How to design your stickers

Stickers and labels have a huge variety of creative uses in all kinds of businesses. From promo giveaways to stock control, from inspiring merch to packaging, they’re a way to make your message stick. If you’re stuck for creative inspiration, check out these top tips for creating standout stickers design.

Think about your sticker’s purpose

When creating your sticker design, start by asking yourself: what’s the goal? Are you aiming to build brand identity, promote an event, or advertise a product? Where will these stickers be applied? Are they for car windows, packaging, or laptops? How will they be distributed—by post, as handouts at an event, or included with products? The answers will influence your design, from size to material choice. Specific planning at the start helps avoid problems later, such as stickers that don’t fit envelopes or adhesive that won’t hold on certain surfaces.

Choose the right material for your application

Solopress now offers a diverse range of materials designed to suit different applications. Here’s a quick guide to finding the best fit for your needs:

• White Gloss Paper

  Permanent or removable options are ideal for multipurpose labelling on cardboard and plastic, including chilled food packaging. The removable option is deep-freeze friendly, making it adaptable for various environments.

• Clear Gloss Polypropylene (PP)

  – This durable, transparent material works well for both indoor and outdoor applications, such as jars, windows, and bottles. Its clarity ensures it doesn’t obscure the surface beneath.

• White Gloss Polypropylene (PP)

  A strong, opaque choice for bottles or outdoor use, especially on curved surfaces.

• White Uncoated Paper

  Available in permanent or removable adhesives, this natural-finish label suits freezer environments and indirect food contact.

• Neon Paper

  Our fluorescent yellow neon stock is perfect for high-visibility applications, catching attention in any setting. Particularly effective for a monochrome sticker design.

Selecting the appropriate material enhances your sticker’s durability and appearance, whether for food packaging, promotional items, or environmental exposure.

Think ahead with laser-cut Sticker designs

For maximum impact, consider creating a unique shape. Having installed the UK’s first Konica Minolta Motioncutter 23 digital laser system, Solopress’s custom stickers are laser-cut, which allows for intricate designs beyond the standard circles and rectangles. Whether you’re looking for a sleek silhouette or a dynamic cut-out, laser cutting adds a distinctive touch that helps your sticker stand out.

Be mindful of borders

If your design includes a border, keep it at least 3mm from the edge. Small variances during production can cause a border to appear uneven if placed too close to the edge.

Look around and research

What are other people in your line of business using for stickers? Think about what isn’t being done, that may be effective? What stickers do you see out on the streets? Why are they there? Why do they work? How can you do something powerful and unique while still effectively tying in with your other marketing efforts?

Keep it simple

A sticker’s message should be quickly understood, often from a distance. Minimise intricate details, multiple colours, or excessive text. A simple logo or headline is more effective and easier to read, particularly if the sticker will be viewed at a glance.

Bigger isn’t always better

While bigger stickers can be more noticeable, consider your audience’s willingness to apply them. Large stickers work well for company vehicles or signage, but smaller, easy-to-apply stickers are often better received as giveaways or promotional items.

When it comes down to the sticker design…

We offer artwork templates for all of our print products to aid graphic designers and save time in preparing print ready artwork. Templates are available as PDFs or in Photoshop, InDesign or Illustrator files, ready to be downloaded and opened in your chosen Adobe program, getting your sticker design off to a quick start. You can access all of our Stickers & Labels templates here.