The short answer: a die-cut sticker is cut all the way through — sticker and backing paper both follow the shape of your design. A kiss-cut sticker is only cut through the vinyl layer, so it peels off a larger backing sheet. Same print quality, different jobs.
Die-cut stickers are individual stickers where the cut goes through both the vinyl and the backing paper. Pick one up and the whole thing — sticker plus backing — is shaped exactly like your design. A mascot-shaped sticker is mascot-shaped before you even peel it.
Because each sticker is a finished single, die-cuts are what you hand out at events, drop into orders and sell as merch. They feel more premium in the hand, and the shaped backing shows off the design immediately.
Kiss-cut stickers are cut with just enough pressure to slice through the vinyl layer while leaving the backing sheet intact — the blade "kisses" the material. The result is one backing sheet holding one or many peelable stickers.
That's what a sticker sheet is: multiple kiss-cut stickers on a single sheet. It's the economical way to print several designs, sizes or product-label variations together, and the extra border of backing protects intricate shapes and fine edges.
| You want… | Order |
|---|---|
| Individual stickers to hand out, sell or include with orders | Die-cut stickers |
| Several designs or sizes printed together economically | Kiss-cut sticker sheets |
| Small stickers under 30mm (fiddly to peel as singles) | Kiss-cut sticker sheets |
| Product labels applied by hand in small batches | Kiss-cut sticker sheets |
| Labels at production volume for a labelling machine | Roll labels |
No — the printing is identical. Both are printed on the same vinyl with the same inks and the same optional gloss or matte laminate. The only difference is how the cutter treats the backing paper. Once the sticker is on a laptop or a jar, nobody can tell which method produced it.
Per sticker, kiss-cut sheets are usually the cheaper way to buy in quantity because more stickers fit on each sheet through the press. Die-cut singles carry a little more handling per piece. Both start at a minimum of just 10 with us — you can compare live pricing for your exact size and quantity in the configurators.
Both methods handle custom shapes. For very intricate outlines — thin tails, sharp points, fine lettering — kiss-cut is often the safer choice because the backing sheet supports the delicate edges. If you're unsure whether your artwork suits die-cutting, send it over: we check every file and send a free digital proof before anything prints.
Configure die-cut stickers or kiss-cut sticker sheets with live pricing — free digital proof on every order, dispatch in 1-2 business days.