Stickers · Guide
Die-cut vs kiss-cut stickers: what's the difference?
A die-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl and the backing, so the sticker is the shape of your artwork. A kiss-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl only, so your shape peels from a backing at the size you set. Both are full-color laminated vinyl, in white or clear, gloss or matte, from 10 per design.
- 10
- per design minimum
- 7-year
- laminate guarantee
- Gloss
- or matte laminate
- In-house
- Coatesville, PA
Die-cut vs kiss-cut at a glance
Die-cut | Kiss-cut | |
|---|---|---|
How it's cut | Through the vinyl and the backing | Through the vinyl only |
What you get | A sticker in the shape of your art | Your shape on its backing |
The size you set | The largest the sticker can be; its outline fits inside | The whole sticker, backing included |
Separate parts | One outline, join nearby parts, or cut every part as its own sticker | One backing |
Shapes | Your artwork's outline, or a circle, oval, square, rectangle or triangle, with rounded corners if you like | Same |
Vinyl and laminate | White or clear · gloss or matte | Same |
Minimum | 10 per design | 10 per design |
Good for | Laptops, water bottles and giveaways, where the shape is the point | Handing out and packing into orders: the backing keeps the edges clean and makes them easy to peel |
What is a die-cut sticker?
A die-cut sticker is cut all the way through the vinyl and its backing, along the outline of your artwork. What you hand someone is the sticker itself, in its own shape, with nothing around it. You set how far the cut sits from your art.
If your design has separate parts, like words with gaps between the letters, you can keep them on one outline, join parts that sit close together, or cut every part as its own sticker.
What is a kiss-cut sticker?
A kiss-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl but not the backing. Your shape peels from its backing, so it's easy to peel and hand out. The size you set is the whole piece, backing included, and the cut sits inside it.
Because the backing stays whole, thin parts and small details stay supported until someone peels the sticker.
Which one should you choose?
- Choose die-cut when the sticker's shape is the product: a logo for a laptop, a water bottle or a car window.
- Choose kiss-cut when you'll hand them out or pack them into orders. The backing keeps the edges clean and makes them easy to peel.
- Want no background? Both cuts come in clear vinyl: clear die-cut or clear kiss-cut.
FAQ
Die-cut and kiss-cut FAQs
Are die-cut and kiss-cut stickers waterproof?
Yes. The laminate makes them waterproof and dishwasher-safe, and it carries a 7-year manufacturer guarantee against fading and cracking, so they hold up outdoors on water bottles, laptops and cars.
What size do I enter for each cut?
For die-cut, enter the largest the sticker can be: its outline fits inside that box. For kiss-cut, enter the size of the whole sticker, backing included.
Can I get clear die-cut or kiss-cut stickers?
Yes. Both cuts come in clear vinyl, so the surface shows through anywhere there's no ink.
What's the minimum order?
10 stickers per design, for either cut.
How do I order?
Open the die-cut or kiss-cut sticker page, upload your artwork, and choose the size, laminate and quantity. The price updates as you go. The preview shows exactly what we'll print and cut.
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