Set Up Your Artwork for Success
To ensure your Custom Stickers print perfectly, follow these essential guidelines when preparing your artwork files:
Artwork File Specifications:
- Resolution: Minimum of 300 DPI (at your requested size) for crisp, high-quality prints.
- Color Mode: Set your file to CMYK (not RGB), with Pantone colors converted to CMYK, as this will give you the most accurate color results.
- File Formats Accepted: PDF, AI, PSD, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, or EPS.
- Preferred Files: Vector artwork (PDF, AI) or high-resolution raster images (300 DPI).
Size Limitations for Custom Stickers:
- Smallest Kiss Cut: 0.5" x 0.5"
- White, Clear, Glitter, Holographic, and Glow in the Dark: 1" x 1"
- Largest: 11” x 14”
Important Tips for Perfect Prints:
- Use vector files whenever possible for scalability.
- Embed all images and outline all fonts to avoid missing elements.
- Add 1/8” bleed beyond the cutline for a clean edge.
- Ensure important design elements are at least 1/16” away from the cutline to avoid trimming errors.
Advanced Artwork Tips
- Glitter & Holographic Stickers: Leave parts transparent to let the effect shine. Use white ink to block the effect or adjust opacity for colored shimmer.
- Clear Stickers: Add a white ink layer behind areas you want opaque. This essential for bold colors and scannable QR codes.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers: Use light colors or unprinted areas for best glow. Avoid dark inks, which block the effect.
- Sticker Sheets: Keep 1/16” between designs, 1/8” from sheet edges, and use 0.04” corner radius. Upload a layered file for Art Team help.
Need more assistance? Check out our artwork setup guidelines.


Why 300 DPI Matters?
Artwork resolution plays a crucial role in print quality. Here's why 300 DPI is the standard for printing:
- Sharp, Detailed Prints: High DPI ensures your design looks clean and professional without pixelation.
- Accurate Colors: More pixels result in more precise color representation.
- Professional Quality: Avoid blurry, distorted prints that may harm your brand’s image.
- Customize Your Sticker: Pick your sticker type (individual, rolled, or sheet), material, lamination (if required), shape, size, and quantity from the dropdowns above.
- Upload Your Artwork: Upload your design file right away—or upload it after checkout.
- Accepted formats: AI, EPS, PDF, PNG, PSD, TIF, TIFF, JPEG, JPG. View artwork setup guide.
- Pro Tip: Use the Special Instructions box to share any design notes you'd like reflected in your proof. What to include.
- Place Your Order: Head to checkout to finish your order.
- Want to save designs and reorder faster? Create an account at checkout.
- Need it fast? Choose Rush Printing and expedited shipping (extra fees apply). Learn more about Rush Printing.
- Pro Tip: Sign up for our emails to get 20% off your first order. And check our coupons page for the latest deals.
- Review & Approve Your Proof: We’ll email a free digital proof showing your design layout, cutline, and size. Approve it or request edits—we don’t print until you say go. See what’s included in your proof.
- Print & Ship: Once you approve your proof, we get to work. Your Custom Stickers will be printed and shipped before you know it!
Need help? Our real human support team is ready to assist or visit the Help Center.
Use Cases & Application Tips
Custom Stickers are a versatile solution for branding, packaging, and promotion—indoors or out. Printed on tough, weatherproof material with a strong adhesive, they're built for business.
Popular Business Applications
- Giveaways & Merch: Perfect for trade shows, events, and fan freebies.
- Retail & E-Commerce: Add to packaging for an unboxing moment customers remember.
- Marketing & Campaigns: Great for street teams, influencer kits, and swag bags.
- Food & Beverage: Great for branded merch, event promos, and customer giveaways.
Custom Sticker Application Tips
- Apply to clean, dry, smooth surfaces for best adhesion.
- Smooth from one edge to avoid air bubbles.
- Curved surfaces? Go slow and press gently to avoid wrinkles.


When it comes to ordering Custom Stickers, one of the most important decisions you can make is figuring out the best size for your design. Choose a size that is too small, and your design may get lost in the shuffle. Select a size that is too large, and it may fail to impress your fans or potential customers.
Here are a few size comparisons to things we see all the time.
- 1 inch (quarter-sized): Great for small items or subtle branding
- 2 inch (Oreo-sized): Ideal for laptops, bottles, and packaging
- 2 x 3.5 inch (business card size): Perfect for promos, events, and handouts
Frequently Asked Questions
- Clear for a see-through, no-label look
- Holographic for a color-shifting shimmer
- Glitter for sparkle without the mess
- Glow-in-the-Dark for a luminous effect in low light (no laminate)
- Paper-based options for indoor or temporary use
- Clear Stickers: printed on transparent polypropylene, allowing your design to float seamlessly on any surface. We use white ink behind selected areas to make colors stand out or keep parts see-through. You can choose back adhesive for traditional use or face adhesive for window displays. Available in glossy or matte finish.
- Holographic Stickers: printed on a rainbow-reflective polyester material that shifts in the light, adding a vibrant, eye-catching effect. Use white ink to block the holographic shimmer in certain areas or add contrast to your design. Available in glossy or matte finish.
- Glitter Stickers: printed on a sparkly material that shines through your design. You can apply white ink to enhance readability or mask the glitter in specific areas. Available in glossy or matte finish.
- Glow-in-the-Dark Stickers: printed on phosphorescent PET material that charges in light and emits a soft green glow in the dark. For best results, use lighter colors and avoid dark inks that block the glow effect.
- Rush applies to your entire order—place separate orders to expedite only certain items.
- Delays in proof approval will delay production.
- Not available for Waterless Tattoos or Backprinting
- Rush availability depends on our current production capacity. If you don’t see the option at checkout, contact our Customer Service Team —we’ll do our best to help.
