How To Make Quality Stickers At Home With A Printer | StickerShop

Homemade stickers are a great way to get organised. You can custom label everything from storage jars to moving boxes. Or print your own shipping labels and change of address stickers. If you only need a few stickers, printing them yourself could save money and let you preview custom designs. 

Want to find out more about creating quality stickers at home? At StickerShop, we're happy to share our expertise to help you make short work of sticker printing!

A summary of how to print your own quality stickers at home using your printer:

1. Create your document
2. Choose your paper (wisely!)
3. Select the highest print quality and the correct paper settings.
4. Always print out a test sheet using plain paper so you can adjust the design without using up your sticker sheets
5. Load your printer with sticker paper
6. Adjust the printer settings if necessary (tips here)
7. Ensure that the paper fits properly and isn’t mishappen by the printer width lever
8. Print the design templates
9. Allow a few seconds for the ink to dry before touching the stickers

Create a document 

You've had the design inspo. Now you need to translate that into a printable file. It's essential to get this step right because printing fails can be costly.

Start by creating a template: 

• If you want to get creative with graphics, you can use an online sticker maker like Canva or Adobe.
• If you need a simple address style label, create a template in Word using Label Options or design a printable table.

Once you're happy with your design, it's time to move on and choose your sticker material.

Choose your paper wisely

The most common types of stickers are paper and vinyl. Knowing more about them will help you choose the correct sticker paper for the best results.

Paper stickers are the most common type of sticker paper. They're ultra-affordable and come in various shapes and sizes, including whole sticker sheets, rectangular labels and more elaborate pre-cut shapes. If you decide to use sheet stickers, think about how you'll cut them for the best results.

Paper labels are perfect for personal business use or adding personality to your jars and bottles. If you love to make homemade gifts of pickles and preserves, paper labels make a lovely finishing touch. However, it's worth bearing in mind that paper labels aren't waterproof, so they won't stand up to prolonged or outdoor use.

Vinyl stickers are the most durable stickers out there. So if you're looking for long-lasting labels with a more polished and professional finish, vinyl sticker paper is a great choice. 

How can I print stickers at home?

Most printers can handle printing homemade stickers, but they'll need to be capable of print resolutions of at least 1200dpi for the best results. If your design requires tonal variation and dynamic colour range, look for a six colour printer.

Printing stickers at home is straightforward if you follow a few simple steps (see our blog post on how to set up your printer to print labels here).

• Make sure you buy the right sticker paper for your printer. Look out for inkjet printer stickers or laser printer stickers for best results. 

• Check your ink cartridges are suitable for printing stickers.

• Select the highest print quality and the correct paper settings.

• Always print out a test sheet using plain paper so you can adjust the design without using up your sticker sheets.

Home printing vs professional sticker printing

Homemade stickers are fantastic for getting your home organised or personalising gifts. If you're a small business, they can be a good choice when you're just starting out and only need a few product labels before orders take off. 

Printing your own labels is ideal for seasonal items and test runs. And you only print what you need, letting you control your costs.

But when your reputation matters, and you want to make the best first impression, you need a professional print service. 

At StickerShop, you're free to create the perfect stickers and labels, including waterproof, metallic and transparent stickers with superior printing and ink adhesion. Die cut sticker printing is much more accurate and efficient when done using our industrial grade printers, too.

Because we use the best printers available, your professionally printed stickers will easily outlast homemade ones. And with no hidden charges and free UK delivery, our custom stickers are a fantastic cost-effective choice.

Shop online now, or get in touch and we'll be more than happy to help!