Labels and stickers are a world of their own. Whether they come off a roll or a sheet changes how they are imposed, finished and priced. Here is what to know.

Sheets vs rolls

Short runs and irregular shapes often print on sheets and are cut or kiss-cut to shape. Longer runs, and anything destined for an applicator gun or a production line, print on a roll and are die-cut in line.

How roll labels are imposed

On a roll, labels are arranged across the web (the roll width) and repeat down its length. The number “across” depends on the label width plus the gap, versus the printable web width. More across means a shorter, cheaper roll for the same quantity — the same efficiency thinking as sheet imposition, just in one continuous direction.

The details that matter

• Gap — the space between labels, needed for the die and for clean application.
• Bleed — still 3 mm, so colour runs right to the die-cut edge.
• Finish — gloss, matt or a laminate for durability; outdoor labels need UV-stable media.
• Core and direction — for machine application, tell us the unwind direction and core size.

Briefing a label job

Give us the finished label size, the quantity, the material (paper or vinyl), the finish and where it will be used (fridge, outdoors, a curved bottle). With that we will recommend the most economical way to run it. Our imposition calculator includes a label preset so you can see roughly how many fit across a width before you enquire.