Die-Cut_Kiss-cut

Personalized stickers are a product currently growing in popularity, becoming an increasingly sought-after among both individual customers and companies creating, for example, advertising materials in this form. Stickers that provide customers with the most personalization opportunities are typically created in two different ways, distinguished by the way used to cut the printed stickers. These options include die-cut stickers and kiss-cut stickers.  

But what exactly are die-cut stickers and kiss-cut stickers, and how can they be distinguished from each other?

Both of the presented options are identical once the sticker is applied to the selected surface. The difference lies in the backing of the sticker – the material used for transferring and storage stickers before its application.  

Die-cut stickers are custom shaped stickers cut along the incision line that marks their edges. Even before the adhesive layer is detached from the medium, die-cut stickers already possess the shape of the final product.

Die-cut
Die-Cut_Kiss-cut

Kiss-cut stickers are also custom shaped, but they have a larger area of material extending beyond the sticker’s outline. The sticker on the backing usually has a rectangular or round outline. The real shape of the sticker becomes clearly visible only after removing it from the paper medium. Before detaching the medium, it is possible to see the sticker edges thanks to the cutting line gently visible on the product. 

This article explores the benefits of both methods for creating personalized stickers, providing insights into the potential risks and weaknesses associated with each of the aforementioned techniques for creating, transferring, and storing customized stickers. 

Die Cut Stickers

Die-cut stickers

The first advantage of this method is the clean-cut presentation. Your customers do not have to wonder if the stickers they received are in the right shape because, at first glance, you can see the shape of the received sticker. Furthermore, it is not necessary to create a separate cut-out line of the shape of the stickers and their additional outline. This can significantly reduce the time required for sticker creation, decreasing the time for cutting out a single sticker by half. 

 Another worth mentioning advantage of this method of creating stickers is its cost-effectiveness. The absence of a need to create an additional area outside the printing zone allows for more stickers to be placed on the sheet, thus saving on materials used. In addition, as there’s no need to cut the sticker in two places, it reduces the working time of machines, the energy they consume, and time spent by employees on individual orders.   

Another aspect that customers often consider when choosing the best method for them is the more professional look of die-cut stickers. Companies opting to create advertising materials in the form of stickers distributed at various events pay attention to the professional appearance of the item and whether it clearly showcases its capabilities to potential customers. Furthermore, such products attract more attention from people visiting the printing house or store, determining whether a customer or online user browsing the offers will decide to make a purchase.  

The risk associated with this type of personalized stickers, which allows for a clear presentation of the shape, is a greater chance of damaging the edges of stickers during transport and storage. Because such stickers lack an outline extending beyond the product area, their edges are directly exposed to damage during transport or improper storage of stickers. 

Kiss-cut stickers

The most obvious advantage that often influences the decision to create such stickers is the protection of the edges. This facilitates the transport and storage of stickers, reducing the chance of damage by bending or tearing the corners. Additionally, the enhanced durability provided by this edge protection ensures a longer life for unused stickers and maintains their pristine condition, contributing to an overall positive customer experience.  

 

Another advantage of kiss-cut stickers is easy peeling. Stickers cut with an additional backing are characterized by the easiest peeling, as ungluing them from the medium is much easier compared to die-cut stickers. To peel off the sticker from the backing, it is enough to slightly bend the backing of the sticker and peel the sticker away. This is a great convenience, especially for end customers who need to peel lots of stickers, allowing them to enjoy the simple process of applying stickers on the surface. 

 

Kiss-cut stickers are characterized by having additional space, which some might consider as unnecessarily wasted material. However, many companies use the sticker’s backing as extra branding space. To avoid the loss of the materials used as backing for the stickers, customers often utilize this option to include additional information,add their logo, and incorporate other elements intended to promote the company. By leveraging this extra space on kiss-cut stickers for branding purposes, businesses can enhance their promotional efforts and create more impactful visual presence for their customized products.

Sample stickers