Common problems to look out for with stickers & labels

This article contains the most common problems to watch out for when receiving your new batch of stickers or labels. We've been printing custom stickers & labels since 2006 and have made our fair share of mistakes. Over time we’ve developed processes and machines to avoid these problems. We’ve put this guide together so you know what to look out for.

Dirt under the laminate

If your stickers or labels are laminated, check for tiny specs of dirt under the laminate layer. These can look like small grains of sand, dust, or even pieces of hair.

If you spot any, it's a sign that your printer’s environment isn’t clean. That’s not acceptable. You should definitely ask for a replacement.

Banding in the print

Improper calibration can cause a digital inkjet printer to produce banding - horizontal lines that break up solid colors and make the print look low quality.

This is usually the printer’s fault, and you should expect better. If your prints have visible bands, request a reprint.

Source

Misregistered cutting

There are many ways to cut stickers and labels, and some are more precise than others. If your cut isn’t aligned perfectly with your design, it’s called misregistered cutting.

This issue can make borders look uneven and ruin the appearance of your label.

To avoid this, don’t use tight borders or outlines around your artwork. Instead, allow the design colors to bleed to the edge of the cut line.

Too much ink

Some digital printers, especially when using red or orange inks, can apply too much ink to the material. This causes a textured effect known as "orange peel," which ruins the finish.

There's no workaround on your end. It’s up to the print provider to use well-maintained equipment. If you see this issue, request a refund or replacement. Read about ink technologies if you're interested.

The wrong colors

Color issues are one of the most frustrating problems. They usually stem from two things:

1. Incorrect color values in the artwork
   
2. The printer's limitations in matching that color
   

When you send artwork to your printer, always convert the file to CMYK and include Pantone references or a physical sample for color matching.

Also, choose colors that fall within the CMYK gamut. If a color can't be printed with CMYK, your printer may need to create a custom spot color or use an extended CMYKOVG process.

Source

You can learn more about how we print stickers and labels and the differences between color spaces.

Delamination

Delamination happens when the protective laminate layer separates from the printed surface. This occurs when:

1. The wrong type of laminate is used and doesn’t adhere properly
   
2. The ink isn’t allowed to degas (cure) before laminating—solvent inks need up to 24 hours to gas off before sealing
   

If the printer skips this curing step, the laminate may peel over time.

Curling

Curling happens when one layer (usually the laminate) pulls on the printed layer due to tension differences.

Cheap backing paper can also absorb moisture and expand, causing labels to curl. High-quality materials and careful handling help prevent this.

Hard to peel your sticker

Sometimes you might try to peel your stickers and labels and instead of the sticker coming off, the backing is tearing. This happens when the cut of your stickers or labels is too deep, essentially cutting into the backing paper.

Again, this is the printing company's fault (the setting on their cutter has not been adjusted properly), so there is not much you can do to prevent this.

You are absolutely eligible for a full reprint or a refund if this happens.

These are the main issues that can occur when ordering stickers or labels. You should not accept anything that is not the highest quality possible. Be sure to check what equipment your printer of choice is using or even order custom samples to figure out if they are the right fit for you.

We understand that these things can happen in any business. This is why we have a money-back guarantee in place for you. If you are unhappy with your stickers and labels, please reach out to us and we will do our best to fix the issue at hand.