Stickers vs labels – what are the major differences?

Are you looking to custom brand your packaging or new product range and are wondering what is best? Or have you come across the terms custom labels & stickers and cannot understand the differences?

We’re here to help. We’re going to explain what the differences really are and when it’s best to use either.

So let’s get started.

What’s the difference between labels & stickers?

Fundamentally there is no difference! Custom labels & stickers are both adhesive-backed printed bits of paper or plastic. Anti-climax eh! Don’t worry, there are still some crucial differences, and we’ll explain them now.

Stickers are typically individually cut, whereas you can get labels on sheets or rolls. This image helps to show you the difference:

Does it matter which I choose?

Yes! And more than you think right now.

Sticker it did a test. They timed how long it would take to apply 1000x 3 cm circle stickers and labels to compare the time taken.

They applied 1000 individually cut stickers in 2 hours and 17 minutes, whereas it only took 48 minutes to apply 1000 labels on sheets.

That is a massive saving of 1 hour and 29 minutes or 65% faster – now you see how important this decision is for you!

How do I know what to buy; individually cut stickers or labels on sheets or rolls?

Here’s a summary of each type to help you choose:

Individually cut stickers

If you are giving stickers away or selling them, buy individually cut stickers. They’re easy to buy in small quantities, and often a wide range of materials & finishes are possible.

Labels on sheets

If you’re starting to apply 50+ labels to products, packaging, or anything in-house, get your labels on sheets. All labels are kiss-cut through the sticker layer but remain on the sheet. They’re so quick and easy to peel & apply. Sheets are also straightforward to store and distribute, especially if you go for a standard size A4 or A5.

Labels on rolls

The main benefit of labels on rolls is that a machine can apply them. These machines can be fully-automatic or only semi-automated, such as a dispenser.

However, if you’ve got 1000 wine labels to apply, investing in a dispenser is well worth the time saving and accuracy it gives.

Here’s what it looks like:

We hope you now understand the differences between stickers & labels. They are very similar but with significant differences.

You can get both in a multitude of different materials such as white & clear vinyl, textured papers, chrome, holographic and glitter. Use these materials to create incredible effects.

If you have any questions about stickers or labels, please leave a comment below.