Sticker Sheet Design Guide: Sizes, Artwork & Templates

Start With Your Sheet Size

The outer sheet dimensions determine the overall size of your finished design. Our downloadable templates cover three common sheet sizes:

• 4" × 6"
• 5" × 7"
• 8.5" × 11"

Keep in mind that the full sheet size isn't the same as the usable area for individual stickers. You'll need space around the sheet edges and between each kiss-cut shape.

Decide How Many Stickers to Include

You can arrange different shapes, sizes, and designs on the same sheet. The key is giving each sticker enough space for a clean cut and enough room for its details to remain readable.

Rather than squeezing in as many designs as possible, start with your most important artwork. Place larger or more detailed designs first, then arrange smaller stickers around them.

Account for Spacing Before Finalizing the Layout

Leave at least 3/16" (0.1875") between individual kiss-cut shapes and at least 1/8" (0.125") between any kiss-cut line and the outside finished sheet edge.

These measurements are important even when the sticker shapes don't overlap visually. A design can look well-spaced on screen and still have cut lines that are too close together.

Outer Sheet Bleed vs. Individual Sticker Bleed

Both the outer sheet and individual stickers may need bleed, but they're measured from different cut lines.

Outer sheet bleed extends beyond the finished outside edge of the entire sheet. Leave at least 3/32" (0.09375") when the sheet artwork reaches that edge.

Individual sticker bleed extends beyond the kiss-cut line of a single sticker. If a background color, image, or pattern should reach the finished sticker edge, extend that artwork 3/32" (0.09375") outside its kiss-cut line.

If an individual sticker design intentionally includes an unprinted border, the artwork may not need edge-to-edge bleed around that design.

Bleed and Safe Areas Aren't the Same Thing

Bleed extends outside the finished cut line. The safe area stays inside it.

Keep text, logos, faces, and other important elements at least 1/8" (0.125") inside each kiss-cut line.

This gives important artwork room to remain intact if small variations occur during cutting.

For example, a sticker with a colored background and a wordmark should have the background extend into the bleed while the wordmark remains within the safe area.

Round Both Inner and Outer Points on Your Cut Paths

This is an important step when designing custom-shaped stickers, particularly smaller or more detailed shapes.

Both inward-facing and outward-facing points need to be rounded. That includes sharp outside corners, pointed tips, and tight inside notches.

Sticker sheet dies are rounded at these points during production. If your original artwork includes sharp corners, the finished kiss-cut shape may look different from the outline shown in your design file.

Because stickers on a sheet are often relatively small, those rounded points can be especially noticeable.

Smooth, rounded cut paths also help stickers separate cleanly from the surrounding material and reduce the likelihood of corners lifting prematurely.

If your design includes star points, narrow notches, or a highly detailed outline, review those areas closely. A slightly simpler, smoother contour may give you a more predictable finished sticker shape.

Clearly Identify Your Sticker Die Lines

Each individual peelable sticker needs a defined kiss-cut path so production knows where the sticker should be cut.

Indicate die lines using an unused spot color that is separate from your printed artwork.

The spot color identifies the cutting information rather than an additional printed design color.

Make sure each intended cut path is clear and follows the correct sticker shape.

If you're unsure how to create a spot-color die line in your design software, contact the Stomp team before submitting your file.

Use High-Resolution Artwork

For raster artwork, use images with 300 dpi at the intended print size whenever possible.

Enlarging a small image won't restore missing details. Use original artwork rather than screenshots or low-resolution images saved from websites.

Use Vector Artwork for Clean Lines and Shapes

Vector artwork is particularly useful for logos, lettering, illustrations, and cut paths.

Vector paths can be resized without losing sharpness and make it easier to define smooth contours for individual stickers.

Prepare Your Artwork File

Stomp's general artwork guidelines accept common image and design formats, including JPG, PNG, PDF, AI, SVG, WEBP, HEIC, and TIFF.

For complex sticker sheets, a vector-based format that preserves cut paths and spot-color information may be preferable.

Confirm that your final file follows the applicable design-tool and artwork submission requirements.

If you're designing in Canva, Stomp's general artwork guidance recommends using the PDF Print export setting.

Check Color Settings

Artwork can be prepared using RGB or CMYK color settings. RGB artwork is converted to CMYK for printing, so some colors may appear differently from what you see on your screen.

Review highly saturated colors and important brand colors carefully before approving your final proof.

Check Fonts, Images, and Small Details

When preparing vector files or PDFs, outline fonts where appropriate and make sure linked images are embedded.

Review small text, thin lines, fine details, and QR codes at actual print size.

A design that looks clear when enlarged on screen may be difficult to read when printed at its finished dimensions.

Placing Kiss Cuts Too Close Together

Individual sticker shapes need at least 3/16" of clearance between their kiss-cut lines.

Check the actual cut paths rather than estimating spacing from the printed images.

Forgetting Bleed

Artwork intended to reach a finished cut edge needs 3/32" of bleed beyond that edge.

This applies to the outside sheet and to individual sticker designs requiring edge-to-edge printing.

Placing Text Too Close to Cut Lines

Keep critical artwork at least 1/8" inside each individual kiss-cut line.

This helps protect text, logos, and detailed design elements from normal cutting variation.

Leaving Sharp Points in Cut Paths

Sharp inner and outer points will be rounded during die production.

The smaller the sticker, the more noticeable these changes may be.

Round the points yourself before submitting artwork so your proposed cut shape more accurately represents the finished result.

Using Low-Resolution Artwork

Screenshots and small images can become blurry when printed.

Use original, high-resolution artwork and check details at the finished print size.

Skipping the Final Proof Review

Check each individual sticker, the surrounding artwork, and all intended cut paths.

Pay particular attention to rounded points, spacing, and the placement of important details.