How To Turn Drawings Into Stickers + Free Sticker Selling Class

My husband is a hand-drawn illustrator (ex-Disney!) so I’m excited to share how artists and illustrators can turn drawings into stickers!

First of all, why is this exciting? Well, illustrators have a wonderfully unique opportunity to turn pictures into stickers such as their hand-drawn drawings – stickers that really stand out from the crowd.

It can be a fun and profitable way to share your art with the world in a new way or even to a new audience.

I’m going to share the process of turning hand-drawn drawings into stickers, the mistakes you really must avoid, some myths I want to bust and the benefits of turning your drawings into stickers. There are many benefits to make stickers from pictures you have drawn!

How To Turn Drawings Into Stickers

The overview of turning hand-drawn drawings into stickers to make your own stickers involves a few steps – here goes:

Step 1: Create your Drawing

The first step to make pictures into stickers is to create your drawing. These sticker drawing ideas can include using traditional art supplies like pencils, pens, or markers, or drawing digitally using a tablet and software such as Procreate or Illustrator.

Step 2: Scan or Photograph Your Drawing

Once you have finished your drawing and chosen the one you want to turn into stickers, the next step is to scan or photograph it. This will allow you to work with your drawing digitally and make any necessary edits before you turn picture into sticker.

If you are scanning your drawing, it’s important to ensure that the scanner is set to a high resolution. We want to ensure that the final sticker looks crisp and clear – and that the effects and beauty of the drawing are in tact.

You could even make stickers from photos you already have or a fun art deco sticker!

Step 3: Edit Your Drawing

After you have scanned or photographed your drawing, the next step is to make any necessary edits. This may involve adjusting the contrast, brightness, or color balance of the image, especially if scanning the drawing changed these a little.

If you are working with digital art, you may also want to clean up any lines or marks that you don’t want to appear in the final sticker. Now you’re done turning pictures into stickers.

Step 4: Prepare Your Design for Printing

When you’re happy with your drawing after editing, it’s time to turn it into a sticker that can be printed on sticker paper – the fun is about to start!

This step involves making sure that the design is the correct size and format for the printing process and then choosing sticker-making software.

I love to create stickers in Silhouette Studio and Cricut Design Space. There are wonderful free versions of both.

If you’re not planning to print and cut your own stickers and would prefer to work with a printing company, they will likely have specific requirements for the file format, resolution, and color space. Make sure to follow these guidelines to ensure that your stickers turn out the way you want them to.

Access my free Sticker-Making Resources Kit:

Step 5: Print Your Stickers

It’s not time to print your hand-drawn drawing onto sticker paper! I share my fave sticker-making, printing and cutting resources in this Free Sticker-Making Resources Kit.

If you are printing your stickers at home, rather than somewhere like Redbubble, you may want to invest in a high-quality printer and sticker paper. Make sure to test your printer and paper before printing a large batch of stickers to ensure that they turn out the way you want them to.

Step 6: Cutting Your Stickers

If you’re cutting your own stickers, I highly recommend choosing a Silhouette or Cricut cutting machine. Models like the Silhouette Portrait, Silhouette Cameo, Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air are ideal.

I have many courses and eBooks on how to design, print and cut stickers and you can check them out here.

Mistakes to Avoid When Turning Drawings into Stickers

While turning your hand-drawn drawings into stickers can be super fun, here are some common mistakes that I want you to avoid along the way:

1. Using Low-Quality Images

If you’re using low-quality images, your stickers can end up looking pixelated or blurry, which can be unappealing for others and disappointing for you.

To avoid this, make sure to use high-resolution images that are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). This will ensure that your stickers look crisp and clear.

2. Poor Color Calibration

The colors in your drawings can look very different on paper to on a computer screen to how they do in print. It’s important to make sure that your colors look the way you want them to before printing a large batch of stickers. So check on screen after scanning your drawings and make any color adjustment or edits prior to printing.

3. Overcomplicating Your Design

Ok, this is something my husband and I are always discussing! When you’re designing your stickers, it can be tempting for illustrators to include lots of intricate details in the designs. However, this can sometimes lead to a cluttered and confusing sticker – especially when you’re scaling it down to a small size.

I suggest keeping your designs simple where possible so that your stickers look great after printing and not too busy or “muddy”.

4. Not Testing Your Design Before Printing a Large Batch

We’ve all made this mistake! Before printing a large batch of stickers, first test your design to ensure that it looks the way you want it to. This can involve printing a few samples to get a sense of how the final product will look.

