Cutting and Peeling: Different Cutting Styles and Methods

Creating custom stickers is a fun process, but choosing the right cutting style is important. The way your stickers are cut impacts how they look and how easy they are to peel. Whether you're making stickers at home or ordering them from a professional service, this guide will help you understand different cutting methods, best practices, and tips for peeling stickers with ease.

Types of Sticker Cutting Methods

There are three main cutting methods: die-cutting, kiss-cutting, and perforated cutting. Each method offers unique benefits depending on the design and purpose of your stickers.

1. Die-Cut Stickers

Die-cut stickers are cut to the exact shape of your design. The final sticker has no extra material around the edges, giving it a sharp, professional look.

Best for:

• Custom shapes and unique designs.
• Branding and promotional stickers.
• Stickers with detailed outlines or shapes.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Thin or delicate parts of your design near the edges can get cut off.
• Die-cut stickers take a little more time to produce because of their precision.

Best Practices:

• Use vector files for clean lines and shapes.
• Keep important elements like text or logos away from the edges to avoid cutting them off.

2. Kiss-Cut Stickers

Kiss-cut stickers are lightly cut through the vinyl, but the backing paper remains intact. This makes them easy to peel off, while leaving the backing paper behind.

Best for:

• Sticker sheets with multiple designs.
• Stickers that need extra protection during shipping.
• Simple shapes or delicate designs.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Kiss-cut stickers are easier to peel, but don’t have the sharp outline of die-cuts.
• Leave space between designs if you’re making a sticker sheet to avoid tearing.

Best Practices:

• Design with enough space between each sticker to make peeling easier.
• Add a small border around each sticker for added protection.

3. Perforated Cuts

Perforated stickers are often used on sticker sheets. The sticker can be torn off the sheet along the perforated lines.

Best for:

• Large sticker sheets.
• Bulk distribution, such as at events or trade shows.
• Simple shapes that don’t require precise cutting.

Things to Keep in Mind:

• Perforated cuts aren’t as precise as die-cut or kiss-cut stickers, so they’re best for simpler shapes.
• They’re great for stickers that will be given out quickly or in large quantities.

Best Practices:

• Use perforated cuts for bulk orders where quick and easy tearing is important.
• Ideal for giveaway stickers at events or as part of marketing materials.

Tips for Peeling Stickers

No one wants to struggle with peeling off a sticker! Here are some helpful tips to make peeling easy:

For Die-Cut Stickers:

• Add a peel tab—a small edge left uncut to make peeling easier.
• Suggest starting from one corner to carefully peel off more intricate shapes.

For Kiss-Cut Stickers:

• Make sure there’s enough space between stickers on the sheet.
• The backing paper makes it easier to peel, so take your time and peel slowly.

For Perforated Stickers:

• Perforated edges should make tearing easy. Instruct users to tear along the lines to avoid damaging the sticker.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding these common mistakes will help your stickers look and work great:

1. Choosing the Wrong Cutting Method: Intricate designs may not work well with perforated or kiss-cuts. Match the cutting method to your design’s complexity.
2. Overcrowding Sticker Sheets: Don’t place stickers too close together on a kiss-cut sheet. It makes peeling harder and can cause stickers to tear.
3. Forgetting a Bleed: If your design goes to the edge, add a bleed (extra space beyond the design) to avoid white edges after cutting.
4. Ignoring Ease of Use: Make sure your stickers are easy to peel. If users struggle, it could affect their experience with your product or brand.

Bring Your Stickers to Life: DIY or Let Us Handle It

Now that you know more about cutting and peeling methods, it’s time to decide how to make your stickers. If you're cutting your own stickers at home with a machine, choose the right cutting method based on your design. Make sure to follow best practices to get clean and professional results.

If you’d prefer to have your stickers made professionally, Stickr can help! We specialize in creating high-quality custom vinyl stickers with precision cutting. Whether you need die-cut, kiss-cut, or perforated stickers, our stickers are waterproof, UV-resistant, and come with a five-year warranty. Plus, we offer fast, free shipping!

Ready to get started? Contact us today to bring your sticker ideas to life, or check out our Custom sticker options to find the best fit for your needs.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cutting and peeling method is key to making great stickers. Whether you go for die-cut, kiss-cut, or perforated, knowing what works best for your design will help you achieve the best results. Follow best practices, avoid common mistakes, and you’ll end up with beautiful, functional stickers every time.

Let Stickr help you create the perfect custom stickers with expert cutting and durable finishes. Whether it’s a small batch or a large order, we’re here to help you bring your sticker vision to life.