Have you read about the power of custom printed stickers and labels, and are ready to try them out? Would you like to print your stickers at home, but are unsure how to go about this? Or are you on the hunt for some actionable tips that can help you create the perfect custom stickers?
We are here to help you with exactly that. Below, you will find the best tips on how to print your custom packaging stickers and labels at home, including all the gear you need and some important design tips and tricks. Sounds good? Then let us get straight to it.
1. Create your favorite designs
Your design is the foundation of your stickers, so you want to make sure that you print the highest possible quality. If you are a professional designer, this is probably not a problem for you. However, if you are completely new to this, creating high-resolution artwork can sound a little tricky.
But do not worry, there are plenty of free platforms available that allow you to do that or even to create an entire design from scratch, using elements of high resolution. Platforms like Canva are amazing and only take a few minutes to master.
On top of that, there are a few things you want to keep in mind when creating your design:
- Each letter should be at least 1.2 mm high. This ensures that your text will print legibly.
- If you are using an image, 300 dpis is a good benchmark. Images consist of little dots, so-called pixels. The more dots an image has per inch, the higher the quality.
- The colors you are using should be in the printer-friendly CMYK color code. This stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Changing the color gamut used on your computer means that you can see how your design will look when printed.
2. Choose the right material
If you want to print stickers and labels at home, you need adhesive-backed material that will fit into your printer. Such materials can easily be found on big websites like Amazon. But knowing what you are looking for can save you a lot of time.
The perfect material for you depends on the surface you want to apply your stickers to, the look you are after and on how resistant you would like your stickers to be. Depending on how you answer these questions, you can either go for custom vinyl stickers or paper-based stickers.
Traditionally, stickers are made from vinyl. Vinyl stickers are not only super popular but incredibly versatile. They resist water, sunlight and scratches, which makes them ideal for indoor and outdoor uses. However, if you are after a more environmentally friendly option, paper stickers are the perfect alternative. They are generally less resistant, but decompose completely within 12 weeks.
3. Get printing
As soon as you are happy with your designs and your ideal material has arrived, you can start printing your stickers. A simple desktop printer is all you need to print your stickers. You just want to make sure that it will take the material without melting it.
Should you not have a printer or are looking to invest in one for your sticker printing needs, we have two recommendations for you. The perfect entry-level printer is the Epson XP-7100. It does that job and comes in at around $300. If you are looking for something more professional, have a look at the Canon PIXMA PRO-100S for $530.
Especially if you are planning to set up your own sticker shop and want to do most of your printing at home, an investment like this can really help you create vibrant colors and achieve the highest print quality.
4. Cut them to shape
Then it is time to get the scissors out. If you are after die cut stickers, scissors can absolutely do the trick. For simple label shapes, we recommend looking into pre-cut sheets as these can save you a lot of time. Usually you can find them in a variety of colors, including transparent vinyl to create amazing clear labels.
A custom shape can be trickier to find and can become a scissor job. Try to keep your cut line as simple as possible, so you can easily cut your stickers without damaging them. This way, you can create your own die cut stickers within minutes.
And that is all you need to know if you want to print your own stickers at home. We hope you enjoyed this article and are ready to get started. Should you have any other questions or tips you would like to share, please do so in the comment section.