I also recommend testing a few different kinds of sticker paper until you find one that you really love.

Let’s Bust Some Myths About Turning Drawings into Stickers!

I know plenty of artists who shared some myths about turning their illustrations and drawings into stickers. Once we debunked them, they were thrilled to know they could get started!

Myth #1: It’s Too Expensive to Create Stickers

If you’re hiring a printing company to turn art into stickers, creating stickers can be costly. Although, there are several ways to keep costs down such as printing a smaller batch of stickers or working with a printing company that offers competitive pricing.

But my favorite way to overcome this is to print and cut your own stickers at home! I teach this in my course, The Sticker Shop Plan here.

Myth #2: You Need to Be a Professional Artist to Create Stickers

Nope! Anyone can create stickers, regardless of their skill level – trust me, my 5000+ sticker-making students come from all levels of experience ad capabilities. All you need is a basic understanding of design principles and access to the design software I recommend and teach (it’s free!).

Myth #3: Stickers Are Only for Kids

Oh noooooo they’re not! While stickers are often associated with children, they can be enjoyed by people of all ages. In fact, many adults collect stickers as a hobby or use them to decorate their planners, laptops, water bottles, and other personal items.

I’m part of a huge community of thousands and thousands of sticker-using fans all around the world!

Myth #4: Stickers Are Not a Legitimate Art Form

I wondered about this one myself until my artist friends put me right!

While some people may view stickers as a lesser art form compared to traditional painting or sculpture, they can be just as powerful and expressive as any other medium.

And many artists are thrilled to find a new and fun way to showcase their work, reach new audiences and make money selling stickers.

Myth #5: Stickers Are a Fad

If you wonder if stickers are just a passing trend, the reality is that stickers have been popular for decades and show no signs of losing their appeal! In fact, the global sticker market is expected to reach $13.7 billion by 2027. WOW!

Benefits of Turning Your Drawings into Stickers

Ok so by now, you’re probably already super excited to start turning your beautiful drawings into stickers!

But let me share some of the benefits you might not have even thought of:

1. You Could Get Increased Exposure For Your Art

By turning your hand-drawn drawings into stickers, you are creating a portable, shareable piece of art that can be seen by people all over the world. I’ve sold stickers to customers globally and I love the idea of so many people in so many places finding joy in my designs.

Perhaps you could help increase exposure for your art and illustrations which could potentially lead to new opportunities and clients!

2. You Could Earn Passive Income

Creating stickers can be a great way to generate passive income online by selling your printed or printable stickers. Once you have designed and printed your stickers, you can sell stickers on Etsy, online or in person without needing to create new artwork.

3. You Could Create Customizable Merchandise

Many illustrators use stickers as a way to create customizable merchandise for their fans and communities. By offering stickers featuring your artwork, you can give your fans a way to show their support and express themselves through your art.

4. It’s a Fun and Creative Outlet!

I know firsthand how creating stickers can be a fun and creative outlet for artists and illustrators. It allows you to experiment with different styles, colors, and modalities.

5. Stickers are Versatile

Did you know that stickers for journals are incredibly versatile? They can be used in a variety of ways. You can stick them on laptops, water bottles, notebooks, phone cases, and more. This versatility makes stickers a popular and practical form of self-expression.

My preferred choice of stickers are planner stickers! They can be used to decorate planners, bullet journals and scrapbooks and they’re super popular.

Conclusion: How To Turn Drawings Into Stickers

By now you know that turning your hand-drawn drawings into stickers can be fun, rewarding and potentially profitable for illustrators at all levels.

When you follow a proven sticker-making process and avoid those common mistakes, you can create high-quality, sought-after custom picture stickers that showcase your beautiful, unique drawings.

Are you ready to turn your art into stickers? Make stickers for planner pages!

Free Class about Making Stickers

Ready to get started? Click here to watch my FREE class about the perfect plan to make stickers!

AFTER THIS CLASS, YOU’LL KNOW:

• Get the simple plan for perfect stickers … without feeling overwhelmed by the process
• Avoid the 3 BIG mistakes new sticker makers make (including some personal ones I made!)
• Know which essential tools and equipment you need to have to get started (that I love, use and recommend)
• Use your creativity to come up with endless sticker design ideas
• Learn my outline overview for designing planner stickers in minutes (including design, print and cut hacks!) and how you can get started with me

CLICK HERE TO WATCH NOW!

