The Custom Sticker Design Glossary
Every Term You Need Before You Print
From bleed and dieline to CMYK and laminate — every technical term you will encounter when designing and printing custom stickers, explained clearly.
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Creating custom stickers involves a surprisingly wide range of technical terms, spanning graphic design, print production, material science, and finishing processes. Whether you are designing stickers for your brand, your products, an event, or personal use, understanding the vocabulary makes you a more confident designer and a more informed buyer. This glossary covers the full spectrum of terminology you will encounter when using online sticker design tools and working with sticker printers, organized thematically so that related concepts appear together.
Design and Artwork Terms
Artwork
The complete visual design file that will be used to print your sticker. Artwork includes all graphic elements, text, colors, and background components arranged at the correct size and resolution for production. Most sticker printers require artwork to be submitted in a specific file format and at a specified resolution before they will accept an order.
Bleed
Extra artwork that extends beyond the intended finished edge of a sticker. Bleed is added to compensate for small variations in the cutting process, ensuring that no unprinted white edge appears at the border of a finished sticker when the cut lands slightly off the design edge. A standard bleed allowance is 0.125 inches on all sides, though some printers specify different requirements. Always confirm bleed requirements with your printer before finalizing your artwork.
Safe Zone
The area inside the finished edge of a sticker within which all critical design elements should be placed. Text, logos, faces, and other important visual content should remain well within the safe zone to ensure they are not accidentally cropped or lost during cutting. A safe zone margin of at least 0.125 inches inside the finished edge is a standard recommendation.
Dieline
A vector path that defines the cut edge of a sticker. The dieline tells the cutting machine exactly where to cut the sticker from its backing sheet. For standard shapes like circles or rectangles, the dieline follows a simple geometric path. For custom die-cut stickers, the dieline traces the outline of the artwork itself. Dielines are typically placed on a separate layer in the design file and rendered in a specific color that the printer designates.
Artwork Resolution
The density of pixels in a raster image, measured in dots per inch (DPI) or pixels per inch (PPI). For sticker printing, a minimum resolution of 300 DPI at the final print size is required to produce sharp, professional results. Images sourced from websites, social media, or screenshots are typically 72 DPI at screen size and are not suitable for print without significant enlargement, which produces blurry results.
Vector Artwork
Artwork built from mathematical paths and shapes rather than pixels. Vector files can be scaled to any size without any loss of quality, making them the ideal format for sticker artwork. Logos, icons, and text are best created or converted to vector format before submitting to a printer. Common vector file formats include SVG, EPS, PDF, and AI.
Raster Artwork
Artwork made up of a fixed grid of pixels. Raster files are resolution-dependent and lose quality when scaled up beyond their native size. Photographs and complex illustrations are typically raster images. When using raster artwork for stickers, always ensure the image is at 300 DPI or higher at the intended print size.
Transparent Background
A design background with no fill color, allowing the sticker's material color or the surface it is applied to to show through in those areas. Transparent backgrounds are used in die-cut sticker designs where the outline of the sticker follows the shape of the artwork itself. Transparent backgrounds are saved in file formats that support transparency, such as PNG or SVG.
Mockup
A digital preview that simulates how a finished sticker will look on a real surface or in a real-world context. Mockups are useful for evaluating color, scale, and overall visual impact before placing a print order. Many online sticker design tools generate automatic mockups as part of the design review process.
Pantone Color
A standardized color identification system used in professional print production. Pantone colors are assigned unique reference numbers that allow printers to reproduce exact shades consistently across different print runs and materials. Specifying Pantone colors for sticker artwork is most relevant for brand-critical applications where precise color matching across multiple print orders is a requirement.
Hex Code
A six-character alphanumeric code that identifies a specific color in digital design. Hex codes are used in screen-based design workflows to ensure color consistency across digital files. When transitioning from digital design to print production, hex color values are typically converted to CMYK or Pantone equivalents.
RGB
A color model that defines colors as combinations of red, green, and blue light. RGB is used for screen-based design and digital display. Because RGB can represent colors that CMYK printing cannot reproduce, some color shift may occur when RGB artwork is converted for print production.
CMYK
A color model used in print production that defines colors as combinations of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. Sticker artwork submitted for professional printing should ideally be in CMYK color mode to ensure accurate color reproduction. Converting from RGB to CMYK before submitting artwork gives you the opportunity to review and adjust any colors that shift during conversion.
Sticker Types and Formats
Die-Cut Sticker
A sticker that is cut to the exact outline of the artwork rather than to a standard geometric shape. Die-cut stickers follow the contour of the design itself, producing a finished sticker with no visible background material surrounding the image. Die-cut stickers are the most popular format for branded stickers, product labels, and decorative designs because they look polished and intentional on any surface.
Kiss-Cut Sticker
A sticker that is cut through the top vinyl layer and adhesive but not through the backing sheet. The result is a sticker that sits within a larger piece of backing material, making it easy to peel and apply. Kiss-cut stickers are often used for sticker sheets, sticker packs, and promotional stickers where ease of handling and distribution is a priority.
