When stickers and labels are produced, you can choose from several cutting methods – depending on what you want to use them for and in what form you'd like to receive the finished prints. Here we explain in detail what kiss-cutting means, what cutting options exist, and when each one is worth choosing.
What is kiss-cutting?
Kiss-cutting (ritzelés in Hungarian, also known as kiss-cut or contour cutting) is a special cutting process in which:
- we cut through only the self-adhesive layer,
- the backing paper remains intact.
This means that the sticker is cut to shape but still stays in one piece on the backing – so it's easy to peel off, yet it remains easy to handle. The shape can be a circle, an oval, angular or even a custom contour – there are no restrictions.
Did you know? Self-adhesive materials consist of two layers:
– the top printable, self-adhesive layer,
– and the bottom backing, which goes to waste after peeling.
The no-cutting option – when should you choose it?
If you decide that you don't want any cutting at all, you will receive the prints on a continuous sheet with several stickers laid out on it. In this case they are not cut around, so:
- you can cut them out yourself with scissors or a utility knife,
- there are no shape restrictions, but this requires do-it-yourself processing.
When can it be useful?
– You're making a proof print and are only curious about the colors.
– You want to reduce costs and will do the cutting out by hand yourself.
Straight cutting (without kiss-cutting)
In this case you are not asking for stickers that are cut around and kiss-cut to shape; instead:
- with straight cuts,
- we trim the prints to a rectangular shape,
- the stickers will be cut out one by one.
This is ideal when the label doesn't need a custom outline and the shape is simple.
When is it worth requesting?
– If you want a square or rectangular label,
– and fast, simple processing is the goal.
Kiss-cutting + cutting
This is the most complex form of cutting. In this case:
- first we kiss-cut the stickers to shape (with any contour),
- then we cut the sheet into pieces – for example for individual packaging or according to a custom grouping.
When should you choose this option?
– If you want to hand over a sticker as a stand-alone piece, for example at an event or alongside a package,
– if you also want extra graphic elements around the sticker (e.g. a brand element, promotional text, a barcode),
– if you're planning sticker sets, where we arrange several stickers together on one shared sheet.
In summary – which cutting method should you choose?
– No cutting is ideal if you only need a proof print, or if you want to save on the cutting cost and will cut out the stickers by hand yourself.
– Choose straight cutting if you need simple, angular labels, for example rectangular or square stickers, and it's important that they can be used quickly, piece by piece.
– Kiss-cutting is recommended if you want stickers that are cut to shape yet stay on one sheet – this is the most practical and most economical solution for custom shapes.
– Kiss-cutting + cutting is the best choice if you want to hand out the stickers one by one, or if you're planning sets on which branded graphics, a barcode or promotional information is placed around the stickers.
If you're not sure which cutting method would be best for your project, write to us – we'll help you find the best solution!