What are Custom Stickers?
Custom Stickers are made-to-order designs printed just for you. You choose the shape, size, material, finish, and upload your artwork—we’ll handle the rest. Whether you’re branding products, handing out swag, or decorating gear, custom stickers help you show off your message, your way.
What materials are used to make StickerGiant Custom Stickers?
StickerGiant offers a variety of high-quality materials to bring your sticker designs to life—whether you're creating branded giveaways, product packaging, or eye-catching promo pieces.
Our most common material is Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)—a flexible, lightweight, and eco-friendly alternative to vinyl. It delivers excellent print quality and performs well in a wide range of applications.
All Stickers are finished with your choice of glossy or matte laminate for added protection and a polished look—except for specialty materials where noted.
We also offer unique materials to make your Stickers stand out:
Note: Our Stickers are not food-safe and should not be applied directly to edible products.
Are Custom Stickers waterproof and durable?
Custom Stickers are water-resistant, not fully waterproof. They hold up well in rain, snow, car washes, and coolers, making them ideal for outdoor gear, water bottles, and cars. However, they’re not designed for full submersion, and repeated dishwasher use may degrade the lamination—we recommend hand washing to extend sticker life.
Custom Stickers are also highly durable and resistant to scratches, oil, and fading—so your designs stay vibrant through everyday wear and tear.
What specialty materials are available?
We print on specialty materials including Clear, Holographic, Glitter, and Glow-in-the-Dark.
Will I see a proof before my Stickers are printed?
Yes. Every new order includes a free digital proof showing layout, size, and cut lines. You'll receive it within 1–2 business days after artwork upload. We won’t print until you approve it.
How long does it take to print my order?
Once you approve your proof, your order moves into production which typically takes 2 to 5 business days, not including weekends or holidays. Need it faster? Rush Printing is available on most products (excluding Waterless Tattoos and Backprinting). Pro tip: The sooner you approve your proof, the sooner we can start printing!
What does “Next Day Air” shipping mean?
Next Day Air speeds up shipping time, not production time. That means your custom order will still take 2–5 business days to print after proof approval. Once it ships, it should arrive the next business day via UPS or FedEx. Be sure to factor in both production and shipping time when planning your delivery date.
What is Rush Printing?
Rush Printing is a priority service that ensures your stickers are printed and shipped 1 business day after you approve your proof. It moves your order to the front of our proofing and production queues to help you meet tight deadlines.
Rush applies to production time only—it does not affect shipping speed. To receive your order sooner, select expedited shipping at checkout or choose Local Pick-Up if you're in Colorado.
At checkout, select “Rush Your Order" under shipping options.
Important Notes:
- Sticker Sheets and Clear Stickers do not have split-backing due to how they’re made.
Tip: For Clear Stickers, you can request a tab or a carrier sheet in the Special Instructions box at checkout to make peeling easier. - Small Stickers (especially under 1"x1") may be harder to peel individually. In those cases, we recommend Kiss Cut Stickers on rolls, which are easier to remove and apply.
- Remove background from a photo
- Make just the logo holographic
- Add glitter to stars only
Do Custom Stickers have split-backing for easy peeling?
Yes—most of our Custom Stickers come with split-back liners (also called crack-and-peel backing) to make them easier to peel and apply. These ¾-inch pre-slit sections help you quickly remove individually cut Stickers like Die Cut, Holographic, and Glitter Stickers.
However, not all Stickers include split-backing:
For the easiest peeling experience: Choose Sticker Sheets or Kiss Cut Stickers. These formats feature a square backing around each sticker, making them simple to peel—especially for delicate shapes or detailed designs.
How do I add special requests to my order?
Use the Special Instructions box (right below the artwork upload area) to request things like:
These notes stay with your order through proofing, printing, and shipping—so we can get it right the first time.
Reordering? Reorders skip proofing, so if you need to include new special instructions, place a new order instead of clicking “Reorder.”
Forgot to add a note? Contact our Customer Service team prior to apprvoing your proof so we can cancel and submit your special instructions.
Do you offer Sticker Sheets with multiple designs?
Yes! You can fit up to 30 different designs on a single Sticker Sheet. Sticker Sheets are available in all materials, including standard white, clear, glitter, holographic, and glow-in-the-dark. Just select “Sticker Sheet” as your shape when ordering and size your artwork file to fit the full sheet (max 11" x 14"). Each design must be at least 0.75" x 0.75" for best results.
Need help setting up your Sticker Sheet? Check out our Sticker Sheet setup guide
Are Custom Stickers the same as Labels?
Not exactly. While both are printed on durable BOPP, Custom Stickers are individually cut and built for visibility—perfect for giveaways, merch, outdoor use, or creative promotions. Labels are typically delivered on rolls for faster application to products, containers, and packaging.
Custom Stickers are all about bold design and brand impact. Labels are all about speed and practicality. Both are high quality—it just depends how you plan to use them.
What’s the difference between Die Cut and Kiss Cut (Rolled) Stickers?
Die Cut Stickers are cut through both the sticker and the backing to match your requested shape. Stickers are supplied individually with a crack-and-peel backing, making them easy to hand out or package. Best for trade shows, thank-you inserts, and sticker shops.
Kiss Cut Stickers are also custom-shaped, but only the sticker layer is cut—the backing stays intact. This makes them easier to peel, especially for small or delicate designs. Finished on rolls, they’re great for retail, packaging, or events where speed and organization matter.
How do I check my order status?
Easy! Just go to our Order Status Page, enter your Order # or Item #, and you’ll see where your order is in the process—from proofing to shipping. If any action is needed from you, like proof approval, we’ll reach out with clear next steps.