Sticker sizes: common dimensions, bleed and pixels
There is no single standard sticker size, but the usual ones are 2, 3 and 4 in circles and squares, and rectangles such as 3 × 2 and 4 × 2 in; in metric countries, 50, 75 and 100 mm. The size is measured on the cut line, die-cut or kiss-cut. Printers usually ask for 0.0625 to 0.125 in (about 1.5 to 3 mm) of artwork past the cut, with text the same distance inside it. A 3 in sticker is 900 × 900 pixels at 300 ppi, or 975 × 975 with 0.125 in of bleed.
Sticker sizes: dimensions, bleed and pixels
Bleed is 0.125 in on every side for inch sizes and 3 mm for metric ones. Pixels are rounded to the nearest whole pixel.
| Size | Inches | Millimeters | With bleed | Pixels at 300 ppi (with bleed) | Notes and template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in circle or square | 2 × 2 in | 50.8 × 50.8 mm | 2.25 × 2.25 in | 600 × 600 px 675 × 675 px | |
| 3 in circle or square | 3 × 3 in | 76.2 × 76.2 mm | 3.25 × 3.25 in | 900 × 900 px 975 × 975 px | |
| 4 in circle or square | 4 × 4 in | 101.6 × 101.6 mm | 4.25 × 4.25 in | 1,200 × 1,200 px 1,275 × 1,275 px | |
| 3 × 2 in rectangle | 3 × 2 in | 76.2 × 50.8 mm | 3.25 × 2.25 in | 900 × 600 px 975 × 675 px | |
| 4 × 2 in rectangle | 4 × 2 in | 101.6 × 50.8 mm | 4.25 × 2.25 in | 1,200 × 600 px 1,275 × 675 px | |
| 50 mm circle or square | 1.97 × 1.97 in | 50 × 50 mm | 56 × 56 mm | 591 × 591 px 661 × 661 px | |
| 75 mm circle or square | 2.95 × 2.95 in | 75 × 75 mm | 81 × 81 mm | 886 × 886 px 957 × 957 px | |
| 100 mm circle or square | 3.94 × 3.94 in | 100 × 100 mm | 106 × 106 mm | 1,181 × 1,181 px 1,252 × 1,252 px | |
| Kiss-cut sticker sheet | 4 × 6 in | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | 4.25 × 6.25 in | 1,200 × 1,800 px 1,275 × 1,875 px | Sheet sizes vary by printer |
Kiss-cut, die-cut and the cut line
A die-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl and its backing to the sticker’s shape; a kiss-cut sticker is cut through the vinyl only, so it sits on a square, rectangle or sheet of backing. Either way the size is measured on the cut line. A kiss-cut sticker’s backing is a little larger than the sticker; ask the printer for its size if you want to print on it.
The cut line is one smooth, closed vector path on its own layer, stroked in a named spot color (often “CutContour”, but use the exact name your printer gives) and set to overprint, so it is read as a cut and never printed. The artwork runs past it by the bleed, and text stays 0.0625 to 0.125 in inside it: see setting up a dieline.
Watch the shape as well as the size. Parts that narrow to less than about 0.125 in can tear when peeled, and die-cut stickers under about 1 in are fiddly to peel, so small designs suit kiss-cut sheets better. Sticker printers each sell their own sizes and many cut any size or shape you supply, so the sizes here are common choices, not a standard.
Resolution, white ink and materials
Stickers are seen up close, so photos need about 300 ppi at the printed size, and type, logos and the cut path should be vector. Check an image with the DPI calculator.
On clear, holographic, metallic or kraft material the inks are see-through, so anything that should look solid or white needs a separate white ink layer under it: see setting up a white ink layer. On white vinyl or paper, the material provides the white.
Questions
- What size is a 3 inch sticker in pixels?
- 900 × 900 pixels at 300 ppi, or 975 × 975 pixels with 0.125 in of bleed on every side. A 2 in sticker is 600 × 600 (675 × 675 with bleed) and a 4 in sticker is 1200 × 1200 (1275 × 1275).
- What is the most common sticker size?
- There isn’t an official one: 2, 3 and 4 in circles and squares are standard options at most sticker printers. For a logo sticker on a laptop or bottle, 3 in is a practical size; for packaging seals, 1.5 to 2 in.
- How much bleed does a sticker need?
- Usually 0.0625 to 0.125 in (about 1.5 to 3 mm) past the cut line, depending on the printer. Keep text the same distance inside the cut, and if the sticker has a white border, make it at least 0.0625 in wide so small shifts in cutting don’t show.
- Is a kiss-cut sticker the same size as a die-cut one?
- The sticker is: both are measured on the cut line. A kiss-cut sticker also has backing around it, usually a square or rectangle slightly larger than the sticker, which some printers let you print on.
If the printer sends the file back
Guides
Terms on this page: Dieline, Die cut (die cutting), Kiss cut, Bleed, Safe area (safe zone), White ink (white underbase).
More print sizes, or all of them on one page:
Cards, paper and stationery: Business card · Postcard · Paper · Envelope · Letterhead · Greeting card · Presentation folder
Flyers, brochures and handouts: Flyer · Brochure · Rack card · Door hanger · Menu · Table tent · Bookmark
Stickers, labels and tags: Label · Hang tag
Bottle, can and jar labels: Wine label · Beer label · Water bottle label · Candle label · Jar label
Boxes and packaging: Mailer box · Shipping box · Tuck box · Stand-up pouch · Pizza box
Posters, books and calendars: Poster · Book · Calendar
Signs, billboards and vehicles: Banner · Yard sign · Car magnet · Billboard
T-shirts and apparel: T-shirt
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