StickerGiant, a custom sticker and label company in Colorado, supports thousands of small businesses and creators. Apple Cheeks, founded by illustrator and YouTuber Tiffany Tan, is one of the many creative brands using high-quality labels to strengthen packaging, elevate customer experience, and grow a loyal audience.
This article explains how Tiffany built her shop, why she chose Matte Recycled Paper Labels for her packaging, and how creators can use custom stickers and labels to scale their own product lines.
Who Is Tiffany Tan and What Is Apple Cheeks?
Tiffany Tan is an illustrator, designer, and YouTuber known for her playful characters—chubby animals, happy fruits, and plant-inspired designs. Apple Cheeks is her online shop where these characters come to life through prints, stationery, and packaged goods.
She describes her brand as a place that feels “happy and warm,” shaped by her personal evolution as a twenty-something artist exploring new mediums and creative outlets.
How Tiffany Turned a Creative Outlet Into a Business
Tiffany’s entrepreneurial inspiration started early. Growing up, she watched her dad run a small business from home and process customer orders at the kitchen table. Seeing the freedom and flexibility of working for yourself encouraged her to merge art with entrepreneurship.
As she expanded from illustration into product design, she began packaging her creations with thoughtful details—stickers, labels, and inserts—turning each shipment into a branded experience.
When she’s not designing or filming videos, Tiffany spends time exploring new places, journaling, and tending to her plants, all of which influence the cozy visual language of Apple Cheeks.
Why Apple Cheeks Uses Matte Recycled Paper Labels
Matte Recycled Paper Labels are a core part of Tiffany’s packaging workflow. She applies them on roll form using a small label-station setup that helps her quickly prep orders during busy seasons.
Here’s why this material fits her brand:
Sustainable Material and Premium Texture
Matte Recycled Paper Labels are made from recycled post-consumer waste and are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. The slightly textured finish gives a warm, vintage feel that aligns with Apple Cheeks’ soft, character-driven aesthetic.
Ideal for Product and Packaging Use
This material is:
-
Designed for indoor use
-
Scratch resistant
-
Safe for food packaging
-
Tearable for grab-and-go items
-
Suitable for both hand and machine application
These labels are ideal for small shops, stationery brands, and makers who pack orders by hand and want packaging to feel personal and intentional.
How Tiffany Uses Stickers to Deepen Customer Engagement
Beyond product packaging, Tiffany includes stickers inside orders to connect with her community. She uses several sticker styles depending on the project, including:
-
Die Cut Stickers for branding
-
Glossy or Matte finished stickers for order add-ins
-
Backprinted Stickers for messaging and promotions
-
Sticker Packs for events and product launches
Her YouTube videos show behind-the-scenes sessions: unboxing label rolls, prepping shipments, and assembling customer boxes. These videos not only educate her audience but create buzz around each product drop.
How YouTube Helped Apple Cheeks Grow
During the pandemic, Tiffany noticed a surge of creators sharing studio content on YouTube. Viewers were eager to see how artists worked, packaged products, and developed ideas.
Tiffany embraced this shift and began documenting her process. Her audience now tunes in for:
-
Studio vlogs
-
Packaging and order-prep videos
-
Product launches
-
Label unboxings
-
Creative tutorials
This consistent content builds trust, shows her process in an authentic way, and makes customers feel like part of her studio.
How Creators Can Choose the Right Labels for Their Business
StickerGiant helps creators choose materials based on use case. Here’s the same decision flow our Customer Service Team uses, adapted for small shops like Apple Cheeks:
What Are You Labeling?
-
Paper goods
-
Glass jars
-
Product boxes
-
Poly mailers
-
Candles
-
Food items
Indoors or Outdoors?
-
Indoor: Matte Recycled Paper Labels, Matte Labels, Glossy Paper Labels
-
Outdoor or mixed environments: Glossy Labels, Matte Labels, Clear Labels
Exposed to Moisture or Cold?
Choose water resistant BOPP options (Glossy, Matte, Clear) for refrigerated or moisture-prone items.
Hand-Applied or Machine-Applied?
-
Hand applied: Any of the standard roll label materials
-
Machine applied: Glossy Labels – PET Liner or Matte Labels – PET Liner
Do You Want a Sustainable Look?
Matte Recycled Paper Labels and Kraft Paper Labels offer eco-focused and textured finishes.
Real Customer Example: Apple Cheeks’ Packaging Setup
Tiffany uses roll-format Matte Recycled Paper Labels on a simple label-station dispenser. This helps her:
-
Apply labels faster
-
Keep packaging consistent
-
Reduce waste
-
Organize product variants
For creators shipping dozens or hundreds of orders, this workflow supports brand consistency and improves packing efficiency.
Where to Follow Apple Cheeks
Tiffany actively shares new art, packaging updates, and behind-the-scenes content on:
-
Instagram
-
TikTok
-
YouTube
Her channels highlight how stickers, labels, and thoughtful packaging create memorable customer experiences.
Key Takeaways
-
Apple Cheeks is a creator-led brand built through illustration, community, and consistent packaging.
-
Tiffany uses Matte Recycled Paper Labels to enhance her product presentation and support sustainable values.
-
Stickers and labels serve both functional and brand-building roles in her shop.
-
YouTube helped Apple Cheeks expand its audience through transparent studio content.
-
Clear label selection guidance helps creators choose the right material for their packaging needs.
FAQs
Why did Apple Cheeks choose Matte Recycled Paper Labels?
They offer a sustainable, textured finish that matches the warm aesthetic of Tiffany’s brand and are ideal for indoor product packaging.
Are Matte Recycled Paper Labels water resistant?
They are intended for indoor use and are not water resistant. For moisture-exposed packaging, choose Glossy Labels, Matte Labels, or Clear Labels.
Which labels are best for hand-applied small-batch packaging?
Matte Recycled Paper Labels, Matte Labels, Glossy Labels, and Glossy Paper Labels are all optimized for hand application.
What label material works best for glass jars or clear containers?
Clear Labels allow the product to show through and are ideal for candles, cosmetics, and foods packaged in clear containers.
What stickers does Apple Cheeks include with her orders?
She uses individual Die Cut Stickers and Sticker Packs as customer add-ins for branding and engagement.
What’s the best label option for eco-friendly brands?
Matte Recycled Paper Labels and Kraft Paper Labels provide sustainable and recycled material choices.