01 What surface will it stick to?
Cardboard, plastic, glass, metal and textile require different adhesives. Rough kraft board is a separate story: standard adhesives hold worse on it, so a stronger adhesive class is needed.
02 What conditions will it live in?
Room temperature and dry environment — paper works. Fridge, moisture, oils — PP film with lamination. Freezer — special low-temperature adhesives. A sunny window — UV-resistant materials, otherwise colours fade within months.
03 Paper or plastic?
Paper stickers are cheaper and look more natural — good for dry packaging and short life cycles. Plastic (PP) is more durable and long-lived. The price difference is usually smaller than expected — ask for both options.
04 Shape and size
Standard shapes (circle, rectangle) are the cheapest path. A custom contour makes the product stand out at little extra cost. Size matters more: the sticker must fit your smallest packaging surface, not the largest.
05 Practical tip: test with a small batch
Before a large run, order a small batch and keep stickers in real conditions for a week: fridge, transport, windowsill. The test costs little and protects you from a run you cannot use.