Tips & Tutorials - BottleYourBrand Blog

10 Simple and Unique Ideas for Stickers

September 1, 2023 by bottleyourbrand Leave a Comment

Stickers have evolved from being mere embellishments to becoming a powerful form of self-expression, branding, and decoration. Regardless if you are a business, person who loves to craft, pet lover, baker or kid looking to decorate your school supplies we’re going to explore 10 simple and unique ideas for stickers that will ignite your creativity and help you make a statement with custom stickers.

1. Minimalist Icons: Sometimes, less is more. Create a series of minimalist icons that represent your favorite hobbies, interests, or emotions. Minimalist stickers can add a touch of elegance to your laptop, phone case, water bottle, journal or even car.

2. Inspirational Quotes: Turn your favorite motivational quotes, song lyrics, Bible verses or meditations or more into stickers. These can serve as daily reminders of positivity and encouragement. Stick them on your mirror, workspace, phone case, laptop or planner to keep you inspired throughout the day.

inspirational laptop sticker

3. Nature’s Wonders: Capture the beauty of nature by designing stickers featuring intricate leaves, delicate flowers, or adorable animals. These stickers can bring a sense of tranquility to your surroundings.

4. Vintage Vibes: Create stickers with a vintage twist, reminiscent of classic advertisements, retro patterns, or old-school typography. Retro bumper stickers make especially good vintage stickers. Vintage designs can add a touch of nostalgia to your belongings.

retro bumper stickers

5. Geometric Marvels: Design stickers that play with geometric shapes and patterns. These can range from mesmerizing mandalas to captivating tessellations, adding a dose of visual intrigue to any surface.

6 Foodie Fun: If you’re a food lover, why not turn your favorite dishes or ingredients into stickers? From mouthwatering pizzas to adorable avocados, these stickers can bring a dash of culinary delight to your items.

7 Travel Treasures: Commemorate your travel adventures by creating stickers (car stickers are a good idea here) inspired by different cities, landmarks, or cultures. These stickers can be a wonderful way to reminisce about your journeys.

travel or landmark stickers

8 Pet Portraits: Celebrate the furry (or feathered) members of your family by designing stickers that capture their unique personalities. Stick them on your belongings to keep your pets close, even when they’re not physically around. A complementing idea is using a pet portrait and turning it into a canvas wall art.

cute puppy water bottle sticker

9. Whimsical Doodles: Let your imagination run wild with a series of whimsical doodle stickers. Create charming characters, fantastical creatures, or dreamy landscapes that add a touch of magic to your world. Maybe even create some cute kawaii characters or your favorite Pokemon or other anime characters and make them into stickers.

10. Customizable Creations: Design stickers that allow for personalization. Leave a space where individuals can write their names, messages, or dates, making these stickers the perfect addition to gifts, cards, or event decorations.

Getting Your Sticker Ideas Printed

Once you’ve brainstormed your sticker ideas, it’s time to bring them to life. Send them over to us and we’ll get them printed on a high quality sticker material and shipped to your quickly. We’ve got standard sizes of rectangles, squares, circles and ovals but we also have the ability to die cut any sticker shape you want. All of our sticker material is durable and fully waterproof. We specialize in small quantities and know that many of you don’t need a few hundred stickers, you just need one or two and we’ve got you covered. Let us know if you have any questions about sticker ideas or if we can help you get your design printed, we’re happy to help. Happy designing!

Common Bottle Sizes and Labels Sizes that Fit Them

June 1, 2023 by bottleyourbrand Leave a Comment

A question we get over and over again is “I need to make labels for my bottles, my bottles are – fill in the blank. What size labels do I need?” It’s a tough question to answer since there are hundreds of types of standard bottles for products out there, not to mention custom created ones by brands that are getting fancy by creating their own bottle style. For instance an 8oz energy drink bottle is most likely a different shape than an 8oz Kirkland Signature water bottle.

woman confused about what label size fits her bottle — Help! What size label will fit this bottle?

So with that in mind we’ve put together this easy to read table of common bottle sizes and our labels that go along with them and their product links to start an order.

