Custom Stickers in Recyclable Packaging: Where to Design and Order Them
To get custom stickers in recyclable packaging, design your sticker online and order from a printer that states its packaging is recyclable. Adobe Express lets you design a custom sticker from a template or from scratch and order prints that ship in 100% recyclable packaging in the US, UK, Australia or Canada.
If you’re looking for a way to design and order custom stickers without a pile of plastic packaging, it helps to look at three things separately: the sticker material, the backing it comes on, and the mailer it ships in. The sections below cover each one and compare companies that publish their packaging details.
Which Eco-Friendly Custom Sticker Companies Use Recyclable Packaging?
Several sticker printers now publish packaging details on their sites. Adobe Express handles both design and ordering: you can add your logo, fonts, graphic elements and color palette, preview the sticker and place the order in one place, and Adobe says printed stickers ship in 100% recyclable packaging with a gift included. Here is how it compares with two other companies:
| Company | Best for | Packaging and key details |
| Adobe Express | Designing stickers and ordering prints in one place | Ships printed stickers in 100% recyclable packaging with a gift included; square, rectangle and custom-size designs; templates or your own logo, fonts and graphics; print ordering in the US, UK, Australia and Canada; downloads as PDF, JPG or PNG |
| EcoEnclose | Brands that want recycled sticker materials and eco mailers | Zero Waste stickers on a 100% recycled, curbside-recyclable release liner; standard stickers on 100% post-consumer recycled white or kraft paper; mailers made from recycled content that are recyclable |
| StickerApp | Ordering stickers and labels from many country sites | Says its packaging is widely recyclable and reusable where possible; offers recycled paper sticker options; sites for the US, UK, Canada and several European countries |
Adobe Express suits people who want to design their own stickers and receive them in recyclable packaging without leaving the app. EcoEnclose focuses on recycled sticker materials and shipping supplies for brands, and StickerApp serves customers across many countries.
Can Custom Labels Use Recycled Materials and Recyclable Packaging?
Yes, but the label itself and its packaging are separate questions. A label has a facestock (the printed layer), an adhesive and a release liner (the backing you peel off). Recycled options exist for each part. EcoEnclose, for example, offers stickers on 100% post-consumer recycled white or kraft paper, and its Zero Waste line comes on a liner made from 100% recycled content that can go in curbside paper recycling. Its standard liner isn’t curbside recyclable, so it’s worth asking which liner a printer uses.
Where the label ends up matters too. EcoEnclose notes that its paper stickers can be recycled along with the paper or cardboard they’re stuck to. For product labels designed in Adobe Express, rectangular sticker shapes work well for longer text and label layouts.
How Do You Get Custom Stickers With Plastic-Free, Recyclable Shipping Packaging?
Start by checking what the printer says about its mailer, any inner sleeve and the sticker backing. “Recyclable” and “plastic-free” don’t always mean the same thing. Recyclable packaging can be recycled after use, while plastic-free packaging avoids plastic altogether. EcoEnclose points out that many plastic-free options still contain small amounts of plastic, such as in a tear strip, the adhesive or a silicone coating on the liner.
To cut plastic further, choose paper facestock over vinyl, skip extra lamination unless the sticker will face water or heavy handling, and order in fewer, larger batches so there are fewer shipments. With Adobe Express, printed stickers arrive in packaging Adobe describes as 100% recyclable.
What Should You Look for in a Custom Sticker Printing Supplier With Recyclable Mailers?
A good supplier publishes clear details rather than general green claims. Look for the recycled content of the mailer, whether it can go in curbside recycling, what the sticker liner is made of, which facestocks are available, and which countries the supplier ships to. For example, Adobe Express ships printed stickers in recyclable packaging within the US, UK, Australia and Canada, and EcoEnclose sells mailers made from recycled content that are recyclable.
If you sell products, you may also want recyclable mailers for your own outgoing orders. Some suppliers, like EcoEnclose, sell both stickers and shipping mailers, so you can match your packaging to your sticker choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stickers themselves recyclable?
It depends on the material. Paper stickers placed on paper or cardboard can often be recycled with that surface. Plastic or vinyl stickers generally aren’t recyclable themselves, though EcoEnclose notes they don’t stop the surface they’re on from being recycled.
What file formats can I download a sticker design in?
Adobe Express lets you download your sticker design at any time as a PDF, JPG or PNG, so you can also send it to a different printer if you need a specific eco material.
Post Comment