How to make sticker sheets (easy DIY guide)

Making your own sticker sheets sounds fun until you try lining everything up and printing, only for the cuts to go wrong. Maybe the stickers print too small, the cuts are off, or your designs look pixelated on paper. It’s frustrating when something that should be simple turns into a waste of ink, paper, and time.

But once you know the right size, format, and setup, making sticker sheets at home is actually easy. You can use a Cricut or just scissors and a printer. You can design the sticker sheets yourself or download designs from the internet. We’ll walk you through what you need and how to do it.

What you’ll need

To make your own sticker sheets, you don’t need much. But having the right tools makes everything easier. Here’s what you’ll want to have on hand:

• Design software

Canva (free and easy), Procreate (for drawing), or Illustrator/Photoshop (for more control)

• Printer

Any inkjet or laser printer will work, but inkjet tends to give better colour for stickers

• Sticker paper

Matte, glossy, or vinyl, just make sure it’s compatible with your printer

• Cutting tool

Scissors or a craft knife if you’re hand-cutting, or a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette

• Cutting mat

If using a Cricut, go for a LightGrip mat to keep your paper in place without tearing

Step 1: Sticker design – how to make your own sheet

This is where the fun begins. Whether you’re drawing everything from scratch or dragging and dropping ready-made graphics, the key is to keep your design clean, sized properly, and easy to cut.

Choose your software

You can design your sticker sheet with just about any graphic tool, but here’s what we recommend based on experience level:

• Canva – perfect for beginners. Easy to use and free
• Procreate or Affinity Photo – great if you want to draw your own stickers
• Illustrator or Photoshop – best for full control, custom cut lines, and professional-level edits

See sticker sheet ideas if you want inspiration.

Create or upload your art

You can draw your own designs or use pre-made elements—it’s up to you. Just make sure you’re working with high-quality images.

• Stick to PNG files with transparent backgrounds for best results
• Avoid low-resolution or blurry graphics

Tip: Simple designs cut better. Thin lines or overly complex shapes can confuse your cutting machine or look messy when printed

Arrange on your sheet

Once your art is ready, start laying everything out on your sheet.

• If you’re using Cricut’s Print & Cut feature, your design must fit within 17.1 cm × 23.5 cm
• To be safe, stick with 15 cm × 22.5 cm or 10 cm × 15 cm sheets
• Leave at least 0.3 cm of space between each sticker to make cutting easier

Optional: Use alignment tools or grids to help space things evenly—it’ll save you a headache later.

See perfect sticker sheet sizes.

Step 2: Add cut lines for a clean kiss cut

To turn your designs into actual stickers, you’ll need to define where the cut goes. That means either adding a white outline or setting up cut lines, depending on how you plan to cut your sheet.

For Cricut or a cutting machine

Cricut and similar machines need a clear shape to follow, and a white border helps guide the cut.

• Use the Offset tool in Cricut Design Space or your design app to add a border around each sticker
• Make sure the outline is solid. Avoid soft edges, shadows, or semi-transparent pixels
• Once your borders are added, group your designs and use the Attach tool so Cricut keeps them together during cutting

Tip: Cutting machines do best with solid, closed shapes. Patterns, textures, or fuzzy outlines can confuse the blade and lead to messy cuts.

For hand-cutting

If you’re cutting by hand, a light outline makes things easier without blending into the paper.

• Add a soft pastel-coloured border (instead of white) to help you see where to cut
• Keep designs simple and avoid thin, tiny shapes. They’re hard to cut neatly and might tear

Step 3: Download your file

Before you print anything, it’s important to save your design in the right format and quality. The wrong settings can lead to blurry prints, jagged cuts, or colours that look way off.

If you’re using a cutting machine

• Save your file as a PNG with a transparent background
• Set the resolution to 300 dpi and the colour mode to RGB (which works best for Cricut and Silhouette software)
• Avoid flattening the image unless required by your design software

If you’re cutting by hand

• Save your design as a PDF or PNG at 300 dpi, but switch to CMYK for better colour accuracy when printed
• Make sure outlines and designs are clearly visible. There’s no “undo” once it’s on paper

Quick tip

Always double-check that your file is 300 dpi. If not, your stickers could come out pixelated or blurry. Also check the real-world size (in cm or inches), not just the pixel dimensions.

