Die-cut vs Kiss-cut: A Simple Guide
By: Naomi J. Myrick, Decals.com Staff Writer - Last Updated: 4/10/26
The main difference between these two popular sticker cut options comes down to the finish of the paper backing. A die cut sticker is cut completely through the sticker and its paper backing. Whereas a kiss cut sticker is only cut through the sticker layer. The paper backing stays intact and will leave you with an extra border of material, making the sticker easier to peel.
Custom stickers, whether die- or kiss-cut, are an excellent choice for branding and all around fun! We’ve put together this simple guide to explain the difference between the two and help you choose the best cut for your project.
Read on to find out:
- What the different cuts are
- How they are cut
- The benefits of each cut
- Best use cases
- A side-by-side comparison
- Let’s jump right in!
What are die-cut stickers?
Die-cut was once known as “contour-cut,” because it is cut to the actual contour of your sticker.
That’s right, technically speaking, die-cutting means that we are cutting through both the vinyl sticker material and the paper backing. This cut type doesn't give you a border or edge.
Another way to look at it is to think of it like a "cookie cutter."
Die-cut stickers are completely cut out to the contour of your design, so you have individually cut stickers without any border.
Borderless stickers offer a clean aesthetic and a professional appeal!
Benefits of Die-cut Stickers
Benefits of custom shaped die-cut stickers:
- Many display options
- Unique shapes
- High-quality and professional appearance
Different displays can get you noticed
These stickers give you many possibilities from square, circle or oval shapes, to custom cut around your design. They're ideal for special designs or more artwork geared stickers. Great-looking graphics displayed on car windows for storefront windows can gain a lot of attention for your business.
Add personality with custom shapes
Unique shapes add personality! And a winning personality is essential when it comes to marketing. Psychologically speaking, people want to buy from likable people—and by extension businesses. So, share your awesome personality right on your sticker with our custom vinyl stickers.
Professional appeal
Stickers are cute, but there’s a fine line between cute and revenue producing sellability. Professional looking sticker products can be a huge asset for use at trade shows and conventions.
Who Should Use Die-cut Stickers
If you're handing out stickers with logos, custom designs, or photographs, die-cuts are the way to go because of their sharp, borderless finish.
What are kiss-cut stickers?
Kiss-cut stickers only cut through the vinyl layer ("sticker material") and do not cut through the paper backing, leaving an edge or border around your sticker.
The extra material around the edges makes them great for very easy peeling.
The border left behind works as a nifty frame to draw emphasis to logos and other important info.
Benefits of Kiss-cut Stickers
Some benefits of these sweet stickers include:
- Easy peeling from the sticker backing
- Easy to produce in mass quantities
- Available individually or on sticker sheets
Efficient, easy-peeling
There’s nothing more frustrating than struggling with a sticker backing. Kiss-cut fixes that! With kiss-cut, you can easily peel stickers, waste less time, and save yourself a little sanity.
Bulk ordering discount
Ordering in bulk gets you a discount per unit and helps guarantee that you won’t run out of stickers, so you’ll be stocked up with extra if a project suddenly comes up.
Bulk ordering also applies to die-cut labels, kiss-cut labels, and Crack and Peel Stickers.
Who Should Use Kiss-cut Stickers
If you need a fast peel or want to protect intricate designs with an extra border, kiss-cuts are your best choice.
Which Sticker Is Best For You?
Still need help deciding which sticker is best for you? Compare below to see which style fits your needs.
Are you ready to make your mark? Order your custom die-cut and kiss-cut stickers from Decals.com today! For more information on how to choose the right style for your project, check out our video on die-cut vs kiss-cut stickers.