Labels vs Stickers - What's the difference?
Yes labels and stickers are different things. Generally labels are either blank sheets which are printed on or pre-printed and contain information. For example, address information, list of ingredients, company logo etc. Think of when you buy something from Amazon, it arrives in a box with a white label on the front with your address. You open it up and inside the product has a label on the packaging you need to remove before using and a label containing the barcode and maybe price.
Stickers are a little bit different. Stickers are always printed, they usually come individually (rather than on a sheet) and can be ANY shape! Stickers are fun and normally don't contain much if any information. Think stickers for a football annual, or stickers in a kids magazine - they are eye catching designs, fun shapes and you just want to share and stick them everywhere!
Labels
- Perfect for displaying information, such as address, name, company logo.
- Labels are normally a legal requirement for businesses to display warnings and ingredients if relevant.
- Labels are easy to print at home using your printer. Blank label sheets are available in almost any size, shape and quantity. Or get them pre-printed.
- Usually made from a paper based material (although more durable materials are available for different applications).
- Labels are designed to stick and stay stuck, however you can choose between permanent and removable labels depending on the need.
- Labels normally come on an A4 sheet and depending on the size you can fit anywhere from 1 labels to 240 labels per sheet!
- For larger volume or automated processes you can also buy roll labels, which are pre-printed and supplied nicely wound up.
Stickers
- Stickers are great fun! You won't be able to help yourself peeling and sticking everywhere, just like a kid.
- They are pre-printed, normally with a fin design to show brand logo or just a fun design.
- Stickers are normally individual, so they can be bought 1 at a time or in bulk but they would be loose.
- They are easy to give away at events or put in as a thank you with products to add a personal and fun touch.
- Sticker shape is a HUGE difference, die cut stickers allow for the design to be cut around meaning your sticker can be any shape or size!
- Stickers celebrate individuality, stick them on your laptop, notebook or water bottle and own your style!
Why choose a label?
Why choose a label?
- If you want to add information to a package, product or environment a label is what you are after.
- They can be fully personalised and are ideal for containing lot's of information.
- Labels are cheap and easy to buy with very low minimum order quantities - order from 1 sheet!
- Labels offer incredible flexibility, use blank label sheets to print on demand or buy pre-printed personalised labels.
- Need more labels, you can also get them on a roll for quick labelling (or machine automated).
- Easy to create and design your label for FREE!
- Wide range of materials, shapes and sizes to buy from.
- Try Labels
Why choose a sticker?
Why choose a sticker?
- You want to show people your style or highlight your business or interest.
- Choose from some great sticker designs already available or design your own to be really individual.
- Stickers work great with a bold image or design and we love when stickers are contour cut (cut around the design), so you get a really fun shape!
- Materials are key! Choose the material you want to make your sticker pop. Vinyl stickers for ultimate durability, recycled Kraft for ultimate sustainability or metallic materials for ultimate impact.
- Choose the shape you want, custom cut (around the design) or choose a normal shape; circle, square, rectangle etc.
- Die cut stickers are cut around the design they are super easy to peel and look really good.
- Try Stickers
Learn more about materials for Labels & Stickers
Paper
Finishes
- No varnish
- Gloss
- Matt
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Splash proof
- Hand writable without varnish
- Biodegradable
- Recyclable
Good to know
No varnish finish is ideal material for handwritten additions. A high quality and long lasting paper. Suitable for non-fatty moist foods.
Plastic (vinyl)
Finishes
- Gloss
- Matt
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Waterproof
- Tearproof
- Oil resistant
- Freezer safe
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
Durable white film material with permanent adhesive. Waterproof and resistant to oils and household detergents. Easy to apply due to its flexibility. Suited to bottles, squeezable toiletry and cosmetic containers.
Textured
Finishes
- Matt
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- High wet-strength
- Freezer safe
- Biodegradable
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
Antique white laid paper with a tactile “hand-made” appearance and feel in off-white colour. High wet strength, resistant to damage caused by moisture bloom and mould. Ideal for bottle, jar and can labelling. Long lasting and has water resistant properties.
