How to Make and Sell Stickers: Make It Stick Online!

Stickers are awesome. They are fun, colorful, and expressive, and they can be used to decorate anything and everything. You can put them on your laptop, car, refrigerator, backpack, or whatever you want to personalize and show off your style.

But stickers are not just for personal use. They can also be a great product to sell online, as there is a huge demand and market for them. According to eRank, which tracks trending products on the online marketplace Etsy, “stickers” were one of the most searched keywords on the website in 2023. Stickers are also popular on other platforms, such as Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, where people share their sticker collections and creations.

So, how can you make and sell stickers online? In this guide, we will show you the steps and tips to create, print, and market your own stickers, and turn your passion into profit. By the end of this guide, you will be able to start your own sticker business and make it stick online.

1: Decide What Kind of Stickers You Want to Sell

The first step to make and sell stickers online is to decide what kind of stickers you want to sell. There are many types and styles of stickers, and you need to find your niche and target audience.

Some of the factors to consider when choosing your sticker type are:

• Design: What is the theme, style, and aesthetic of your stickers? Do you want to create stickers based on your hobbies, interests, or fandoms? Do you want to create stickers with quotes, slogans, or jokes? Do you want to create stickers with illustrations, cartoons, or photos? Do you want to create stickers with simple or complex designs?
• Shape: What is the shape and size of your stickers? Do you want to create stickers with standard shapes, such as circles, squares, or rectangles? Do you want to create stickers with custom shapes, such as stars, hearts, or animals? Do you want to create stickers with small or large sizes?
• Material: What is the material and finish of your stickers? Do you want to create stickers with paper or vinyl? Do you want to create stickers with matte or glossy finish? Do you want to create stickers with waterproof or non-waterproof quality?
• Quantity: How many stickers do you want to create and sell? Do you want to create stickers in bulk or in small batches? Do you want to create stickers individually or in sheets?

These are some of the questions to ask yourself when deciding what kind of stickers you want to sell. You can also do some research and see what kind of stickers are popular and trending on different platforms, such as Etsy, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. You can also get some inspiration and ideas from other sticker sellers and creators, and see what kind of stickers they make and sell.

However, you should also try to find your own unique and original style, and create stickers that reflect your personality and brand. You should also try to find a niche and target audience that are interested and loyal to your stickers, and cater to their needs and preferences.

2: Design Your Stickers

The next step to make and sell stickers online is to design your stickers. This is the most creative and fun part of the process, where you can unleash your imagination and express your style.

There are different ways to design your stickers, depending on your skills and preferences. You can use one of these methods:

• Draw by hand: You can draw your stickers by hand, using a pencil, pen, marker, or any other drawing tool. You can use a sketchbook, a notebook, or any other paper to draw your stickers. You can also use a tablet, such as an iPad, and a stylus, such as an Apple Pencil, to draw your stickers digitally. You can use a drawing app, such as Procreate, to draw, color, and edit your stickers on your tablet. You can also scan or take a photo of your hand-drawn stickers, and transfer them to your computer or tablet for further editing.
• Use a graphic design software: You can use a graphic design software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, or Canva, to design your stickers on your computer or tablet. You can use the tools and features of the software to create, edit, and enhance your stickers. You can also use the templates and elements of the software to create your stickers faster and easier. You can also import your own images, photos, or drawings to the software, and use them to create your stickers.
• Use a sticker maker app or website: You can use a sticker maker app or website, such as Sticker Mule, Sticker App, or Sticker You, to design your stickers online. You can use the tools and features of the app or website to create, edit, and preview your stickers. You can also use the templates and elements of the app or website to create your stickers faster and easier. You can also upload your own images, photos, or drawings to the app or website, and use them to create your stickers.

These are some of the ways to design your stickers, but there are many more. You can experiment and explore with different methods, and see what works best for you. You can also use a combination of methods, such as drawing by hand and using a graphic design software, to create your stickers.

