Kiss-Cut vs Die-Cut Stickers: The Ultimate Guide

Baiba Blain
Jul 18, 2023
Kiss-Cut vs Die-Cut Stickers: The Ultimate Guide

Resolve the old kiss-cut vs die-cut battle and pick the right sticker for you by learning everything about both types. The cutting process, peel and backing, pricing – we’ve covered it all in this article.

What Is a Kiss-Cut Sticker?

Man holding a kiss-cut sticker of a cartoon otter with glasses holding a book, printed on a square, white backing paper.

A kiss-cut sticker is partially cut, meaning the sticker’s shape is cut through the vinyl, but the backing paper stays intact.

How Are Custom Kiss-Cut Stickers Made?

Kiss-cutting involves vinyl and cutting equipment. These four steps summarize the kiss-cut sticker creation process:

  1. Design your custom sticker.
  2. We’ll print your design onto high-quality vinyl using an inkjet or digital printer.
  3. A sticker-cutting machine will cut the printed vinyl with special settings for the cutting depth, pressure, and speed.
  4. The machine follows the design, cutting the outline precisely through the top layer and leaving the back layer intact.

What Is a Die-Cut Sticker?

A die-cute sticker of a cute cartoon French bulldog with its backing paper cut around the sticker shape.

A die-cut sticker has the vinyl and paper backing cut right through – leaving the exact shape of the sticker without excess material.

How Are Custom Die-Cut Stickers Made?

Similar to kiss-cutting, die-cutting involves a vinyl material and cutting equipment. These four steps outline the creation of die-cut stickers:

  1. Create your custom design for the sticker.
  2. We’ll print your design onto the vinyl using a digital or offset printer.
  3. The cutting machine will cut right through the vinyl layer and backing paper.
  4. The finished product is a custom die-cut sticker with a unique shape – leaving no excess vinyl or backing paper.

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What Is a Die-Cut Sticker?

Kiss-Cut Stickers Die-Cut Stickers
Price Cheaper due to a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process with less cutting. More expensive due to the higher complexity of the cutting process.
Peelability Easy to peel since the paper backing stays intact. Less easy to peel due to the exact shape requirements for the die-cut stickers.
Quality High-quality stickers with extra backing but less precise edges. High-quality custom stickers in more intricate shapes.
Durability Less durable and prone to frayed edges. Can withstand sun and fading for a couple of years.
Sticker material Vinyl. Vinyl.
Waterproof qualities Can be made with waterproof vinyl, depending on your preference for the product. Can be made with waterproof vinyl, depending on your preference for the product.
Cutting method Only the top layer of the sticker is cut, leaving the backing paper intact. The paper backing is cut into a specific shape together with the sticker itself.
Size and amount Available in single pieces and sticker sheets. Cut precisely into one custom-shaped sticker. Sizes vary, depending on the design. Also available in sticker sheets.
Shape options The shape of your kiss-cut stickers depends on your design. A die-cut sticker can be made and cut into your desired shape.
Recommended use cases Ideal for labels and logo stickers with simple designs. Perfect for eye-catching designs and branding with delicate designs.
Production speed Fast production due to simple processes without cutting the backing paper. Slightly longer time in production is required to cut custom shapes through the vinyl material and the sticker backing paper.
Sheet utilization Kiss-cut stickers have extra backing paper, useful for brand promotions or additional information. Die-cut stickers don't have extra material to utilize for branding.
Surface types Ideal for smooth surfaces such as glass, plastic, and paper. Suitable for uneven and textured surfaces like bikes or water bottles.
Price
Kiss-Cut Stickers Cheaper due to a simple, cost-effective manufacturing process with less cutting.
Die-Cut Stickers More expensive due to the higher complexity of the cutting process.
Peelability
Kiss-Cut Stickers Easy to peel since the paper backing stays intact.
Die-Cut Stickers Less easy to peel due to the exact shape requirements for the die-cut stickers.
Quality
Kiss-Cut Stickers High-quality stickers with extra backing but less precise edges.
Die-Cut Stickers High-quality custom stickers in more intricate shapes.
Durability
Kiss-Cut Stickers Less durable and prone to frayed edges.
Die-Cut Stickers Can withstand sun and fading for a couple of years.
Sticker material
Kiss-Cut Stickers Vinyl.
Die-Cut Stickers Vinyl.
Waterproof qualities
Kiss-Cut Stickers Can be made with waterproof vinyl, depending on your preference for the product.
Die-Cut Stickers Can be made with waterproof vinyl, depending on your preference for the product.
Cutting method
Kiss-Cut Stickers Only the top layer of the sticker is cut, leaving the backing paper intact.
Die-Cut Stickers The paper backing is cut into a specific shape together with the sticker itself.
Size and amount
Kiss-Cut Stickers Available in single pieces and sticker sheets.
Die-Cut Stickers Cut precisely into one custom-shaped sticker. Sizes vary, depending on the design. Also available in sticker sheets.
Shape options
Kiss-Cut Stickers The shape of your kiss-cut stickers depends on your design.
Die-Cut Stickers A die-cut sticker can be made and cut into your desired shape.
Recommended use cases
Kiss-Cut Stickers Ideal for labels and logo stickers with simple designs.
Die-Cut Stickers Perfect for eye-catching designs and branding with delicate designs.
Production speed
Kiss-Cut Stickers Fast production due to simple processes without cutting the backing paper.
Die-Cut Stickers Slightly longer time in production is required to cut custom shapes through the vinyl material and the sticker backing paper.
Sheet utilization
Kiss-Cut Stickers Kiss-cut stickers have extra backing paper, useful for brand promotions or additional information.
Die-Cut Stickers Die-cut stickers don't have extra material to utilize for branding.
Surface types
Kiss-Cut Stickers Ideal for smooth surfaces such as glass, plastic, and paper.
Die-Cut Stickers Suitable for uneven and textured surfaces like bikes or water bottles.

So, die-cut stickers vs kiss-cut – which ones to choose? Both are great, but serve different purposes. Keep in mind that suitability depends on your own preferences and requirements.

Custom Sticker Design Ideas

Let’s look at some cute, simple and interesting sticker designs to get your creative juices flowing.

Design Ideas for Kiss-Cut Stickers

Nature Elements

Kiss-cut sticker of a camping settlement with a tent and mountains with a forest in the background.
Kiss-cut sticker of a bouquet of red and pink roses and other flowers.
Kiss-cut sticker of a minimalistic orange.

Minimalist Icons

Kiss-cut sticker of a yellow, round smiley face.
Kiss-cut sticker of a coffee cup.
Kiss-cut sticker of two dog paw prints.

Logos

Kiss-cut sticker of Printify's light green snap logo.
Kiss-cut sticker of the company name “Printify” and its snap logo.
Kiss-cut sticker of Printify's dark green snap logo.

Quotes

Kiss-cut sticker of the text “Hi Hungry, I'm Dad.”
Kiss-cut sticker of the text “Nap Queen.”
Kiss-cut sticker of the text “Straight Outta Pub.”

Travel

Kiss-cut sticker of the text “Ireland” surrounded by small clover leaves.
Kiss-cut sticker of a fantasy traveler's suitcase surrounded by hearts and various items.
Round red and orange kiss-cut sticker of an island with palm trees and horizontal lines representing a sunset.

Food and Drinks

Kiss-cut sticker of a smiling cartoon sushi roll.
Kiss-cut sticker of a mug filled with steaming, golden liquid.
Kiss-cut sticker of a smiling cartoon avocado with the word “vegan” underneath.

Animals

Kiss-cut sticker of a cartoon cat wearing a witch's hat and holding a cat toy that looks like a witch's staff.
Kiss-cut sticker of a cartoon sloth among tree branches.
Kiss-cut sticker of a cartoon meerkat.

Vintage Nostalgia

Kiss-cut sticker of a pink vintage car and the year “1957” above it.
Kiss-cut sticker of a purple typewriter surrounded by lavender plants.
Kiss-cut sticker of a cassette tape.

Design Ideas for Die-Cut Stickers

Flowers

Die-cut sticker of a minimalistic red flower.
Die-cut sticker of a skull surrounded by various flowers and plants.
Die-cut sticker of three minimalistic blue flowers.

Puzzle Pieces

Die-cut sticker of a neon green puzzle piece.
Die-cut sticker of a black puzzle piece.
Die-cut sticker of a light blue puzzle piece.

Magical Creatures

Die-cut sticker of a chubby, smug-looking cartoon unicorn.
Die-cut sticker of a black baby dragon with orange and red coloring.
Die-cut sticker of a Kraken with large, adorable eyes.

Unique Niches

Kiss-Cut vs Die-Cut Stickers: The Ultimate Guide 1
Die-cut sticker of an orange cat surrounded by rainbows.
Die-cut sticker of the word “Feminist.”

FAQ: Die-Cut vs Kiss-Cut Stickers

The main difference between a die and a kiss-cut sticker is the depth of the cut. Kiss-cut stickers are partially cut, leaving the backing paper intact, while die-cut stickers are custom-cut into the desired shape together with the backing.

There is no right or wrong answer. Both sticker types have their pros and cons. While die-cut stickers provide extra style, shapes, and customization with no excess material around, they take longer to make and are harder to peel. On the other hand, kiss-cut stickers come in sheets, are more cost-effective, and provide extra backing paper for additional branding.

A little bit. Kiss-cut sticker-making requires less cutting and preparation, so the process is slightly faster and cheaper than die-cutting.

Yes. This is a popular tool among crafters, as it can precisely cut through various materials, such as paper and vinyl.

Ready to Make Custom Stickers With Printify?

Kiss-cut stickers vs die-cut, which ones are better for you? Consider key differences, benefits, processes, and applications of both die-cut and kiss-cut stickers. 

Once you’ve made an informed decision, you’ll have top-quality custom-shaped stickers to be proud of, along with endless profit opportunities with Printify.

Make It Happen Today!

Start Selling

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Written by

Baiba Blain
Baiba is a content writer and language enthusiast with 5+ years of experience in translation and creative writing. Outside of work she enjoys exploring old castles, spontaneous road trips, and talking back to her cats. 10/10 arguments won so far.

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