It's true that custom transfer labels and stickers can transform your brand and take your packaging to new heights. However, since these are personalized products, there are a few key details you'll want to confirm before placing your order. Addressing these upfront will ensure a smooth, successful labeling project.
Here are 5 important things to check off your list:
1. Label Dimensions
- Since we produce the transfer labels without the background, we don't factor in the margins or blank areas around the design. So the actual size will be the dimensions of your text and imagery only.
- We don't have details on the specific products you'll be labeling, so we recommend measuring the intended application area yourself. If you're unsure of the ideal size, feel free to provide those measurements when placing your order and we can advise further.
- Please note that we may need to adjust some dimensions to fit your design's aspect ratio or meet our production requirements. For example, if a design is very text-heavy in a 1" x 0.5" size, we may need to enlarge it slightly to ensure readability. Don't worry, we'll communicate these recommendations and show you a proof before finalizing production.
The key is providing us the details upfront so we can work together to determine the perfect label size for your products.
2. Label Type:
We offer four main categories of transfer labels that can suit a variety of design needs and application surfaces:
- UV Transfer Labels: These are perfect for text-heavy designs like ingredient lists or solid-color logos. They can even be printed in metallic gold or silver finishes.
- Metal Transfer Labels: Made from real metal, these are ideal for simple logos or bold slogans that require a premium, high-end look.
- DTF Transfer Stickers: Great for colorful patterns, illustrations, or photo-like designs that need vibrant, high-quality printing.
- Magic Transfer Stickers: Similar to the UV labels, but specifically engineered to adhere well to soft, flexible surfaces.
You can find more detailed information about the unique properties of each label type in our supplementary article on the topic (link). Once you have a sense of your design needs and the target surface, we can help guide you to the optimal label solution. Just let us know the details when placing your order.
3. Turnaround Time:
It's important to note that transfer label production is quite different from standard digital printing. We need to create custom plates and put in a lot of manual effort, which impacts the timeline.
Generally, you can expect a production time of 5-7 business days for transfer label orders. Please be sure to give us enough lead time to ensure we can print the highest quality labels for you.
The intricate, hands-on process required for transfer labels is quite different from typical printing projects. We appreciate you factoring this into your planning and providing us with ample time to complete your order to perfection. Just let us know your target deadline when placing the order, and we'll do our best to accommodate.
4. Application Surface
The type of transfer label you choose should be compatible with the surface you'll be applying it to.
For our UV labels, metal labels, and DTF stickers, these can generally be used on most smooth, hard surfaces like plastic bottles, hard-sided boxes, and glasses. However, there are a few exceptions:
- Metal labels may not work well on curved surfaces, as the rigidity could cause bending over time.
- DTF stickers should not be used on paper-based surfaces, as the adhesive film could potentially damage the material.
You can find more detailed guidance on suitable surfaces for each label type on our website (link).
As for our Magic stickers, those are designed to adhere well to a wider range of surfaces, including textiles, as long as they aren't extremely smooth or rough. They can be a great option for applying labels to clothing, shoes, and other flexible materials.
5. Contact Information
Please be aware that we won't start production on your order until we receive approval from you.
To facilitate this approval process, we'll send you a proof in your email within one business day after receiving your order. So it's crucial that the email address you provide is accurate and that you monitor your inbox, including your spam/junk folders.
If you don't see the proof email from us, please double-check your email settings to ensure our messages aren't being blocked. And feel free to reach out to us directly if you have any trouble accessing the proof - we're happy to resend it or troubleshoot the issue.
Maintaining clear communication throughout the process is key, as we can't proceed with manufacturing your labels until you've had a chance to review and approve the proof. Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns about the email address or approval workflow.
By confirming these key details upfront, you can move forward with your custom transfer label order with confidence, knowing your brand is in good hands. Reach out to the team at UniKPortrait to get started.