When designing your stickers, you should also consider some of the best practices and tips, such as:

• Use high-resolution images: You should use high-resolution images, preferably 300 dpi or higher, to design your stickers. This will ensure that your stickers are clear, sharp, and detailed, and that they will not lose quality when printed or enlarged.
• Use the CMYK color mode: You should use the CMYK color mode, instead of the RGB color mode, to design your stickers. This will ensure that your stickers will have the same colors when printed as they do on your screen, and that they will not have any color shifts or variations.
• Use the bleed and safe area: You should use the bleed and safe area, which are the extra margins around your sticker design, to ensure that your stickers are cut and printed correctly. The bleed area is the area that extends beyond the edge of your sticker, and it is used to account for any cutting errors or misalignments. The safe area is the area that is inside the edge of your sticker, and it is used to ensure that your important elements, such as text, logos, or images, are not cut off or cropped. You should extend your background color or image to the bleed area, and keep your important elements within the safe area, to avoid any unwanted results. You can use the guidelines and templates provided by your sticker printer or maker to set up your bleed and safe area correctly.

How to Print Your Stickers

The next step to make and sell stickers online is to print your stickers. This is the most technical and challenging part of the process, where you need to have the right equipment, materials, and skills to produce high-quality stickers.

There are different ways to print your stickers, depending on your budget, resources, and preferences. You can use one of these methods:

• Print at home: You can print your stickers at home, using your own printer, paper, and cutter. This is the most convenient and affordable method, as you can print your stickers anytime and anywhere, and have full control over the quality and quantity of your stickers. However, this method also has some drawbacks, such as:

  • You need to have a good printer, preferably an inkjet or a laser printer, that can print high-resolution and vibrant colors, and that can handle different types of paper and vinyl.
  • You need to have good paper or vinyl, preferably sticker paper or vinyl, that can adhere well to different surfaces, and that can withstand water, sunlight, and wear and tear.
  • You need to have a good cutter, preferably a cutting machine, such as a Cricut or a Silhouette, that can cut your stickers precisely and accurately, and that can handle different shapes and sizes of stickers.
  • You need to have good skills, such as designing, printing, and cutting, that can ensure that your stickers are clear, sharp, and detailed, and that they have no errors or defects.

• Print with a sticker printer or maker: You can print your stickers with a sticker printer or maker, such as Sticker Mule, Sticker App, or Sticker You, that can print and ship your stickers for you. This is the most convenient and professional method, as you can print your stickers with high-quality and consistency, and have them delivered to your door or to your customers. However, this method also has some drawbacks, such as:

  • You need to pay a fee, depending on the type, size, quantity, and quality of your stickers, and the shipping and handling costs.
  • You need to wait for a certain period of time, depending on the availability, production, and delivery time of your stickers.
  • You need to rely on the service, quality, and reputation of the sticker printer or maker, and hope that they can meet your expectations and requirements.

These are some of the ways to print your stickers, but there are many more. You can experiment and explore with different methods, and see what works best for you. You can also use a combination of methods, such as printing at home and printing with a sticker printer or maker, to print your stickers.

When printing your stickers, you should also consider some of the best practices and tips, such as:

• Test print your stickers: You should test print your stickers, before printing them in bulk or in final, to check and verify the quality and accuracy of your stickers. You can use a plain paper or a draft mode to test print your stickers, and see how they look and fit on your paper or vinyl. You can also use a ruler or a measuring tape to measure your stickers, and see if they match the size and shape that you want. You can also use a scissors or a knife to cut your stickers, and see if they have the bleed and safe area that you want. You can also stick your stickers on different surfaces, such as your laptop, car, refrigerator, or backpack, and see how they adhere and perform on them.
• Print in batches: You should print your stickers in batches, instead of printing them all at once, to save your time, money, and resources, and to avoid any errors or problems. You can print your stickers in batches of 10, 20, or 50, depending on the quantity and quality of your stickers, and the capacity and capability of your printer or cutter. You can also print your stickers in batches of different types, sizes, or designs, depending on the variety and diversity of your stickers, and the demand and preference of your customers.
• Print with margins: You should print your stickers with margins, which are the extra spaces around your sticker design, to ensure that your stickers are printed and cut correctly. You can use the guidelines and templates provided by your sticker printer or maker, or by your cutting machine, to set up your margins correctly. You can also use the bleed and safe area, which are the extra margins around your sticker design, to ensure that your stickers are cut and printed correctly. The bleed area is the area that extends beyond the edge of your sticker, and it is used to account for any cutting errors or misalignments. The safe area is the area that is inside the edge of your sticker, and it is used to ensure that your important elements, such as text, logos, or images, are not cut off or cropped. You should extend your background color or image to the bleed area, and keep your important elements within the safe area, to avoid any unwanted results.

