Stickers have a way of personalizing everything from a water bottle to a laptop lid. Turns out you don’t need a fancy machine or drawing skills to make them — just packing tape and paper will get you there. After teaching over 15,000 crafters worldwide how to make stickers, instructor Mim Jenkinson has validated several approaches that work with basic supplies (Mim Jenkinson Blog). Whether you have a printer or not, there’s a method here worth trying.

4 related posts

Common DIY supplies: packing tape, parchment paper, scissors ·
Tape method steps: 7 easy steps with tape ·
Popular equipment: Epson SureColor F170, Cricut Maker ·
Design tool: Canva free sticker creator ·
Tape backing prep: cut design, apply tape

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Boots printing availability (unverified)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Pick a method based on your tools
Key facts about DIY sticker methods
Field Value
Easiest method Packing tape transfer
Key supplies Parchment paper, scissors
Pro setup example Epson F170 + Cricut Maker
Design platform Canva sticker maker

How do you make your own stickers?

There are two basic routes: tape transfer and printing. The tape approach skips machines entirely — you build the sticker by hand using clear tape as both adhesive and protective coating. The printing route assumes access to a standard printer and special paper.

Tape transfer method

This is the most accessible entry point since it requires no equipment beyond household items. According to the DIY community at Instructables, you lay your design on a flat surface, cover it with packing tape (leaving extra on the sides), then press firmly with a ruler or the flat edge of scissors to seal the tape and minimize wrinkles (Instructables). The key is leaving a small border around the image when you cut — that keeps the paper attached to the tape backing (Instructables). Use lightweight sketch paper for floppy stickers or multimedia paper for stiffer results (Instructables).

Printing method

Draw or print your design on paper, color it if desired, then cover with clear packing tape to seal the artwork. Smooth out any air bubbles with a hard edge like a ruler (Mim Jenkinson Blog). The tape method works for journals, phone cases, and gifts with no drawing skills needed using Canva designs printed or drawn (YouTube DIY Stickers Tutorial).

Bottom line: Tape transfers give you a complete sticker — adhesive, backing, and protective layer — in four simple steps with materials you probably already have.

What equipment is needed to make stickers?

The answer depends entirely on which route you take. Tape methods need only basic supplies. Printer and machine methods open up more precision but add cost and complexity.

Basic home tools

For the tape-based approach, the essential supplies are straightforward: regular copy paper, clear sticky or packing tape, colored pens, scissors, and parchment or wax paper (Mim Jenkinson Blog). That’s five core items for a complete no-printer setup (Mim Jenkinson Blog). Recommended tape types include packing tape, clear sticky tape, and double-sided tape (Instructables).

Advanced printing gear

Step up to a dedicated printer and the options expand. Popular equipment includes the Epson SureColor F170 for dye-sublimation printing and the Cricut Maker for precision cutting. A heat press rounds out the pro setup for certain vinyl applications. For summary tape and vinyl options, the Stickerit blog covers what works with each approach (Stickerit Blog). The trade-off is clear: more precision costs more and requires more setup time.

Bottom line: You can make stickers with five household items or several hundred dollars of equipment — the method should match your volume and quality goals.

Can a regular printer make stickers?

Yes, with the right paper. Regular printers handle sticker paper just fine, though the results have trade-offs compared to hand-taped methods.

Pros and cons

The main advantages are affordability and convenience — most households already have a printer, and sticker paper costs very little per sheet. The durability is limited compared to sealed tape methods, but for indoor use or occasional decorations, it holds up adequately. Hand-cutting with scissors or a craft knife gives you precision control, especially for simple shapes. Tracing your design with a pencil first improves accuracy (Love from Mim).

Sticker paper requirements

Standard sticker paper works in most inkjet and laser printers. Matte, glossy, and clear options each give different finishes. If your printer handles standard copy paper, it will handle sticker paper — the weights are similar.

Bottom line: A regular printer extends your options for designs with complex graphics, but it trades the durability and waterproof qualities you get with the tape method.

Do you need a Cricut machine to make stickers?

No. Machines like Cricut make cutting easier and more precise, especially for intricate shapes, but they’re entirely optional. The tape method has been used for years without any cutting machine at all.

Alternatives to Cricut

Hand-cutting with scissors or a craft knife gives you complete control and requires no electricity. Square stickers are the easiest shapes to cut cleanly with scissors or a paper cutter for crisp edges (YouTube How I make stickers). Hand-cut stickers are the most traditional method using paper, scissors or craft knife (Love from Mim).

When Cricut helps

If you’re producing many stickers or cutting complex curves, a plotter saves significant time. But the key insight from crafters is that hand-cutting remains a perfectly valid minimalist approach — you trade speed for simplicity (What is Maven). The most common approaches are drawing on sticker paper or printing Canva designs and sealing with tape.

Bottom line: You don’t need a Cricut to make stickers. Hand-cutting works fine for small batches and simple shapes, and it’s the method most beginners start with.

How to make stickers at home without printer?

The tape method is specifically designed for this situation. You draw the design by hand, then build the sticker around it using tape as both seal and adhesive.

