How to make custom stickers and decals

What are custom stickers?

Custom stickers are a great way to add personality to your belongings and show off your style. You can use them to decorate your laptop, water bottle, or planner, or use them to promote your business.

What are custom decals?

‘Sticker’ and ‘decal’ are often used interchangeably. Sometimes decals refer to unprinted cut vinyl, for example, transfer decals or lettering and text for windows, walls, cars, and boats.

So how do you make custom stickers?

There are two options to create stickers:

1. You can make your own stickers with the right equipment

2. You can have your sticker designs printed for you professionally

In either case, you must first come up with the graphic or design you’d like to print.

Create a design

Choose a design that represents your brand or business. If you’re promoting your company, consider using your logo or slogan. If you’re expressing your personality, go for something fun and colorful.

You can find many sticker templates online that you can use as a starting point.

If you don’t have much experience with photo editing tools, you can hire someone from Fiverr or a similar platform to do the work for you. Remember that in addition to circle or square stickers, you can create a die-cut sticker, which means it is cut to the shape of your sticker design.

Pick a size

Make sure the size and shape of your stickers are appropriate for their intended use. For example, make sure the stickers are small enough to fit if you’re decorating a water bottle.

Most sticker companies let you print any size and shape you want.

Choose a sticker material

The sticker material you pick will depend on the use. For example, if you only need temporary stickers, you can print them on sticker paper.

However, vinyl is the best quality material if you want your decals to last.

When choosing your sticker paper or vinyl, also consider the finish options. Glossy laminate gives your decals a sheen. Matte is the other standard finish, and gives stickers a flat look.

For specialty uses, holographic and transparent vinyl materials are also available.

Printing your stickers

Once you’ve decided on the best sticker style for your purposes, it’s time to bring your sticker project to life.

Professional sticker printing

Going with a professional sticker maker is ideal for the best quality product. For example, if you plan on selling stickers on an Etsy shop or online store or want to use them as marketing materials for your small business.

These days, the process for ordering stickers is straightforward.

You simply choose the size, quantity, and material you need and upload your image. Most sticker companies will do all the work to enhance your file, add the cut line, and produce your sticker.

Sticker companies typically print using a digital process allowing for full color. The big companies usually print stickers onto large rolls of vinyl and cut them into various shapes and sizes. Commercial cutting equipment such as plotters or laser cutters allows for highly detailed and accurate cuts.

Look for a company that offers free proofs and high-quality materials. CustomStickers.com offers the best sticker prices and excellent quality. They are one of the best sticker maker companies in the industry.

Printing stickers yourself

If you’re interested in making your own sticker or stickers, there are a few things you’ll need:

• A printer that can print on vinyl or paper

• Vinyl or paper sticker sheets

• Photo editing tools

• A cutting machine (optional)

A regular inkjet printer can do the job, but it may not have the best color accuracy and resolution.

Getting started making your own stickers has a learning curve. Expect trial and error to get your stickers to come out just how you want them.

First, choose the sticker design you want to print, resize it to fit your sticker sheet, and then print it out. Using a cutter such as a Cricut machine, you can cut out the individual stickers using a cutting mat and Cricut design space.

Cricut and Silhouette cutters require you to add cut lines to your files. Cricut Design Space makes the process fairly straightforward. You’ll want to be sure to add a small white border to the printable layer of your design.

These companies also offer free templates that you can use.

Remember that when you make your own custom stickers, they won’t have the same print quality and durability as professionally printed stickers. That said, they can be a lot of fun to make for crafters and designers.

What are custom stickers used for?

Now that you’ve created your stickers, what’s the best way to put them to use? Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that stickers can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including:

• Decorating your belongings

• Giving gifts

• Promoting your business or brand

• Creating custom products

Make a statement: Use custom stickers to show your personality and style. Decorate your belongings with stickers representing your interests, or use them to make a political statement. Stickers are super trendy right now. Phone and laptop stickers are a great way to display a message wherever you go. Of course, bumper stickers are a classic way to personalize your vehicle, and the new trend is car peeker stickers.

Spread the word: Use custom stickers to promote your business or brand. Give them away at events, or include them in marketing materials. Small business owners everywhere are realizing what a cost-effective marketing tool stickers can be.

Get creative: Use customized stickers to create custom products, like personalized notebooks or laptop covers.

Have fun: Above all, stickers are a great way to add fun to your life. Use them to decorate your home, or give them to friends and family as gifts. If you use them as gifts, include a card or note explaining why they’re special. This will make the gift even more thoughtful.

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few frequently asked questions about custom stickers.

What are stickers made of?

Customized stickers are usually made of vinyl or paper and can be either glossy or matte.

How long do custom stickers last?

With vinyl and laminate, you can create waterproof stickers which can last for years, even outdoors. This makes them ideal for outdoor use.

On the other hand, paper stickers are cheaper and easier to produce in large quantities, but they tend to fade and wear out quickly, and they can’t be used outdoors.

How much do stickers cost?

The price of personalized stickers depends on the materials used, the print process, the quantity ordered, and the shipping method. Generally speaking, custom stickers are more affordable when ordered in larger quantities.

Can custom stickers be made in any shape or size?

Yes. One of the great things about custom stickers is that they can be made in any shape or size. This allows you to get creative with your designs. Almost any shape is possible, from simple square stickers to a super intricate sticker design.

Can custom stickers be printed on both sides?

Some sticker providers allow for printing on both sides of the sticker. The backing paper is a space where you can add more information or branding. Check with the sticker maker of your choice before ordering.

How long does it take to receive custom stickers?

The time it takes to receive custom stickers depends on the printing process and the shipping method. Generally speaking, custom stickers will take a few days to a week to produce. Shipping times will vary depending on your location.

What are the different sticker cuts?

Kiss cut stickers are stickers that aren’t cut through the backing paper. They are typically printed onto sticker sheets.

Die-cut stickers are cut to the exact shape of your design. This gives them a very clean look even before you peel and stick them somewhere.

What is the difference between stickers and labels?

Labels are generally printed onto rolls or sheets. They tend to be lower-quality materials because they are designed to be temporary.

Stickers are cut individually or onto sheets and are often higher quality and more durable than a label.

Where can I get a sticker template?

Many people use stock images for their sticker templates. However, Cricut and Silhouette also offer many paid and free templates.

Conclusion

Now that you are an expert on personalized stickers, it’s time to get creative - bring your sticker ideas to life. The beautiful thing about stickers is that you can print anything onto a sticker. Your imagination is the only limit.

Sticker decals are a great way to promote your business or express your personality. So get started today and see what you can create.