Stickers have been our favorite stationery throughout our childhood. They are colorful and quirky and can be used to decorate, stick on things to make them look more attractive, or simply collect. They are also used as a reminder of a significant event or person or to express oneself in a fun and creative way.
If you’ve been dreaming of starting your own online sticker business, congratulations! You’re in for an exciting and rewarding journey. Sticker businesses are not only creative and fun but can also be profitable. With the right plan, you can scale up your sticker business and sell stickers online like a pro.
In this article, we’ll discuss how to make high-quality and unique stickers to sell online and how to scale up your offline sticker shop into an online success. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge and tools you need to take your sticker business to the next level. So let’s get started!
Outline
- How To Design & Customize Stickers To Sell Online
- Types Of Stickers You Can Create
- How To Make Stickers For Online Sales Easily
- Cricut: Print Stickers at Home
- StickerApp or StickerMule: Print Stickers Online
- Dropshipping: Stickers Printed on Demand (POD)
- Expand Your Business And Sell Stickers Online In 2022
- How To Price & Ship Stickers For The Global Market
- Conclusion
How To Design & Customize Stickers To Sell Online
Sticker business may have yet to cross your mind as the most affordable or profitable online business. But they are always in demand due to its wide range of uses. If you are already into drawing or are an artist, or even have your own sticker shop, then making and selling stickers online won't be that hard after all. If you are new, then don't worry! There are plenty of ways to design and customize stickers to kick-start your sticker business online.
Research Different Sticker Types You Want to Create
There are so many different kinds of stickers available: animal, cartoon character, sports, holiday stickers, inspirational, motivational, and many more. Choose your favorite niche from the many different options and trends out there. It could be something that is easy to draw, and you like or is something people are actively looking for online.
Research the type of material you want to use for your stickers. Vinyl, paper, or other materials may work best for the kind of stickers you’re making. Consider the cost of materials and labor for the stickers. This will help you determine what price point you’ll be aiming for when selling your stickers. You can choose to outsource the sticker making or even make it by yourself, as handmade stickers are always in demand.
If you are still a beginner looking for a quick guide on designing and customizing stickers that are different from what you are already making, as well as selling the stickers online on your own on platforms such as Shopify, then, check out this video that explains sticker business for beginners:
Fix the theme and start designing
Once you have an idea of the popular trends in stickers, choose a theme for your design. Consider what type of stickers your target audience might be interested in. And once you have your theme and ideas in mind, start designing your stickers. Designing stickers online can be easy, depending on the tools you have access to. If you have access to a simple graphic design or illustration program, creating your own sticker designs is relatively straightforward.
Additionally, there are a variety of online tools and services that make it simple to design your own stickers. These tools often come with a wide range of templates and features that allow you to customize and personalize your designs. Here are a few examples:
- Adobe Photoshop
- Procreate
- Adobe Illustrator
- Design Wizard
- Sticker Maker
- Canva
- Mediamodifier
- StickerMule
- StickerYou
- Sticker Robot
- Sticker Studio
Created by Christine, a Shopify sticker store sells stickers with inspirational quotes and aims to spread positive vibes and messages through stickers, which makes it stand out from other typical stickers.
Christine uses Apple’s Procreate to design her stickers. You can use Procreate or any design tool, such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, CorelDraw, Inkspace, etc., to create your artwork.
Think outside the box when it comes to creating custom designs. From abstract artwork to quirky quotes, the possibilities are endless. Try to make something that will be eye-catching and unique.
Types Of Stickers You Can Create
Stickers are always in demand because they can be used to create a variety of custom products, from labels and signs to promotional items. Custom stickers can be used to communicate a message, advertise a product or event, or decorate an item or space. They are also great for personalizing items and creating a unique look. Let’s dig a little deeper into some of the popular types of stickers that you can sell online effortlessly.
- Vinyl decals: These are the most popular type of stickers and are used for everything from car decals to laptop decals. The designs are printed directly onto a vinyl sheet, then cut out into the desired shape.
- Die-cut stickers: These are stickers that are cut into a specific shape or design. They are perfect for adding a unique touch to products and packaging.
- Static cling stickers: These are non-adhesive stickers that cling to surfaces using static electricity. They are popularly used on windows, mirrors, and other glass surfaces.
- Peel & stick labels: These are adhesive stickers that are printed on a pressure-sensitive adhesive material. They are great for labeling products and packaging.
- Magnets: They are perfect for displaying photos, artwork, and other graphics on refrigerators and other metal surfaces.
