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Die-Cut or Kiss-Cut Stickers: Which Should I Order?
Sticker marketing is becoming increasingly popular with more and more companies opting to use stickers as an important part of their promotional arsenal. People perceive stickers as a gift rather than a promotional tool, which lowers the barriers that normally go up when people are faced with traditional advertising. So, instead of your customers turning into impenetrable walls like they might do with a standard ad or sales pitch, when they receive a sticker, they end up thanking you profusely. And, in the best case scenario, asking for more stickers to share them with friends and family. But stickers come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and flavors. So, if you’ve ever wondered what die-cut stickers and kiss-cut stickers are, and which option you should go for, read on to find out. Understanding Die-Cut and Kiss-Cut Stickers A die cut sticker is one where the blades have cut through the vinyl as well as the paper backing. The end result is a sticker with backing that’s the same shape as the sticker itself. So, for example, if your sticker is shaped like a cloud, the final product, backing included, will be shaped like a cloud. A kiss cut sticker is one where the blades don’t go as deep and only cut the vinyl, leaving the backing intact. In this case, the final product is usually a rectangle or square of backing and vinyl, but when you remove the sticker itself from the backing, it’s been cut around the design’s shape. For example, when it’s still on the backing, the sticker is rectangular or square, but when you remove the sticker, it’s the shape of a cloud. When to Order Die-Cut Stickers Die-cut stickers tend to have a more attractive presentation and many people perceive them as being more professional and valuable, even if the price point is pretty much the same as with kiss-cut stickers. Some of the situations in which you should consider die-cut stickers are as follows: Making a Good Impression on Customers and Prospects As already stated, people tend to perceive die-cut stickers as being more valuable. So, if you really want to make a good impression on your customers and prospects, then you probably should opt for die-cut stickers. Remember, stickers can do wonders in terms of earning customer loyalty, which will eventually translate into a higher lifetime and transactional value for those particular customers. Plus, loyal customers tend to act as advocates, so you really want to generate as much loyalty as possible. And giving them stickers that seem more valuable and more attractive is a good way of doing this. Also, don’t forget to hand out a few extras as it increases the odds of your customers and prospects giving them on to other people they know, thereby increasing brand awareness. Giving Stickers Away to Suppliers You might not have considered giving stickers to suppliers. After all, why do you need to advertise to your suppliers, right? Well, by giving them a stack of die cut stickers, you can help increase brand awareness because they can hand those stickers out to their own clients. It also helps build a strong relationship with your suppliers, which always comes in handy. Again, it’s important to remember the perceived value of stickers. They are valuable and aren’t something people throw away. When to Opt for Kiss-Cut Stickers? Kiss-cut stickers are available as singles – i.e. one sticker with a rectangular background – or they can be part of a sheet. For example, an A4 sheet with multiple kiss-cut stickers. While the presentation of kiss-cut stickers isn’t quite as attractive as their die-cut counterparts, there are plenty of situations when they are the preferred option. Here are a few situations in which you should opt for kiss-cut: Your Sticker Design Has Very Complex and Delicate Edges If your sticker’s design has a very delicate and complicated edge, such as lace or something similar, then kiss-cut is the better option. While cutting out the design wouldn’t be a problem, the delicate edges are more likely to get damaged with die-cut stickers. You Are Applying the Stickers Yourself Whether you are putting up stickers on every window, bulletin board, and light pole you can find, or you are putting them on your products, peeling stickers off their backing when they’ve been die-cut is not fun. It’s a little more time consuming and can get annoying really quickly. With kiss-cut stickers, especially when they are on a sheet, peeling them off is much easier and quicker. So, when you have a bunch of stickers to apply, you definitely should go the kiss-cut route to save yourself a lot of annoyance and aggravation. You Are Giving Out Sets of Stickers Maybe you’re running a promotional campaign and are giving away multiple different stickers to each customers. In this case, a sheet of kiss-cut stickers is a good option to keep them all together for organizational purposes. However, keep in mind that your customers then won’t be able to trade stickers or give them out to people they know. When it comes to choosing between die-cut stickers and kiss-cut stickers, you have to consider what you’ll be using them for. So, when you’re using stickers as gifts to hand out to customers or trying to increase brand awareness by making stickers available to prospects, then you probably want to go with die-cut. With die-cut, you’re sending the message that your customers and prospects are valuable to you, which is why you’ve made sure to provide value in return. Even if, monetarily speaking, they’re practically on the same level. Unless, of course, you’ve opted for a highly delicate design that simply wouldn’t stand up to a lot of manipulation. Then, kiss-cut is definitely your best bet. Also, go with kiss-cut when you’ll actually be applying the stickers yourself. Trying to peel five hundred die-cut stickers will get really old, really fast. So, for your sanity, you’re better off with kiss-cut stickers.
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.
Learn moreBranding For Small Business
Branding for small business is important - it tells people what they can expect from you and it differentiates you from your competitors. Your brand is what people think of when they hear your brand name. Are you just starting out or are you experienced and reliable? Do you provide exotic, high-cost products or do you deliver top quality at a reasonable price? You can't market yourself as both and it’s important that people know what they can expect from you. Branding For Small Business Here are a few questions to help you define your brand: Who are you and what do you do? What problem are you solving and how are you different from the competition? What’s in it for the client and why should they want to deal with you? Positioning Your Brand Unless you have a unique product that no one else has, you need to think about positioning. It is the place you want to own in your prospect’s minds – what you want them to think of when they think of your brand. Here are a few examples of positioning: Position based on benefit - Volvo: Safety Position based on the consumer -Pepsi: Pepsi Generation Position based on proposition -Burger King: Have it your way Position based on the competition -Seven-Up: The Un-cola Getting The Word Out Once you've defined your brand, you need to get the word out? Here are a few time-tested tips: Get a great logo and display it everywhere. Develop a good tagline. Write a short and meaningful statement that captures the essence of your brand. Choose something catchy so it’s easy to remember. Integrate your message. Be consistent in every aspect of your business. Your brand needs to carry through in everything you do. Advertise. They won’t come if they don’t know you exist. How Custom Stickers Help Build Your Brand Stickers deliver a high-impact and memorable message in a short period of time. That’s effective marketing and it delivers a big bang for the buck. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing your stickers: Use templates for your marketing materials. Templates guarantee a consistent look and feel and they speed up the work process. You want to have a consistent look and feel to your business cards, your website and your social media pages. This is how you broadcast and repeat your message. Be genuine. You won’t get repeat business or customer referrals if you don't deliver on your brand promise. Be consistent. This is one of the most important things you can do. Your customers need to know what to expect or your attempts at establishing a brand will fail. Build Your Brand With Stickers That Rock! Why use stickers? Branding for small business is meant to increase the effectiveness of advertising and boost profits. Stickers are a brand marketer’s best friend. Stickerbeat stickers last for three to five years in outdoor use; they deliver a high-impact and memorable message in a short period of time. And, they’re cheap to make and fun to hand out. That’s effective marketing which means you’re getting a big bang for your advertising dollars. Stickers Are a Brand Marketer’s Best Friend Avoid Sticker Shock Use our templates to create your stickers and reduce the cost of creating your promotional materials. It’s quick and it’s easy. Build a buzz for your brand - order stickers that rock now!
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