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 on your own or get the designs from the internet. We’ll tell you what you need and how to do it!

What you’ll need

To make your own sticker sheets, you don’t need a lot. 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 works, but inkjet tends to give better color 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 pro-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 using low-resolution or blurry graphics.

Tip: Simple designs cut better. Very 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 6.75" x 9.25".
• To stay safe, stick with 6" x 9" or 4" x 6" sheets.
• Leave at least 0.125" of space between each sticker to make cutting cleaner.

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-colored 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 colors that look way off.

If you’re using a cutting machine

• Save your file as a PNG with a transparent background.
• Make sure it’s at 300 dpi and in RGB color mode (this matches most Cricut and Silhouette settings).
• Avoid flattening the image unless your design app requires it for export.

If you’re cutting by hand

• Save your design as a PDF or PNG at 300 dpi, but this time in CMYK for better print color accuracy.
• Make sure outlines and designs are clearly visible. You won’t get a second chance once it’s printed.

Quick tip

Always check your resolution before saving. If it’s not 300 dpi, your stickers may come out pixelated or blurry, especially on smaller designs. Also, double-check the physical size of the file (in inches or cm), not just the pixel count.

Step 4: Print your sheet

Now that your design is ready, it’s time to print. Don’t skip this step’s settings, getting the print quality right can make or break how your stickers look.

• Use the system dialog box (not just your design software’s print screen). This lets you adjust quality and paper settings properly.
• Set your paper type to match what you're using: glossy, matte, vinyl, etc. This helps with color accuracy and ink absorption.
• Always print a test sheet on regular paper first. It’s a quick way to check size, alignment, and overall layout before wasting sticker paper.
• If you’re using Cricut, turn off “Add Bleed” in the print settings. Bleed can distort outlines or make the cuts inaccurate.

Step 5: Cut your stickers

Time to bring your sticker sheet to life. Whether you're using a Cricut or just a good 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.
• Choose Print then Cut as the image type.
• Place your printed sheet on a LightGrip mat, top left corner.
• Set material to Washi Sheet for a kiss cut (just the sticker, not the backing), or Light Cardstock if you want a full die cut.
• Press Go and let Cricut do its thing.

Make sure your cut settings match your paper. If in doubt, run a small test cut first.

Cutting by hand

• Grab some sharp scissors or a craft knife.
• Cut around the outer border of each sticker, leaving a little space if you added outlines.
• Avoid cutting into tiny inner details, they’re tricky and usually not worth the effort.

Hand-cutting takes more time, but works just fine for small batches or simpler shapes. You don’t need a Cricut to make good stickers.

Extra tips for better sticker sheets

Once you’ve got the basics down, these small tweaks can make your sticker sheets look cleaner, more fun, and more professional, especially if you’re planning to sell them.

• Add small filler elements like stars, dots, or icons to fill empty gaps on the sheet, no space wasted.
• Group your designs by theme or color to make the sheet feel cohesive and more visually appealing.
• Always test print before printing a full batch. It saves paper, ink, and frustration.
• Use light-colored outlines (like soft pink or grey) if you’re hand-cutting. They’re easier to see than white but don’t look harsh.
• Selling your sheets? Add your logo or shop name somewhere on the sheet, small but visible. It’s free branding.

Want custom sticker sheets without the work?

Designing and cutting your own stickers is satisfying, but it can also eat up hours if you're doing it often. It’s especially hard if you’re trying to make them look polished enough to sell. Not to mention the printer jams, misaligned cuts, or running out of sticker paper right before a deadline.

If you want to skip all the hassle but still get high-quality, personalized sticker sheets, Sticker it has you covered. You can upload your own designs (as a full sheet or individual stickers), and we’ll turn them into custom kiss-cut sticker sheets on durable vinyl. They are professionally printed, weatherproof, and trimmed perfectly. Free proofs included, so you get exactly what you expect.

FAQs

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

For printing at home, 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, go for Cricut brand sticker paper or vinyl that's compatible with kiss cuts. Always check whether the paper works with transparent backgrounds if your sticker design calls for 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 cut 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 (6.75" x 9.25"). 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 0.125" of space between each design to avoid 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 make sure your sticker designs don’t touch. Most users stick to 4" x 6" or 6" x 9" for one sheet. Leave space between each individual sticker and keep track of your file’s dimensions before you print.