Which is the Best Sticker to Stick on a Corrugated Box

Corrugated box packaging is extensively used for shipping, moving, storage, and packaging retail products. It can be customized differently but pasting custom stickers on them makes their customization easier and cost-effective. Stickers also help make product identification and traceability easier. 

They are versatile and can be used for easy handling, product information, traceability, and aesthetics. You can customize them in different colors, printing, designs, shapes, sizes, and styles. Read this blog to know important considerations, types, challenges, and, which is the best sticker to stick on a corrugated box!

Overview of Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are known for their strong construction, made from multiple layers of cardstock and kraft flutes. They are mostly used for shipping, storage, and moving. This is why they need to be customized with stickers to ensure easy package traceability and branding. 

Large moving cartons made from corrugated cardboard should be labelled with large-sized stickers. These stickers mostly contain a scan bar, product identification number, batch, and relevant information.  Likewise, small corrugated mailer boxes can be customized using small stickers containing brand logos, names, and taglines for cost-effective branding for small businesses. 

5 Considerations to Make When Customizing

Custom stickers are beneficial only if they are customized perfectly. You need to be clear about the purpose of customizing stickers. For example, if you are using them for traceability, you will choose customization options accordingly. The following are some important considerations to make when customizing stickers for corrugated boxes:

Sticker Material

Choosing the right materials for stickers helps you understand which is the best sticker to stick on a corrugated box. You can get various material choices such as paper, kraft paper, vinyl, plastic, polyester, and cardstock. For example, if you want stickers to paste on small mailer boxes, consider using paper-based stickers. Likewise, weather-resistant stickers made from vinyl and polyester can be used for corrugated shipping boxes. 

Printing Options

The right material ensures the durability of stickers. However,  it is still incomplete without getting important information printed on them. The printing method also depends on which material you have selected for stickers. For example, laser printing suits kraft stickers because kraft paper has a porous surface and laser printing prevents inks from getting smudged. Get high-quality printed stickers coated with matte or gloss finish for a professional look.

Design Theme

Keep your visual brand identity consistent while choosing a design theme for your stickers for corrugated boxes. Decide what design suits your brand personality and packaging needs. Also, consider incorporating seasonal design themes like Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and New Year. 

Adhesive Quality

Which is the best sticker to stick on a corrugated box depends on the quality of adhesive used for stickers. If you are an eco-conscious brand, consider using plant-based adhesives for your paper-based stickers. However, a strong adhesive is required for corrugated boxes that keep the stickers in place during shipping, weather conditions, temperature changes, and moisture. 

Shape and Style

You can customize stickers in different shapes to entice customers. Most shipping labels are customized in vertical shapes. Some shipping stickers are designed in classic square shape. Die-cut stickers in odd shapes can also be used for branding purposes. 

 6 Types of Stickers for Corrugated Boxes

You should explore the following 6 types of stickers to know which is the best sticker to stick on a corrugated box:

PSA Stickers

Pressure-sensitive stickers are one of the best types of labels that can be pasted on corrugated box packaging. They can easily be applied on surfaces of corrugated boxes. All you need to do is press them with a little pressure and they are good to go. They can be made from various materials like paper, vinyl, and polyester. The disadvantage of PSA stickers is they are not suitable for extremely rough and tough surfaces and temperatures.

Water-Based Adhesive Stickers

As the name suggests, the adhesives of these stickers are water-based and eco-friendly. Water-based stickers are good for retail and small storage bags that are kept away from moisture. The only disadvantage of these stickers is that their adhesive may weaken over time and affect their durability. 

Vinyl Stickers

Vinyl stickers are best for shipping boxes because they withstand extreme shipping shocks, temperature changes, and weather conditions. The best quality about vinyl stickers and labels is they are tear-resistant and can be exposed to moisture. Their only disadvantage is they are quite costly than paper-based stickers. 

Kraft Stickers

Get your eco-friendly packaging to be more sustainable with kraft stickers. These stickers are made from kraft paper, 100% biodegradable material. Small mailer boxes go well with kraft boxes. However, they are not suitable for exposure to extreme weather conditions. 

Paper Stickers

Paper stickers are made from standard card stock paper, a material known for its flexibility. You can customize labels in custom shapes and styles to get them pasted on corrugated cardboard boxes. Thus, they help you improve branding without breaking the bank. 

Polyester Stickers

Polyester labels are perfect for shipping corrugated boxes in extreme weather conditions. They also withstand exposure to higher temperatures, moisture, and humidity. Customize them to make your product shipping easier while improving brand awareness. 

3 Challenges Stickers for Corrugated Boxes Pose

Corrugated boxes have rough surfaces when they are used for shipping or storage of bulk quantities. This is why, you may face the following challenges that can be overcome with the right considerations:

Text Fading

The exposure to corrugated boxes to open air and weather conditions cause sticker fading. This challenge can be overcome using high-quality printing and lamination, especially paper-based stickers. 

Peeling Issues

Corrugated material is heavier with rough surfaces, which may cause your stickers to easily peel off during shipping. This challenge can be overcome using strong adhesives that withstand the pressure of rough surfaces and temperature changes. 

Easy to Tear Labels

Paper-based stickers are easy to tear and can cause a counterfeit issue. This is why you should consider using tear-resistant polyester and vinyl stickers. 

Conclusion!

Custom stickers are a must-have customization essential for every small business that aims to ship its products over long distances. These stickers make traceability and branding easier. However, make important considerations like material, printing, and sizes for the right stickers. Exploring different types of stickers helps you choose the right one for your corrugated boxes.