How To Make and Sell Stickers Online: 5 Simple Steps
How To Make and Sell Stickers Online: 5 Simple Steps
Blog Created By Alberto Miller
Online platforms are teeming with unique sticker designs in every imaginable style. Whether you’d like to jazz up your water bottle, add a personal touch to your phone cover, or quickly spot your luggage at the airport, stickers offer a budget-friendly way to refresh everyday items.
For creatives, converting your artwork into sticker form is both simple and rewarding. And for anyone looking to start a small venture, opening a sticker shop is an approachable, low-cost opportunity.
In the following sections, you’ll discover the essential steps for designing and producing stickers, as well as strategies for marketing and selling them—whether through established marketplaces or your own online storefront.
How to make stickers
- Design your stickers
- Use software to create stickers
- Choose a sticker finish
- Print your stickers
- Cut your stickers
Here are the steps followed by most sticker makers to turn their artwork into high-quality, sellable products:
1. Design your stickers
Creating a sticker goes beyond simply placing graphics and words together—you need to tailor your visuals to the tastes of your target customers. For example, a child-focused design might burst with bright hues and playful imagery, while a sticker aimed at professionals could call for a clean, streamlined aesthetic.
Because stickers are typically small, aim for clarity by keeping elements uncomplicated. A straightforward composition ensures your design reads instantly, even at a glance.
Choose bold, high-contrast color combinations to make your stickers pop, but don’t overlook the emotional undertones each hue can convey. Your palette should both catch the eye and reinforce the mood you want to evoke.
When including text, pick fonts that are easy to decipher against your background. Strong contrast between lettering and backdrop is key to readability, especially when someone is skimming quickly.
Finally, think beyond circles and squares. Custom silhouettes—hearts, animals, logos—can elevate your sticker’s memorability. If you venture into these intricate shapes, add a thin, uniform border around your design. That “cut line” guides printing machines to trim precisely, turning your creative outline into a crisp, professional final product.
2. Use software to create stickers
Most stickers are produced with vector or graphic‑design programs, which let you arrange artwork and text and prepare files that cutting machines (like Cricut) can read easily.
If your art starts on paper, simply scan it at high quality and import the images into your software—whether they’re pen sketches, watercolor pieces, or any other physical media.
Key tip: always work at or above the actual sticker size, and aim for at least 300 dpi so your lines stay sharp. When you export, choose the CMYK color profile to help printers match your hues as closely as possible.
Here are some popular sticker-design software options:
Procreate
Procreate is an illustration program for iOS tablets. Using the tactile Apple Pencil, you can draw, color, and add texture to digital images.
One of Procreate’s most popular features is the ability to upload custom brushes that mimic the look of specific pens, pencils, and other drawing tools. You can also add grain and blemishes to give your stickers a handmade feel.
Once you’re done, it’s simple to save your art in a high-resolution file format and export it for further editing or printing.
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Illustrator is professional graphic design software. You can create premium stickers and intricate designs using its extensive tools and features.
With Illustrator, you can create vector-based artwork, add text, apply effects, and export your designs in different formats.
For a free, entry-level sticker making tool, try Adobe Express. It has pre-made sticker sheets and templates with editable text, colors, and graphics.
Canva
Canva is a good option for beginners looking to make stickers to sell. Users can choose from a range of customizable templates tailored for making stickers, or start from a blank page. There’s an extensive library of fonts, images, and shapes to create your design.
Canva also offers a sticker printing service, making it easy to get your stickers made.
3. Choose a sticker finish
The substrate you select determines both the look and durability of your stickers—so align your choice with how and where they’ll be used. For outdoorsy applications like bumper decals, opt for rugged, weatherproof vinyl. For indoor use—think journal or laptop stickers—a standard paper or matte vinyl stock can keep costs down.
Adhesive strength is just as crucial. A sticker that flakes off too soon will frustrate customers, while one that won’t budge can damage surfaces. High‑tack glue works best on textured or rough materials such as wood, metal, or plastic. If your design is meant to be temporary or easily repositionable—like event badges or promotional giveaways—choose a low‑tack adhesive.
Before placing a big order, check out user feedback on the coating and backing materials from various printers. That way, you can ensure the stickiness meets your quality standards.
Here are some of the most common types of sticker finishes and their use cases. It’s a good idea to experiment with different finishes before committing:
Vinyl
Vinyl decals offer a sleek, shiny surface and are prized for their toughness and ability to endure the elements.
