FAQ

Sticky Business is a trusted manufacturer of custom labels, decals, domed decals, embossed foil seals & anniversary seals, nameplates, pewter labels, printed pouches, and magnets. We have 29 years in the business and believe integrity and quality are the cornerstones of our success.

Sticky Business Inc. has manufacturing facilities across North America, but our head office is situated in Victoria, BC, in Canada. We can ship anywhere in the world, and have delivered to 50 countries and counting!

We do not have a generic catalogue, per se. Since we are a completely custom shop, we don‘t have a one-size-fits-all packet to send, but we do have samples that we can mail to you. We simply need to know what kind of products you are interested in, supply your mailing address, and we will put together a custom sample pack specific to your project and mail it out to you.

Since Sticky Business is a custom manufacturer, we do not have a set price list. The prices of our stock items are displayed on our website, but the majority of what we do is custom. If you would like us to quote your custom label, decal or embossed seal needs, simply fill out the appropriate EZ Quote Form or CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-474-1095 and speak with a Client Services Specialist.

Production lead times are highly dependent upon individual order specifications. The majority of our products are shipped within 10 business days, but high volume orders, or orders with special details may take longer. Our quotes will always have the applicable turnaround time noted, and under most circumstances we can offer rush services. The production turnaround will commence once we‘ve received proof approval and processed payment.
 

We want you to be absolutely delighted with your printed product. If for any reason you are not satisfied, please call or email us to explain the reason and we will take all steps necessary to fix the problem. Please be aware that we must be contacted within 30 days of receiving your order if there is an issue.

Absolutely, please refer to our Privacy Statement.

We would love to correct your spelling – but only if you ask!

Variable printing is a form of digital printing in which elements (such as sequential numbers or barcodes) are changed from one label to the next, making every label unique. You will need to provide your variable information in an Excel spreadsheet.

We sure do! Domed decals, pewter labels, magnets, embossed foil seals, printed pouches, and more! If you are unsure about what would be best for your project please feel free to call us at 1-866-474-1095 to discuss it and we will do our best to help.

You bet! We do have a 15% reseller discount; it is applicable on our short-run products, domed decals, and embossed foil seals & anniversary seals. To qualify for a Reseller discount, you must be a print broker, printer, sign shop, quick printer or graphic agency. Simply take a moment to register at the following link. Once approved you will be able to request wholesale pricing quotes.
 

Absolutely! A sticker is an umbrella term that could be a label, a decal or an embossed seal. We sell every type of sticker you can imagine!

Minimum quantity varies by product. Depending on the product, we can print as few as 1-2 decals. Some of our other products have minimums of 100, 250, or 500 labels/decals/seals.

We manufacture our products using the high quality materials using state-of-the-art equipment. Of course, if you'd like to see for yourself you can request a sample pack at no charge. We are certain you will be satisfied with the quality of our products.

Don’t worry! In most cases we can “gang” your multiple versions together to give you the best possible price break. Each copy has an additional fee, but ‘ganging’ artwork versions together leads to a lower overall unit cost!

The major factors impacting the cost of any of our products is the size, shape, materials, finishing, and, of course, the quantity. The more you can tell us about what you need, the more accurate your pricing will be.

You will have an opportunity to make any necessary changes during the digital proofing stage of your order. This stage comes after you have finalized all the order details with one of our Client Services Representatives.

A label generally contains information regarding the product or item it is applied to, while a decal can have just about anything on it. 

Four colour process, also known as full colour or CMYK, is the modern process of digitally printing your artwork using a mixture of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks. This is the same process used to print photographs.

Laminates are more durable than a varnish; if your decal is being used outdoors, lamination is a must. Varnish is a liquid that is printed over your artwork to seal the ink. Both methods provide different levels of protection against UV exposure, abrasion and moisture. Both methods are available in gloss and matte finishes.

UPC Barcodes are issued and controlled by the Uniform Product Code Council. You must contact this Council, and, for a fee, they will issue your company a set of numbers which we can use to generate a barcode for your product. We are also able to generate QR, static and/or sequential barcodes.

