Intro

So you may be asking “It’s cool and all that you have your shit aggregated for people to download but these are meant to be stickers! It doesn’t look like I can order them from you so am I supposed to just make my own?” To which the answer is a very loud YES! Making stickers is a fun but simple process and since we both know why this page exists and why you’re on it, let’s get down to brass tacks.

What do I need?

Access to a printer

Can be just a regular inkjet or a laser printer, but you need access to one and the ability to insert your own paper. Preferably not a Hewlett-Packard (HP) brand printer cos god do they suck ass. bloatware like crazy and barely work in proper condition. Printers can get expensive so I’m not saying you should go out right now and buy one just because I said you need one. Consider printing at work if able. like if you have a cubicle with a printer, you can try using that.

Sticker Paper

This can be done by going to your local staples or office supply store with $30. They have some decent paper-based sticker paper meant for labels n shit but a lot of people like myself use vinyl based paper from online at the amazon or brands like cricut might sell the stuff at an arts n crafts shop near you. Just getting the paper is what’s most important though.

Preservation film/Laminating materials

Now this part I haven’t exactly narrowed down to a science just yet but I’ll give you options. You can either go online or to aforementioned crafts stores and pick up a roll of adhesive vinyl, or sink the money into a thermal laminator. Currently I do the former because it’s cheaper than the latter. However, the vinyl layer doesn’t protect against sunlight, so your shit will fade in time. If you’re going to use the sheet method, I recommend also getting a wallpaper smoother from the hardware store.

Cricut Cutter (optional)

Cricut is a brand that sells relevant arts n crafts stuff and they make machines that autocut papers based on patterns you feed into them. I just use my scissors and patience though. it’s a matter of preference and money.

Putting it all together

So now that you have the stuff, it’s a simple process. First, you need to know a bit about how your printer works. On your sticker paper there is an important difference between the two sides – one is adhesive and covered by a wax paper that you peel off before applying, and the other holds the design. You want the design side to feed through the printer and face up when it reaches the print-head. I tend to figure this out with a test print of like the ink test or alignment sheet, and I mark the top of the paper in the tray as “this side up” beforehand. When it comes out, you can look at it and know that if the printed on side doesn’t have that writing, put the sticker paper in with the adhesive side facing you.

Next after loading the sticker paper, just set up your designs in your word processor and send it to the printer. I recommend using narrow margins.

Here’s where the vinyl comes in. You want to cut off a sheet that’ll cover up the sheet you just printed. You’ll need a flat surface to lay the sheets on and start peeling a little bit of the vinyl off of the adhesive cover, applying it to the top of the stickers. Don’t peel the whole thing yet, just the top so you can give it a bit of purchase on the stickers. Take the wallpaper smoother and start peeling off more of the vinyl onto the stickers, smoothing it as you go. You might still get some air bubbles which is fine, just take a knife and pop em. Use the smoother to try and push the bubbles away from the sticker face if you can before popping them and push the air out with it too.

All that’s left is cutting out the stickers!