How to Turn Your Digital Designs into Stickers
So many artists are turning their digital art into stickers, and while it might seem tricky at first, it's really not that hard once you get the hang of it! I’m here to break down the steps and share how I do it—hopefully, this guide will make the process clearer for you too.
Step 1: Choose a Printing Service
There are several different ways you can print your stickers. It is a good idea to look up printing options before you start with your designs, so you don’t have to redo anything in case it doesn’t match the design guidelines.
There are a few routes you can take. Dropshipping services like Redbubble or Society6 handle everything from printing to packing and shipping, which is super convenient.
However, a downside is you won’t get to check the quality before it reaches your customers, and you miss out on designing custom packaging in your own style.
If you want more control, ordering in bulk to pack and ship yourself is a great option. It’s a bit pricier upfront, but the quality is usually better, and you can add that personal touch to your packaging.
DIY printing with a Cricut and home printer is another option. While it gives you complete creative freedom, the results are often less durable, and both the printer and Cricut can be finicky. Plus, ink costs add up fast!
Personally, I like ordering matte premium stickers with die-cut and custom shapes. As a small shop, I usually order 50 pieces at a time, but the more you order, the cheaper each sticker becomes!
Step 2: Design Your Stickers
When designing your stickers, the first step is choosing your software. I use Procreate on my iPad for creating my digital art, but many artists prefer Adobe Illustrator on their desktops. For a successful print, start with a high-resolution canvas set to 300 DPI.
This ensures your stickers are crisp and vibrant. Be cautious of setting your canvas at a higher DPI, like 500, as it can make your stickers look grainy.
Next, remember that many printing services require files to be in CMYK color mode, while digital art is typically created in RGB. You can either set up your canvas in CMYK from the start (which is tricky to change later) or create your design in RGB and convert it to CMYK later. This conversion can sometimes shift colors, so it's wise to adjust as needed.
Mock-ups are incredibly helpful for seeing how your colors will look in print, as stickers often turn out slightly different from what you see on screen—purple and gold can be particularly tricky to match.
Finally, save your design in a high-quality format that works for printing. JPEG, PNG (with a transparent background), or PDF for vector designs are great choices. Ensure your file is the correct size and optimized for the printing service you're using to avoid any surprises.
Step 3: Ordering your Stickers
When it’s time to place your order, you’ll need to make a few choices. Decide on the quantity of stickers you want and whether you want them die-cut or in a standard shape.
You can also choose between different finishes, like glossy or matte, depending on the look you’re going for.
Upload your designs, making sure everything matches the printing service’s specifications—some services might have you upload designs after payment, while others do it in the next step.
Once you’ve finalized your choices and uploaded your designs, place your order and wait for your stickers to arrive!
If you want to follow along with my creative journey, check out my social media profile @shadowbloom_art for updates, tips, and my latest projects.
And when it comes to packaging, I love adding cute touches to make everything feel special—I'll share more on that soon! I’d also love to see your clay pins, so feel free to tag me in your creations!
