Home / Artwork Guidelines
ARTWORK PREPARATION

Artwork Guidelines for Custom Stickers

Prepare your artwork for clean, accurate custom sticker printing. Follow these guidelines for file format, resolution, colors, fonts, cut lines, borders, transparency, and other common design details.

You do not need to be a professional designer to order custom stickers. Upload the best artwork you have, and use this guide to avoid the most common issues before your file reaches the proofing stage.

File Formats Resolution Colors Fonts Cut Lines Borders Transparency QR Codes
Artwork guidelines for preparing custom sticker designs for printing Prepare artwork with confidence
QUICK SUMMARY

Send the Highest-Quality File You Have

Vector artwork is ideal when available. For raster artwork, use a high-resolution image at the final print size. Keep important text and design details away from the cut edge, convert or embed fonts when possible, and review your digital proof carefully before production.

01

Recommended Artwork File Formats

Upload the cleanest source file available. Vector files are preferred for logos, typography, and illustrations because they can be resized without losing edge quality. High-resolution raster files can also work well when they are large enough for the final sticker size.

Preferred

Vector Files

AI, EPS, SVG, PDF

Best for logos, line art, text-heavy designs, and artwork that may need resizing.

Good

Raster Files

PNG, PSD, TIFF

Suitable when the artwork is supplied at sufficient resolution and final print size.

Use Carefully

Compressed Images

JPG, JPEG

These can work, but heavy compression may soften small text, edges, and fine details.

Tip: If you only have a PNG or JPG, upload the largest original version rather than a screenshot or an image downloaded from social media.
02

Use High-Resolution Artwork

Raster artwork should be prepared at approximately 300 DPI at the intended print size. Increasing the DPI number after a small image has already been created does not restore missing detail.

Best Practice Supply raster artwork at 300 DPI at the final sticker dimensions.
Avoid Upscaling Do not enlarge a small low-resolution image and expect it to become sharper.
Check Small Text Fine text and thin lines reveal resolution problems faster than large shapes.
Use the Original File Whenever possible, export directly from the design program rather than taking a screenshot.
03

Color Settings for Sticker Artwork

Screens display color with light, while printed stickers reproduce color with ink. Because of this, some bright screen colors can print differently from what you see on a monitor or phone.

Recommended

CMYK-Aware Artwork

If your design software supports CMYK, use it when preparing print-focused artwork and avoid relying on extremely bright screen-only colors.

Also Accepted

RGB Artwork

RGB files can still be submitted. Be aware that some vivid RGB colors may shift when converted for printing.

Important: Exact screen-to-print color matching is not always possible because monitors, phones, lighting conditions, and printed materials reproduce color differently.
04

Convert or Embed Fonts

If your artwork contains text, convert fonts to outlines or curves before exporting when possible. This prevents missing-font substitutions and keeps the lettering consistent with your original design.

  • Convert editable text to outlines or curves in vector artwork.
  • If outlining is not possible, embed the fonts in the exported PDF.
  • Check spelling, capitalization, phone numbers, URLs, and other text before upload.
  • Avoid extremely thin text at very small sizes.
05

Cut Line Guidelines

The cut line determines the finished shape of your sticker. If you provide your own cut path, keep it smooth and simple enough to follow the outside contour of the design. If you do not provide one, the artwork can be prepared during the proofing process.

OK

Comfortable Cut Area

Leave enough visual space around important details so small cut adjustments do not affect the design.

OK

Too Close to the Edge

Text, borders, and important details placed very close to the cut edge can look uneven after normal production variation.

06

Borders, Bleed, and Safe Area

Designs with a printed border require extra care because even a small cut variation can make a narrow border appear uneven. Wider borders are generally more forgiving.

Keep Important Details Inside

Do not place essential text, logos, or small design elements directly against the finished cut edge.

Extend Background Artwork

When color or artwork is intended to reach the edge, extend it beyond the cut line so small trimming variations do not create an unwanted white edge.

07

Transparent Background Artwork

For die-cut artwork without a printed rectangular background, PNG or vector files with transparency are especially useful. Make sure any background you do not want printed is actually transparent rather than white.

Check your file: A checkerboard background in design software usually indicates transparency. A visible white rectangle may print as part of the artwork unless removed.

For transparent sticker products, white areas in your design may require special white ink treatment depending on the intended appearance.

08

White Ink on Clear or Specialty Stickers

Clear materials allow the surface underneath to influence the printed artwork. White ink can be used behind selected design areas to improve opacity, contrast, and color visibility.

Use White Ink Behind Color

This can make printed colors appear more solid and less transparent on clear material.

Leave Areas Without White Ink

This allows transparent material or the application surface to remain visible through the design.

09

QR Code Artwork Guidelines

QR codes should be sharp, high contrast, and large enough to scan reliably after printing. Avoid placing important QR code elements too close to the cut edge or on highly distorted shapes.

  • Use a high-resolution or vector QR code whenever possible.
  • Maintain strong contrast between the QR code and its background.
  • Keep clear space around the code.
  • Do not stretch or distort the QR code.
  • Test the final code with multiple phones before submitting the artwork.
Explore QR Code Stickers →
10

Review Your Digital Proof Carefully

The digital proof is your opportunity to review the proposed sticker shape, artwork placement, cut line, and overall layout before production.

Check the Cut Line Confirm that the finished sticker shape follows the artwork as expected.
Check Text and Details Review spelling, contact information, small text, and important design elements.
Check Placement Make sure the design is centered or positioned the way you want.
Request Changes if Needed Do not approve the proof until the layout matches your intended result.
11

Final Artwork Checklist

Before uploading your file, use this checklist to catch the most common artwork issues.

1
Use the best original file

Prefer vector artwork or a high-resolution raster export.

2
Confirm final size

Make sure small text and fine details remain readable at the selected sticker size.

3
Outline or embed fonts

Prevent font substitutions and unexpected text changes.

4
Check transparency

Remove any background that is not intended to print.

5
Protect important details

Keep logos, text, and critical artwork away from the cut edge.

6
Review the proof

Approve only after checking the complete layout and cut shape.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Artwork Guidelines FAQs

What file type is best for custom sticker artwork?

Vector files such as AI, EPS, SVG, and vector PDF are ideal for logos and illustrations. High-resolution PNG, PSD, TIFF, or JPG files can also work when prepared at sufficient resolution.

What resolution should my sticker artwork be?

For raster artwork, approximately 300 DPI at the intended print size is a strong target. Vector artwork does not depend on pixel resolution in the same way.

Can I upload a JPG or PNG?

Yes. Use the largest, cleanest original version available and avoid screenshots or heavily compressed images.

Do I need to create my own cut line?

Not necessarily. If you have a preferred cut path, you can include it in the artwork. Otherwise, the cut line can be prepared as part of the proofing process.

Should I convert fonts to outlines?

Yes, when possible. Converting fonts to outlines or curves helps preserve the exact appearance of your text and prevents missing-font substitutions.

Why might printed colors look different from my screen?

Screens and printed materials reproduce color differently. Monitor settings, device brightness, lighting, material, and print conversion can all affect the final appearance.

Can you print artwork with a transparent background?

Yes. PNG and vector files can preserve transparency. Make sure any area you do not want printed is actually transparent rather than filled with white.

What should I check on my proof?

Review the cut line, sticker shape, artwork placement, text, spelling, contact details, QR codes, borders, and any other important design elements before approving production.

READY TO PRINT?

Upload Your Artwork and Create Custom Stickers

Use the best artwork file you have, choose your sticker size and quantity, and review the digital proof before production.

Create Custom Stickers Create Logo Stickers