CSM FAQ’s

Also see the Ordering Tips page

• I need a quote, how do I get one?
• What is a square inch?
• What are your price breaks?
• What is the minimum amount of stickers that can be ordered?
• How many colors can I use?
• How do I place an order?
• How do I re-order stickers?
• What are your stickers made of and how long will they last?
• What kinds of stickers do you NOT print?
• What kind of printing process do you use?
• What is a contour cut (or die cut)?
• Why are your prices so low?
• Do you send out samples?
• How small can you print stickers?
• What is minimum per square inch pricing?
• What is a kiss cut? (Can I get my stickers kiss cut?)
• What is a bleed?
• How do know if my document is the appropriate print resolution?
• What's the difference between a web image (72dpi) and a print image (300dpi)?
• Do you do custom graphic design?
• What are my payment processing options?
• What are your return and deadline policies?
• When can I expect my web-proof?
  
• When can I expect my stickers to ship?
• What are my expedited shipping options?
• Do you ship internationally?

  ----I need a quote, how do I get one?

Our pricing structure is based on your total square inches and quantity. All you need to know when ordering is the size of your sticker and how many of them you would like.
Here is the cost calculation break down:

Step One: Calculate Your Total Square Inches
width X height = total square inches

Step Two: Calculate Your Cost
total square inches X cost per sq. inch X quantity =  your total custom sticker cost 
*You can also use the Quote Calculator on our site to get a quote on stickers over 4 square inches.

SMALL STICKERS pricing for stickers under 4 square inches are below.

Get an accurate quote online here for stickers over 4 square inch.

A square inch is a unit of area equal to the area of a square with sides measuring 1 inch. We use square inches to calculate the total surface area of your sticker. You can calculate the total square inches of your sticker by multiplying the width x height of your dimensions (see above.)
      

We have two price break structures — one for stickers 4 square inches or more, and one for stickers under 4 square inches.
 
For stickers 4 square inches OR MORE:

Quantity    Cost per square inch

For stickers LESS THAN 4 square inches (SMALL STICKERS):

Quantity    Cost per STICKER

CSM has a 25 sticker minimum on all orders.
      

All quotes are based on full color printing. That means you can use as many colors as you like without affecting the price of your order. Our state-of-the-art technology allows us to print photo-quality images on stickers as well as black and white, grayscale and spot-color designs.
      

To place an order, simply have your artwork ready, fill out our online ORDER FORM and submit it using the links provided. If you have a small sticker (4 square inches or less) you must submit a SMALL STICKER ORDER FORM
If you would like to order multiple stickers you can use our MULTIPLE STICKER ORDER FORM.

              

To place an order for stickers you have already had printed by us, simply fill out another online order form and reference your previous order in the comment box marked 'More Information' provided on bottom of the form. We will keep your design on file for later use.  
      

We print on a glossy white 4 mil vinyl with permanent adhesive.  Our ink and vinyl is rated for 3-5 years outdoors by  our manufacturers under normal weather conditions. We use Eco Solvent inks in all our printing, making CSM’s stickers the greenest custom sticker on the market today. Learn more about green sticker printing here. The special niche we have here at CSM allows us to keep overhead low and pass the savings on to our customers!
 
 

We do not print: stickers on transparent material, glow in the dark, holographic, paper labels on a roll, static cling decals, cut-out vinyl lettering, or foil stickers.
            

We use a digital printing process, which means we print your stickers directly from the file you submit.  The finished printed quality of your stickers is largely dependent on the quality of the file you submit. If you submit a low quality image, that is what we will print and is what your final stickers will look like. We try to adjust all files for best print quality.

A contour cut (or die cut) is a special cut around the outside of your sticker that helps to define its shape. Contour cuts follow the outline of your sticker, giving your sticker more “pop” and visual appeal. 
            

We offer a contour cut around any design for a one time set up fee of $25. Simply select the 'contour cut' option on your order form.
            

Our prices are low because our technology is cutting-edge, and because we believe in helping you take advantage of it! Our state-of-the-art digital printing process produces beautiful stickers at a fraction of the cost of the competition, and allows us to turn your order around quickly in the process. 
      

We can send out samples of work we have printed if you would like to see for yourself the quality of our stickers. 

Please use the online "contact form"  Enter "Sample Request by Mail" Be sure to add a shipping address. 
      

We have printed stickers smaller than a quarter of an inch. 
            

