Creating Great Sticker Art Part 1: Vector and Raster (bitmap) Software

I think one of the biggest issues we see here at 123stickers is customers submitting art for print that is not set up properly. The art looks good on their computer monitor and they expect the stickers to look the same as what they see.

Unfortunately, an image that is clear and sharp on a computer monitor may have jagged lines (“jaggies”) when screenprinted because screen resolution and print resolution are two completely different things. Monitors view at 72 pixels/inch and we print using artwork at a minimum of 300 pixels/inch.

So how does one go about making art ready for print that will be the proper size and resolution? Usually by using one of the following types of software.

1. Using a vector drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw. These programs create art that is a collection of objects such as text and illustrations that can be scaled smaller or larger without degrading. The native file can be sent or the file can be exported or “saved as” a variety of formats that can be scaled or sized without loss of quality including PDF, EPS, and AI files. In addition the vector art can be exported to a raster (bitmap) file. Raster (bitmap) images cannot become vector art unless the art is traced or redrawn as separate objects and text.

2. Using a raster (bitmap) drawing program such as Adobe Photoshop, Corel PhotoPaint, Paint Shop Pro, or some other paint or photo editing software. The problem with image editing programs is that if the art is not created at the proper size and resolution at the beginning, it cannot be scaled larger later on without losing quality.

Unfortunately, these software packages are usually very expensive and have a steep learning curve for the average person who just needs to create simple art for print or online viewing purposes.

There are a couple of alternatives to the programs listed above that – in addition to being free – can allow you to create art and simple design that will print well.

Inkscape: A freeware open source scalable vector graphic drawing program:

Gimp: A freeware photo and graphics editing and creation program.

The secret to creating good art with these and other graphics programs is to start with a new document or canvas (also called an artboard) that is the proper size and resolution. For example: If you are making a sticker 2.75” x 2.75” then start with a canvas or artboard at 2.75” x 2.75” (and a resolution of 300 pixels inch if you are using a raster art program). Now you can add your graphic elements and text, then save or export the file in an acceptable file format. This is the basic method for creating art that doesn’t have art or elements that extend past the edge of the sticker (images with bleeds). Below I have outlined the technique for creating art with bleeds.

The way we create art that extends beyond the edge, or “bleeds”, is to start with a new canvas or artboard that is 1/8” larger on all four sides, i.e., add .25” to the finished vertical and horizontal measurement. Using the example above of a sticker with a finished size of 2.75” x 2.75” that has a bleed, then you would start with a new canvas or document that is 3” x 3”. Then, if the program allows it, set up guidelines on all four sides in from the edge 1/8” to show you where the sticker will be cut at, and another set of guides 1/8” in from the first guidelines to show the safety zone for text and critical elements.

Here is an example from a vector drawing program:



So the basic idea is to plan your work, then work your plan. Make your layout with guides, add graphics and text. Keep any critical text 1/8” away from the line(s) where the stickers will be trimmed. Export or Save As a vector file type such as EPS, PDF, AI, CDR or raster image such as TIF or JPG.

Below is a finished sticker design with an artwork bleed that is ready for export:



Here is what the finished, trimmed sticker would look like:



The same method listed above can be used in your raster image eding program also, but the only difference is starting with a canvas or new document at the finished size and 300 pixels / inch.

So with the available free tools listed above is is possible to properly set up your files yourself and have them ready for print without much trouble.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask how we can help you help yourself and make the job of creating and designing artwork a little easier for you. You can always email me at ken@123stickers.com and I will try to answer questions as best I can.

Effective Promotion Using Custom Vinyl Stickers: Part 3

Bulk Order Discounts & Split Orders
A lot of people ask if they can combine orders together to receive a discount. The simple answer is "yes!" you can combine orders as long as they share the same color(s) and size.

Let's say that you have four black & white designs, and want 250 stickers each. The size for all stickers is 4.25" x 2.75". You could order 4 quantities of 250 at $35 plus shipping per design for a total of $140 plus shipping.

But if you want to save some hard-earned cash, you could order 1000 qty 4.25" x 2.75" stickers ($127 plus shipping), write "sending art by email" for the filename or write in the comments section of the order form that you want 250 each of 4 designs.

Finish the order process and jot down your order number. Then send an email referencing your order number and attach the files to the email message. You can also use the direct file upload feature on the site to send your files, but please send an email with the filename(s) that you sent, and order number.

The procedure above could also work if you wanted different quantites also: 500 qty of design A, 250 qty each of designs B and C. You get the idea....

Again, what is important is that the stickers share the same size and colors. We cannot combine stickers with different sizes, shapes and colors.

