Sticker Contour Cutting: What It Is and When You Need It
Contour cutting means cutting a sticker to the exact shape of the design, not into a rectangle. We explain when you actually need it, what to prepare in your file, and how long production takes.
Contour cutting is a process in which printed vinyl is cut along the shape of the design — a logo silhouette, a circle, an irregular figure, or any other line — rather than into a standard rectangle. In practice, this means the file needs a separate vector path (cut line) in addition to the design itself, which the cutting plotter's blade follows. We typically produce contour-cut stickers within 2–5 business days, at roughly 0.15–0.60 EUR per piece (excl. VAT) depending on size and quantity.
How contour cutting works technically
The process consists of three steps. First, the design is printed onto a roll of self-adhesive vinyl — matte or gloss, white or transparent. The vinyl then goes into a cutting plotter, which reads registration marks with an optical sensor and uses them to position the cutting path precisely. The blade depth is set so it cuts through the vinyl but not the backing paper — this is called a kiss cut, and it's the only reason the sticker can later be peeled off easily.
If the stickers need to be cut all the way through, backing included, this is called through-cutting (die-cutting). This is needed, for example, when the client wants individual, freely cut shapes without any surrounding vinyl.
Precision
Real-world cutting tolerance is around ±0.3–0.5 mm. Because of this, it's not worth placing the cut line exactly along the colour edge in your design — leave at least a 1 mm gap (bleed) between the colour and the cut, otherwise a thin white strip may appear on some stickers.
When contour cutting is actually needed
Not every sticker needs it. Since it adds to cost and time, it's worth understanding when the benefit is real:
- Logo without a background. If the brand has a non-rectangular shape — a shield, a circle with a cut-out, a letter combination — contour cutting lets you apply it to a car, a shop window or packaging without any extra vinyl around it.
- Product labelling on jars and bottles. Ovals and circles are practically always contour-cut.
- Stickers with a complex silhouette. Mascots, illustrations, sports club emblems.
- Floor and window stickers with text. Individually cut letters or arrows look much cleaner than text on a rectangular background.
- Price tags, prohibition and warning signs with a non-standard shape.
On the other hand, simple sheets of event stickers, address labels or internal markings are usually fine with rectangle or circle cutting — it's faster and cheaper. You can browse the full range in our sticker printing section.
Comparing cutting types
| Cutting type | What it does | When it's used | Approximate extra charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rectangle / circle cutting | Simple shape with a blade or guillotine | Sheets, labels, markings | Included in the price |
| Kiss cut (contour cutting) | Cuts through the vinyl, backing stays intact | Logos, product labels, gift stickers | from 5–15 EUR per setup |
| Through-cutting | Cuts through vinyl and backing | Individual shapes, sticker sets | from 10–20 EUR per setup |
| Stickers on a sheet with multiple shapes | Several designs on one A4/A3 sheet | Schools, events, sets | from 8 EUR per setup |
The setup fee is a one-off charge — on a repeat order using the same file, you won't need to pay it again.
Approximate pricing
The figures below are approximate, excl. VAT, for contour-cut stickers on matte or gloss vinyl. The exact price depends on quantity, size, vinyl type and how complex the cutting path is.
| Size | 50 pcs | 250 pcs | 1000 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3×3 cm | ~0.45 EUR/pc | ~0.22 EUR/pc | ~0.12 EUR/pc |
| 5×5 cm | ~0.60 EUR/pc | ~0.30 EUR/pc | ~0.16 EUR/pc |
| 10×10 cm | ~1.10 EUR/pc | ~0.55 EUR/pc | ~0.32 EUR/pc |
We also work with single pieces — for example, one large contour-cut sticker for a shop door. At higher quantities, the price per piece drops noticeably, since the setup and preparation cost stays the same.
How to prepare your file
For contour cutting to go smoothly without revision rounds, the file needs to be set up properly:
- Format: vector graphics — .ai, .eps or .pdf. Colours in CMYK.
