Creating custom sticker sheets is a fun and creative process, and with Adobe Illustrator, you have complete control over your design. This guide is for advanced users looking to set up their sticker sheets with accuracy. We’ll walk you through the key steps, from design specifications to artwork preparation, to help you get the best results.
How Close Can the Stickers Be to the Edge of the Sticker Sheet?
Printable Area: We can print your design as close as 0.0625" (1.59 mm) from the edge of the sticker sheet. This allows for full coverage, ensuring that your background or color fills the entire sheet.
Safe Zone: To protect important design elements (like text or logos), keep them at least 0.0625" away from the edge of the sheet. This safe zone ensures nothing critical gets cut off during the trimming process.
Spacing Between Stickers
The closest distance between the cut marks of each sticker on the sheet is 1.5mm (0.059 inches).
For transparent stickers, ensure that each sticker is at least 2mm apart.
Kiss Cut Line Requirements
Kiss Cut Explained: A kiss cut is a light cut that goes through the sticker material but not the backing, making it easy to peel the sticker off.
Kiss cut lines should have a stroke weight of at least 0.25pt.
Offset the kiss cut line from the artwork by at least 0.1".
Smallest Sticker Size
The smallest sticker that can be cut on a sticker sheet is 5mm (approximately 0.2 inches).
Bleed Area
Provide a minimum bleed of 1.59mm (0.0625 inches) around your design. The bleed allows for slight variations in cutting, ensuring your design extends to the edge without leaving unintended white borders.
Artwork Requirements
Color Mode: Set your artwork to CMYK color mode for the best color accuracy in printing.
Resolution: Ensure all images are at least 300 PPI (pixels per inch). This resolution guarantees crisp and clear printing.
Setting Up Layers in Adobe Illustrator
Setting up layers in Adobe Illustrator is crucial for a smooth printing process. Here’s how to organize your file:
Layer 1: Thru-Cut
This layer defines the outside shape of your sticker. The outside shape can be any form, though rounded corners are the most popular option. Alternatively, you can leave these to be square if that suits your design.
Example of a Thru-Cut with a corner radius of 0.25". Rounded corners on your sticker sheet help prevent bending at the corners.
Layer 2: Kiss-Cut
Name this layer "Kiss Cut". On this layer, add the kiss cut lines, which are the cuts that go through the sticker stock but not the backing. Be sure to follow the stroke weight and offset requirements for accurate cutting.
Layer 3: Artwork
Name this layer "Artwork". Place your full-color design on this layer. Ensure all elements are correctly positioned according to the spacing and bleed guidelines to achieve a clean and precise print.
Saving Your File
Once your design is complete and all layers are properly organized, it’s crucial to save your file correctly to ensure the best print results. Follow these steps:
File Format: Save your file as a PDF. PDF is the preferred format as it preserves the layers and ensures that all elements of your design remain intact during the printing process.
Preset Selection: When saving as a PDF, choose the “Press Quality” preset. This setting ensures that the file is saved with the highest possible quality, which is essential for professional printing.
Bleed Settings: In the PDF save dialog, make sure to check the “Use Document Bleed Settings” option. This ensures that the bleed you’ve set up in your design will be included in the final file, preventing any unwanted white borders.
Color Mode: Confirm that your document is in CMYK color mode. This is the standard for printing and ensures accurate color reproduction. If your file is in RGB, convert it to CMYK before saving.
Embed Fonts: Ensure that fonts are embedded in the PDF to avoid any font substitution issues during printing. In the PDF save options, make sure the “Embed All Fonts” box is checked.
Transparency and Layers: Ensure that any transparency effects are properly flattened. Keeping layers intact can be useful, but if your design is complex, consider flattening it to avoid any potential printing issues.
Looking for an Alternative? Try Our Custom Sheet Maker
If setting up your sticker sheet in Adobe Illustrator sounds too complex, or you’re looking for a quicker solution, try our Custom Sticker Sheet Maker. This online tool allows you to upload your images directly, and our system will ensure they are printed perfectly according to our specifications.