A corner radius is the measurement of the amount of curve on a label corner. The larger the corner radius larger the curve. The most common corner radius are 1/8".

A flood coat is the process of applying ink over the entire label to change the color of the stock prior to printing the artwork.

A cut on the back of the label liner for quick and easy removal of the label.

Generally speaking, butt cut labels have square corners and no spacing between each label on a roll while die-cut labels have round corners and spacing between each label on the roll.

Labels with a clear substrate sometimes need a white backup to ensure your artwork is visible, easy to read and communicate effectively. White backup is the process of printing white ink directly behind your artwork to ensure it is easy to read.

No, Sticky Business does not have the ability to print fabric labels.

Yes, Sticky Business does have the ability to produce VINYL based fridge magnets.

No problem! Our unique digital production process enables us to produce decals and stickers of any color, shape or size. In addition, our extensive “die” library includes literally thousands of shapes and sizes for embossed seals and pewter labels.

Yes, we create them in French, Spanish, German, Swedish, Dutch, Portuguese and Italian. Just submit the text exactly as you want them to appear on the label. Be sure to include all accent marks.

Sometimes referred to as "bubble domes", "puffy stickers" and "3D domes", Domed decals are premium, high quality decals supplemented with a high quality two-part crystal-clear polyurethane.

Yes, we would be happy to design and produce your own unique deep embossed foil seals.

Choose your label material based on the environment in which your label will be exposed, and/or the aesthetic look and feel you are trying to achieve. Call 1-866-474-1095 to talk with one of our knowledgeable Customer Service Representatives; we will help you select the right material for your application.

Our 4-color process digital press achieves various tones and shading by overlaying the four basic shades of transparent ink (magenta, cyan, yellow and black). If you must match a color, send us a sample of the color you want to match, or provide us with the PMS color value. Pantone colors must be converted to CMYK. Request a press proof (at an additional charge), to see the color before your labels are printed. A press proof allows you to see exactly what your labels will look like printed with our equipment.

We print using CMYK inkjet technology. If your previous supplier uses this type of printing method, your labels should have a very similar look. If your previous supplier uses any other type of printing method, there may be slight differences. If you want to match a previous job, we request that you supply us with a printed label for matching purposes. If we feel the print quality would be too different from the supplied label sample, we would contact you.

RGB refers to the primary colors Red, Green and Blue. This color model is used on monitors and television screens. CMYK refers to the colors Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the inks used in most label and decal printing. CMYK is also referred to as either four-color process or full color printing.

CMYK printing is used on all digital presses. Spot color printing refers to a single solid color typically defined by a Pantone spot color value.

Typically used to match a single spot color, the PANTONE spot color has a defined CMYK mix value. If a specific shade of color is critical, it is important to provide the Pantone spot color value of the color desired.

A bleed occurs when the artwork for your label touches or overlaps the cut line of the label (does not have blank space between the artwork and the edge of the label).

If printing on a white substrate, white does not constitute an additional color. White printed on a clear substrate counts as an additional color.

Not necessarily. Computer monitors display colors using the RGB color model while printers print colors using the CMYK color model. If color matching is critical it is always best to order a press proof.

The printing process depends on the product ordered. We use digital printing, flexographic printing, screen printing and foil stamping.

Digital printing interprets & prints color directly onto label materials without the need of plates and negatives. This results in faster and less expensive production costs. Digital printing also has greater flexibility and is more affordable for projects involving multiple versions and/or variable data printing requirements.

Flexographic printing uses flexible plates, often made from rubber or synthetic materials. This type of printing uses water-based inks. Flexo printing is less expense for spot color labels versus full color labels which are better suited for digital printing.

Screen printing uses outdoor durable inks which are applied to the substrate through a fabric or screen.

Variable data printing is a form of printing in which various elements of the artwork can be changed from one label to the other.

Indoor magnets are meant to be kept indoors, outside of the elements. Outdoor magnets, on the other hand, are thicker, stronger, and printed with UV resistant ink to weather the elements. Additionally, outdoor magnets can be applied to moving items like cars, trucks, or vans.

We accept VISA, MasterCard & AMEX. We also accept company checks, Paypal and EFT payments.