Make Your Own Stickers

Want to get started today creating your own stickers for yourself … or to sell?

You can, when you join The Sticker Shop Plan eCourse!

After taking this course, you’ll know how about making stickers to sell on Etsy in a fun, profit-focused sticker shop.

I’ll show you how to get awesome sticker ideas out of your head (and your heart) and into your planner … and the hands of customers who are just waiting for your stickers to brighten their days.

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO GET STARTED NOW

Or check out my sticker-making courses and community here.

I can’t wait to see your beautiful stickers come to life!

Access my free Sticker-Making Resources Kit:

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Let me know if you start turning drawings into stickers!

Today’s online marketplaces are filled with creative stickers covering all genres and styles. Whether you want to customize your water bottle, personalize your phone case, or easily identify your suitcase at baggage claim, stickers provide an affordable way to transform everyday objects.

If you’re an artist, turning your illustrations into stickers is a straightforward process. And for entrepreneurs, starting a sticker shop is an easy, accessible, and affordable business idea.

This post covers the basic steps required to design and print stickers—as well as the most popular ways to sell stickers online.

It also offers inspiration from two entrepreneurs who have found success with their own sticker businesses.

How to design stickers to sell

Here are the steps followed by most sticker makers to turn their artwork into high-quality, sellable products:

1. Use software to create stickers

Most stickers are made using illustration apps or graphic design software. You can also draw stickers by hand, then upload high-resolution scans. Or, you can upload physical art to make stickers from your paintings or illustrations.

The most important thing to keep in mind when uploading images is resolution.

Uploaded assets should be the same size or larger than sticker dimensions, and a minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Save your image as a CMYK file to ensure your sticker’s colors are faithfully recreated.

If you’d prefer to use a computer to design your stickers, here are some popular sticker-design software:

Procreate

Procreate is an illustration program designed 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 hone your design.

Canva also offers a sticker printing service, making it easy to get your stickers made.

💡 For unique sticker shapes that don’t fit inside a square or circle, a clear border is essential. This helps printers detect the edges of your design and make complex cuts successfully.

2. Choose a sticker finish

Your choice of sticker material will affect how your creations look and feel. The printing material you use should also match intended use of your stickers. For example, stickers designed for car bumpers need a tough, weather-resistant finish, while notebook stickers are often printed using affordable paper stock. 

Your choice of adhesive will play a big role in the perceived quality of your stickers. Negative reviews about stickers quickly peeling off can harm your business’s reputation.

It’s important to find the right balance in stickability to ensure stickers stay in place without causing damage. Use high-tack adhesive when stickers are intended for rough surfaces like wood or plastic, and low-tack adhesive for removable decals.

Read reviews of your chosen printing material from other sticker manufacturers to ensure adhesive quality.

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 stickers have a smooth, glossy finish. Vinyl is one of the most popular printing materials for stickers thanks to its durability and weather resistance.

Compared to paper stickers, vinyl can withstand increased exposure to moisture, making it suitable for stickers on water bottles, lunchboxes, or outdoor items like phone cases.

Matte

Another popular printing option is matte paper. Along with lower costs, matte finishes are known for their ability to showcase fine details, as the lack of reflection allows for better clarity.

If you are printing stickers on matte paper but want a glossy finish, you can apply a sheet of self-adhering laminate to the matte sticker. This creates shine and provides an extra layer of protection.

Holographic and prismatic

Holographic stickers are made from a material that refracts light to create a shifting rainbow-like effect.

Similarly, prismatic stickers have a multifaceted surface that reflects light in various directions to produce sparkles.

Mirrored

Mirrored stickers have a reflective surface, usually made from a metallic or chrome material. They’re attention-grabbing and unique, making them popular for creative and promotional purposes.

Clear

Clear stickers are made from a transparent material, such as clear vinyl or polyester, providing a seamless appearance when applied to surfaces. They are commonly used for window decals, as well as items that require washing or exposure to the elements, such as water bottles and outdoor equipment.

3. Print your stickers

There are several sticker printing methods. Some people do everything themselves at home using a regular printer and cutting machine. Others send their sticker filers to a professional sticker printer. A third option is online dropshipping and print-on-demand companies, which will print your stickers before sending them directly to customers.

