Sticker printing covers far more than party stickers: product labels on jars of atchar, bottle labels for a craft gin, packing stickers for an online shop, asset tags, vinyl stickers for a laptop or a bakkie window. The right material and cut matter as much as the design, because a label that peels in the fridge is a problem. Whether you need 100 round stickers or 10,000 roll labels, a printer near you can quote it. Send one request and local printers quote you directly, free and with no obligation.
Types of stickers and labels
- Kiss cut stickers: cut through the sticker but not the backing, on sheets or rolls, easy to peel
- Die cut stickers: cut right through to the shape, handed out singly
- Paper labels for dry products, boxes and envelopes
- White or clear vinyl stickers for bottles, windows and outdoors
- Roll labels for products, made to fit a label applicator
For large vinyl graphics and decals, see vinyl printing.
Choosing material and finish
Paper is cheapest and fine for dry, indoor use. Vinyl or polypropylene resists water and handling, so it suits bottles, cosmetics and food that goes in the fridge. Ask for waterproof, freezer or oil-resistant adhesive where needed. Gloss or matt lamination protects the print. Clear film lets the bottle show through, but white ink may be needed under the colours. For label printing for bottles, measure the flat area of the bottle, not just its height. For outdoor use, such as a bakkie window or a wheelie bin, ask for UV-resistant ink and a laminate, because strong sun fades cheap stickers quickly.
Files, cut lines and rules
Send the design with 2 to 3 mm bleed and a separate cut line (a thin vector path on its own layer) for shaped stickers. Keep text 2 mm inside the cut. For roll labels, tell the printer the roll core size, the direction the label comes off the roll and how many per roll, so it fits your applicator. Food and product labels may have legal content rules; check what your product needs before printing a big run.
What affects the price and what to ask
Size, material, shape, quantity and sheets versus rolls drive the cost. Many designs in one run cost more than one design. Ask:
- Paper or vinyl, and is it laminated?
- Is it waterproof or freezer safe?
- Sheets or rolls, and what core size?
Printing business cards in the same look? Add them to the request.
What to include in your request
- Size and shape of each sticker
- Paper, white vinyl or clear
- Sheets or rolls, and core size
- Where it goes: fridge, bottle, outdoors
- Quantity and number of designs
Sticker and Label Printing for different clients
- Families and individuals: personalised stickers for a child's party, jam jars and school books
- Small businesses and start-ups: product stickers for home bakers, candle makers and online sellers
- Companies and offices: asset tags, packaging stickers and warehouse box labels in bulk
- Shops, restaurants and salons: price stickers, shelf strips and seal stickers for takeaway packaging
- Events, conferences and clubs: race number stickers, bag stickers and giveaway stickers at expos
- Schools, churches and NGOs: name stickers, merit stickers and fundraising stickers for schools and clubs
- Government and municipalities: asset stickers, awareness stickers and vehicle permit stickers
- Designers, agencies and resellers: roll labels and sticker sheets for designers and packers on trade terms
Frequently asked questions
How much does sticker printing cost?
What is the difference between kiss cut and die cut?
Can I get waterproof labels?
What is the minimum order for stickers?
Sticker and Label Printing by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg