Beginners' Guide

Yes, it is possible. By purchasing sticker paper from online stores or discount shops, you can easily create custom labels at home using an inkjet or laser printer, starting from just one sheet. If you're looking to print original stickers cheaply, using a convenience store printer is also recommended.

*Note: Home printers may not use water-resistant pigments, which could cause the ink to smudge when exposed to water. Please be cautious.

At Kojima Label Printing, we specialize in providing functional and attractive product labels using medium-sized printing presses, mainly for corporate clients. Our strength lies in creating labels that add value to products.

下記のようなことを意識すると安くなります。

1. Order directly from a label and sticker printing company. Search online for specialized companies.
2. Design using simple shapes like rectangles or circles with standard dimensions (e.g., 50x50mm). Standard sizes may allow us to use pre-made dies, which can save around 1,000 to 8,000 yen depending on the size.
3. Opt for letterpress printing. Compared to offset printing, letterpress can save several thousand to tens of thousands of yen.
4. Use inexpensive materials like premium paper or art paper for the labels.
5. For single-color designs, specify using PANTONE (spot colors) instead of full-color (CMYK) printing.
6. Skip lamination (surface protective film) if durability is not required.
7. Plan your internal operations carefully to avoid urgent deadlines. Fast delivery is a service, but careful planning can save costs.

At Kojima Label Printing, we offer four printing methods: letterpress printing, offset printing, silk screen printing, and inkjet printing. We choose the most suitable printing method based on your needs, including cost, quality, quantity, and the intended use of the labels. If you have specific preferences, please let us know in advance.

Here are the differences between each printing method:

Letterpress Printing: Ink is transferred from the raised areas of the printing plate to the paper. This is the most common method for label and sticker printing, offering a relatively low-cost and high-quality finish. Letterpress printing is not ideal for gradients, so we use offset printing for designs that include them.

Offset Printing: This method uses the repulsion of ink (oil) and water to transfer ink only to the printing areas. While it is more expensive, offset printing produces high-quality prints and can reproduce detailed designs, such as high-resolution photos and gradients.

Silk Screen Printing: Ink is applied to a mesh plate and directly pressed onto the label. The ink is scraped with a squeegee, leaving ink only in the coarse areas of the screen. While silk screen printing is more expensive, it is ideal for outdoor stickers and labels due to its durability and lightfastness. However, it is not suitable for fine details.

Inkjet Printing: Based on digital data, ink is sprayed onto the label from nozzles. Inkjet printing is affordable and suitable for small runs. However, the print speed is slow, making it more expensive for larger quantities. It works well for small jobs, typically up to 100 pieces. The print quality is relatively rough, but the ink used is durable, making it suitable for outdoor use.

This translation provides clear and concise explanations for each printing method, ensuring SEO-friendly and easily understandable content.

4o mini

For more details, please refer to the following page.

Available Printing Methods

By printing on transparent material, you can create custom transparent labels. The transparent PET film material features a smooth texture, and since it is clear, only the printed areas stand out. It is highly durable and water-resistant, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. This material is ideal for outdoor use due to its durability. For more details, please refer to the information on transparent PET film.

Label adhesives come in various types depending on their intended use, including standard adhesive, strong adhesive, weak adhesive, removable adhesive, adhesives for refrigerated items, frozen goods, and even for ham labels. Even with standard adhesive, the adhesive strength is quite strong. In most cases, customers order labels with standard adhesive.

Choosing the right adhesive depends on the label's intended use and the surface it will be applied to. A common mistake when selecting an adhesive is choosing one that is too strong, which can leave adhesive residue when removed, or selecting a strong adhesive when the surface doesn't have good compatibility, causing the label to peel off after a few weeks.

Selecting the right material and adhesive is part of the service offered by most label printing companies, so feel free to consult with us. Contact us here.

For more details, please refer to the article below.

Sticker Adhesive Types : Select the Best Adhesive

To get straight to the point, there are many sticker printing companies nationwide. We recommend searching online for a printing company that suits your specific needs by using terms like "sticker printing company."