8 oz. (237 mL) bottle – Often used for beverages such as energy drinks, sports drinks, and some juices. It is also commonly used for personal care products such as shampoos, conditioners, and lotions.	Either water bottle label size or 4″x3″ rectangle sticker.
12 oz. (355 mL) bottle – A popular size for carbonated soft drinks, beer, and cider. It is also used for juices and some sports drinks.	Either water bottle label size or 4″x3″ rectangle sticker.
16 oz. (473 mL) bottle – This size is commonly used for energy drinks, sports drinks, juices, and some alcoholic beverages such as beer and malt beverages.	Either water bottle label size or 4″x6″ rectangle sticker.
20 oz. (591 mL) bottle – Often used for carbonated soft drinks and sports drinks. It is also used for bottled water and some juices.	Either water bottle label size or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.
24 oz. (710 mL) bottle – A common size for carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and sports drinks. It is also used for some bottled waters and juices.	5″x5″ square sticker or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.
25.36 oz. (750mL) bottle– The OG standard in wine bottles here in the US. The wine bottle size you see in all grocery stores.	3.5″x4″ or 4″x6″ wine labels
32 oz. (946 mL) bottle – Often used for sports drinks, fruit juices, and some types of teas.	8″x2.125″ water bottle label 5″x5″ square sticker or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.
1 liter (33.8 oz.) bottle – A standard size for many bottled waters and some soft drinks	5″x5″ square sticker or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.
1.5 liter (50.7 oz.) bottle – A common size for bottled water and some soft drinks. It is also used for some types of wine known as a magnum bottle.	5″x5″ square sticker or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.
2 liter (67.6 oz.) bottle – A standard size for carbonated soft drinks, as well as some bottled waters and juices.	5″x5″ square sticker or 6″x4″ rectangle sticker.

Note that these are just general guidelines, and there may be variations depending on the specific brand or product. You can and should use our label and sticker size guide found here so ensure you get an accurate fit for your bottle.

printable guide to measure labels fit to bottles.

If you’re just looking at our water bottle labels then we have a smaller guide you can download for just the those two sizes found here.

What about Mini Bottles such as 1 & 2oz Bottles?

We’ve got you covered here as well. If you’re needing labels for small bottles for tinctures, CBD, oils and more visit our dropper bottle labels page to upload your artwork or modify one of our existing designs. Those labels come in two sizes, 3”x1.5” or a 3”x2”. Again, make sure you use our printable label size guide if you aren’t sure how they will fit.

If you still have sizing questions we’re happy to help, use the contact information at the bottom right of the page here to reach out to us. Cheers!

Phone Case Stickers – A Simple Guide & A Few Ideas.

April 1, 2023 by bottleyourbrand Leave a Comment

As of late we’ve been getting a lot of you inquiring about stickers for your phone, (we assume for the case) but hey you put stickers directly on your phone if you want to. All the requests got us thinking about phone case stickers and what are they best designs and sizes. So first we did some quick research on the most popular phone cases and who makes them and here is what we discovered:

collage of phone case stickers

The top 5 most popular phone case makers.

Based on their market share and popularity, the most widely purchased and used phone case producers are:

OtterBox: OtterBox is known for their rugged and durable phone cases that provide excellent protection against drops, scratches, and other types of damage.
Speck: Speck is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of phone cases that are both protective and stylish. They are particularly popular among iPhone users, why? We have no idea.
Incipio: Incipio is another popular phone case maker that offers a range of stylish and protective cases for various phone models. Honestly we’d never heard of this brand.
Case-Mate: Case-Mate is a well-known brand that offers a range of fashionable and trendy phone cases that appeal to a wide range of customers.
Spigen: Spigen is a popular brand that offers a range of affordable and durable phone cases that provide excellent protection for virtually any phone model.

Obviously there are other makers and a zillion knock offs of all these makers. Head over to Amazon and type in “phone case” there are a crazy amount of options and tons of funny descriptions written by people that obviously are pretending that English is their first language.

Moving on, what is the standard size of a phone or a phone case? You obviously can’t design or order a phone case sticker without knowing the size of your phone. We found that between Android and iPhone the standard size is between 5.5 to 6.5 inches diagonally. So that said the width is roughly 2.7” to 3.2” making the ideal size for a phone case sticker about 2” to 2.5” by 3” to 4”.

Use this simple info-graphic to determine what phone case sticker size you need.

Ideas for creative uses of stickers on your phone case

Armed with the standard phone size information you now need some inspiration as to what kind of stickers to put on your phone. Here’s seven good ones to get your creative juices flowing.

