Summary:
Canadian brands can use custom stickers for product labels, tamper-proof seals, and seasonal product updates. Die-cut stickers and sticker sheets are ideal for event giveaways, loyalty rewards, collectible art, and in-class activities at school. Businesses can also use stickers to promote limited edition drops, holiday events, ticket sales, and brand collaborations. Include QR codes in sticker designs to link customers to online resources, and remember to put labels on food and cosmetics for compliance purposes.
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In the ’80s and ’90s, collecting stickers was serious business. People traded them on the playground, covered their notebooks with them, and hoarded them into photo albums like they were going out of style.
Today, they’re more than just a fun and colorful option for kids. Advanced flatbed printers and cutting machines let print shops like ours create custom stickers that help Canadian brands raise awareness, communicate with their audiences, build hype, and reward customers for their loyalty.
Need a little inspiration? We’ve got your back! Check out the 15 creative sticker ideas below to see how some of our most successful customers are using them, then order stickers for your brand today!
Packaging and Product Labels
1. Product Labeling
Custom product packaging is expensive and takes time to develop. Roll labels are much more affordable to create. They let you quickly and easily add branding to packaging so it looks professional and polished.
Use them to:
- Add your logo to packaging or products
- Show off your brand on mailers or envelopes
- Quickly and easily add your return address on packages
Product labels like these are usually kiss-cut, which means the vinyl is trimmed cleanly around each design, but the paper backing stays in place. They’re fast and easy to peel off and apply when you’re trying to process orders or need to move quickly.
2. Tamper-Proof Seals
Adding a simple round or rectangular sticker across the lid of a jar or the opening of a box tells customers what’s inside is safe and hasn’t been tampered with.
Use them to:
- Seal food, cosmetics, and other goods for consumption
- Reinforce trust with your customers so they know you care
- Remind people about your brand as they unbox their items
When you’re designing tamper-proof seals, keep in mind that they need to be big enough to reach over the edge of the lid to secure it in place.
3. Clear Labels With White Ink
Clear stickers are perfect for food, candles, and other items for consumption because they keep the focus on the product inside the jar or bottle.
Use them to:
- Highlight product colors or textures directly through the label
- Create a modern, minimalist aesthetic
- Add brand logos or designs without blocking the view of what’s inside
When you’re designing clear labels, keep in mind the total real estate the white ink will take up. Text-only labels work best because they show off more of the product inside.
4. Seasonal Label Swaps
With roll labels, there’s no need to totally change your packaging for the holiday season, Hallowe’en, and other festive occasions. It’s quick and easy to adapt them for any occasion throughout the year.
Use them to:
- Create limited-edition holiday packaging
- Launch seasonal flavors, scents, or themes
- Keep your product line feeling fresh year-round
Because the base packaging stays the same, the only element you need to update is the label itself. That means you waste less money redesigning your packaging from scratch.
Read More: How to Build a Brand Kit For Your Print Materials in Canva
Swag, Loyalty & Collectibles
5. Event Swag
Custom die-cut stickers are perfect for bands, influencers, and industry leaders because they give people something tangible they can hang on to even after the event is over.
Use them to:
- Boost brand awareness at events like trade shows and concerts
- Give your customers a fun freebie they’ll want to keep long-term
- Create branded stickers for laptops, water bottles, and other gear
Each sticker is individually cut out, so you don’t have to do any cutting or trimming on your own before you hand them out. Just pop them into a bag or set them out on a table and let people take them.
6. Loyalty Stickers or Membership Badges
Collectible stickers that mark specific milestones or recognize achievements make people feel special and appreciated. They work especially well for non-profits, schools, and other community groups.
Use them to:
- Acknowledge when someone donates a specific amount of money
- Highlight a member’s name, role, or status at special events, like galas
- Reward people for donating their time or money to the cause throughout the year
Die-cut stickers work best for projects like these because you can design as few or as many as you need without committing to a full roll. You’ll still benefit from our volume discounts as long as the designs are the same general size and shape and included in the same order.
7. Collectible Sticker Sheets
Artists, influencers, and brands can use sticker sheets to reward customers and give them a little something extra for their loyalty every time they make a purchase.
Use them to:
- Release themed collections that aren’t available anywhere else
- Add value to subscription boxes and other regular or repeat orders
- Reward followers or loyal fans for their patronage over the years
Stickers like these are kiss-cut, but left intact on the backing until someone is ready to use them. Because they’re sold by the sheet, they’re flat, easy to mail out, and easy to distribute in person.
8. Classroom & Community Engagement
While sheet-style stickers can and do work well for retail, they’re even better for people who work with kids in the classroom or community.