No, we do not accept C.O.D orders.

No. If you don’t feel comfortable giving your credit card information over the Internet, please feel free to CALL TOLL FREE 1-866-474-1095 or 1 250-474-1095. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm Pacific Time.

We never require payment until you are 100% satisfied and approve your FREE digital proof. It has been this way for 21 years, and one of the many reasons our customers tell us they keep coming back for more.

We require notice via email or telephone if you wish to cancel an order. Any labor, material or shipping costs incurred prior to cancellation will be charged.

If you order a certain quantity of labels, we will produce and ship that quantity. If there are extra labels shipped with your order, we will not charge for the over run.

Secure ordering means that you can feel very confident that your valuable information (name, address, telephone number and credit card number) is not being sent to unknown servers or being altered, corrupted or shared. Your ordering information is being encrypted using the strongest encryption techniques and processed on a secure server.

An authenticated secure site is one that has been through a formal verification process assuring that the organization running the site has the authority to use the name represented by the site. To verify that a site is authenticated, look for an “https” versus “http” in the site’s URL for true secure pages.

Sticky Business does not charge sales tax on orders shipped within the United States. GST and/or HST is charged on orders shipped within Canada.

Yes, your personal and credit card information is protected by SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology – the standard of the industry in online security. Please refer to the Sticky Business Security Guarantee.

No! Sticky Business never charges for "over/under" runs! Actually, we often ship extras free of charge!

If your product has a manufacturing defect we will happily replace them free of charge.

Absolutely! We always Email you a PDF proof for your review and approval before going to print – NO CHARGE. Printed press proofs are available but additional charges may apply.

We typically Email PDF proofs to you within one business day.

Yes, however, fees related to labor performed and/or materials used will still need to be charged.

Shipping is calculated based on the size, quantity & weight of the product you order. We ship with UPS ground for most orders and can use your courier/shipper account if preferred.

We will, for an additional charge, ship an order in less than normal production times. Charges vary according to product line and quantity.

Your order will ship within a defined number of business days following receipt of your proof approval. The shipping times vary by product and can be reviewed on our Production Times page.

Our normal method of shipping is via UPS Ground.

Yes, Sticky Business ships anywhere on this planet.

No, online stock products can only be ordered online if you are located within the continental United States and Canada. If you are outside the continental United States or Canada, you can order our stock products by calling 1-250-474-1095.

Yes, additional costs will apply.

The image you are viewing on your computer screen is being displayed in the RGB color model and is a low resolution (72ppi) image. The image was compressed to load faster on your website. The printed equivalent to this image must be at least 300ppi and in the CMYK color model. For more information about raster graphics, please refer to our Artwork Guidelines.

Sticky Business has a talented design team. Our artists prepare artwork for the press and make small adjustments to existing art as needed. If you need us to design and build the files for you, please discuss the project with your Customer Service Representative. We will be happy to help.

Please refer to our Artwork Guidelines page for acceptable file formats and art preparation tips.

Yes, assuming the image is at least 300ppi

Acceptable artwork can vary depending on the printing method & product. Best results will be achieved from vector files. We can, however, print raster files of a minimum resolution of 300ppi.

All fonts should be converted to outlines or curves.

DPI is an acronym for Dots Per Inch. This is an outdated term for PPI or Pixels Per Inch. PPI is a measurement of the scanning resolution of an image. PPI expresses the number of pixels per inch that a monitor can display both horizontally and vertically. Most images on your computer screen are 72 ppi. While the image may look fine on your computer screen, it will not be satisfactory for printing. Printed products require artwork of at least 300 ppi at 100% size to be printed.

Our Graphic design Team will review the file and contact you with options to create a file suitable for printing.

Raster artwork is comprised of pixels. Low resolution (72 ppi) has big dots and prints poorly while high resolution (300ppi) has smaller pixels resulting in superior printing. Tiff, bmp, psd, jpg, jpeg, pdf and png are examples of raster files. Vector artwork is made of points, lines and polygons and is very high resolution. This type of file is resolution independent. AI, EPS and PDF are examples of vector files.

Yes, in most cases we can convert the file. An additional fee may apply.