Finding a sticker size that’s just right will help your product label or branding stickers stand out. Too small, and it’s hard to read all of your information. Too large, and it doesn’t fit well to your product, making you look unprofessional. But it’s not always easy to know which size you should order when designing your stickers and labels.
Feeling stressed about finding the right sticker sizes? Read our guide for our best tips on labels, stickers, and decal sizing. If your company needs help with custom label sizing, click the button below to get a free proposal.
Label Sticker Size
How do you choose a label size that’s just right? Part of that depends on the shape of your product. A majority of products on the market come in cylindrical containers, but square/rectangular and tapered containers are also popular.
One of the first things you’ll need to do to determine the label sticker size you need is to measure your product. Here are a few tips for measuring different product packages:
- For round bottles and jars, use a flexible measuring tape to measure the circumference of the container. When measuring the height, only measure the flat surface of the container.
- Subtract about an ⅛” from the label height and ¼” from the width of the label to make sure it will lie correctly on the curved surface. If you want your label sticker to overlap, add ¼”.
- For square or rectangular packages, measure the dimensions of each panel. If you want the panel to wrap around, you can use a flexible measuring tape to take your measurements.
- You can print out various label sizes and place them on your product packaging to figure out which label will work best.
- Alternatively, you can cut a piece of paper to the size you want your label to be and measure it from there.
- Whatever the shape of your container, you’ll want it to be smaller than the dimensions of your product. You don’t want your label to be sticking out over the edge.
When determining the size of your label, you’ll also want to keep in mind the amount of information you need to include. If your label is too small, it will be hard for customers to read everything. Doing some test prints will help you determine if your label is readable.
Standard Label Sizes
Just as products come in a variety of sizes, so too do labels. There aren’t necessarily any standard label sizes, unless perhaps you’re looking at shipping labels. Most shipping labels are 4”x5”, 4”x6”, or 4”x8”. Check with your shipping company to make sure you’ve got the right size.
Some commonly used label sizes include:
- 2”x3”
- 2”x3.5”
- 3”x4”
- 3”x7”
- 5”x7”
One of the beauties of working with a custom label printer like Coast Label is the ability to configure your labels to the exact size you need. Our specialists will work with you one on one to help you find the right label sizes for your products.
2”x2” Sticker Size
Square 2”x2” stickers are popular for branding materials. You can pass them out to promote your business or event. Slip them into product packages for a fun freebie that also benefits you. Use them to seal envelopes or wrap tissue paper around your product.
3”x3” Sticker Size
Need something a little bigger? A 3”x3” sticker might just be right for you. If you need to visualize this size, standard Post-It Notes are three inches by three inches. 3”x3” stickers give you more room for your design to make your branding pop.
Standard Sticker Sizes
As with label sizes, stickers don’t necessarily come in standard sizes. However, some of the most popular stickers sizes are as follows:
- 2”x2”
- 3”x3”
- 1.5”x2.5”
- 4”x2”
- 3”x2”
- 4”x3”
- 3”x3”
If you’re trying to figure out if one of these sticker sizes will work for you, you can print a test run on regular paper. It’s always a good idea to see the size for yourself before making an order.
Rectangle Sticker Sizes
If you’re looking for rectangle stickers, you’ll want to consider the purpose of the sticker before choosing your size. A standard business card is about 2”x3.5”. This size is great for passing out stickers for branding purposes. They can be used on water bottles, bikes, notebooks, etc. Most shipping labels are 4”x6”. At Coast Label, we can print rectangle stickers in any size you need.
Circle Sticker Sizes
If you’re looking for circle stickers, you might be wondering how sizes are determined. Most sticker and label printers take measurements from the widest part and the tallest part of the sticker. This is the case for circles, ovals, and any sticker shape that isn’t rectangular.
Here are a few comparisons to help you visualize different circle sticker sizes.
- A 1”x1” circle sticker is slightly bigger than a quarter.
- A 2”x2” circle sticker is about the size of an oreo.
- A 2.25”x2.25” circle sticker is about the size of a standard yo-yo.
Decal Sizes
If you’re looking for something long-lasting for a window display or a vehicle, you’ll want a decal. Decals are usually bigger than stickers and labels and are also designed to adhere longer. The decal size you want will depend on a few things:
- How much information will be on the decal? If you have a lot of information to convey, you’ll need to make it big enough to be readable.
- What will the decal be used for? Is this for a window display? Or for safety information?
- How far away will the decal be viewed from? The farther away the decal, the larger it will need to be.
For car window decals, you’ll want to choose a decal size that is at least five inches. Any smaller, and the details won’t be very visible from traffic. An 8×10 decal is about the size of a piece of printer paper and would be great for branding vehicle doors.
Conclusion on Sticker Sizes
At the end of the day, the right sticker size for you will depend on what you’re using it for. Product labels need to fit the container they’ll be sticking to. Decals need to be large enough to be seen from a distance. Branding stickers need to be big enough to be eye-catching, but small enough that they’ll be used.
If you need help choosing best sticker sizes, contact Coast Label today for a free consultation. We’ll help you design the perfect custom label for you whether you need lexan labels, medical device labels, tamper-evident labels, and more!