How to print stickers at home

To print stickers at home, you’ll need adhesive sticker paper. You can find this paper at craft stores, office supply stores, or online retailers. Make sure the paper you choose is compatible with your printer, whether it’s inkjet or laser.

After printing, use a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette to cut around the stickers and create the final product.

Printing at home lets you create custom stickers whenever you need them, without keeping a large inventory. This gives you flexibility to offer more designs in your store.

The downside of running your business from home is that it can take some trial and error to get the printing and cutting process right, consuming time and materials.

Professional sticker printing

Another option is to pay a company to print your stickers for you. Online services like StickerApp, Sticker Mule, and Sticker Giant are popular and generally well-reviewed. You also can use local printers that may provide faster service.

After you’ve uploaded your design and selected materials and finish, the company takes care of printing, cutting, and mailing the stickers to you. 

This option is especially useful if you have a high volume of orders and don’t have the time or equipment to print them at home. However, keep in mind that you won’t see the final product until it arrives.

Additionally, you’ll need to pay for batches of stickers upfront. The cost per sticker decreases as you order more, so you’ll have to decide whether to order a large quantity at a lower cost per sticker or pay more for a smaller quantity.

If you’re interested in using a printing company, check if they offer a sample pack so you can compare their different sticker types.

Dropshipping stickers

A third option for printing stickers is using a dropshipping service. Upload your design to a Shopify app like Printful or Printify and let them take care of the rest, from printing and cutting to sending orders directly to your customer.

Using a dropshipping service saves you a lot of work, but also means you have less control over the production process. If you choose this option, make sure to order a sample so you can review the finished product before offering it to your customers.

4. Cut your stickers

When it comes to cutting stickers, there are two main methods: die cut and kiss cut.

Die cut

A die-cutting machine uses a blade to cut stickers according to a programmed pathway, set using software. These machines can cut precise shapes out of paper and other materials, cutting both the sticker and its backing.

Die cutting allows stickers to be cut to conform exactly to the shape of your design, whether it’s a simple circle or square, or the delicate leaves of an illustrated plant.

Two of the most popular die-cutting machines for sticker production are the Cricut Maker and the Silhouette Cameo.

Kiss cut

Kiss cutting is a technique where the cut is made through the top sticker layer, but not the paper backing. When the sticker is removed, the backing and border remain intact. This method is often used to create sticker sheets containing multiple designs.

How to sell stickers online

When you’re ready to set up shop, there are a few ways to sell your stickers. You can build your own online store or use a dropshipping marketplace like Redbubble.

Whichever platform you choose, you’ll also need to price your stickers and market them. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Platforms to sell stickers

Sell your stickers online using your own store or by creating an account with an established marketplace.

Shopify

If you want to create a brand to promote your stickers and have the opportunity to expand your product range later on, the best choice is to start an online store.

With Shopify, it’s simple to find a domain name, create a professional-looking storefront, and make use of Shopify’s leading checkout.

You can also link your store to sales and marketing channels. For instance, you can connect your store to Facebook and Instagram, allowing you to run ads in the feeds of potential customers and letting people shop directly from their favorite social media platforms.

💡 If you’re making the switch from Etsy to Shopify, you can migrate your products, sales information, and customer database.

Etsy

Etsy is a marketplace for crafters and resellers. It’s one of the most popular places to sell stickers online. 

Many sticker creators use Shopify and Etsy to sell their stickers across locations and get the benefits of both platforms.

When you sign up for Etsy, you get a basic storefront where you can list your stickers on the platform’s marketplace.

Whether you’re using Etsy or Shopify, you’ll need to optimize your product descriptions and product photography so that people searching for stickers can find you—either through Etsy or Google search results.

Etsy comes with fierce competition and fees. There’s a 20¢ listing fee for each new product listing, and a 6.5% commission fee on sales. When you’re selling stickers that may only cost a few dollars, those fees can cut into your profits.

Etsy also has few customization options, which can make it challenging for your storefront to stand out.

Selling stickers on and off Etsy:

Dropshipping marketplaces

Websites like Redbubble and Society6 handle the printing and shipping of stickers whenever a customer places an order. It’s a hassle-free way to sell sticker designs without much admin work.

The downside is that you have limited control over the production process. This may make sense if you’re creating stickers to sell them as a side hustle, but the potential for profit is also lower.

Because the website takes care of production and shipping, you only receive a fraction of the sale price, which means your profit per sticker may be cents rather than dollars.