- Cut path: a separate layer or spot colour named "CutContour", a line only, with no fill.
- Bleed: 1–2 mm around the cut line if the background is coloured.
- Safe zone: keep text and important details at least 2 mm from the cut.
- Sharp corners: very sharp corners and details thinner than 1.5 mm are better rounded off — otherwise they tend to tear when peeled.
- Resolution: if the design includes photo elements, at least 300 dpi at actual size.
If you don't have a vector file and only have a JPG or PNG, we can create the cut path for you — this usually costs 10–25 EUR depending on how complex the shape is. Processing a complex illustration may take longer, so we always assess it before starting work.
Turnaround times and material choice
The standard turnaround for contour-cut stickers is 2–5 business days from design approval; for very large quantities or laminated stickers, we agree on the timeline separately. Rush jobs are possible by arrangement, depending on our schedule.
When choosing a material, go by where it will be used: matte vinyl doesn't reflect light and is better if text on the sticker needs to be read or written on with a pen; gloss vinyl makes colours more vivid and is more resistant to wiping. For outdoor use — on cars, shop windows, equipment — we recommend adding a laminate, which protects against UV and physical scratches. You'll find our other printing services, including business cards, posters and banners, at the Atta Print shop.
Frequently asked questions
How precise is the contour cut?
The real-world tolerance is around ±0.3–0.5 mm. For this reason, leave a 1–2 mm bleed around the cut line in your design — then none of the stickers will have a white edge.
Can a sticker be cut to the shape of a logo without a rectangular background?
Yes, this is the most typical use of contour cutting. You'll need a vector file where the logo exists as a vector shape, and we'll create or check the cut path for it.
How much does contour cutting cost on top of printing?
The one-off setup fee is usually 5–20 EUR depending on how complex the shape is, plus the printing of the stickers itself. On repeat orders using the same file, you won't need to pay the setup fee again.
Can stickers be arranged on a sheet so they're easier to peel?
Yes. We use kiss cutting — the blade cuts only through the vinyl, while the backing stays intact. Several different designs can be arranged on a single A4 or A3 sheet.
Are contour-cut stickers suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, if you use outdoor-grade vinyl and a laminate. Such stickers on cars or shop windows usually keep their appearance for 2–3 years; without lamination, the colours fade faster.
How long do I need to wait for my order?
The standard turnaround is 2–5 business days from artwork approval. We assess very large quantities and rush jobs on an individual basis.
Send us your design or a description of your idea at info@attaprint.lv, call +371 25776699, or message us on WhatsApp at the same number — project manager Madara will answer any technical questions. We prepare a quote with price and turnaround within one business day; contact details are also available on the Contacts page.
FAQ
How precise is the contour cut?
The real-world tolerance is around ±0.3–0.5 mm. For this reason, leave a 1–2 mm bleed around the cut line in your design — then none of the stickers will have a white edge.
Can a sticker be cut to the shape of a logo without a rectangular background?
Yes, this is the most typical use of contour cutting. You'll need a vector file (.ai, .eps, .pdf) where the logo exists as a vector shape, and we'll create or check the cut path for it.
How much does contour cutting cost on top of printing?
The one-off setup fee is usually 5–20 EUR excl. VAT depending on how complex the shape is, plus the printing of the stickers itself. On repeat orders using the same file, you won't need to pay the setup fee again.
Can stickers be arranged on a sheet so they're easier to peel?
Yes. We use kiss cutting — the blade cuts only through the vinyl, while the backing stays intact. Several different designs can be arranged on a single A4 or A3 sheet.
Are contour-cut stickers suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, if you use outdoor-grade vinyl and a laminate. On cars or shop windows, such stickers usually keep their appearance for 2–3 years; without lamination, the colours fade faster.
How long do I need to wait for my order?
The standard turnaround is 3–7 business days from design approval, up to 10 business days for larger quantities. We assess rush jobs on an individual basis.