Unlike paper stickers, vinyl won’t warp or fade when it gets wet, making it perfect for gear that sees moisture—think water bottles, lunch containers, or even outdoor-ready phone cases.
Matte
Matte paper is another cost‑effective choice that excels at rendering fine details. Its non‑reflective surface eliminates glare, so intricate designs stay crisp and clear.
If you prefer a glossy look on a matte base, just press a self‑adhesive laminate over your sticker. This not only gives it a shiny sheen but also adds an extra protective layer.
Holographic and prismatic
Holographic decals use a special film that bends light into a shifting spectrum, creating a dynamic rainbow effect.
Prismatic stickers, on the other hand, feature a faceted surface that scatters light to produce sparkling highlights from every angle.
Mirrored
These stickers feature a shiny, mirror‑like finish—typically crafted from metallic or chrome films. Their reflective surface makes them stand out, which is why they’re often used for eye‑catching designs and promotional pieces.
Clear
Transparent decals are produced from see‑through materials like clear vinyl or polyester, offering an almost invisible look once applied. They’re ideal for window clings or any item that’s exposed to moisture—think water bottles, outdoor gear, and other washable surfaces.
4. Print your stickers
You have a few ways to get your stickers made. You can print and cut them yourself at home with an ordinary printer and a cutting machine. You could also hand off your designs to a professional sticker printing service. Or you might choose a print‑on‑demand provider, which handles printing and ships the finished stickers straight to your customers.
How to print stickers at home
To make stickers at home, start with adhesive-backed sticker sheets—available at craft stores, office suppliers, or online. Be sure to pick sheets that work with your printer type (inkjet or laser).
Once your designs are printed, run the sheets through a cutting machine (for example, a Cricut or Silhouette) to trim each sticker to its shape.
Home printing lets you produce fresh, custom stickers on demand, so you don’t have to stockpile inventory and can regularly add new designs. However, perfecting the print-and-cut process often involves experimentation, which can use up extra time and materials.
Professional sticker printing
Another route is outsourcing your sticker production to a printing company. Well-regarded online providers include StickerApp, Sticker Mule, and Sticker Giant, though you might also find speedy turnaround from nearby print shops.
Once you upload your artwork and choose your preferred materials and finish, the printer handles everything—printing, cutting, and shipping the stickers to you.
This approach is ideal when order volumes are high and you lack the time or gear to produce them yourself. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t see the finished stickers until they arrive, and you’ll need to pay for entire runs upfront. Ordering larger batches lowers the per‑sticker price, so you’ll need to balance cost savings against inventory size.
If you’re considering a particular company, see whether they provide a sample pack so you can evaluate their sticker options before committing.
Print on demand stickers
Print-on-demand services offer a hassle-free way to produce stickers. Simply upload your artwork to a Shopify integration such as Printful or Printify, and they’ll handle printing, cutting, and shipping orders straight to your customers.
This hands-off solution frees you from most of the logistics, though it also gives you less oversight of how your stickers are made. It’s wise to order a sample first so you can inspect the quality before you start selling.
5. Cut your stickers
When it comes to cutting stickers, there are two main methods: die cut and kiss cut.
Die cut
A die‑cut machine employs a precision blade guided by software to follow a digital outline, slicing both the sticker material and its backing exactly to your design.
Whether you need simple shapes like circles or squares or intricate contours—say, the fine edges of a leaf illustration—die cutting delivers clean, custom cuts.
Popular models for this kind of work include the Cricut Maker and the Silhouette Cameo.
Kiss cut
Kiss cutting slices just the sticker layer without cutting through the backing paper. When you peel away the sticker, the surrounding backing and any sheet border stay whole. This approach is ideal for producing sheets of multiple stickers in one go.
How to sell stickers online
- Select a platform to sell stickers
- Price your stickers
- Market your stickers
- Ship your stickers
When you’re ready to set up shop, there are a few ways to sell your stickers. You can build an online store to sell stickers directly to customers. Or use a marketplace where customers shop for stickers, like Etsy or Redbubble.
Whichever sales channel you choose, you’ll also need to price your stickers and market them. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Select a platform to sell stickers
You can sell stickers using an online store or by creating an account with a marketplace. Here are some popular sales platforms that make it easy to start selling online:
Shopify
If you want to build a brand showcasing your stickers, create a cohesive brand identity, and have room to grow your product offerings, launching an online shop is the ideal path.