Sticker Sheet
A sheet of backing material containing multiple individual stickers, typically a mix of different designs, sizes, or shapes arranged together. Sticker sheets are produced using kiss-cut technology and are popular for illustrative sticker packs, brand sticker sets, and planner or journal stickers.
Vinyl Sticker
A sticker made from a flexible PVC vinyl material. Vinyl stickers are durable, water-resistant, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. They conform to curved and uneven surfaces more readily than paper stickers and are the standard material for most branded, promotional, and decorative sticker applications.
Paper Sticker
A sticker made from a paper-based substrate rather than vinyl. Paper stickers are typically less durable and less water-resistant than vinyl stickers but are more economical and are often used for product labels, packaging stickers, and short-term applications where weather resistance is not required.
Clear Sticker
A sticker printed on a transparent vinyl substrate, giving the finished sticker a no-background appearance when applied to a surface. Clear stickers work particularly well on glass, windows, bottles, and packaging where a printed-directly-on effect is desired. Artwork for clear stickers should account for the fact that light-colored and white elements in the design may not be visible unless a white ink base layer is specified.
White Ink Base
An additional layer of white ink printed beneath the colored artwork on a clear or metallic sticker substrate. Without a white ink base, colors in the design will appear transparent or tinted by the substrate material. A white ink base is essential for producing accurate, opaque colors on clear and metallic sticker materials.
Holographic Sticker
A sticker printed on a holographic or prismatic vinyl substrate that produces a shifting, rainbow-like reflective effect when viewed from different angles. Holographic stickers are popular for decorative, collectible, and premium branding applications. Artwork printed on holographic materials should typically use bold, high-contrast designs to read clearly against the active background.
Metallic Sticker
A sticker printed on a metallic foil vinyl substrate, typically in gold, silver, or rose gold. Metallic stickers have a reflective, premium appearance and are commonly used for product labels, packaging, and branded merchandise. Like clear stickers, metallic stickers may require a white ink base layer for colors to print accurately.
Waterproof Sticker
A sticker constructed to resist water exposure without the ink or material degrading. Most vinyl stickers with a laminate coating are inherently waterproof, making them suitable for water bottles, outdoor surfaces, and applications where the sticker will be regularly exposed to moisture. Paper stickers are not waterproof unless treated with a specific coating.
Removable Sticker
A sticker made with a lower-tack adhesive that allows it to be peeled away from a surface without leaving residue or damaging the surface beneath. Removable stickers are used in applications where temporary placement is required, such as promotional stickers on retail packaging, window displays, or rental property signage.
Permanent Sticker
A sticker made with a high-tack adhesive designed to bond firmly and permanently to a surface. Permanent stickers are difficult or impossible to remove cleanly once applied and are used in applications where long-term adhesion is a priority, such as product labels, asset tagging, and outdoor signage.
Bumper Sticker
A large, durable sticker designed for application to vehicle bumpers and other exterior automotive surfaces. Bumper stickers are typically printed on heavy vinyl with a strong permanent adhesive and a UV-resistant laminate coating to withstand prolonged outdoor exposure.
Materials and Finishes
Laminate
A thin protective layer applied over the surface of a printed sticker to protect the ink from scratching, fading, UV exposure, and moisture. Laminate is available in matte, gloss, and soft-touch finishes and significantly extends the lifespan of a sticker in demanding environments. Most outdoor and waterproof sticker applications require a laminate coating.
Gloss Finish
A shiny, reflective surface coating that enhances color vibrancy and gives a sticker a polished, high-contrast appearance. Gloss finishes are the most widely used sticker finish and are a good default choice for bold, colorful designs where maximum color intensity is the priority.
Matte Finish
A non-reflective surface coating that gives a sticker a softer, more subdued appearance. Matte finishes reduce glare, which can make stickers easier to read in bright light, and give designs a more understated, premium aesthetic. Matte is a popular choice for minimalist branding, label applications, and designs with a hand-crafted or artisanal feel.
Soft Touch Finish
A specialized matte laminate coating that produces a velvety, tactile surface quality. Soft touch finishes add a premium sensory dimension to a sticker and are commonly used in high-end product packaging and luxury brand applications.
UV Coating
A protective coating applied to the sticker surface that resists fading caused by ultraviolet light exposure. UV coatings are important for stickers that will be displayed outdoors or in environments with strong artificial lighting over extended periods.
Substrate
The base material on which a sticker is printed. The substrate determines the sticker's flexibility, durability, surface texture, and adhesive compatibility. Common substrates include white vinyl, clear vinyl, metallic vinyl, holographic vinyl, and various paper stocks.
Adhesive
The bonding agent applied to the back of a sticker that causes it to adhere to a surface. Sticker adhesives are available in permanent and removable formulations, and the right choice depends on the intended application and the surface type the sticker will be applied to.