Step 4: Print your sheet

Now that your design is ready, it’s time to print. Don’t skip the settings, getting this right makes a big difference.

• Use your system print dialog instead of the design app’s default print menu. This lets you set things like paper type and print quality
• Match your settings to your sticker paper (e.g. glossy, matte, vinyl)
• Always do a test print on regular paper first to check size, layout, and colours
• If using Cricut, turn off “Add Bleed”—it can throw off your cut alignment

Step 5: Cut your stickers

Time to bring your sticker sheet to life. Whether you're using a Cricut or a trusty pair of scissors, here’s how to get clean, accurate cuts.

Cut your project using Cricut Design Space

• Open Cricut Design Space and upload your PNG
• Select Print then Cut as the image type
• Place your printed sheet on a LightGrip mat, top left corner
• Set material to Washi Sheet for kiss cuts, or Light Cardstock if doing die cuts
• Press Go and let Cricut handle the rest

Tip: If you’re unsure about pressure or cut settings, test on a small corner first.

Cutting by hand

• Use sharp scissors or a craft knife
• Cut just outside the sticker’s border (especially if you added outlines)
• Skip intricate inner cuts, they’re difficult by hand and usually not worth it

You don’t need a Cricut to make great stickers. Hand-cutting takes longer, but it works just fine for small batches or simple shapes.

Extra tips for better sticker sheets

Once you’ve got the basics down, these quick wins can make your sticker sheets look more professional, especially if you’re planning to sell them.

• Add small filler elements like stars, dots, or icons to fill gaps and use every bit of space
• Group designs by theme or colour to make each sheet feel cohesive
• Always test print before running a full batch
• Use light-coloured outlines (like pale pink or grey) if you’re hand-cutting—they’re easier to see than white
• Selling your sheets? Add your shop name or logo in a corner—it’s subtle branding that goes a long way

Want custom sticker sheets without the work?

Designing and cutting your own stickers is satisfying, but it can be time-consuming, especially if you're making large batches or prepping them for your shop. There’s also the mess of printer errors, cutting issues, or running out of paper mid-project.

If you'd rather skip the setup and still get high-quality, personalised sticker sheets, Sticker it can help. You can upload your designs (as full sheets or individual stickers), and we’ll turn them into custom kiss-cut sheets on premium vinyl. They’re professionally printed, weatherproof, and precisely cut. Free proofs included, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

FAQs

What type of sticker paper works best for printing at home?

For home printing, choose sticker paper that matches your printer type. Inkjet printers work best with matte or glossy paper, while some laser printers require heat-resistant paper. If you’re using a cutting machine, opt for Cricut brand sticker paper or vinyl that supports kiss cuts. Always check whether the paper works with transparent backgrounds if your sticker design needs it.

Can I use a sticker maker instead of a Cricut or scissors?

Yes, a sticker maker like the Xyron is great for simple custom sticker sheets. It doesn’t cut shapes like a Cricut, but it’s ideal if you’ve already hand-cut your designs or only need rectangular sticker sheets. For more complex shapes or individual stickers, a Cricut or Silhouette gives you more flexibility and better cutting features.

How do I set up a Cricut Print job without messing up the alignment?

To set up a Cricut Print job properly, open Cricut Design Space and upload your image as a PNG with a transparent background. Select “Print then Cut” as your image type, and make sure the design fits within the allowed sheet size (approximately 17cm x 23.5cm). Turn off “Add Bleed” in the settings and use a LightGrip mat when cutting to avoid shifting.

What’s the best way to cut a sheet with multiple small stickers?

If you’re using a Cricut to cut a project with small designs, group your artwork and use the Attach tool in Design Space. Use a kiss cut setting (like “Washi Sheet”) so only the top layer is cut. If cutting by hand, print your custom stickers with clear white borders to guide your scissors. Keep at least 3mm of space between each design to prevent tearing.

Can I fit all my designs on one sheet without crowding them?

Yes! When creating custom sticker sheets, it’s all about layout. Use alignment tools in your design software to keep spacing even and ensure your sticker designs don’t touch. Most people stick to sheet sizes around 10cm x 15cm or 15cm x 23cm. Leave space between each individual sticker and double-check your file dimensions before printing.