How to Design Stickers From Scratch
How I Design My Stickers: From Idea to Final Sticker
If you've ever wondered how my cute and colourful stickers come to life at Arttay Designs, you're in the right place! Every sticker is handmade with love right here in our little studio office and today I’m taking you behind the scenes of the entire process, from illustration to shipping.
Whether you’re a fellow sticker lover or just curious about how handmade stickers are created, here’s how I turn an idea into a high-quality final product.
Step 1: Designing on My iPad
All of my sticker designs start on my iPad using Procreate. This is where I sketch and illustrate fun characters, bright colour palettes, and playful designs that match the Arttay Designs vibe. I love drawing cute animals, quirky objects, and anything that makes you smile! Graphic design is my passion.
Once the illustration is done, I add a white outline around the design to create the die-cut edge. This gives the sticker that classic sticker shape with a clean border, ready for printing and cutting.
Step 2: Sizing and Layout in Cricut Design Space
After finishing the design, I upload it into Cricut Design Space to plan out the best sizing. I arrange multiple stickers on one sheet so that each print is efficient and ready to go. I take care to make sure the design isn’t too big or too small, just the right size to pop on laptops, water bottles, journals, or wherever you love to stick them.
Step 3: Printing with Quality Materials
All of our stickers are printed in-house using our Epson ET-2820 inkjet printer, paired with Avarrix high-quality vinyl sticker paper. This paper is known for its smooth finish and excellent print quality. After printing, I add a protective laminate layer to each sticker sheet, this makes the stickers more durable, long-lasting, and water-resistant.
Step 4: Cutting with the Cricut Maker 3
Once laminated, the sticker sheets go into my Cricut Maker 3, which carefully cuts around the edge of each design. This gives us clean, professional-looking stickers with that crisp die-cut shape. It’s super satisfying seeing the final result after this step — the characters really come to life!
Check out this behind-the-scenes video of me making stickers here:
🎥 Watch on TikTok
Step 5: Eco-Friendly Packaging
Once the stickers are ready, I carefully package each order in glassine bags, which are a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic. I also include a backing card with each set of stickers, this helps keep them safe, flat, and protected during shipping. It prevents bending and ensures your stickers arrive in perfect condition, ready to use or gift.
Why I Love Making Handmade Stickers
One of my favourite parts of running Arttay Designs is seeing an idea go from a simple sketch on my iPad to a finished sticker ready to brighten someone’s day. Every design starts with something that inspires me, whether it’s a cute animal, a fun colour palette, or a quirky concept that makes me smile.
I love that handmade stickers let me combine my passion for graphic design and illustration with products that people can actually use and enjoy. There’s something so rewarding about creating stickers that customers can place on their laptops, water bottles, journals, and planners to show off their personality.
Because I design, print, cut, and package every sticker myself, I’m able to ensure each one meets my quality standards before it leaves my studio. From choosing durable vinyl materials to carefully packaging each order, every step is done with care and attention to detail.
For me, stickers are more than just decorations, they’re little pieces of art designed to bring joy, colour, and creativity into everyday life.