Sticker sizes: which size to order
Use 2 inch (about 5 cm) round stickers to seal bags and boxes, 3 inch (7.5 cm) round or square for logo stickers and giveaways, and 4 inch (10 cm) when you want them on laptops, water bottles or windows. A sticker sheet fits many small stickers on one 8.5 × 11 in page.
Sticker sizes and what they're for
| Size | Metric | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in round | 51 mm | Packaging seals, thank-you stickers, price dots |
| 3 in round | 76 mm | Logo stickers, giveaways, bags |
| 3 × 3 in square | 76 × 76 mm | Logo stickers, product stickers, boxes |
| 4 × 4 in square | 102 × 102 mm | Laptops, bottles, windows, merch |
| Sticker sheet | 8.5 × 11 in | Many small stickers or labels on one kiss-cut sheet |
Kiss-cut vs die-cut
- Kiss-cut: the blade cuts through the sticker but not the backing, so stickers peel off a sheet or square backing. Sticker sheets are kiss-cut.
- Die-cut: the blade cuts through both, so each sticker is a separate piece in the shape of the design.
- Ask your printer which they offer and what shapes they can cut.
Design tips for small sizes
- Two to five words at most. A sticker is read in a glance.
- Keep text at least about 8–10 pt on a 2 in sticker, and bigger where you can.
- Use strong contrast; thin light text on a pale background disappears.
- Keep important parts 1/8 inch (3 mm) inside the edge. Round stickers lose more near the edge than you'd expect.
- Thicken thin lines in a logo, or use a simpler version of it.
Materials
- Paper stickers: cheap, good for packaging and indoor use.
- Vinyl stickers: waterproof and tougher, for bottles, laptops and outdoor use.
- Clear vinyl: lets the surface show through around the design.
- Matte vs gloss: matte reduces glare and is easier to write on; gloss makes colours pop.
Making stickers in CatalogProFlow
- Open a sticker template (2 in round, 3 in square or 4 in square), or a sticker sheet for many small stickers on one page.
- Add your logo and a short message; the circle templates keep the design inside the round shape.
- Download a print-ready PDF for a print shop (Pro or a one-time unlock), order prints where our print partners offer stickers, or download a PNG free with an account.
How many to order
For packaging seals, work out how many orders you ship in two or three months and order that many; the price per sticker usually drops a lot at higher quantities. For giveaways, start with a smaller run of one design and see which ones people take before ordering several designs.
- Ask for a proof that shows the cut line around the design.
- Check colours on paper: bright screen colours can print a little duller.
Questions
- What size should a logo sticker be?
- 3 inches (about 7.5 cm) round or square is the most popular all-round size; 2 inches works for sealing packaging and 4 inches for laptops and bottles.
- What is the smallest text that works on a sticker?
- Around 8–10 pt on a 2 in sticker is about the minimum for easy reading. Fewer, larger words work better.
- What's the difference between a sticker and a label?
- Mostly the use: labels give product information on packaging, stickers are for branding, decoration and giveaways. The printing is often the same.
- Can I print stickers at home?
- Yes, on printable sticker paper or vinyl sheets for your printer. Cut by hand or with a cutting machine; a print shop gives cleaner cuts for larger runs.
- Are vinyl stickers waterproof?
- Vinyl stickers resist water much better than paper ones and suit bottles and outdoor use. Ask your printer whether they add a laminate for extra protection against scratches and sunlight.