Use them to:
- Reward students for reading books or achieving a specific grade
- Spread the word about important events, like auctions, galas, or festivals
- Inspire kids to learn more about a specific topic by collecting related stickers
Vibrant colors, clear, easy-to-read text, and silly graphics or mascots help keep kids interested and looking forward to every new sheet. They’re a great motivational tool and just good, clean fun.
Read More: What the Colex Sharpcut Lets Us Do (That Other Shops Can’t
Campaigns & Brand Marketing
9. Limited Edition Drops
Vinyl stickers can also help you draw attention or create buzz around special deals, limited time promotions, or seasonal releases.
Use them to:
- Draw attention to special seasonal flavors, scents, or collections
- Create a sense of urgency that motivates people to buy now before it’s too late
- Promote special deals tied to the time of year, like back-to-school or Christmas
It’s easy to test out ideas like these without committing to a full packaging redesign when you order from Little Rock because we don’t have any minimums in place. You can scale your order up or down as needed and still get the same high quality results every time.
10. Holiday & Event Tie-Ins
Customers love when brands acknowledge special times of year, like Christmas or Hallowe’en. Adding themed stickers to packaging or orders humanizes your brand and helps draw more attention to it.
Use them to:
- Create festive-themed versions of your standard logo without redesigning it from scratch
- Seal tissue or wrapping paper on gift-wrapped holiday orders to add cheer
- Wish your customers a happy holiday season so they know you’re thinking of them
Holiday-themed stickers are also a smart, low-cost way for SMBs to stand out at local farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and trade shows. They draw more attention to your table and help break through the noise.
11. Collaborations & Co-Branded Runs
Influencers and brands team up all the time to launch special projects, raise money for good causes, or advertise special events. Co-branded sticker runs can help you get the word out and extend your reach.
Use them to:
- Show people where they can buy your products in the local community
- Let people know about social media initiatives, like podcasts, pop-ups, or vlogs
- Highlight support from local organizations to build trust and visibility if you’re new
Sharing print space like this makes promoting both businesses more affordable and practical. It also shows your audience your business is here to build solid relationships instead of chasing quick sales.
Ingredients, Care, & Compliance
12. QR Code Stickers
Roll labels can help you quickly and easily add QR codes to packaging, posters, signs, and other physical objects. Removable vinyl makes it easy to switch them out when campaigns or initiatives change.
Use them for:
- Link customers to your online menus, landing pages, or product instructions
- Drive traffic to campaign pages, newsletter signups, playlists, or ticket sales
- Give customers quick access to support pages, FAQs, and product care guides
It’s best to create your QR codes on a site like Canva so they don’t expire unless you’re ready to retire them. Add branding elements around them to make them feel more unique.
13. Food Labels
In Canada, all businesses that sell food or products for consumption must follow CFIA labelling standards unless what they sell is covered under local cottage food laws. Stickers are perfect for this because it’s easy and affordable to update them as formulas or recipes change over time.
Use them to:
- Add clear ingredient lists and allergen warnings in English and French
- List nutritional facts, like the total amount of sugar, carbohydrates, and fats per serving
- Update packaging more affordably for each unique flavor, product SKU, or limited run
Taking the time to put info like this on the package might be the law, but it also reduces the risk of someone having an allergic reaction or unpleasant experience that damage your reputation.
14. Cosmetics Labels
Cosmetics follow a different set of guidelines here in Canada, but they’re just as strict. Stickers let you stay compliant with Health Canada’s guidelines on every new scent, color, or product line.
Use them to:
- List ingredients using INCI names in descending order of weight
- Identify details about your manufacturer and whether the product is imported
- Tell customers how to contact you if they have questions about how to use the product
Clear labelling shows your customers that their well-being matters more to your business than just making another quick sale. It also helps your products look more professional and polished.
15. Social Proof Stickers
People are more likely to trust a product when they know other people already use or love it. That’s why social media is such a powerful marketing channel! You can leverage the same concept by adding social proof stickers to your packaging.
Use them to:
- Add badges like “Best Seller,” “Fan Favorite,” or “5-Star Rated” (as long as it’s true!)
- Draw attention to specific certifications, past awards, or work in the local community
- Advertise your history with messages like “10 Years Strong” or “Over 1 Million Sold”
Social proof stickers are especially useful for products sold in person. They help to demonstrate authority and expertise, which makes people more likely to buy them.
Get Professional Stickers on Every Run With Little Rock
At Little Rock Printing, we firmly believe there’s a sticker for every purpose and a purpose for every sticker out there. A creative design with elements that match your brand can help you get important messages across to your customers and make people more likely to remember your business over time.
Send us a print-ready file now to place your order, or check out our free Canva templates if you need a little help on the design front. Have questions? Send us a message instead.