Express your personality: Choose stickers that represent your interests, hobbies, and personality. For example, if you love music, you can use stickers of your favorite bands or musical instruments. Dogs are also a big one, check out our extensive collection of dog stickers.
Make a collage: Create a collage by layering different stickers on top of each other. You can use stickers of different sizes and shapes to create an interesting visual effect.
Spell out your name: Use letter stickers to spell out your name or initials. You can also use stickers with different fonts and colors to make it more creative.
Create a theme: Choose stickers that match a specific theme, such as flowers, animals, or travel. This can give your phone case a cohesive and stylish look.
Mix and match: Get weird with it and mix and match different types of stickers. You can use stickers with different designs, shapes, and colors to create a unique look.
Use stickers to cover scratches: If your phone case has scratches or scuffs, use stickers to cover them up. This can give your phone case a new life making it look brand new.
Create a story: Use stickers to create a story on your phone case. You can use stickers of different characters, objects, and settings to tell a story that represents your personality and interests.

Remember that there is no right or wrong answer here, use stickers however you see fit but most of all be creative and be unique!

Cute Shiba Inu phone case sticker

What if I want a fully custom Phone Case Sticker?

Well you are in luck. We can create stickers from any file you might have and make it into a custom die cut sticker up to 5”x5” starting here. So go ahead and upload your team logos, photos, icons, business card or whatever else you want turned into a sticker. We’ll turn it around in 3 days or less and you’ll get your very own personalized stickers printed on high gloss, indestructible (debatable) vinyl that is fully waterproof and will stand up to the elements. One thing to note is that even though these stickers are dishwasher safe please don’t apply these to your phone and then run them through the dishwasher. The sticker will be fine, your phone not so much.

Create a custom phone case sticker

If you have questions for us about phone stickers or any sticker really reach out to with the contact information at the bottom right side of the site here.

Canvas Printed QR Codes – What are they? Why Your Business Needs One & How to Make One

October 1, 2022 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

We’re excited to share the news that not only do we give you the tools to create a QR code for custom labels, but now it’s easy to turn a QR code into a canvas print. These innovative tech gems display code which redirects anyone with a smartphone to online information.

A canvas printed QR code. Make a custom QR print for your business.

What Exactly are QR Codes, What Does QR Stand for, How do I Scan One?

QR stands for Quick Response code.
A basic QR code looks like a black dot matrix on a white background.
QR codes are brainy barcodes with content encoded in the image that direct a user to a URL (webpage).
To use a QR code, scan the code with your smartphone. Here’s how: with most phones simply point your phone’s camera toward the code and a pop up will ask if you want to open it in a browser. If your phone is smart, but not that smart, then go to the app store on your smartphone and type in QR Reader to download a mobile app. Once you have the QR code app installed, open it and hold your phone screen so the QR code fits in the bracketed site lines, and instantly the reader opens the web page stored in the QR code.

Canvas printed QR codes display information about your business or event. Make on online now.

Seven Innovative Uses for Canvas QR Code Signs

You might wonder why anyone would need to hang a QR code sign in their business. This is why – your customers find information they need fast, and better yet, it’s right at their fingertips! To show these custom canvases are more than just a pretty patterned face, here are seven brilliant ways to use QR canvas prints.

Restaurant Menu – Direct customers to your current restaurant menu.
WiFi Access – Share WiFi details for vacation rental properties, guest rooms, or business waiting rooms.
Mobile Payments – Scan the sign to pay. Display your QR code so customers can submit payments to any of these online payment services: Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or crypto accounts.
YouTube Videos – Hang the QR canvas in your business, convention booth, or waiting room to direct viewers to “How-To” videos or information about your products and services.
Exhibitions/Museums/Gallery Information – Provide specifics about artists, artwork, and artifacts.
Advertising – Give details about products, real estate, events or performances.
vCard – Virtual business card. A vCard contains a name, address information, date and time, photographs, as well as a company logo. It’s an online business card!

A QR code menu on canvas. Made for restaurants, cafes, coffee shops to direct customers to your menu, catering, and on site services.

How to Make Your Own Canvas QR Code Sign

Pick the destination URL. Copy the URL: (CTRL+C for PC or CMD+C for Mac)
Go to https://www.bottleyourbrand.com/qr-code-sign
Choose a canvas size and canvas quantity
Click the blue Customize More button
Once in the online designer either use the QR code link to the left of the template and follow the instructions to paste the URL (CTRL+V for PC and CMD+V for Mac) OR type your URL in the text field and we’ll generate the QR code for you.
Click Add to Cart and proceed through the checkout.
Once your order is received a proof of your canvas is emailed to you for approval.