- Bumper stickers: These are large stickers that are designed to be placed on the back of a car or other vehicle. They are popular for displaying messages, logos, and other graphics.
- Decorative stickers: Decorative stickers are made to be decorative and can range from small and simple to large and complex. They come in various shapes and sizes, and can be used to create art, decorate gifts, and more.
Apart from these, you can explore wall stickers, waterproof stickers, decal stickers, scrapbook stickers, clear stickers, and many more, depending on your target audience. Vinyl stickers are among the most popular stickers, with a market value of 4.16 billion in 2022. The die-cut sticker market is also growing immensely, and it can be a profitable option for you to check out.
Furthermore, the cuts and finish of a sticker can make the stickers look more appealing to the buyers.
You can offer any cut or type of sticker to your customers and give them the option to choose the finish they like while making the purchase to make it a personalized experience for them. A few options you can give your customers include the following:
- Glossy finish: A glossy finish is shiny and reflective. It’s perfect for drawing attention to brightly colored designs and logos.
- Matte finish: A matte finish is flat and non-reflective. It’s ideal for a subtle look and is less susceptible to fingerprints and smudges.
- Metallic finish: A metallic finish is shiny and reflective like a glossy finish but with a metallic sheen. It’s perfect for highlighting logos and adding a touch of elegance.
- Embossed finish: An embossed finish is raised and textured. It provides a unique tactile experience perfect for labels, invitations, or branding.
- Transparent finish: A transparent finish lets light pass through, allowing your design to be seen from both sides. It’s perfect for window decals, bumper stickers, and other applications.
- Holographic finish: A holographic finish adds a glittery, rainbow-like effect to your sticker. It’s great for adding a bit of sparkle and a touch of fun.
Feel free to try out different kinds of finishes and types before selling them online to your customers. This way, you know what works best and can avoid the ones that offer the least favorable experience to your customers. Remember, selling stickers online is different from selling stickers offline. Here, you get access to customers from across the globe. So offering a wide variety of options might work best.
How To Make Stickers For Online Sales Easily
Selling stickers online is often more cost-effective and convenient than selling them offline or through sticker shops. Online sales save money on overhead costs such as renting a physical store, stocking and managing inventory and hiring staff. Furthermore, online sales offer more opportunities to reach customers through social media, email marketing, and other digital marketing techniques.
To design and create stickers, you have a variety of alternatives. Some people complete the process from beginning to end at home, making it an excellent DIY project, while others get their stickers printed by a pro.
To make your own personalized stickers, you can employ a variety of techniques. Print-on-demand services might prove easier and more affordable to start with, as you can design and print stickers of small batches for as low as $1. You can opt for any print-on-demand businesses that handle the majority of the work for you. We'll discuss the benefits and drawbacks of each approach here.
Cricut: Print Stickers at Home
Cricut resembles a primer because it has a blade that can cut exact designs from a variety of materials, including paper.
You'll also need access to adhesive sticker paper, which is available from office supply stores, hobby craft stores, and most online websites such as Amazon.com and Officedepot.com. Ensure the paper you purchase is compatible with Cricut.
Cricut is easy to use, and you can get one for even $300 or above. All you have to do is connect the printer to your computer and simply print your sticker design on the adhesive sticker paper. You can even add the finish of your choice or laminate the printed design. Once your sticker is printed, cut the perimeter of your sticker using the Cricut machine.
Use the software that comes with the machine to calibrate it. Follow the calibration procedures after choosing your knife blade and inserting a blank sheet of paper into your machine. To make sure you're cutting inside the lines, it's advisable to make a few test cuts. Some trial and error may be necessary to get things precisely right while printing at home. This method is most suited if you are just starting off and are producing stickers in small batches and in less quantity.
Check out this video to learn more on how to use the Cricut machine:
StickerApp or StickerMule: Print Stickers Online
If you don't want to go through the hassle of buying a sticker printing machine and doing everything by yourself, then the next best option is to get them printed using online services such as Sticker Mule and StickerApp. All you have to do is to upload your sticker designs there, and they will print, cut, and ship the stickers to your doorstep!
Sticker Mule can cost you around $60 for a small batch of custom stickers. StickerApp can be the economical choice here for custom stickers, as the price starts at $26. You can find economical options for non-custom stickers and can even explore other similar sticker printing platforms that suit your needs. Make sure you choose a platform that meets all your sticker requirements, such as the finish and shape.
Using an online service will make more sense if you have a lot of orders to fulfill and don't want to invest in home printing supplies or don't have the time to do it yourself. All the popular and best sticker printing platforms provide high-quality finishes and templates that you may use to make customized stickers quickly.
