This is a great way to give out sets of different stickers to people while making sure they’re protected. The world of stickers is certainly a very diverse one, but pretty much all of these stickers are a great option if you’re looking for an engaging marketing approach that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. So, whether you want to let more people know about your brand, or need to advertise a special promotion, or are simply looking for a great but inexpensive way to reward your customers and build loyalty, then custom stickers are definitely your best bet.
Learn moreSave-The-Date Stickers For Your Event!
Most people have so much going on in their lives nowadays that remembering a date for an event can be problematic. Even with all the reminder tools on smartphones, laptops, and myriad other devices people have, forgetting an important event is not unusual. Electronic reminders might be useful, but, let’s face it, an event like a wedding, anniversary, or baby shower requires a little preparation, so a reminder a few hours before the event is not going to cut it. This is where save-the-date stickers come in. Why Save-the-Date Stickers? Firstly, save-the-date stickers are fun. In fact, all stickers are fun, and when your invitees receive theirs, they’re going to be ecstatic. These stickers will set your event apart, and by doing so, will keep it fresh in the minds of your guests. Of course, since they are save-the-date stickers, they can be displayed in a prominent place, ensuring your invitees don’t forget that all-important event until the last minute. You can opt for small save-the-date stickers that people can put on their calendars. These are definitely a good idea, but you have to consider that not everyone has a printed calendar. Some rely on their devices for their calendar needs, which means that if your sticker is a simple photo without a date, it’ll be useless. On the other hand, you can go with a larger design that can be displayed directly on the fridge or in another prominent place in people’s homes. The design should, of course, include the date. That is the point, after all. These types of stickers will be suitable for everyone, whether they have printed calendars or not. Of course, you could go all out and send out both types of stickers to really make everyone on your guest list happy. And, since people love stickers, the more the merrier. What Type of Stickers to Use? You have a couple of options with save-the-date stickers. You can either go the kiss-cut sticker route or go for die-cut stickers. Sticker sheets won’t really work in this case since you’ll be giving them out to different people. Kiss-cut stickers are the ones that have been lightly cut around their borders, but the cut doesn’t go through the backing. So, your sticker could be shaped like a football, but it will be on rectangular backing for example. These are a good idea if your design has really delicate, lacy edges because they’ll be protected by the backing. Die-cut stickers, on the other hand, have custom shapes according to the design of your sticker. When they are cut around the edges of the sticker, the cut goes through the backing material too. So, a football sticker will be shaped like a football. These are generally more attractive than kiss-cut stickers, which is why many people prefer them. When Save-the-Date Stickers Are an Awesome Idea Save-the-date stickers are fun and act as a great reminder for your guests. Here are a few situations that these stickers are amazing for. We’re Engaged! If you’ve decided to celebrate your engagement with a party and are inviting all your friends and family, you might want to get a little more creative than sending out an e-vite. Yes, an e-vite will make it easier for people to add the party to their calendars, but there’s a good chance your event will get lost among the gazillion other things your guests have in their calendars. So, just to make sure no one forgets, you could also send out save-the-date stickers. You don’t have to go overboard and have invitations printed too. It is an engagement party after all. Printing out a bunch of save-the-date stickers with the date and a cute design won’t set you back an arm and a leg, but it will definitely make sure everyone remembers to attend your engagement party. We’re Getting Married! Obviously, save-the-date stickers are ideal for a wedding. You’ll have to include invitations as well, because that’s tradition, but including save-the-date stickers will ensure no one forgets about the big day. Plus, since they’ll see that sticker practically every day – you will be printing both calendar and larger versions, right? – they’ll have lots of time to come up with and buy an awesome gift. It’ll definitely be better than anything they bought in a rush a few hours before having to turn up because they forgot it was your big day. Just remember when designing the sticker that if you want people to display it prominently (and not just in their calendars), you’re going to need an attractive design. We’re Celebrating Our Anniversary! Anniversary celebrations are another excellent time to send out save-the-date stickers. Again, like with the engagement party, you don’t have to go wild and print invitations too. A cute sticker with a nice design and the date of the party will be more than enough. Just make sure your sticker also includes what the event is. You want people to remember why the date in question is important, right? We’re Having a Baby! Celebrating new life is definitely the perfect time to send out save-the-date stickers. You want your friends and family with you to share in the joy of your family growing, which makes it the perfect time to send out these stickers. And, as with your wedding, it gives people time to get some awesome gifts for the baby. There’s no need to feel bad. Your guests will actually thank you because no one likes buying a gift in a rush, especially when it’s for a baby shower. Save-the-date stickers are perfect for any important event where you need people to remember to attend. Electronic calendars and reminders might be effective, but they’re nowhere near as much fun. So, whether you’re inviting your kids’ friends to a birthday party, are celebrating an engagement, wedding, or anniversary, these stickers are a lovely way to keep your event front and center in the minds of your invitees.
