People use the words interchangeably, but stickers and labels are usually made for different jobs. Choosing the right one saves money and makes your brand look more professional.
The short answer
- Stickers are made to be handed out, collected and stuck on laptops, bottles and windows. They’re usually individual, die-cut and durable.
- Labels are made to go on your products and packaging. They’re usually on sheets or rolls so you can apply many quickly and consistently.
Materials: vinyl or paper?
| White vinyl | Water- and scratch-resistant. Best for outdoor use, drinkware, fridges and anything handled a lot. |
|---|---|
| Clear vinyl | Transparent background for a “no-label” look on glass and clear packaging. |
| Paper | Economical and easy to write on. Best for dry indoor products, shipping and address labels. |
| Laminate | An extra clear layer that adds UV and scratch protection to stickers and labels. |
Cut styles
- Die-cut: cut through the sticker and backing to the shape of your design. Premium and great for giveaways.
- Kiss-cut: cut through the sticker only, leaving the backing intact, so stickers peel easily. Common for sticker sheets.
- Standard shapes: circles, squares and rectangles are fastest and most economical for labels.
Sheets or rolls?
Sheets work well for small batches and hand application. If you label more than a few hundred products at a time, roll labels are faster to apply and can be used with label dispensers or applicators.
Labelling products in Canada
If you sell prepackaged products in Canada, especially food, your labels may need specific information such as bilingual (English and French) text, net quantity and ingredients. Requirements depend on the product, so check the federal regulations that apply to you (for food, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) before you print a large run.
Our recommendation
- Brand giveaways and merch: die-cut white vinyl stickers.
- Candles, cosmetics and jars: vinyl or paper labels on sheets for small batches, rolls as you grow.
- Shipping and packaging: paper labels or printed seals.
Need help choosing? See sticker & label options or request a quote. Short runs and samples are printed in-house in Edmonton.