In order to best serve our customers we have a Minimum Square Inch Pricing policy. This policy is effective for any sticker that is 4 square inches or less (see Price Breaks, above.)
      

A kiss cut is a cut that only cuts through the vinyl and NOT the lining paper behind it. If you would like your stickers kiss cut (instead of cut out, with the lining paper) on sheets (instead of shrink-wrapped in cut stacks, the way most CSM orders are processed) select the "kiss cut and sheet" option on the Small Sticker Order Form (kiss cuts are only available with Small Sticker orders).  Sheets are cut to approx. 8.5" x 11".  Kiss cut is an option that may be more convenient for you if you are using them in a direct application (i.e., labels, etc.) rather than selling/giving them away. ((NOTE** KISSCUTs ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SMALL STICKERS and can only be selected on the small sticker order form.)) 
      

If your artwork has color that goes all the way to the edge, you need a bleed.  A bleed is a small amount of extra color added to the outside of your sticker to allow for slight margin of error during the processing of your sticker. If you want  color to go all the way to the edge of your sticker simply add 1/8th inch (.125) to your final cut dimensions. *Stickers printed with a bleed require an extra 7 business to process.

      

All graphic files must be saved at a resolution 300 dpi (dots per square inch) or better in order for us to print them. This means that if you got your image off the internet, it is probably too small, as web images are normally saved at only 72 dpi. 72dpi images WILL NOT WORK for printing stickers with us. If your image looks great on your monitor but looks fuzzy when you print it out at home, chances are good that this is the problem.
If you have a graphics program on your computer such as Photoshop or Illustrator, you can easily check the resolution on your image, and adjust it if need be.
If you do not have a graphics program, here are a few rules of thumb:
If you got your image off the internet, it may be too small to use, depending on the finished size of your sticker.
**If you know your design is low quality, select the option on the order form for 72dpi image in the graphic design dropdown (fee of $15 for fixing 72dpi images)
If you got it off your camera, it is probably fine. If you’re scanning your image, make sure you set your scanner to 300 dpi or higher. The best way to ensure that your image is saved at an appropriate print resolution is to print it out on your home printer. If the image looks fuzzy and pixilated, the file is too small. If it looks good, your file is ready to send. 
            

On the web, smaller images (usually saved at 72 dpi) are used, in order to cut down on loading times and maximize storage. These smaller images look fine on the web because a limited number of pixels are used to compose an image. However, a printer needs more information than your computer monitor in order to create a realistic image. Therefore, print files need to be 300 dpi or better.

CSM offers custom graphic design billed at a regular rate of $55 an hour. 
The following services are also available, a la carte:
-- Add your website to a sticker file -- $15
-- Add text, or graphic inlays -- $55 (one hour)
-- Add text, graphic re-design and layout -- $110 (two hours)
-- Vector restoration of a scanned drawing -- $185
-- Vector creation of logo, plus layout -- $350
           

Depending on the job, 3 to 5 days is required for graphic design production or contour die cut creation. 
            
            

We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Paypal

All sales are final, you are ordering a custom printed product. 
It is the customer’s responsibility to submit print-ready artwork, alert us to any deadline, and pay for the necessary shipping to be delivered by the deadline.
If you want to be absolutely certain of the product you are ordering you have the choice to order a hard copy proof for $15 or you can request a sample packet (see Do you send out samples? above) If the customer meets the responsibilities above and there is an error on our part we will correct it either with a reprint (if necessary) or credit towards a future order.  
            

  ---- When can I expect my web-proof?

Web proof's will be sent to your email address as soon as we start processing your order. It is normally sent within 48 hrs. Web-proofs can delay production time of your stickers. The proof is sent as a jpeg.

Our turnaround time depends on a number factors. Larger orders (1000+) and/or orders that incorporate a bleed (see above) generally ship within 10-14 working days. Smaller orders and/or those with a white background/border generally ship within 7-10 working days. Shipping and turnaround times are estimates, they are not a promise or guarantee.  

            

We ship UPS for expedited shipping, offering Overnight, 2nd Day Air and Three Day Select.
IMPORTANT: If you have a tight deadline to meet and need to have your order in time, please contact Jeff @ (800) 313-5463.  We reserve the right to charge an expediting fee on any rush order.
            

Yes, We ship internationally via USPS International Priority, which can delay delivery up to 10 working days.