Let's Make a Sticker Together Part 1 - Materials You'll Need
Stickers are everywhere—on laptops, water bottles, lunch boxes, gifts, etc. The best part? You don’t have to buy them from a store—you can actually make your own stickers at home!
Let's Start with Materials
➡️Quick note: I’ve added links to some of the products I use. Just to be completely transparent—if you purchase through those Amazon links, I earn a small percentage (at no extra cost to you!). It helps support my little shop and keeps me creating.
Here’s what you’ll want to gather before you start: 🌟
Inkjet or Laser Color Printer
To print your designs in full color. You can use any brand you like, but I personally settled on the Epson Ecotank ET-4850 because the ink lasts a long time and you can simply refill it instead of buying new cartridges. I bought mine at Costco (and they sell the refill inks too).
Vinyl sticker paper
This is what gives your stickers durability and that professional look. Here are a few brands I’ve tried and liked:
- Onlinelabels Matte Sticker Paper
- Teckwrap Inkjet Vinyl Sticker
- Holographic Laminating Stickers Pack
- Silhouette Printable Vinyl Sticker Papers
- JOYEZA
- Small Smile
A bunch of people recommended Koala to me too, but I never got around to testing them myself.
Tip 👉: If you’re just starting out, you can request a free sample sticker sheet from Onlinelables.com to test their paper.
Also, keep in mind:
- If you’re using an inkjet printer, buy sticker sheets labeled as “inkjet.”
- If you’re using a laser printer, get “laser-compatible” sheets.
Lamination (optional but recommended)
Vinyl paper itself is waterproof, but the ink from inkjets or laserjets is not. That means your stickers could smear if they get wet. Laminating your stickers protects them and makes them last longer—especially if they’ll go on water bottles or lunch boxes.
The Teckwrap Inkjet Vinyl Sticker and Holographic Laminating Stickers Pack I mentioned earlier includes both the paper and self-adhesive laminating sheets, which makes things easy. If you prefer buying separately, I’ve also used:
Personally, I prefer precut sheets over rolls because they save time and hassle.
Cutting machine
A cutting machine makes things feel truly professional. A Cricut, Silhouette, or Siser will give you clean, precise cuts.
I use a Silhouette Cameo 5 and I had no trouble learning the software, but I always recommend doing some research before investing to see which machine best fits your plans. If a holiday is coming up, keep an eye out for sales—I snagged mine during a Black Friday deal!
No cutting machine? No problem!
If you’re not ready to invest in a cutting machine, you can absolutely start with a pair of scissors or a craft knife. Just make sure to use a self-healing mat to protect your work surface and get cleaner cuts.
Making stickers at home is not only fun, but it’s also a great way to express your creativity. With just a few tools and some imagination, you can turn your art into something tangible, useful, and shareable.
When you’re done gathering all the materials, join me in Part 2 where we’ll dive into the fun stuff—designing, printing, and cutting your very first stickers! 💛✨