Tape method details

The Instructables community offers detailed tutorials on scratch sticker making. You use parchment or wax paper, scissors or an X-acto knife, tape (packing, double-sided, or masking), a ruler, and a hand-drawn or printed picture (Instructables). Prepare the sticker base with double-sided tape laid close without overlapping, then stick your picture on top (Instructables). Recycled plastic from cereal bags actually works better than wax paper because it doesn’t rip easily during tape application (Instructables).

Hand-drawn options

You can create stickers without any drawing skills by using design tools like Canva to generate graphics, then trace or transfer them onto paper before sealing with tape. This approach works for journals, phone cases, and gifts (YouTube DIY Stickers Tutorial). Multiple layering techniques add durability — from basic paper stickers to Extra-Sticky versions with two layers of tape on parchment.

Bottom line: You need only packing tape, parchment paper, scissors, colored pens, and regular paper — five items that cost almost nothing and require no machine.
The upshot

You can make stickers with scissors and paper alone — no Cricut, no plotter, no printer. Hand-cutting gives you full creative control, and the tape method makes waterproofing simple.

Why this matters

Multiple platforms now offer free sticker creation: WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat, and Canva all let you design custom graphics without advanced skills. Canva works across phones and computers as a free browser tool.

Upsides

  • Low cost — no machine needed
  • Quick to iterate and test designs
  • Tape method produces waterproof stickers
  • Works with or without a printer
  • Canva provides free design templates

Downsides

  • Hand-cutting limits production volume
  • Intricate shapes are harder to cut cleanly
  • Plotters add cost for larger batches
  • Printers need special paper for best results

How to make stickers for WhatsApp?

WhatsApp allows you to create and use custom sticker packs through supported apps. Third-party apps like Personal Stickers for WhatsApp let you turn photos into stickers directly on your phone. Draw a design, photograph it with the app, and the app processes it into a usable sticker. The core process is draw, seal with tape, photograph, and send.

How to make stickers on iPhone?

iPhone users can create stickers using the Photos app to cut out image subjects, which iOS automatically turns into stickers. For custom graphics, Canva’s free iPhone app lets you design stickers from scratch using templates. The method works the same way as the desktop version — design, print or transfer to paper, seal with tape, and cut.

How to make stickers on Android?

Android offers similar options through Google Photos (which has a subject cutout feature) and Canva’s Android app. Third-party sticker maker apps also convert photos to WhatsApp-compatible formats. The tape method works identically on Android — draw or print, seal with tape, and cut.

How to make stickers for Instagram?

Instagram’s built-in features let you save Reels and Stories as stickers or use photos as basis for custom graphics. Canva’s Android and iPhone apps work on mobile devices for design, then you print and seal with tape for physical stickers. The platform integration makes sharing straightforward.

How to make stickers for Snapchat?

Snapchat converts any photo into a sticker with one tap through the scissor tool. For more control, design in Canva and import into Snapchat. This is the fastest route to digital stickers on Snapchat — no tape or cutting required.

“After teaching over 15,000 crafters worldwide how to make stickers, I’ve discovered some amazingly simple ways.”

— Mim Jenkinson, Crafter and Instructor (Mim Jenkinson Blog)

“I have one on my water bottle that I put through the dishwasher probably a dozen times and it’s still stuck in perfect.”

— DIY Content Creator, Sticker Artist (YouTube How I make stickers)

Stickers are one of the simplest things to make and one of the most profitable small items you can produce. The most common approaches are drawing on sticker paper with sealing, or printing Canva designs and sealing with tape (Stickerit Blog). The tape method scales from a single hand-cut sticker to larger batches with plotter cutting.

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Additional sources

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DIY fans crafting stickers with printers or Cricut will appreciate the DIY Connections game guide, another inventive project using everyday materials.

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Frequently asked questions

What type of stickers are most profitable?

Simple, bold designs with broad appeal tend to sell best. The most profitable approach balances low production cost per unit with high perceived value — custom artwork stickers for businesses, events, or personal expression command premium prices. The tape method keeps material costs near zero for testing designs.

Can I print stickers at Boots?

Boots (UK) offers photo printing services, though sticker-specific printing availability varies by location. For consistent results, home printing with sticker paper or the tape method gives you more control than relying on retail print services.

How to make homemade stickers easily?

The simplest approach is the tape method: draw or print a design, seal it with clear packing tape, and cut around the edges. The most profitable stickers balance low production cost with visual appeal — test small batches before scaling up.

How to make stickers with a machine?

Load your design into the plotter software, adjust cut settings for your material, and let the machine cut. For the best results, seal printed designs with packing tape first to create a waterproof layer before cutting.

How to make stickers for WhatsApp?

WhatsApp allows you to create and use custom sticker packs through supported apps. Third-party apps let you turn photos into stickers directly on your phone. Draw a design, photograph it with the app, and the app processes it into a usable sticker.

How to make stickers on iPhone?

iPhone users can create stickers using the Photos app to cut out image subjects, which iOS automatically turns into stickers. For custom graphics, Canva’s free iPhone app lets you design stickers from scratch using templates.

How to make stickers for Instagram?

Instagram’s built-in features let you save Reels and Stories as stickers or use photos as basis for custom graphics. Canva’s mobile apps work on iPhone and Android for design, then you print and seal with tape for physical stickers.