The difference is how deep the blade goes. A die-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl and the backing, so the backing is the same shape as the sticker. A kiss-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl only, so it sits on a larger backing. The sticker itself is the same shape either way.
Die cut
The blade cuts all the way through the vinyl and the backing paper. You get a single sticker in the shape of your design, with a backing behind it in exactly the same shape. Peel it and there's nothing left over.
Die Cut Stickers are best for handing out one at a time, selling singly, and anything where the silhouette is the point.
A die-cut sticker can also have one hole cut inside it. See can my sticker have a hole in it?
Kiss cut
The blade cuts through the vinyl but not the backing; it only "kisses" it. Your sticker sits on a larger backing sheet, usually a square or rectangle with a border around your design. Peel the sticker off and you're left holding the backing. The backing around the sticker can be printed too, with a logo, a web address, or instructions.
Kiss Cut Stickers are best for anything mailed in an envelope or sold on a card, and for anyone who might struggle to get a fingernail under a die-cut edge. The border around the sticker makes it much easier to pick up.
Which should you order?
| Die cut | Kiss cut | |
|---|---|---|
| Backing | The same shape as the sticker | A larger sheet around it |
| Peeling | Usually easy | Easier, thanks to the border |
| Mailing | Mails flat in an envelope | Mails flat, with the backing protecting the edges |
| Look | A bold silhouette | A tidy card, ready for retail |
The border
The border is a separate choice, and a common mix-up. It's the band between your artwork and the cut line, and you can have it on either type. Choose "White Border", "Color Matched", or "No Border", and a width: Thin (0.065"), Standard (0.09"), or Thick (0.125"). See sticker border options.
No Border is at our discretion. On a die-cut sticker, the artwork needs an outside stroke at least 0.065" thick, and one main shape with no sharp corners. Stickers without a white border explains why.
Can you print on the back?
No. We don't print on the back of the liner. To put information with your stickers, like instructions, a web address, or a thank-you, use Sticker Sheets: the whole sheet can be printed, around and between the stickers. More in things to ask us about.
Sticker sheets
A sticker sheet takes kiss cutting further: several stickers kiss-cut onto one backing sheet, each peeled off on its own. See Sticker Packs and Sticker Sheets.