How to make your own die cut stickers

What are die cut stickers and how are they made

We don't want to bore with how we make die cut stickers if you are here to learn how you can make your own die cut stickers. However, it does help to have a basic understanding of what die cut stickers are and the different steps of making them.

There are three stages to manufacturing stickers: printing, laminating and cutting.

• The printing process is very straightforward. However, the better your printing equipment, the better the quality of your stickers will be.

• Laminating is optional. It is a great way to add a glossy finish to your stickers and increase their durability – the laminating process makes them water- and scratch-proof.

• Finally, your die cut stickers have to be cut in their custom shape. This can be a little tricky as you have to cut them precisely along the die cut line.

Here is a cool video that takes you through each process. For a more detailed description, you can head over to read our blog post "How are die cut stickers made?"

Design your own custom die cut stickers

The first step to making your own die cut stickers is to create your own sticker design. This can seem a little intimidating if you have no previous design experience. But it does not have to be.

We offer a free online design tool called Graphic. With Graphic, you can upload and modify your own artwork, browse pre-made templates and elements and edit them until you are 100% happy.

If you are struggling to come up with cool designs, you can browse our top die cut sticker designs here.

Find the right sticker material

Once you have created your perfect design, you need to choose the material you want to print your custom die cut stickers onto.

Online, you will find a host of sticker materials, ranging from paper to vinyl-based options. You simply need to ensure that the material you select will work with your printer and is fit for your intended use.

When to use paper stickers

Paper stickers are your ideal choice if you are looking for an eco-friendly sticker option. They are usually plastic-free and can be recycled or composted.

Use them mainly indoors as they are not waterproof and will tear more easily than their vinyl counterparts.

Some ideal uses for die cut paper stickers are:

• Product packaging

• Packaging seals

• Labelling for eco-conscious brands

• Logo stickers

• Photo stickers

When to use vinyl stickers

Custom vinyl stickers are the perfect all-rounder. Thanks to their glossy laminate, they are scratch-resistant and waterproof, making them perfect for prolonged outdoor uses or any other use where they might come into contact with water.

Vinyl materials are available in many different colours and even effects like transparent or metallic. Just type your favourite material into Amazon and see what it comes up with.

Here are some of our top ways to use vinyl die cut stickers:

• Company signage

• Product labels for candles, drinks, honey, jam and much more

• Limited edition stickers

• Logo stickers to giveaway

• Phone and laptop branding

Sticker printing at home

Now it is time to get printing. The die cut sticker printing process seems rather straightforward: use your printer of choice, feed it your material and press print.

However, there are a few essential tips you should keep in mind.

Choose a high-quality printer

The print quality can make or break your die cut stickers. Even the best design will only take you so far if you are working with a low-quality printer.

If you are looking to invest in a new printer, the Epson XP-7100 for £200 makes a great entry-level machine.

Do you want something more professional? Then have a look at the Canon PIXMA PRO-100S for £400.

Convert your colours

Before you start printing your stickers, make sure you convert your colours to CMYK mode.

The colours you see on your computer screen are not the colours that will be printed. That is because your computer displays colours in RGB mode.

RGB stands for red, green and blue. With these colours, your screen can generate 16,777,216 colours.

Your printer, on the other hand, uses a CMYK gamut. With cyan, magenta, yellow and black, it can create about 16,000 different colours.

This is still a lot, but there is the possibility that your screen will show you colours that simply cannot be printed with your printer. You can find out more about CMYK vs RGB here.

So make sure to convert your colours from RGB to CMYK to accurately represent what your stickers will look like. Programs like Photoshop and CorelDRAW have this function built-in, but you can also use websites that convert colours for you.

Creating a custom shape

The most important aspect of a die cut sticker is its custom shape. After all, this is why you opt for custom die cut stickers.

Without the right equipment, cutting along the die cut lines to create those delicate shapes can be very tricky – there is only so far a pair of scissors can take you.

Especially if you want to create many different shapes, an at-home die cutting machine can be a great investment.

The most well-known supplier of manual die cutting machines is VEVOR, starting at £200. The market leader for digital die cutting machines Cricut. Their cheapest model comes in at a similar price point.

Whereas manual die cutters work the traditional way, digital cutter have digitally-controlled knives that cut along the die lines.

But both will do a great job at cutting your stickers along the trim line to achieve that custom shape.

Get your custom die cut stickers

No matter if you want die cut stickers to promote your business, decorate your laptop or to sell them, they open a wide range of possibilities and you can find them all in our article "The best ways to use die cut stickers".

So, are you ready to make your own die cut stickers? Then we hope you found these tips helpful.

Or did it all sound like too much hassle and quite a lot of money? Then have a look at our custom die cut stickers page and get an instant quote for your customized die cut stickers.

If you have any questions about our services, please contact us.