Color Switches, Stock Switches
Changing ink colors or vinyl types on a custom sticker order is an easy way to get a variety of different stickers that still share common designs. On custom sticker orders you can change ink colors for a flat fee. Let's say you are ordering 2500 qty 3" circles, 1 color on white vinyl ($259 plus shipping). If you wanted 1250 qty printed with red ink and 1250 qty printed with blue ink it would be an additional $35 to change the ink in the press. Standard ink colors are free, but Pantone color mixing is $35 per color.

We do not offer ink color switches and stock switches on "gang run" stickers: Dirt Cheap BW, Dirt Cheap Red & Black, Standard Black & White, Standard Red & Black, Red & Blue Political Stickers, or Black on Chrome.

We can also change the stock (vinyl material) that we print on. Using the example of 2500 qty 3" circles, you could get 1250 qty on white vinyl and 1250 qty on clear vinyl or any other stock that we print on. The additional charge would only be for the difference in price for the material itself. In the above example it would only be $17.50 additional for the stock switch.

It would be better to call in orders with ink switches, stock switches, and custom color mixing to make sure that the details of your order is handled appropriately. Call toll-free 877-778-4253 or email sales@123stickers.com

Effective Promotion Using Custom Vinyl Stickers: Part 2

In this post I will cover usage trends and design elements and what I've seen in more than ten years of printing custom vinyl stickers. There are so many uses and reasons that a person, club, business, or organization may need to use custom stickers that it's hard to know where to begin.

Bands and musicians have found that using vinyl stickers is an effective guerilla marketing technique, and have been a large segment of our customer base since the beginning. Just like many customers they come to us with the idea of large multicolored stickers but their budget just cannot allow it.

Here's what I recommend to customers almost every day:

• Simple 1 or 2-color stickers with the highest quantity possible. This makes the price per sticker reasonable enough to give away, thereby getting the name out there.
• Designs that are easy to read at a distance and show an effective use of dark & light (contrast) will be noticed more than arty and confusing images.
• No halftones, shading or gradations.

We have recently begun to market a new line of custom vinyl stickers: Dirt Cheap Stickers, which are sort of sponsored or subsidized stickers. Basically we offer the customer 250 black-and-white stickers starting at $18 for 250 quantity - shipping included - in exchange for a small "printed by 123stickers.com" in the lower corner.

The idea here is to get the customer the highest quantity at the lowest price possible - and with USPS Priority shipping included. Once the business is established, the band has a higher budget, or the club has more members... well, then they usually come back and order something more "fancy": Black on chrome, custom die-cut circles or ovals, custom colors, etc.

We also see a fair amount of demand for short run full color stickers. The two printer/cutters that we use to produce digital stickers can print from as few as one sticker and up to many thousands, with a custom shape at no additional cost. Screenprinted stickers typically would normally require a die to be manufactured at a substantial price unless we have that die size/shape here at our facility.

The size of stickers we can print using the digital process range from less than 1" x 1" up to 4' x 20' or more. Some of our customers use these for advertising on the front windows of their business, vehicles and trailers, point-of-purchase ads and displays, tags and labels for clothing and products, and handouts for tradeshows and conventions.

Some of our customers even have labels made for weddings, private-label wines, and gift tags for baskets and packages.

For more information please call us toll-free at 877-778-4253 or visit 123stickers.com or email sales@123stickers.com

Effective Promotion Using Custom Vinyl Stickers: Part 1

Recent studies now confirm what many people may already know: Advertising and promotion using adhesive backed stickers (bumper stickers) is a low-cost and effective way to get a particular logo, message or point of view seen by many people over the lifetime of the vinyl sticker.


Two of the best reasons to use custom vinyl stickers in your promotion and advertising are longevity and cost.

Longevity

All of the stickers we produce at 123stickers.com are printed on vinyl and will last a few years outdoors with no fading or peeling. We used to sell paper stickers (roll labels) but discontinued producing them due to the lack of durablitity.

Screenprinted vinyl stickers will last up to five years outdoors, and digital stickers will last about three years outdoors and up to six if laminated.

Cost

The price per sticker can vary greatly depending on the size, colors and process used to produce the sticker - screenprinted or full color digital stickers. At 123stickers.com we produce simple black-and-white and red-and-black stickers in low minimums and no setup fees to help keep customer costs down. They are "gang" printed on large sheets with many other stickers, and everybody shares the costs associated with screenprinting: films, screens, etc.

We offer quantities of 125 and up on black-and-white screenprinted stickers, and 250 and up on screenprinted red-and-black on white vinyl stickers. Prices start at $14 plus shipping for 125 quantity of the black and white stickers and $34 plus shipping for red and black on white vinyl stickers.


With many standard sizes and most prices listed online you can shop for what would be most effective for your needs, upload your artwork and order your stickers any time.

For more information please call us toll-free at 877-778-4253 or visit 123stickers.com or email sales@123stickers.com