What is the difference between die cut and kiss cut?

Die cut goes through the sticker and its backing, so each sticker arrives in its own shape. Kiss cut goes through the sticker only, so it stays on a square of backing with a border around it.

Do you print kiss cut stickers?

Yes - Custom Kiss Cut Stickers, on the same laminated white vinyl, sizes and shapes as our die-cut Custom Stickers. Our designer emails a free proof before printing.

Do you print sticker sheets with several designs?

Yes - Custom Sticker Sheets: several kiss-cut stickers on one 4 x 6 or 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of waterproof laminated vinyl. Upload each design or one ZIP, and our designer lays out the sheet and emails a free proof before anything prints.

Which one is more durable or waterproof?

Neither. The material, laminate and adhesive are the same; the cut only decides how the sticker leaves its backing.

Which is better for selling at a market or packing in orders?

Kiss cut. The backing border protects the edges until the buyer uses the sticker, and it is easier to peel.

Can a kiss cut sticker have a custom shape?

Yes. The sticker is cut to your outline; only the backing around it is a square or rectangle.

Why is the proof different for kiss cut?

A kiss cut needs two cut lines - one through the sticker and one around the backing - so our designer sets it up and emails the proof, instead of the instant on-screen proof die-cut stickers get.

Die cut vs kiss cut stickers

Die cut means the blade cuts through the sticker and its backing paper, so each sticker arrives as its own shape. Kiss cut cuts through the sticker only, so each one stays on a square of backing with a border around it, which makes it easy to peel and protects the edges. We print both, on the same laminated white vinyl: pick die cut when the sticker's outline is the point, kiss cut when stickers are handed out, sold or packed in orders.

	Die cut	Kiss cut
What gets cut	The sticker and the backing paper, all the way through	Only the sticker layer - the backing stays whole underneath
How it arrives	Each sticker already in its own shape, backing included	Each sticker on its own square of backing, with a border around it
Peeling	Find the edge of the backing and peel	Bend the backing border and the sticker lifts easily
Best for	A logo or mascot shape, stickers applied right away	Handing out, selling at markets, packing in orders
Proof	On screen in seconds for most files	Emailed by our designer - the double cut line is set by hand
Material	Laminated white vinyl, gloss or matte	The same laminated white vinyl, gloss or matte

Swipe the table sideways to see every column.

What actually gets cut

Every sticker starts as ink on vinyl sitting on a paper backing, and the cutting step is where the two formats part ways. Die cut sends the blade through both layers along the outline of the design, so what comes off the press is a stack of stickers, each already in its own silhouette.

Kiss cut stops at the backing. The blade cuts the vinyl along the design and a second cut trims the backing to a square or rectangle around it, so the sticker stays seated on its own piece of backing until someone peels it.

When each one is the right call

Die cut is the choice when the shape itself is the point - a logo, a mascot, a die-cut outline someone sees the moment you hand it over - and for stickers you apply yourself right away.

Kiss cut is the choice when stickers travel before they are used. The backing border protects the edges in a pocket, an order box or a display rack, and the person peeling it bends the border back instead of hunting for an edge. That is why sellers, event teams and shops packing orders often prefer it.

When you want several designs on one sheet

Both formats carry one design per sticker. Several different designs on one shared backing is a sticker sheet, and since late October 2026 we print those too: Custom Sticker Sheets, kiss cut on a 4 x 6 or 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of the same laminated vinyl. You upload each design or one ZIP, and our designer lays out the sheet and emails a free proof.

Durability does not change with the cut: the vinyl, the laminate and the permanent adhesive are the same, and both are waterproof.

Pages for this job

How to make stickers — at home or custom printed
Sticker size guide — the size each use needs

Ready to order

Custom Kiss Cut Stickers From $22.00 Die-cut vinyl stickers The default choice From $22.00

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Questions people ask

What is the difference between die cut and kiss cut?: Die cut goes through the sticker and its backing, so each sticker arrives in its own shape. Kiss cut goes through the sticker only, so it stays on a square of backing with a border around it.
Do you print kiss cut stickers?: Yes - Custom Kiss Cut Stickers, on the same laminated white vinyl, sizes and shapes as our die-cut Custom Stickers. Our designer emails a free proof before printing.
Do you print sticker sheets with several designs?: Yes - Custom Sticker Sheets: several kiss-cut stickers on one 4 x 6 or 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of waterproof laminated vinyl. Upload each design or one ZIP, and our designer lays out the sheet and emails a free proof before anything prints.
Which one is more durable or waterproof?: Neither. The material, laminate and adhesive are the same; the cut only decides how the sticker leaves its backing.
Which is better for selling at a market or packing in orders?: Kiss cut. The backing border protects the edges until the buyer uses the sticker, and it is easier to peel.
Can a kiss cut sticker have a custom shape?: Yes. The sticker is cut to your outline; only the backing around it is a square or rectangle.
Why is the proof different for kiss cut?: A kiss cut needs two cut lines - one through the sticker and one around the backing - so our designer sets it up and emails the proof, instead of the instant on-screen proof die-cut stickers get.