Online RulerMeasure a Flat Sticker
Measure the sticker from the farthest left edge of its cut shape to the farthest right edge. For height, measure from its highest point to its lowest point. Keep the sticker flat on its backing and hold it in the same orientation you plan to use when you apply it.
- The cut outline gives the size of a peelable sticker.
- Blank space on the backing counts only if the backing itself has to fit.
- On an irregular shape, the widest points can sit at different heights.
- Place the sticker and its backing on a flat surface. Turn the artwork upright or set it at the angle it will have on the finished item.
- Find the leftmost and rightmost points of the cut line. Include any tab or tip that sticks out in that direction.
- Use the straight edges of two scraps of paper to carry those points down to the ruler. Keep the guides parallel to each other and square to the scale.
- Align the first guide with zero and read the tick at the other guide. For height, repeat with guides across the topmost and bottommost points.
- Write the dimensions as width by height and include the unit. If you measured the backing for packaging, label that reading separately.
Find the Cut Line
A printed border may sit inside the edge of the sticker. Look for the cut in the material and follow it around the shape. With clear vinyl, move the backing under a lamp or view it against a darker surface so the boundary is easier to see. Leave the sticker attached while you work. A loose corner can lift or curl, which makes the edge harder to line up with a tick.
Measure an Odd Shape
Picture a rectangle that just contains the sticker in its chosen position. The width is the distance between the rectangle’s left and right sides. This works for a star, a rounded logo, or lettering with a low stroke. Move each guide inward until it just touches the outermost point. Keep your eyes above the work when reading the ruler. Looking across the surface can make the guide appear to cross at a different tick.
Check the Space It Must Fit
For a sticker going inside a label recess or another flat space, measure the available width and height in the direction the sticker will face. Check the corners too. A sticker can meet both dimensions and still extend past a rounded corner. If you use the AR Ruler website or desktop extension, select centimeters or fractional inches to match the dimensions you have. If the sticker must stay in place away from zero, read both guide marks and subtract the smaller reading from the larger.
Do I include a clear border?
Include any clear material inside the cut line when measuring the whole sticker. For the size of the printed design, measure the inked area and label it as artwork.
How do I measure a round sticker?
Measure across the center between opposite points on the cut edge. You can also read the distance between parallel guides that touch opposite sides.
What if the sticker is already applied?
If the surface is flat, set the ruler beside the sticker and use its visible outer edges. Keep the ruler on the same surface as the sticker.