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; it allows us to print gradients, as well as several colours at once without incurring extra costs. 

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.

We can, technically, generate UPC barcodes if you give us a string of numbers, which can very useful for internal-use databases (EG: asset tags). If, however, you are selling your product through major retail chains, large e-commerce marketplaces, or in specialized, regulated industries, then you must be issued barcode data by GS1 US (formerly known as the Uniform Product Code Council). 

We are also able to generate static and/or sequential bar or QR codes when provided with either a start number or excel spreadsheet.
 

A corner radius measures of the amount of curve on the corner of a label. The larger the corner radius, the larger the curve. The most common corner radius is 1/8" (0.125").

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 colour, shape or size. In addition, our extensive “die” library includes literally thousands of shapes and sizes for embossed seals and pewter labels.

We are happy to print labels in any language! Simply submit the text exactly as you want them to appear on the label, or have it already included in your artwork, and be sure to include all accent marks. Please be aware that we will not be responsible for any spelling or grammar errors; those must be addressed by the purchaser during the proofing stage.

Sometimes referred to as "bubble domes", "puffy stickers" and "3D domes", Domed decals utilize durable vinyl or poly supplemented with a high quality crystal-clear polyurethane domed overtop the printed image. Our polyurethane is non-yellowing and mercury-free.

Yes! We would be happy to produce unique, custom embossed foil seals for your every need.

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 colour, send us a sample of the color you want to match, or provide us with the solid coated Pantone colour value. You have the option of adding a press proof to your order to see the colour before the full run is printed. A press proof allows you to see exactly what your labels will look like printed with our equipment.

We will always do our best to aim for continuity if you are moving from another label company to Sticky Business. If we think there will be a notable difference, we will bring it to your attention and work with you to find the best way to proceed. Press proofs are always an option to ensure we are the right choice. The more information we have, the better, and if Pantone colours are an option, it will make it much easier to colour match to your previous suppliers label.

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, and are the inks used in most printing. CMYK is also referred to as either four-colour process or full colour printing. While we cannot print in RBG (or hex), we can make magic with CMYK.

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

The Pantone Matching System (PMS) is a universal collection of colours that acts as a master colour guide. They each have their own unique number (referred to as a "PMS number" or "Pantone number") and are crucial for colour matching. If you have a specific shade in mind, you'll need a solid coated Pantone value so we know exactly what colour to aim for.

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 colour. When printing on any other coloured material, however, it is an additional colour, and will be noted as such.

Not necessarily. Computer monitors display colours using the RGB and Hex colour models; they are backlit, and colour may vary depending on the monitor settings. Printers use the CMYK colour model to create images. If colour matching is critical, it is always best to order a press proof.

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

Digital printing interprets & prints colour 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 to impress colour onto a material; they are often made from rubber or synthetic materials. This type of printing generally uses water-based inks. Flexo printing is less expense for long runs of labels with only 1-2 colours, while digital printing is better for full colour labels.

Screen printing utilizes 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 information can be changed from label to label. Numbering, QR codes and barcodes are most frequently created using this method, however we've also used this method for clients with perfume labels, or countertop samples, where only the name changes. You can use the variable data printing method for multiple fields that need to by dynamic.

Indoor magnets are meant to be kept indoors, away from 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.

Our primary accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard or American Express, but we also accept wire transfer, paypal, company cheque, and are happy to offer either e-mail transfer or online Moneris links to our Canadian clients.

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

Only our stock seals, stock anniversary seals, and custom anniversary seals are available for purchase online. For all other orders, we do not suggest sending any credit card information via email, so please call us TOLL FREE at 1-866-474-1095 to securely provide your information. 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 since the fruition of Sticky Business, 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 labour, 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 completely safe on our 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, and our products are CUSMA compliant. They are free of additional duties, taxes, and tariffs when they cross the border. For orders shipping within Canada, applicable taxes such as GST, PST or HST will apply depending on the ship-to location.

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.

If your product has a manufacturing defect we will happily replace them free of charge. You will need to bring this to our attention within 30 days of receiving your order to qualify for a reprint or refund.

Absolutely! Upon order confirmation, we will email you a free digital PDF proof for review and approval before going to print. Exact repeat reorders may be omitted from this procedure, unless a proof is requested. Printed press proofs are available for an additional fee.

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

Of course! However, applicable graphic design or typesetting fees will be charged upon cancellation. If any labour and/or materials have already been utilized the associated charges will still apply.

Shipping is calculated based on the size, quantity & weight of the product you order. We ship via UPS ground for most orders, but can use your courier/shipper account if preferred; this will incur a handling fee of $4.50.

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

For the majority of orders, your order will ship within 10 business days. There are, however, some circumstances that may elongate the turnaround time (EG: high volume, materials need to be orders, or a special printing process is needed, such as pewter labels or flexographic printing). Your turnaround time will always be noted on the quote you receive from one of our Client Service Specialists.

Our default method of shipping is UPS Ground; we have the best discounts with UPS. You can also opt for expedited or overnight service if you need to save some time. We can also ship via Purolator, FedEx, Canada Post, or local courier.

Yes, Sticky Business ships globally. Please just be aware that some locations may incur landing fees (EG: VAT), which the receiver will be responsible for. We will take advantage of the free trade agreements Canada has with countries around the world to keep any fees as minimum as possible.

Yes, online orders can be shipped internationally.

Yes, we can split your shipment to up to five unique locations per order. Additional fees 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 proofing team. However, our art department will typically only prepare and make small adjustments to already existing artwork. If you need us to design and build the files for you, please discuss the project with your Customer Service Specialist to check feasibility. We will be happy to help.

Vector files are always our preferred format, and required for some printing processes. We can sometimes get away with raster files, as long as they are at least 300ppi when sized at the appropriate dimensions for the order. For more in depth information, please refer to our Artwork Guidelines page for acceptable file formats and art preparation tips.

For vector files we accept AI, EPS, or PDF. For raster files we accept BMP, TIF, JPG, or PNG.

Font can be provided within art files as converted outlines or curves, OR font files (TrueType or OpenType) can be sent along with art files to ensure we have them in our library. If you have consecutive numbering or variable data the font will need to be editable.

PPI (PIXELS per inch) measure resolution on a computer screen, while DPI (DOTS per inch) measure printer resolution on paper. One is for digital while the other is for physical. We request a minimum of 300PPI because it translates into an appropriate DPI to achieve a crisp and clear printed image.

Our Client Services team will be happy to review your file and discuss 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.

Usually, yes! In most cases we can convert the file for a one-time graphic design fee.