Often, people treat all printing needs the same, thinking any print shop can handle everything, but in reality, printing companies are categorized by specialization. There are dedicated companies for different types of printing, so it's important to consult with a company that specializes in your specific requirements. We specialize in high-quality sticker printing for businesses. If you're looking for sticker or label printing, feel free to contact us for assistance.

In simple terms, RGB is a color representation method based on light for monitor screens, while CMYK is a color representation method suited for printing. These two are different methods, and it's important to use the right one for the intended purpose. When requesting sticker printing, always create the data in CMYK.

RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue, the primary colors of light. It is suitable for color representation on screens, such as computer monitors, displays, and smartphones.

On the other hand, CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key Plate (Black), the four colors used in color printing. CMYK represents the inks used in the printing process, and various colors are created by layering these inks.

For more details, please refer to the article below.

Why Use CMYK for Printing: Ensuring Accurate Color Reproduction

シール印刷の色に指示がある場合は、PANTONEの色見本帳をご確認いただき、ナンバーでご指示ください。If you have specific color instructions for label printing, please refer to the PANTONE color guide and specify the number. PANTONE color guides can be purchased online.

Note: Do not rely on the PANTONE or DIC colors displayed on your PC monitor while working in Illustrator. The colors on monitors can vary depending on the manufacturer, and there are differences between Mac and Windows devices. Additionally, individual color settings on monitors may differ. In other words, the PANTONE color you see on your screen may not match the actual printed color. If you do not have a PANTONE color guide, a physical color sample will be fine. We always recommend providing color instructions based on a color guide or printed samples.

What does specifying PANTONE spot colors for label printing mean?

Accurate Color Specification
PANTONE is a color standard that ensures precise color reproduction. When specifying a color, it is important to provide the PANTONE number. By referring to the color sample (color guide) and specifying the number, you can avoid any discrepancies and achieve the desired color.

Color Verification
PANTONE colors can vary based on the type of printer or paper used. Therefore, it is essential to verify the color sample before printing. In critical cases, it is advisable to print a sample to confirm the color.

Ink Mixing
Spot colors are created by mixing several inks. Therefore, the printer will mix the inks to match the specified PANTONE number.

Printing Material
The material being printed on can affect the print quality and color reproduction. For instance, materials like premium or washi paper, which absorb moisture, may cause the print color to appear slightly darker (similar to how newspaper darkens when wet). Please be cautious with lighter colors. We will do our best to match your desired color, but please note this potential effect.

By considering these factors, specifying PANTONE colors ensures accurate color reproduction.

For more details, please refer to the article below.

The Colors of PANTONE Differ from Those on PC Monitors

Sticker Printing Color Proofing: Ensure Accurate Colors

"4-color process" refers to the use of four basic colors, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), layered to produce a wide range of colors. This method is the standard for most printed materials and is commonly used for printing colorful items like photographs, illustrations, and graphics. In simple terms, 4-color process affects the entire printed area. For example, the magazines you read are all printed using 4-color process.

On the other hand, "spot color" is used to create a specific color by mixing inks. Unlike 4-color process, spot color is used when it’s necessary to reproduce a particular color accurately. It is commonly used for company logos, product labels, and other items where color consistency is important. In simple terms, spot color is best for specific accents. Additionally, 4-color process cannot reproduce exact spot colors. If you have a specific color in mind, spot color is the way to go.

For more details, please refer to the article below.

What Is Spot Color? Differences Between CMYK and Spot Colors

Yes, it is possible. Die-cutting in sticker printing refers to cutting the label into a specific shape or size. By using a die, the entire backing sheet is punched out, allowing you to create unique, custom-shaped labels.

Many customers use die-cut labels for events or exhibitions, where company logos or names are die-cut in their exact shape to create novelty stickers.

Adding a slit (also called a back slit or perforation) on the backing sheet makes it easier to peel the sticker off and apply it. From a cost perspective, the more complex the shape, the higher the die-cutting cost. Please feel free to consult with us for more details.

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