Learn moreDie Cut Stickers vs Sticker Sheets: Which Option Is Better for You?
You know stickers are valuable promotional tools. You know you can get whatever design you like, and whatever size you prefer. But now you have a problem. You’re not sure whether to opt for die cut stickers or sticker sheets. In fact, you’re not even sure of the difference between them. In this article, we’ll look at the two types of stickers, as well as when to use them. Understanding the Difference Between Die Cut Stickers and Sticker Sheets Sticker sheets are, as their name pretty clearly states, sheets with multiple stickers on them. These sheets can feature all the same sticker or multiple sticker designs, depending on your preference. Essentially, what happens is that the designs are printed on a sheet, and then, when the cut is made, it’s only made through the sticker itself and not all the way through to the backing. So, what you end up with is a rectangular sheet of backing material and vinyl on which the stickers have been printed, and only the latter has been scored so you can peel the individual stickers off the sheet. This type of cut is referred to as a kiss cut, seeing as the blades only lightly “kiss” the vinyl, and don’t go all the way through. They can be cut to any shape you choose, including along the contour of the design if it’s not a standard shape. Conversely, die cut stickers have been cut out of the sheet completely, usually along the contour of the design but they can also be cut out as standard geometric shapes, if you prefer. These tend to be slightly more expensive than sticker sheets, but are great at making an impact. How to Decide Between Sticker Sheets and Die-Cut Stickers In terms of which one is better, the fact is that it depends on the situation. Sticker sheets are more suited to some applications, while for others, die-cut stickers are more appropriate. Determine the Application The first step in figuring out whether to get die-cut stickers or sticker sheets is to determine what you’ll be using them for. Below you’ll find a few examples. Package and Product Stickers If you are going to be using the stickers to put on your packages when shipping to customers, then you’re probably better off with sticker sheets. It’s a more cost-effective option and since you won’t be handing them out individually, it doesn’t matter how many stickers are on a single sheet. Keep in mind that they don’t have to be identical to one another, so even if each label has a custom message on it, you can still get them on sheets. Another advantage to sticker sheets is the ease with which you can peel them off the sheet. It might not seem like a big deal, but if you have a large number of packages to brand, anything that makes it easier and less time-consuming definitely helps. Stickers for Customers When you’re giving out stickers to your customers, you should probably stick to die-cut stickers, even if you are sending more than one. Yes, a sticker sheet would be more efficient if you are sending out a few stickers to each customer, but the fact is that die-cut stickers look more professional. The last thing you want to do is to make your customers think you’re cheap. So, investing in die-cut stickers is definitely more beneficial to your reputation in the long run. Plus, if you sent multiple die-cut stickers, your customers can also hand them out to friends and family, further promoting your brand. If you take the sticker sheet route, this would be a lot more difficult for your customers to do, meaning you’d be missing out on a valuable promotional opportunity. Remember, you want to make it as easy as possible for your customers to be your advocates and recommend you to their friends and family, so send them die-cut stickers. Promotional Stickers If you will be putting up promotional stickers in your area, or at an event, you’ll probably want to go with sticker sheets. Once again, it saves time as peeling them off is much easier. Furthermore, it’s a lot easier to transport 500 stickers, for example, when they are still attached to a sheet, than when they are loose. There’s also less of a chance of losing them because it’s easier to notice a whole sheet flying off than it is a 2”x2” sticker. Consider the Design When deciding between die-cut stickers and sticker sheets, you also have to take into account the design. If it’s a very delicate design with lots of “bits” sticking out, a contour die-cut sticker might not be the best option because it’s easier for those areas to get damaged. For example, if you have a ribbon waving in the wind, it’s more likely to get bent or even torn off, despite the additional strength the backing material provides. However, when the same sticker is on a sheet, it won’t be exposed so there’s less of a chance of accidents happening. Don’t Forget Your Budget Budget is certainly a consideration, despite how cost-effective stickers are in general. So, if you are sending out multiple stickers to your customers, you might opt for a sticker sheet as it will be slightly cheaper. However, remember that you’ll be missing out on a great opportunity to increase brand awareness because your customers won’t be able to hand out stickers to other people. Plus, there’s also the risk that you’ll seem cheap. It’s often a better idea to get fewer die-cut stickers than opting for sticker sheets when trying to make your customers feel special. Die-cut stickers and sticker sheets are both popular options, but the approach you choose really depends on your circumstances and how those stickers will be used. In some cases, a die-cut sticker is mandatory if you want to put your best foot forward and really impress your customers. In other situations, like when you have 300 packages of your homemade cookies to brand, you want to go for sticker sheets to make your life easier.
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