Brown kraft
Finishes
- Matt
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Splash proof
- Freezer safe
- White underprint
- 100% recycled waste paper
- Biodegradable
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
Made from 100% recycled material, this brown kraft paper is great for adding a natural rustic look to products. White underprint is applied, which makes colours and text stand out. Made without the use of chlorine as bleaching agents. Finished with a protective matt varnish.
Clear
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Waterproof
- Tearproof
- Oil resistant
- Freezer safe
- White underprint
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
A clear durable material with white underprint which makes colours vibrant and text stand out. Perfect for glass bottles
Tip: Uploaded images must have a transparent background where you wish the label to be clear
Holographic
Finishes
- Gloss
- No Varnish
Properties
- Supplied on sheets or individual cut
- Permanent adhesive
- Waterproof
- Tearproof
- Oil resistant
Good to know
This Holographic polypropylene plastic gives a wow effect to your labels with its iridescent effect in rainbow colours.
Waterproof
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Waterproof
- Tearproof
- Oil resistant
- Freezer safe
- Hand writable without varnish
- Vegan
Good to know
Outstanding waterproof material which is waterproof, durable (chemical and abrasion resistant), conformable, steam sterilisable and offers a long life alternative to paper labels. Also referred to as Teslin.
Recycled
Finishes
- Matt
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Freezer safe
- 100% recycled waste paper
- Biodegradable
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
An environmental friendly material, made from 100% post-consumer waste with a protective matt finish. Tiny imperfections give this off white material character.
Removable
Finishes
- No varnish
- Gloss
- Matt
Properties
- Removable Adhesive
- Peelable
- Leaves no mark
- Hand writable without varnish
- Biodegradable
- Recyclable
Good to know
The adhesives used on this material are designed to provide enough adhesive strength to keep the label in place while it is needed and to leave no sticky residue behind when removed.
Silver
Finishes
- Gloss
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Water resistant
- Tearproof
- Oil resistant
- Freezer safe
- White underprint
- Vegan
Good to know
This material gives a fantastic metallic appearance to colours. Water, light and heat resistant and is suitable for labelling cold and humid surfaces. Finished with a protective gloss varnish.
Tip: Uploaded images must have a transparent background where you wish the label to be silver
Gold
Finishes
- Gloss
Properties
- Permanent adhesive
- Freezer safe
- White underprint
- Vegan
- Recyclable
Good to know
A bright gold metallised printing paper. It is suitable for labelling cold surfaces. It is an excellent solution for labelling situations requiring an eye catching effect. Finished with a protective gloss varnish.
Tip: Uploaded images must have a transparent background where you wish the label to be gold
Removable Clear
Finishes
- Matt
- Gloss
Properties
- Removable adhesive
- Waterproof
- Oil resistant
- Tearproof
- Recyclable
- Vegan
- White underprint
- Leaves no mark
Good to know
A clear temporary material that stays stuck until removal, great for sales or labels that can be removed after purchase. A white underprint is used, so that colour of text and images stay bright and as made. Easy and clean removal with no residue left. Available with matt or gloss finish.
Removable Plastic
Finishes
- Matt
- Gloss
Properties
- Removable adhesive
- Waterproof
- Recyclable
- Vegan
- White underprint
- Leaves no mark
- Oil resistant
- Tearproof
Good to know
A plastic removable material, great for when a permanent label isn't needed. Durable, waterproof, oil resistant and tearproof, for staying stuck and easy clean removal, leaving behind no residue. Great for sales, candles, windows or glass. Available with matt or gloss finish.
FAQ's
Can I use a sticker as a label?
Sure, you can use a sticker as a label. However, generally stickers are designed more to be colourful and impactful and normally cut in an intricate shape - this might not lend itself to all labelling applications.
Are Labels cheaper than stickers?
Usually labels will be cheaper than stickers. When you buy labels you normally buy them on a sheet or on a roll, giving you lots of labels. Stickers are normally bought individually (although they can be bought in bulk), because of this the cost per label is normally a little more for stickers. It is also worth noting that stickers generally are made from more expensive materials such as Vinyl or Holographic and take longer to cut when intricate shapes are involved.
How do I know what label or sticker I need for my project?
We hope this has helped you identify whether you need a label or a sticker for your project, but if not, most companies offer a sample service for you to test materials and see what looks best and what performs best for your application. Get material sample pack.