Paper imposition is an important issue that both designers and printing houses need to understand to ensure that printed logo stickers or product labels are sharp, printed in "just the right quantity for the paper," and leave minimal waste.
To get the desired quantity of product label stickers, especially for die-cut circular stickers, designers should arrange them appropriately for the paper size and leave a safe margin for cutting/die-cutting. This ensures they are easy to peel for actual use, have clean cuts, and reduce the risk of misalignment. The following three factors are primarily considered:
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Sticker size and shape
Commonly ordered die-cut circular stickers usually come in 4 sizes: 3, 3.5, 4, and 5 cm. When arranged on the same paper size, the "number of stickers obtained" will vary by size. Another tip is that circular stickers often yield a more economical quantity than square ones in the same area because they can be arranged in a staggered pattern to utilize the space more fully.
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Sticker arrangement + margin spacing
Whether it's a square or circular product label, it's crucial to remember to leave margins on the top, bottom, left, and right. This provides a safe area for handling the paper, feeding it into the machine, and final cutting. It's recommended to leave at least a 1 cm margin (or more for intricate die-cutting). For circular arrangements, a staggered layout will yield more stickers per sheet, especially on A3 paper.
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Paper size used (A3 is highly recommended for labels)
If you want to arrange product labels in large quantities, control cutting distances well, and reduce production risks, it is recommended to design/arrange them on A3 paper and define a print safe area of approximately 26 × 40.5 cm per sheet. This is a common safe area for arranging various sticker types to allow for cutting/die-cutting and ensure easy peeling for actual use without problems.
Many might wonder "why not use A4" even though two A4 sheets equal one A3 sheet. The answer is that using A4 requires more space for margins around the paper, and there is also wasted space from the center dividing cut. Consequently, the number of stickers obtained per actual usable area is often "less" than arranging them directly on A3.
In summary, for cost-effectiveness, business owners should consider from the outset the size and shape of their logo/label, whether it will be printed on A3 or A4, and plan the arrangement for optimal die-cutting. This ensures the final product is of good quality, yields a cost-effective quantity, and is as easy to use as possible.
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