Liner
The backing sheet or release paper attached to the back of a sticker that protects the adhesive until the sticker is ready to be applied. Liners are typically made from silicone-coated paper or film that allows clean, easy peeling without tearing.
Printing and Production Terms
Digital Printing
The most common printing method used for custom sticker production. Digital printing transfers artwork directly from a digital file to the print substrate using inkjet or laser technology. It is well suited to short print runs, complex multicolor designs, photographic imagery, and orders that do not justify the setup costs of traditional printing methods.
Offset Printing
A traditional printing method that transfers ink from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the print substrate. Offset printing produces exceptional color accuracy and consistency and is cost-effective for very large print runs, but the plate setup costs make it less practical for small or custom sticker orders.
Screen Printing
A printing method that forces ink through a mesh screen onto the substrate using a squeegee. Screen printing is well suited to bold, single-color or limited-color designs on specific substrates and is commonly used for specialty sticker applications. It is less suitable for photographic imagery or designs with complex color gradients.
Print Run
The total quantity of stickers produced in a single production order. Print run quantity significantly affects the per-unit cost of sticker production, with larger runs typically delivering a lower cost per sticker. Many online sticker printing services offer tiered pricing based on quantity.
Color Proof
A physical or digital sample of a sticker design produced before the full print run begins. A color proof allows you to evaluate color accuracy, image quality, and overall design appearance in the actual materials and at the actual size before committing to the full production order. Requesting a physical proof is advisable for large orders or brand-critical applications where color accuracy is important.
Registration
The precise alignment of multiple layers of color or printing passes relative to each other in a printed design. Poor registration results in colors that appear slightly offset or misaligned, which is most visible at the edges of colored elements. Professional sticker printers maintain tight registration tolerances to ensure clean, sharp results.
Turnaround Time
The time between placing a sticker print order and the order being ready to ship. Turnaround times vary between printers and between standard and rush production options. Always confirm the expected turnaround time before placing an order, particularly if you have an event or launch deadline.
Application and Usage Terms
Application Surface
The surface to which a sticker will be applied. Different surfaces require different adhesive formulations and material choices. Smooth, non-porous surfaces such as glass, metal, and plastic provide the best adhesion for most sticker types. Rough, textured, or porous surfaces such as brick, wood, and fabric present adhesion challenges that may require specialized adhesive formulations.
Bubble
A pocket of air trapped between a sticker and its application surface during installation. Bubbles are most common when applying large stickers quickly without using a squeegee or application tool to smooth the sticker down progressively from one edge. Small bubbles can sometimes be worked to the edge of the sticker or punctured with a fine pin and pressed flat.
Squeegee
A firm, flat-edged tool used to apply pressure to a sticker during installation, pushing out air bubbles and ensuring full contact between the adhesive and the application surface. Many sticker printers include a small plastic squeegee with orders of large-format or vehicle stickers.
Transfer Tape
A transparent adhesive tape used to transfer vinyl lettering or multi-part decal designs from their backing sheet to the application surface as a single piece, preserving the spacing and alignment of the individual elements during installation.
Decal
A type of sticker or adhesive graphic, often used to describe larger-format designs applied to vehicles, windows, walls, and equipment. The terms sticker and decal are often used interchangeably, though decal sometimes implies a more substantial or permanent application than a standard sticker.
Outdoor Durability
A rating that describes how long a sticker is expected to maintain its appearance when exposed to outdoor conditions including sunlight, rain, temperature changes, and physical abrasion. Outdoor durability ratings vary significantly between sticker materials and finishing options, from less than one year for unlaminated paper stickers to five years or more for UV-laminated vinyl stickers.
File Format and Export Terms
PNG
A raster file format that supports transparent backgrounds. PNG is one of the most useful formats for sticker artwork because transparency allows the design to sit cleanly on any background without a visible rectangular border. Always export PNG files at 300 DPI or higher for print use.
SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics. An open-standard vector file format that scales to any size without quality loss. SVG is widely supported by online sticker design tools and is ideal for logos, icons, and graphic elements that need to remain sharp at any sticker size.
A versatile file format that can contain both vector and raster data. A vector-based PDF is one of the most universally accepted formats for professional sticker print submission and is preferred by most commercial sticker printers.
EPS
Encapsulated PostScript. A vector file format historically used in professional print production. EPS files are still accepted by many commercial printers and are compatible with most professional design applications.
AI
The native file format of Adobe Illustrator, a widely used professional vector design application. AI files preserve all layers, paths, and editable elements of a vector design and are accepted by many professional print vendors.
DPI
Dots per inch. A measure of print resolution that describes how many individual ink dots a printer places within one inch of printed output. Higher DPI values produce finer, sharper printed detail. The standard minimum for professional sticker printing is 300 DPI.
PPI
Pixels per inch. A measure of image resolution in digital files, functionally equivalent to DPI for the purpose of evaluating whether a raster image has sufficient resolution for print use. The same 300 PPI minimum standard applies.
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