Stickers vs. Labels: What's the Difference?

Stickers and labels can look almost identical, so what actually makes them different?

The short answer is that the difference is usually how they're used rather than how they're printed. Both custom stickers and custom labels can be produced from similar materials, use permanent or removable adhesives, and be printed in custom shapes and sizes.

Generally, stickers are used for branding, promotion, decoration and giveaways, while labels are designed to identify, describe or provide information about a product, package or item.

If you're deciding between custom stickers and labels for your business, here's how to choose the right option.

What Is a Custom Sticker?

A custom sticker is printed adhesive graphics produced with your own artwork, logo, illustration or message.

Stickers are commonly used as standalone promotional or branding pieces rather than being an essential part of a product's packaging.

Common uses include:

• Logo stickers

• Promotional giveaways

• Packaging inserts

• Event stickers

• Laptop and device stickers

• Branded merchandise

• Customer giveaways

• Window and surface graphics

• Artwork and illustrations

For example, a coffee company might include a custom logo sticker inside every online order. The sticker promotes the brand, but it isn't required to identify the coffee itself.

Custom stickers can be produced in different shapes, sizes, materials and finishes depending on the application.

What Is a Custom Label?

A custom label is generally intended to be applied to a product, package, container or other item to identify, brand or provide information about it.

Common applications include:

• Product packaging

• Bottles and jars

• Food containers

• Candle jars

• Boxes and mailers

• Retail products

• Ingredient or information labels

• Barcodes

• QR codes

• Inventory identification

• Promotional packaging

A bakery, for example, might apply its logo, product name and other information to every package it sells. In this situation, the printed piece functions primarily as a label.

Stickers vs. Labels: What's the Main Difference?

There isn't always a technical manufacturing distinction between a sticker and a label.

The biggest difference is usually purpose.

Think of it this way:

A sticker is often the product or promotional item.

A label usually becomes part of another product or package.

Are Stickers and Labels Made From Different Materials?

Not necessarily.

Custom stickers and labels can often be produced using similar adhesive materials.

Depending on the application, options can include:

• White vinyl

• Clear material

• Matte finishes

• Gloss finishes

• Permanent adhesive

• Removable adhesive

• Materials intended for indoor applications

• Materials suited to certain outdoor applications

The appropriate material should be chosen based on where the printed piece will be used, not simply whether it's called a sticker or label.

A label applied to a refrigerated bottle, for example, may have very different requirements from a label applied to a cardboard box.

Likewise, a promotional sticker intended for a laptop has different requirements from a decal intended for outdoor use.

When Should You Choose Custom Stickers?

Choose custom stickers when the printed piece is primarily intended for branding, promotion, decoration or distribution.

Custom stickers work particularly well for:

Brand giveaways
Give customers a sticker featuring your logo, mascot or artwork.

Packaging inserts
Include a branded sticker with ecommerce orders as an inexpensive additional customer touchpoint.

Events and promotions
Distribute stickers at trade shows, conferences, community events and product launches.

Merchandise
Artists, creators and brands can sell or distribute custom artwork as individual stickers.

Brand awareness
Well-designed stickers can extend your branding beyond the original purchase.

For these applications, die-cut or kiss-cut stickers are often good starting points.

When Should You Choose Custom Labels?

Choose custom labels when the printed piece needs to identify, brand or communicate information about a product or package.

Custom labels are particularly useful for:

Product packaging
Add your logo, product name and branding to boxes, bags, jars and containers.

Food and beverage products
Brand bottles, jars, takeout containers, bakery packaging and other food-related products.

Candles and home products
Apply consistent branding and product information across containers and packaging.

Retail products
Create a consistent branded appearance across a product line.

Barcodes and QR codes
Add scannable information to products, inventory or promotional materials.

Variable information
Use sequential numbers, unique codes or other changing information when the production method supports variable-data printing.

For businesses that apply the same design repeatedly, labels are often the more natural way to think about the product.

What About Product Packaging?

This is where the distinction between stickers and labels matters most.

Suppose you operate a small coffee business.

You might order:

Custom labels for the front of each coffee bag containing your logo, roast name and product information.

You might also order:

Custom stickers featuring your logo or artwork to include as a free promotional item inside customer orders.

Both support the same brand, but they perform different jobs.

The label helps identify and present the product.

The sticker helps promote the brand.

Many businesses therefore use both.

What About Clear Stickers and Clear Labels?

The same distinction applies to clear materials.

A clear sticker might feature a logo or illustration intended for windows, bottles or other smooth surfaces.

A clear label might be applied to product packaging where the business wants the container or product underneath to remain visible.

Again, the material can be similar. The intended use determines whether it makes more sense to describe the product as a sticker or label.

Are Decals the Same as Stickers?

The terms sticker and decal also overlap, but decals are generally associated with graphics intended for application to a specific surface.

Common examples include:

• Vehicle graphics

• Windows

• Walls

• Floors

• Storefronts

• Equipment

• Larger signage applications

A small logo handed out at an event would normally be called a sticker.

A larger vinyl graphic installed on a storefront window would more commonly be called a decal.

The terminology isn't absolute, but thinking about the application helps distinguish the categories.

Stickers vs. Labels: Which Should Your Business Order?

Use this simple rule:

Choose custom stickers if you're creating something people will receive, display or use for promotion.

Choose custom labels if you're applying the printed piece to a product, package or container as part of your business process.

And consider custom decals when you need graphics specifically intended for windows, walls, vehicles, floors or other larger surfaces.

Still unsure? Don't worry too much about the terminology.

The more important questions are:

• Where will it be applied?

• What surface is it going on?

• Will it be used indoors or outdoors?

• How long should it remain in place?

• What size do you need?

• What appearance do you want?

• How many do you need?

Those answers help determine the right material and format.

Custom Stickers and Labels Made in Canada

Sticker Set Go produces custom stickers and labels in Whitby, Ontario, for businesses, brands, organizations, events and creators across Canada.

Whether you need promotional stickers for your brand, custom labels for product packaging or decals for a commercial application, choose your product, upload your artwork and order online.

Shop Custom Stickers

Shop Custom Labels

Not sure which product fits your application? Contact Sticker Set Go or request a business quote and tell us what you're working on. We'll help you determine the appropriate option.