Home › Blog › Die-Cut vs. Kiss-Cut: A Guide to Sticker Cuts
Design & ArtworkDie-Cut vs. Kiss-Cut: A Guide to Sticker Cuts
Two words come up on every sticker quote — die-cut and kiss-cut — and they describe how the sticker is cut, which changes both how it looks and how you hand it out. Understanding the difference takes a minute and saves a reprint.
Here’s what each cut does and when to choose it.
Die-cut: the sticker is the shape
A die-cut sticker is cut all the way through the material and the backing to the exact outline of your artwork, so the sticker itself is the shape of your logo with no visible border. It peels off on its own and is the premium, most-kept look — the default for individual logo and merch stickers.
Kiss-cut: cut the top, keep the backing
A kiss-cut only slices the sticker layer, leaving the backing sheet intact. That lets you put several stickers on one sheet, add a border or design around the sticker, and make peeling easy. It’s the format for sticker sheets, packs, and any handout where you want more than one sticker per piece.
How to choose
For a single, shaped logo sticker people put on a laptop or bottle, choose die-cut. For a set, a pack, a packaging insert, or anything where a backing and easy peel help, choose kiss-cut. Many brands order both — a die-cut hero and a kiss-cut sheet.
| Cut | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Die-cut | Sticker is the exact shape, no border | Individual logo & merch stickers |
| Kiss-cut | Sticker on an intact backing | Sheets, packs, packaging inserts |
Simple rule: one shaped sticker, choose die-cut; several stickers or an easy-peel handout, choose kiss-cut.
Send your artwork and we’ll show you both cuts on a free mockup within one business day, so you can see the difference.
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