Dropshipping: Stickers Printed on Demand (POD)
Printing stickers with print-on-demand dropshipping is a simplified modern way of doing business online. You can upload a design on Shopify POD apps like Printful and Printify (or any other POD apps), and they will handle everything else, including cutting, printing, and mailing orders to your customers directly.
Dropshipping relieves you of a lot of tasks, but because you don't get to view the final product, you have less control. Therefore, if you choose to go this way, be sure to ask for a sample so you can examine the sticker's quality in person. While looking for a Shopify dropshipping store, ensure you go for one that helps you an end-to-end basis with accurate updates and numerous options.
Expand Your Business And Sell Stickers Online In 2022
Once you are set to monetize your business and sell stickers online like a pro, you can choose a suitable eCommerce platform to create your store. You can sell using Shopify, Etsy, or even leverage a dropshipping marketplace such as Redbubble. Let’s zoom into each and understand how the process goes.
Sell Stickers on Shopify
With your own eCommerce website, you can get complete control over the process, including the design, the domain, the marketing, and managing sales and promotions. It gives you the freedom to genuinely create your brand from scratch and to decide how your clients will engage with your business.
If you are on Etsy and are looking to migrate to Shopify, you can easily and quickly transfer your products, sales data, and customer database to Shopify. You can go for a monthly plan or a yearly plan with Shopify. Selling on a platform such as Shopify can diversify your business reach and reap the benefits faster than others.
Sell Stickers on Etsy
The benefit of selling stickers on Etsy is that it already has a following of buyers who regularly visit the site to look for craft products, stationary and handmade goods. If you have well-designed product pages, potential customers can find your stickers quickly, as people are already browsing on Etsy for stickers.
However, Etsy comes at a price. You will be charged a $0.20 listing fee that renews every time a new product is added. Etsy then takes a 5% commission and adds an additional cost for the transaction when a sale is made using a basic account.
Etsy is fairly easy to set up, but there aren't many customization options available to make your site stand out from other creators. So make sure your storefront is optimized with detailed product descriptions containing keywords, high-quality product images, and customer-friendly checkout and shipping procedures.
Sell Stickers through RedBubble
Selling stickers can be easy with Redbubble because you don't have to produce and mail the stickers yourself. You can post your designs for free to the shared marketplace on websites like Redbubble. Every time a consumer makes a purchase, the website prints and sends the item to the buyer on your behalf. You only need to cover the product's manufacturing expenses.
Redbubble does a lot of the legwork for you when it comes to selling stickers online, but you'll have very little control over how they're made or delivered. This could make it challenging to stand out from the competitors as a result. Redbubble also takes a small amount from your revenues in exchange for producing and delivering the goods to clients; hence your profit margins will be reduced. Marketplaces such as Redbubble could be helpful platforms to test a few designs and to see whether they attract attention.
But, simply creating an online store will not guarantee you any sales. There are certain ways you can push your store to attract more customers and more sales. Here are seven ways you can expand your online business and sell stickers online like a pro:
How To Price & Ship Stickers For The Global Market
Popular online sticker brands price basic stickers between $2 to $6, while larger or more intricate designs may fetch a higher price.
For example, Steekly is a Shopify merchant that sells custom MacBook stickers, and their price starts at $7.99 for a single sticker. To obtain a rough sense of how to price your collection competitively, it's a good idea to look at other sticker businesses and compare their prices and sticker sizes to your own.
The price of your labor, materials, and packing must also be considered. Aspects like experience and artistic ability should be taken into account as well. When you first start out, check the market to make sure your pricing remains within a predetermined range.
Custom MacBook stickers from Steekly
Shipping costs can vary greatly depending on the destination and the weight and size of your package. Make sure you factor in these costs when you’re setting your prices.
If you are shipping globally, make sure you’re aware of any taxes or customs fees that may apply to your shipment. This will help you to determine the most cost-effective way to ship your stickers.
To protect your stickers during shipping, make sure they’re packaged securely. Use a sturdy box with plenty of packing material to ensure your stickers arrive in perfect condition.
Conclusion
With some research, creativity, and dedication, it is possible to make a successful online sticker business from scratch. It's crucial to find the right platform and market your stickers in the right way. Scaling up your sticker business doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With the right strategies and a bit of creativity, you can create a successful online sticker business that is profitable and enjoyable.
Start by building your online presence, create unique and creative sticker designs, and use a variety of marketing tactics to reach your target customers. Soon, you can become the go-to place for stickers and grow your business to a successful and profitable level.
