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Introduction to Custom Stickers
Custom stickers are adhesive labels that are printed with unique designs, logos, or messages to promote a brand, product, or cause. They allow businesses and organizations to get their branding and messaging directly into the hands of customers and supporters.
Stickers have become a popular and versatile way for brands large and small to market themselves. From adding logo stickers to products to creating branded sticker sheets to hand out at events, custom stickers provide a fun and affordable way to get a brand’s name and message out into the world.
Compared to other promotional products, custom stickers are low cost to produce, especially at small quantities. Businesses can experiment with stickers to see if they resonate with their audience before ordering larger quantities. Overall, custom stickers allow organizations to turn their customers into brand ambassadors.
Benefits of Using Custom Stickers
Custom stickers provide a variety of benefits for promoting your brand affordably and effectively. Some key advantages include:
Get your logo and branding on products – Custom stickers allow you to easily apply your logo, tagline, imagery, and other branding elements directly onto your products or packaging. This helps reinforce brand recognition and awareness.
Provide extra product information – Use stickers to communicate instructions, ingredients, warnings, or other details about your products to customers. Stickers are a handy way to disclose important product info.
Fun way to engage customers – Creative, colorful, or humorous custom stickers can delight customers and create positive brand associations. Stickers make for fun promotional items.
Affordable promotional item – Ordering custom stickers in bulk is very affordable compared to many other branded merchandise options. Stickers offer great bang for your branding buck.
Versatile uses – Stickers can be applied to all kinds of surfaces including products, packaging, store windows, cars, laptops, water bottles, and more. Their versatility makes them a practical promotional choice.
Tips for Designing Effective Custom Stickers
When designing custom stickers to promote your brand, there are several tips to keep in mind for maximum impact:
Keep branding consistent. Make sure your stickers use the same logo, fonts, colors and overall visual style as the rest of your brand. This helps reinforce brand recognition and makes your marketing efforts more cohesive (1).
Make stickers visually appealing. While keeping branding elements consistent, don’t be afraid to get creative with sticker shape, imagery and other design elements. Bold, colorful, eye-catching stickers are more likely to grab people’s attention.
Use stickers to share key information. Consider including your company name, logo, slogan or other important details like a phone number, website or social media handle. This gives customers easy access to find out more.
Place stickers strategically on products. Put stickers where customers are most likely to notice and interact with them. For example, on water bottles, laptops, reusable shopping bags, etc.
Choose size, shape and materials carefully. Consider the product the sticker will go on, where it will be placed, and durability needed. Select weatherproof vinyl for outdoor use or paper for temporary indoor promotion.
Where to Get Custom Stickers Printed
There are two main options for getting custom stickers printed – using an online printing company or going to a local print shop. Both have their pros and cons.
Popular online sticker printing companies include StickerApp, Staples Print & Marketing Services, Sticker Mule, and VistaPrint. The benefits of ordering custom stickers online include:
- Convenience – design and order stickers completely online without leaving your home or office.
- Fast turnaround times – many online printers can print and ship your order within a few business days.
- Design templates – most online services provide easy-to-use design software with templates.
- Order smaller quantities – you can order as few as 10-50 stickers from some online companies.
The downside of online sticker printing is you don’t get to see physical examples of materials and you have to wait for shipping. Rush shipping can add significant costs.
Local printing and copy shops are another option for custom stickers. The benefit of local printing is you can see and feel sticker materials in person. Local shops may also offer same day printing. However, design options may be more limited and minimum order quantities higher compared to online printing.
Overall, online sticker printing offers more design flexibility and convenience while local shops can be better for rushed orders or unique materials. Consider both options when planning your custom sticker order.
Custom Sticker Materials and Printing Methods
Custom stickers can be printed on a variety of materials, each with their own unique properties and benefits.
Some of the most popular materials for custom stickers include:
- Vinyl – Durable and weatherproof, great for outdoor use. Comes in glossy or matte finishes.
- Paper – This more affordable option is good for short-term indoor use. Can have glossy or matte coatings.
- Clear vinyl – Allows stickers to blend into surfaces while still being visible.
- Reflective vinyl – Eye-catching effect, great visibility at night.
There are two main printing methods used for custom stickers:
- Digital printing – Uses inkjet or laser printers, good for full-color stickers even in small quantities. Allows photographic image quality.
- Screen printing – The older technique requires setup per color, but can print high volumes efficiently. Limited color options.
Stickers can have different types of cuts:
- Kiss cut – Cuts through the sticker but not the backing.
- Die cut – Cuts through both sticker and backing into custom shapes.
Finishes like glossy, matte or even transparent laminates can provide protection and change the look.
Options like weatherproof laminates are also available when stickers need to withstand outdoor exposure to sun, moisture and wear-and-tear.
The material, printing method, cut type, and finishes should be selected based on the intended application and lifespan required for the custom stickers.
