Uploading an existing image or design to create a custom sticker is easy! However, there are some common issues with uploaded files that can hold up the production process. Below are a list of best practices for uploaded files that can help you avoid delays in receiving your order.

Embed Images/Files

When you place an image or file into your illustrator document, make sure the file is embedded. With the placed file selected, you can see whether the image is Linked or Embedded in the top left corner of the document.

Outline Fonts

After you’ve designed your sticker in Illustrator or other design software, make sure that your fonts are outlined. When artwork is submitted without outlined text, we may not have the fonts needed to print your design as you created it.

White Stickers

If you are ordering a sticker where the only color in the design is white, you can choose from a white transfer sticker or a clear vinyl sticker with the design printed in white. Transfer stickers have the design cut out of a piece of white vinyl and then have the background elements removed. Clear vinyl stickers have the design printed in an opaque, white ink and can either be die cut around the shape of your design or cut to a standard shape, such as a circle, square, or oval.

**In some cases, where a transfer sticker is too small to cut, we may recommend changing to a sticker printed on clear vinyl.

Cut Paths On Sticker Sheets

While ordering a sticker sheet, cut paths are signified by a 1 pt. stroke around your artwork. The stroke must be a spot color with the name “CutContour." For detailed instructions on how to add cut paths to your artwork in Adobe Illustrator, please view this short tutorial video.

If you would like a sticker sheet, but don’t want to worry about setting up your own cut paths, simply select the “I need cut paths” option.

Submitting Transfer Sticker Artwork As A Black Image

We often receive white artwork on a black background from customers who want to purchase a white transfer sticker. Please submit your artwork as a black image on a white background. Once you upload your file you will be able to select the color of your sticker.

Transfer Sticker File Types

Preferred Files	Not Preferred Files	Do Not Submit
.EPS	.JPG	MS Office Files
.AI	.JPEG
.PDF	.PSD
.TIF	.PNG
.CDR

You can check your file type by looking at the extension at the end of your file name. Example: transfer_sticker_file.eps

Printed Sticker File Types

Preferred Files	Not Preferred Files	Do Not Submit
.EPS	.TIF	MS Office Files
.AI	.CDR
.PDF	.JPG
	.JPEG
	.PNG
	.PSD

One way designers get around being stuck with one size is to design in vector art programs (typically Adobe Illustrator and Corel Draw). Vector art programs use paths and shapes instead of pixels (Raster images) to determine shape and color. These shapes and paths can be enlarged and are not dependent to a pixel size, so their quality remains intact when sized. Typically people use vector programs to create logos and text, but are popular amongst designers because of their friendliness towards scalability. Click Here to find out about getting YOUR artwork vectorized.