Shopify simplifies every step: select a store name, design an eye‑catching storefront, register a custom domain, and give shoppers a reliable, secure checkout experience.
You can also connect your site to various sales and marketing outlets. For instance, link up with Facebook and Instagram so you can easily promote your products to a broader audience and let customers purchase straight from the apps they already use.
Etsy
Etsy serves as a platform for independent artisans and small-scale resellers of handmade items. It ranks among the leading sites to offer sticker products online.
Once you create an Etsy account, you receive a simple shop page enabling you to upload listings for your stickers in its marketplace.
However, Etsy involves significant rivals and associated charges. Each new listing incurs a $0.20 listing fee, plus a 6.5% transaction commission on orders. Since individual stickers often sell for just a few dollars per item, such expenses may erode earnings.
Additionally, Etsy’s customization possibilities are limited, making it harder for your shop to differentiate itself; thus, carefully planned tactics are necessary to boost conversion.
Numerous sticker designers combine Shopify with Etsy to distribute products and enjoy advantages from each service. Regardless of whether you choose Etsy or Shopify, refining your listing copy, titles, and product photography is essential so that sticker seekers can locate your offerings easily.
Sticker marketplaces
Platforms like Redbubble and Society6 manage printing and shipping for stickers whenever a buyer places an order. This gives a hassle-free way to sell sticker designs without extra admin work.
The drawback is that you lose control over production details and quality. This may work if you are designing stickers as a side project, but profit margins tend to be significantly lower under this model.
Since the platform manages production and delivery, you only get a small share of the sale amount, meaning profit per sticker could often be just cents instead of multiple dollars.
Print-on-demand marketplaces can act as a quick way to test sticker ideas and gauge early interest. When you decide to launch a full standalone business, you can build your own website.
Many sticker makers utilize various sales channels to reach a wider audience. By using Shopify, you can integrate your online store with marketplaces and manage multi-channel selling from a single dashboard.
2. Price your stickers
Determining the right price for your artwork can be challenging, yet setting a profitable rate for your stickers is a crucial step for your business.
Stickers sold online generally range from $2 to $7, though you can set higher prices for larger or more detailed designs that justify additional cost. It’s wise to review other sticker shops to compare their pricing with yours and gauge typical competitor rates for similar products.
Remember to account for all business expenses, including materials, labor, shipping, and packaging to ensure you maintain a solid profit margin.
Also consider your experience and artistic skill. If you’re new to selling stickers, you might choose to offer lower introductory prices until your reputation grows.
3. Market your stickers
To get your stickers noticed by your target audience, you’ll need to market them effectively.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok likely will be your first port of call for showcasing your sticker designs.
Here are some simple social media marketing strategies to consider:
- Post eye-catching content that references your products.
- Engage with your followers through likes and replies.
- Use paid ads to increase your account’s visibility.
- Partner with popular influencers who have an audience that aligns with your target market.
- Organize giveaways and encourage participants to tag their friends for a chance to win.
- Team up with other artists and businesses to create joint sticker packs and promote each other’s products.
4. Ship your stickers
A major advantage of selling stickers lies in how simple shipping can be. For typical orders, just a postage stamp suffices, keeping delivery expenses minimal for domestic buyers and beyond.
To protect your stickers during transit, select rigid mailers or padded envelopes with firm cardstock inserts. Some sellers place a “Do Not Bend” label on the package to increase additional protection.
Sticker businesses often add playful packaging elements to make orders feel special, like receiving a personal gift. Including a brief handwritten note or a custom-branded sticker in each shipment is a common practice to delight customers.
Some creators experiment with packaging touches like branded tissue sheets, ribbons, or custom tape. However, balance creativity with expense; extravagant wrapping that cuts into margins offers little overall benefit despite its visual appeal.
Finding sticker inspiration
Figuring out what your stickers should look like can be a challenge. With countless possibilities, your first task is to narrow down a brand and style, so that your designs have a recognizable identity and personality.
Find your sticker style by diving into:
Hobbies and interests. Use your knowledge of sports, animals, or music to create detailed designs that will satisfy fans.
Artistic styles. Explore minimalistic, hand-drawn, or retro stickers to find inspiration for your own designs.
Niches. Identify niche markets that are passionate about their cause, like gamers, gardeners or dog owners.
Comments
Post a Comment