Frequently Asked Questions

When producing stickers and small cards (e.g., trading cards, game cards), there are two key processes: double-sided printing and die-cutting. Here’s what you need to know about alignment tolerances during production:

Double-Sided Printing Alignment Tolerance: ±2mm

Even with professional printing and alignment systems, a deviation of up to ±2mm between the front and back sides is considered normal. This is due to mechanical, material, and environmental factors during the printing process.

Die-Cutting Tolerance: ±1mm

Die-cutting trims the printed sheets into their final shape. A tolerance of up to ±1mm is standard due to the nature of mechanical cutting.

⚠ Combined Tolerances May Cause Noticeable Misalignment

If your design includes borders or elements that need precise alignment on both front and back, the combined printing and cutting tolerance may result in up to 3mm deviation, which can cause visibly off-centered results.

✅ Design Recommendations

• Avoid using border designs on both sides

• If you must use borders, apply them to only one side (preferably the front)

• Keep important text and artwork at least 3mm away from the edge

• Consider full-bleed or borderless designs for better tolerance flexibility