When it comes to printing stickers or labels with unique designs and small dimensions, carrier sheets are an essential production requirement to ensure high-quality results. If you’re ordering smaller custom shapes or narrow designs, you might notice your proof includes an extra border, known as a carrier sheet. This is a necessary step to protect your design during printing and ensure it functions exactly as intended.

What is a Carrier Sheet?

A Carrier Sheet is an extra piece of material surrounding your sticker or label. It serves as a stabilizing cushion for designs that are:

• Under a certain size threshold.
• Narrow, intricate, or have fine details as part of their custom shape.

Without a Carrier Sheet, small stickers or labels could get stuck in our machines or fail to peel cleanly. This sheet adds durability to the printing process while keeping the focus on your unique design. If you are ordering stickers, we require a carrier sheet if 75% or less of your sticker is under 1".

We will never start printing your items with a carrier sheet without showing you first! During the proofing process, we'll clearly designate the carrier sheet using two distinct cutlines:

1. The Outer Pink Line: This cutline indicates where the carrier sheet will be cut. The carrier sheet creates a larger overall sticker, serving as a frame to protect your design.
2. The Inner Pink Line: This cutline shows where your actual sticker will peel off the carrier sheet. This inner cutline ensures your sticker matches the exact dimensions and shape of your custom design.

When your stickers or labels arrive, the overall size will be slightly larger due to the carrier sheet, however, your unique design remains intact. When you peel the sticker from the carrier sheet, you'll get the exact custom shape and dimensions you approved on your proof.

Why Do Carrier Sheets Matter?

Carrier sheets may seem like a small addition, but they serve several important purposes:

• Improved Print Quality: Small or intricate designs stay stable during printing and cutting. (Think thin lines or squiggles that could tear easily on their own.)
• Reduced Production Issues: The extra cushion prevents stickers from getting stuck in machinery.
• Clean Peeling: Stickers peel effortlessly from the carrier sheet without damage.

When reviewing your proof, double-check that the outer cutline represents the carrier sheet and the inner cutline shows where your sticker will peel, ensuring the final product matches your expectations. The inner cutline will outline the shape of the design in the size you chose when you placed your order.

Have your artwork complete and ready to get a proof going? Place an order today!