Costs to Consider for Custom Stickers
When budgeting for custom stickers, there are several factors that impact the overall cost:
Size, Shape and Materials – The bigger the sticker, the more it will cost per unit. Die-cut stickers that are custom shapes also add to the price. Specialty materials like reflective vinyl or weatherproof vinyl will be more expensive than standard options.
Quantity Needed – Bulk orders get the best per-unit pricing. The more stickers you order, the less each individual sticker will cost. Startup costs are higher for small orders.
Printing Method – Digital printing is generally more affordable for small runs of stickers. Screen printing has higher setup fees but becomes more cost-effective at higher quantities. Foil stamping and embossing add premium printing effects.
Customization and Design – Having a graphic designer create your artwork or extensively customizing the stickers will add to the overall cost. Simple text stickers are the most affordable option.
Shipping Fees – This can vary greatly based on the quantity ordered and your location. Make sure to factor in shipping costs from online vendors.
When getting quotes, some key details to provide are your desired materials, size/shape, quantity needed, printing method, and any custom design requirements. This will allow you to accurately compare costs between vendors.
Use Cases and Examples of Effective Custom Stickers
Custom stickers can be used in creative and clever ways to promote a brand. Here are some examples of successful custom sticker campaigns:
The skincare company Glossier created custom stickers with their logo and product names like “Boy Brow” and “Balm Dotcom.” Fans eagerly stuck these on laptops, water bottles, notebooks etc. to show their love for the brand. Glossier said over 1 million stickers were shipped in the first 6 months of the campaign.
For a limited time, the clothing brand Madewell released a sticker sheet of their signature indigo dye color. Customers had fun decorating belongings with the cool blue stickers. Madewell generated buzz and increased brand awareness.
When the popular podcast Serial released its second season, it sent custom stickers to listeners who donated during a fundraising campaign. Fans proudly displayed the stickers on cars, laptops, etc. The stickers rewarded loyal listeners and spread brand awareness.
During COVID-19, the San Francisco bakery Tartine created custom stickers with their logo and cute phrases like “Wash Your Hands!” and “Social Distancing Champion.” The uplifting stickers were a hit with customers who posted photos of the stickers on laptops, coffee mugs, and more.
These examples show how custom stickers can generate buzz and engagement when brands get creative with unique designs, relevant messaging, and special giveaways just for customers.
How to Effectively Distribute and Apply Custom Stickers
Distributing and applying custom stickers strategically is key to maximizing their promotional impact. Here are some tips:
For handing out stickers directly to customers and prospects, having a booth at trade shows, festivals or other events provides great exposure. You can also hand out stickers at your brick-and-mortar location. For broader distribution, mailing custom stickers to customers and prospects spreads brand awareness at a low cost. Include a sticker inside product packaging or with direct mail pieces.
When using stickers on your own products and packaging, place them strategically where customers will notice them. Putting a sticker near the opening of a package ensures it will be seen when the product is first used. For maximum visibility, stickers on the front or top of products and packages will catch consumers’ eyes on shelves. On apparel and accessories, visible spots like near the brand logo work well.
Make sure the placement complements your product design instead of covering key details. Test different placements to determine what works best. The size of the sticker should be proportional to the product – a giant sticker on a small item may look strange. Aim for stickers to feel like a natural addition that enhances the product.
For placement on reusable items, select high-quality vinyl or weatherproof stickers that will adhere well and withstand washing or frequent use. Test adhesion on the actual surface to ensure the stickers will properly stick.
Measuring the Impact of Custom Stickers
It’s important to track metrics to understand the impact of your custom sticker campaign. Here are some key ways to measure effectiveness:
Brand Awareness
Look at brand mentions and engagement online when using a custom hashtag or phrase on your stickers. You can use social listening tools to track increases in brand awareness.
Sales and Engagement
Measure conversion rates, sales, and engagement metrics after a sticker campaign. See if stickers led to more sales, email signups, or social media followers. Use UTMs or promo codes to track sticker impact.
Impact Analysis
Use sticker analytics tools to quantify reach and exposure. Look at sticker scan rates, impressions, and engagement over time. This can demonstrate overall awareness and interest.
Consider surveying customers on sticker effectiveness and brand perceptions. This qualitative data is useful for optimizing future campaigns.
Conclusion
In summary, custom stickers provide an affordable and versatile way for brands to promote themselves. By applying your logo and messaging to stickers, you can get your branding on products, packaging, promotional mailings, and more. Well-designed custom stickers will grab customer attention.
When creating custom stickers, focus on consistency with your overall branding. Make the stickers visually striking and place them strategically on items. Carefully consider the sticker size, shape, materials and printing method that best fit your needs and budget.
Online printing services offer speed and convenience for getting custom stickers produced. Or you can work with a local print shop to support local businesses. There are many options for sticker materials, printing methods, finishes and customization.
The bottom line is custom stickers are a fun, creative way to engage customers and boost your brand exposure. We encourage you to try them out for your own business or organization. Get started by requesting free samples from top sticker printers to test their quality and service.