Dropshipping marketplaces can be a good way to test out your stickers to see if they generate interest. When you’re ready to scale your business, you can build your own website.

💡 Many sticker creators use multiple sales channels to reach as many customers as possible.

2. Pricing stickers

It can be challenging to put a price on your art, but finding a profitable price for your stickers is a necessary step.

Stickers sold online typically range from $2 to $7, but can be sold at higher prices for larger or more complex designs. It’s a good idea to look at other sticker shops to compare their prices with your own and get a general idea of competitor pricing.

Remember to factor in the cost of materials, labor, and packaging to ensure a strong profit margin. 

Also, consider your experience and artistic talent. If you’re new to selling stickers, you might want to sell them at a discount while your reputation grows.

3. Marketing 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. Shipping stickers

One of the best things about selling stickers is the ease of shipping. For an average order, all you’ll need is a stamp—which also keeps costs low for customers.

To ensure your stickers arrive in good condition, use rigid mailers or envelopes with sturdy cardstock inside. Some sellers add a “Do Not Bend” sticker on the envelope for extra protection.

Sticker shops are known for creating fun packaging that makes receiving your order feel like getting a heartfelt gift. It’s common to include a short, handwritten thank you card or a branded sticker with each order.

Some sellers also get creative with packaging, using materials like branded tissue paper. But remember to keep your overhead costs in check. There’s no point in beautiful packaging that eats up your profits.

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, such as gamers, gardeners, or dog owners.

Learn from successful sticker sellers

With so many sticker creators out there, finding a unique idea is a must. Here’s how two entrepreneurs made a success from selling stickers.

Milkteanco

Ilona Lin found inspiration for her sticker and stationery brand, Milkteanco, in her cat, Milkie. Initially, she created a cute cartoon version of him to apply to stickers and other small items. Later, she remixed her design into a range of decals and branded products.

Created by Christine

Christine Lee is the owner of Created by Christine. She chose to create stickers full of positive vibes and inspirational quotes. Christine found inspiration from her day job as a first grade teacher, and counts many educators among her customers.

“Positivity is a big thing about me, and it’s like my center of gravity in my classroom. So I’m always pulling out positive quotes,” she says.

How do they sell their stickers?

Both Christine and Ilona started out with Etsy before growing their sales by opening additional Shopify stores.

“Etsy would be an option to start for beginners who are maybe having a small amount of listings, or are just kind of feeling it out,” says Christine.

The two creators take different approaches to manufacturing their custom vinyl stickers. Ilona tried outsourcing production to a printer and supplier, but didn’t like having less control over quality.

Christine, on the other hand, started her business by printing at home, but now uses a variety of third-party printers to print large quantities of stickers.

“In the beginning, when I received an order, I could just make it,” she says. “The business grew over time, and it was getting a little bit hard to manage all that, so I slowly made the transition.”

Ilona packages all of her orders with custom wrapping and extra stickers. This makes her deliveries memorable and special, but she also orders supplies in bulk to keep costs down. She keeps a budget sheet to make sure she’s not overspending.

💡 To find inspiration and understand your competitors, be sure to browse as many competitor websites as possible. But be careful to never copy someone else’s work.

Make your brand sticky

Stickers can help you celebrate a passion, tell your story, or promote your business. Whatever your stickers look like, try to develop a distinctive style. Creating products with a strong visual identity will make your brand recognizable and help it stick in people’s minds.

Making and selling stickers FAQ

What are common sticker design challenges?

Common sticker design challenges include coming up with unique and appealing illustrations, creating stickers that resonate with your target audience, and ensuring manufacturing materials are high quality.

How do I make stickers with a Cricut?

1. Print your sticker designs on sticker paper using a regular printer.
2. Use the Cricut design software to import your designs and define the cut lines for your stickers.
3. Load the sticker paper onto the Cricut cutting mat and insert it into the machine.
4. Follow the instructions on the Cricut software to cut out the individual sticker shapes.
5. Once the cutting is complete, carefully remove the stickers from the cutting mat.

How do I make vinyl stickers?

To make vinyl stickers, you will need adhesive vinyl sheets, a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette, and transfer tape.

How do I make stickers at home?

To make stickers at home:

1. Design your stickers using graphic design software, or find printable sticker designs online.
2. Print your designs on sticker paper using a color printer. Make sure to use sticker paper suitable for your printer.
3. Cut out the individual sticker shapes using scissors, a craft knife, or a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette.