Find out in this article how to design, produce and sell stickers online. Follow these simple steps and turn your creativity into a profitable business.
A selection of stickers to sell
On this page
Why make stickers to sell?
How to design stickers to sell
Types of stickers to sell
How to make stickers to sell
How to sell stickers on the Internet
How to price stickers
Sticker Marketing
How to send the stickers
Make Money From Your Passion: Create a Successful Sticker Business
FAQ on how to make stickers to sell
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Remember when you were a kid and you canadaphone used to collect stickers to put all over your folders and pencil cases?
Stickers are still going strong, with a market estimate of around $51 billion , and have become a popular way to start a small business. They are currently all the rage on online marketplaces like Etsy and are a fun way to express your personality on the cheap.
Unlike bubble gum stickers, the ones you can now buy online are unique, high-quality works of art that span all genres and styles.
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Whether you stick them on laptops, phone cases or notebooks, there are many ways to use them to decorate everyday objects. And for entrepreneurs, setting up a sticker shop is an easy, accessible and affordable business idea .
If you're already an artist, turning your work into stickers is a simple process. And if you're new, the barrier to entry is low—the only limiting factor is your creativity.
Compared to other types of businesses, sticker shops are a relatively affordable and easy way to get started as an entrepreneur .
In this guide you will understand the advantages of making stickers to sell, how to design and print them, where to sell them and some ideas for marketing them. You will also learn from two sticker shop owners who have had success with their own online businesses.
Why make stickers to sell?
The possibilities for stickers are endless. Any piece of art, whether it's an illustration, handwritten lettering, or a photograph, can become a sticker. You can make them any size or shape and add special finishes, such as transparent backgrounds or holographic glitter effects.
If you want to make and sell stickers online, there’s sure to be a market for them. According to eRank , which tracks trending items on Etsy, “stickers” was the fifth most searched item on the marketplace in November 2024.
Stickers are used to express individuality and different interests, so you are sure to find a buyer for your style, it just depends on your creativity.
Ilona Lin is the owner of MilkteaNco , a stationery store that launched in 2020 selling stickers featuring adorable kawaii -style designs . Ilona was working in sales before deciding to pursue her love of art and open a sticker shop full-time.
“Reaching a sales quota was barely quenching my thirst for creativity.” Ilona opened her shop during COVID, while everyone was stuck at home. “I saw a lot of inspiring videos and stories of people starting their own business from home, and I realized that I now had the time and passion to do it.”
MilkteaNco Homepage
From a business cost perspective, sticker making materials are more affordable than other products and require little storage space for inventory.
If you use a print-on-demand service , stickers cost less than a euro each for small batches, and even less for large quantities.
If you print at home, stickers can be made to order, avoiding waste and overstock issues. Shipping is also easy, with most orders only requiring a rigid envelope.
Discover other home-based business ideas:
How to start a handmade soap business? Step-by-step guide
How to design stickers to sell
The hardest part about starting a sticker business is deciding exactly what your stickers will look like. With so many possibilities, your first challenge will be to define what your brand and style are, and then figure out how to optimize them for your stickers.
Find your niche and get inspired
With so many sticker shops out there, you have to figure out your own aesthetic. Ilona was inspired by her cat, Milkie, and created a cute cartoon version of him that she remixed and redesigned into different formats.
A selection of cartoon cat stickers, including cats on laptops and coffee mugs.
Christine Lee is the owner of Created by Christine . She chose to create stickers filled with good vibes and inspiring quotes. She also draws ideas from her day job as an elementary school teacher, and makes stickers for fellow educators.
As she says: “Positivity is a big thing for me, and it’s like my center of gravity in the classroom, so I’m always pulling out positive quotes.”
Think about what you already like to draw or create, as well as your own identity and personality.
Please note the following:
Your hobbies and interests
Your favorite artistic styles
Communities you belong to
What inspires you
What messages or symbols represent your personality?
Consider scalability as well. If your niche is too small, there will only be a small group of customers willing to buy your stickers.
You can also check out other sticker shops for inspiration, but never copy someone else's work. Unique work will make your business stand out and attract customers.