How to Market and Sell Your Stickers Online

The final step to make and sell stickers online is to market and sell your stickers. This is the most crucial and rewarding part of the process, where you need to have the right strategies, platforms, and skills to promote and sell your stickers to your customers.

There are different ways to market and sell your stickers online, depending on your goals, resources, and preferences. You can use one of these methods:

• Sell on an online marketplace: You can sell your stickers on an online marketplace, such as Etsy, Amazon, or eBay, that can host and sell your stickers for you. This is the most convenient and popular method, as you can reach a large and diverse audience, and have access to various tools and features, such as listing, payment, shipping, and customer service. However, this method also has some drawbacks, such as:

  • You need to pay a fee, depending on the platform, listing, sale, and transaction costs.
  • You need to compete with other sellers, who may have similar or better stickers, prices, or reviews.
  • You need to follow the rules, policies, and regulations of the platform, and hope that they can protect your rights and interests.

• Sell on your own website: You can sell your stickers on your own website, that you can create and manage yourself. This is the most professional and flexible method, as you can have full control and ownership over your website, and customize it to suit your needs and preferences. You can also use various tools and services, such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Squarespace, to create and run your website. However, this method also has some drawbacks, such as:

  • You need to pay a fee, depending on the platform, domain, hosting, and maintenance costs.
  • You need to attract and retain your customers, who may not be aware of or trust your website.
  • You need to handle all the aspects and responsibilities of your website, such as design, development, security, and support.

• Sell on social media: You can sell your stickers on social media, such as Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, that you can use to showcase and sell your stickers to your followers and fans. This is the most creative and engaging method, as you can use the power and popularity of social media, and interact and connect with your customers. You can also use various tools and features, such as stories, reels, live, or shop, to create and share your content and products. However, this method also has some drawbacks, such as:

  • You need to grow and maintain your social media presence, which can be time-consuming and challenging.
  • You need to adapt and update your content and products, according to the trends and algorithms of social media.
  • You need to rely on the service, quality, and reputation of social media, and hope that they can support and promote your business.

These are some of the ways to market and sell your stickers online, but there are many more. You can experiment and explore with different methods, and see what works best for you. You can also use a combination of methods, such as selling on an online marketplace and on social media, to market and sell your stickers.

When marketing and selling your stickers online, you should also consider some of the best practices and tips, such as:

• Create a brand: You should create a brand for your stickers, that can represent your personality, style, and values, and differentiate you from your competitors. You can create a brand name, logo, slogan, and story, that can convey your message and vision, and connect with your customers.
• Create a portfolio: You should create a portfolio for your stickers, that can showcase your skills, creativity, and quality, and impress your customers. You can create a portfolio website, social media account, or online store, that can display your stickers, and provide information and details, such as the type, size, material, and price of your stickers.
• Create a marketing plan: You should create a marketing plan for your stickers, that can outline your goals, strategies, and actions, and guide your marketing and selling efforts. You can create a marketing plan document, spreadsheet, or calendar, that can specify your target audience, market research, marketing channels, marketing budget, marketing metrics, and marketing schedule.
• Create a customer service: You should create a customer service for your stickers, that can provide support, feedback, and satisfaction to your customers, and build trust and loyalty with them. You can create a customer service email, phone, or chat, that can answer your customers’ questions, concerns, or complaints, and resolve their issues and problems. You can also create a customer service policy, that can specify your terms and conditions, such as the payment, shipping, refund, and exchange of your stickers.

These are some of the steps and tips to make and sell stickers online, but there are many more. You can learn and improve your skills and knowledge, by reading books, blogs, or articles, watching videos, podcasts, or webinars, or taking courses, classes, or workshops, on how to make and sell stickers online. You can also network and collaborate with other sticker sellers and creators, and join communities, groups, or forums, where you can share your experiences, insights, and tips, and get feedback, advice, and support.

We hope this guide has helped you understand how to make and sell stickers online, and inspired you to start your own sticker business and make it stick online. If you have any questions or need any help with making and selling stickers online, feel free to contact us. We are a team of experienced and professional sticker experts who can help you create and sell your stickers online and achieve your desired results.

Thank you for reading and happy sticker making and selling!