QR code canvas with information to scan to connect to WiFi. The perfect amenity for guest rooms, AirBNB, VRBO, and business waiting rooms. No more repeat questions about what your WiFi password is.

Create a Colorful Custom QR Code

If you want more than a run of the mill QR code, create a QR code with custom colors using the tools on this page. They offer a service where you choose patterns, eyes, a logo, and bespoke colors. Once you receive your colorful QR code file save it on your device and upload the file here to make your QR wall sign.

About Our QR Code Canvas Signs

Our QR code signs are mounted on thick 1.5” pine wood frames. The canvases are available in multiple square sizes, 12″ x 12″, 18″ x18″ & 26″ x 26.” And good news…being patriotic souls at heart, our QR code signs are made in the USA and are shipped on their way to you within 6 business days. Hanging hardware, wall anchors, and screws are included.

For questions please live chat with us on bottleyourbrand dot com weekdays, 9 am to 3 pm, Pacific time or email us; info at bottleyourbrand dot com. Leave a comment below and we answer those as well.

Make Your Own Food Labels – Three Common Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make

January 1, 2022 by Cindy Springer Leave a Comment

Example of a "make your own" honey label on a jar.

Whether you’re just getting started selling your food product and your budget is tight or you’re making food labels for your famous homemade hot sauce, our short-run printing is what you need. With an online design studio and small print quantities, many business owners and foodies utilize our services. However, your food expertise may not translate to good label design so here are the three most common mistakes seen on customer created food labels.

#1 – BLURRY LOGO

Before you start designing your label make sure your logo is print-ready. For a logo to print clearly it must be the correct resolution. Many people copy and past their logo from a web page. A web page is only 72 pixels per inch resolution, but printing requirements call for 300 pixels per inch resolution. A low resolution logo will appear pixelated. If you don’t know how to create a logo there are websites that offer that service; Logomaker and Freelogodesign to name a couple.

Look at these two logos, the one on the left is 72 ppi and the one on the right is 300 ppi resolution. The 300 ppi logo is sharp while the 72 ppi logo makes your eyes feel like they aren’t quite focused.

If you’re making homemade food labels you might consider using one of our pre-made food label templates. The templates are set up for you to edit the information to make it your own.

TIP: FILE FORMATS COUNT

When using the online designer to make your own label art, the best file format for uploading logos is PNG. Why? Because a logo in PNG format has a transparent background. This means you can add it to a label without a white box around it. A JPEG or PDF will upload brilliantly, but if you want to add a background color be prepared to see the dreaded white box framing your image if you use those file types.

Above: JPG logo VS PNG logo

#2 – ILLEGIBLE TEXT

Legibility means the reader can recognize and figure out words to understand them. Make sure you choose a font style and a font size that are easy to read. Font is a name for the character style of letters, numbers, and punctuation. Fonts are measured in points. A font size smaller than 5 pts is generally going to be too small for most people to read. It doesn’t matter how good your product is if no one can read the words on the label!

Legibility is a result of the chosen typeface and font, its size, spacing, and the contrast between text and background.”
Jurek Breuninger

TIP: FONT STYLE & FONT SIZE MATTERS

Choose a font style and font size that is easy to read when making your own food label.

A food label with text that is too small to read.

Above: The font on this label is way too small!

TIP: CONTRAST IS KEY

Choose colors with contrast. That means the text and background colors should not be the same color value. Black letters on a red background sound good, but if the two colors are dark the text will disappear when printed. Pick colors for your text that have a high contrast from the background color. What looks good on a bright screen won’t always translate the same to print.

Food labels for hot sauce bottles, how to make your own with text that is readable.

Above: Low contrast colors vs. high contrast colors

Choose colors for your food labels that have good contrast. Use opposite colors on the color wheel.

#3 – CLUTTERED LAYOUT

Layout is the process of arranging graphics and text in a way that they’re visually appealing. Good layout is important and should make it simple to find out what’s inside the package. Too much information can be a bad thing if it means your label is crammed with words and images in a random way. Think grids; grids organize the various elements of the label like text and images in a way that makes it easy for the eyes to process.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
Leonardo da Vinci

This is an example of a food label layout that uses a grid. It’s easy on the eyes and simple to read.

Template of an example food label for apple juice create with grids.

Limoncello labels - make your own online

Have Questions?

If you take into consideration these three things when creating your own food label you’ll have a great jump start on design. If you have questions please feel free to ask us either using our live chat weekdays 9 am to 3 pm Pacific time or email us at info at bottle your brand dot com.