How to make your own stickers with tape

You don’t need a sticker machine or special supplies for making stickers at home. With just a piece of tape, baking paper, and copier paper, you can make your own stickers in minutes. 

It’s a simple craft that works with both your own drawings and printed designs. It’s a fun way to get creative with your kids or on your own. Since it only takes a few steps, this method is a perfect low-cost craft for all age levels and can be done with materials found around the house. It’s also such a fun craft for rainy days, school projects, or DIY gifts.

Who can do this?

Making your own stickers is a fun craft that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. With just a few simple steps, you can create your own unique stickers using parcel tape, baking paper, and your own drawings. This perfect low-cost craft is a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression, and can be used to decorate notebooks, handmade cards, and envelopes.

What you’ll need besides tape to make DIY stickers

To make your own stickers at home, you’ll need a few basic materials. Most are things you likely already have. You can use printed designs or your own drawings, and swap some tools depending on what you have on hand.

Baking paper (or greaseproof paper as an alternative) – a sheet of this will act as a non-stick layer.

Base materials

• Clear tape (parcel tape or wide transparent tape)
  
  
• Baking paper (or greaseproof paper as an alternative)
  
  
• Scissors
  
  
• Copier paper, photo paper, or lightweight printable paper
  
  
• A printer (if you’re not drawing by hand) – you can print any image you like to use as your sticker design.
  
  

Decorating tools

• Coloured pencils
  
  
• Coloured markers
  
  
• Pens, highlighters, or crayons
  
  
• Sticker sheets (optional – browse our sticker sheets)
  
  

These tools will help you create cute and charming designs for your stickers.

Optional extras

• Glue stick (to help attach drawings to tape)
  
  
• Ruler or card (to press down and remove air)
  
  
• Tracing paper (for transferring designs or outlines)
  
  
• Printable clip art or downloaded designs
  
  

This method works with both hand-drawn and digital designs. If you're drawing, use your own sticker design directly on the copier paper. If you want to print instead, make sure to set your printer to a normal setting and avoid ink-heavy images unless you plan to seal them.

7 easy steps to create your own sticker with tape

You can make homemade stickers in just a few minutes using simple craft materials. These steps are easy enough for children but fun for adults too. Whether you're using your own drawings or print images, this is a fun way to create unique stickers with no mess and no sticker paper.

1. Draw or print your sticker design

Use coloured markers, coloured pencils, or pens to draw your pictures on copier paper. You can also print something from your computer: a name, a logo, or your favourite character. Tip: Doodles, quotes, or fandom art are all great choices.

2. Cut out the design

Cut around your drawing, leaving a small white border. This makes the edges look cleaner. Avoid cutting complex shapes too closely, especially if you're just starting out.

3. Prepare the backing

Lay your cut-out design on a piece of baking paper. This acts as a non-stick layer so you can peel the sticker off later. Tracing paper or greaseproof paper also works.

4. Add the first tape layer

Stick a strip of tape directly onto the baking paper, sticky side down. Make sure there are no air bubbles or dust so the design sticks well. If your design is large, overlap strips slightly to cover the whole area.

5. Place the design on the tape

Put your cut-out design, which you created, face-up on the tape. Make sure it’s flat and centred. Use a glue stick if the paper curls or lifts.

6. Seal with the second tape layer

Add another layer of tape on top, sticky side down. Press down slowly with a card or your fingers to remove air bubbles.

7. Cut out the final sticker

Cut around your design again, this time going through all layers. Leave a thin border of tape (around 6 mm). This clear edge helps the sticker stay sealed and hold its shape.

Few tips when making stickers with tape

A few small missteps can affect your homemade stickers. Here are some things to watch out for:

• Air bubbles. These can form between tape layers and make your sticker look uneven. Use a card or ruler to press the tape down smoothly.
  
  
• Inkjet prints. These may smudge or blur if the tape doesn’t seal them well. If you're using an inkjet printer, let the ink dry fully before taping.
  
  
• Water exposure. These stickers are water-resistant, not waterproof. If you plan to use them on bottles or outdoors, test one first. You can also try sealing them with an extra layer of tape or clear spray.
  
  
• Avoid very complex shapes or fine cuts at first. The tape can lose grip if the edges are too thin or sharp.
  

Homemade sticker ideas

There are many different ideas for homemade stickers, from using coloured pencils and markers to create unique designs, to printing images on paper and transferring them to parcel tape. You can also use tracing paper to create intricate designs and patterns. The possibilities are endless, and with a few tips and tricks, you can create your own stickers that are both fun and professional-looking. Some great ideas for homemade stickers include creating custom labels for gifts, decorating notebooks and journals, and making handmade cards and envelopes. Done, your DIY stickers are ready to use. They stick well to smooth, clean surfaces and are a fun craft to personalise your stuff.

Here are a few ideas:

• Decorate notebooks, folders, or journals
  
  
• Add to water bottles or flasks (just remember they’re only water-resistant).
  
  
• Customise phone cases, laptops, or gift wrap
  
  
• Use them to seal envelopes or make handmade cards
  
  

These stickers are semi-permanent. They hold up to light use but may peel over time if exposed to water or rough handling. To make them last longer, seal them with extra tape or a clear spray.

It’s a fun and interactive activity that children will love — from creating to trading their designs. They can also use them in scrapbooks or even sell them at school fairs as a craft idea.

Want something more durable? Check out our custom stickers for weatherproof, long-lasting options.

Happy crafting!