How to Make Money Selling Stickers on Etsy: A Comprehensive Guide for 2023

Reading Time: 18 minutes

If you’d love to know how to make money selling stickers on Etsy, you’re in the right place!

Etsy is a thriving online marketplace that allows creative entrepreneurs to sell their handmade, vintage, or unique goods to a global audience. Selling stickers on Etsy can be a lucrative and rewarding business venture for lifestyle entrepreneurs with an eye for design and a passion for creating.

Whether you’re an experienced artist or just starting out, this comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to sell stickers on the popular platform and make a profit.

Why Sell Stickers on Etsy?

Large existing customer base:

Etsy is a well-established marketplace with a massive customer base which means you can potentially reach a lot of potential buyers on the platform.

This is particularly important for businesses just starting and looking to build a customer base quickly.

Stickers are one of the best-selling products:

Stickers are an incredibly popular item, and highly sought-after by a wide range of people, from kids to adults. This popularity translates into strong demand and sales, making stickers a great thing to sell on Etsy.

A lot of control over your Etsy shop:

You have a lot of control over your Etsy sticker shop and the stickers you sell.

This includes pricing, product descriptions, and product images that allow you to create an optimal sales experience for your customers.

Etsy provides powerful tools and resources that make managing your store, tracking sales and shipping, and communicating with customers easy.

Pros and Cons of Starting a Sticker Business on Etsy

Pros:

1. Vast Customer Base: Selling stickers on Etsy allows you to tap into a well-established marketplace with millions of potential customers, making it easier to reach a niche audience interested in unique stickers.
2. High Demand for Stickers: Stickers are a popular and evergreen product, catering to a wide range of buyers, from students looking for laptop decals to crafters seeking unique designs.
3. Creative Control: As an Etsy seller, you have full control over your sticker business, from setting prices and product descriptions to managing your Etsy shop’s branding and promotions.
4. Diverse Sticker Types: You can explore a variety of sticker types, from hand-drawn designs to personalized or trendy stickers, ensuring you can cater to specific niches and preferences.
5. Ease of Entry: Starting a sticker business on Etsy is accessible, even for beginners, thanks to user-friendly tools and platforms that simplify sticker design and creation.
6. Custom Designs: Whether you create your own designs or hire a graphic designer, Etsy offers the flexibility to sell unique and customized stickers, setting your shop apart.
7. Online Marketplace: Etsy acts as your online storefront, eliminating the need to create and maintain a separate website, reducing the initial setup and maintenance costs.

Cons:

1. Etsy Fees: Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and the option for offsite ads, impacting your overall profitability and pricing strategy.
2. Quality Control: When printing stickers at home, you need to invest in a suitable printer and materials. Quality control and consistency can be challenging for newcomers.
3. Shipping and Handling: Managing shipping, packaging, and handling can be time-consuming, and ensuring that stickers reach customers undamaged is crucial for Etsy success.
4. Limited Customization: Pre-made sticker designs might lack the uniqueness and personal touch desired by some customers. This could limit your shop’s appeal.
5. Etsy Branding: Establishing your Etsy branding and promoting your shop effectively can be a demanding task, requiring time and effort.
6. SEO Competition: Competing in Etsy SEO to make your products more discoverable requires ongoing effort and staying up-to-date with Etsy’s evolving algorithms.

What Types of Stickers Sell on Etsy?

Here are a few types of stickers that people sell on Etsy sticker shops:

• Hand-drawn stickers with original artwork, portraits, or cartoons.
• Illustrative stickers featuring popular themes such as travel, nature, animals, or food.
• Personalized or custom stickers with names, monograms, or photos.
• Planner stickers with functional elements like to-do lists, habit trackers, or motivational quotes.
• Quirky or funny stickers with puns, pop culture references, or sarcasm.
• Scrapbooking stickers with decorative elements like patterns, borders, or embellishments.
• Seasonal stickers with designs related to holidays, such as Christmas, Halloween, or Easter.
• Trendy stickers with fashion, beauty, or lifestyle-related designs.
• Vinyl decal stickers for laptops, water bottles, phone cases, or car windows.

How to Start Your Sticker Business on Etsy: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Create Your Sticker Designs

When creating your stickers, it’s important to create unique designs that stand out from the competition. Avoid copying designs from other artists and instead, come up with your own unique ideas.

Design Your Own Stickers

There are many software options available for creating your own designs, both free and paid. However, you will need graphic design skills. Here are a few popular options:

• Adobe Illustrator: A professional vector graphics software that is widely used in the design industry.
• Canva: A user-friendly graphic design tool that is accessible even to those without extensive design experience. They have pre-made sticker templates that you can use.
• Procreate: An iPad app specifically for digital illustration and painting.
• Inkscape: A free and open-source vector graphics editor with a wide range of tools and features.
• CorelDRAW: A professional vector graphics software that is well-suited for print media and packaging design.

Choose the software that best suits your needs and level of experience, but remember that you’ll need software that supports exporting to vector graphics format (such as .SVG or .EPS) to make sure your stickers are of high quality and printable at any size.

Hire a Graphic Designer

There are several options for hiring graphic designers to create custom designs:

• Freelance websites: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer provide a platform for connecting with freelancers and independent contractors for various projects. You can search for graphic designers who specialize in creating sticker designs and negotiate rates and timelines directly with the designer.
• Design agencies: If you need multiple designs or have a complex project, you may want to consider working with a design agency. Agencies typically have teams of experienced designers and can handle projects of various sizes and complexity levels.
• Social media: You can also reach out to graphic designers on social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter. You can search for designers who specialize in the type of designs you need and reach out to them directly to discuss your project.
• Etsy: You can also find graphic designers selling their design services on Etsy, who can create custom designs for your stickers.

Always check portfolios and reviews before making a decision, and clearly communicate your needs and expectations to ensure a successful outcome.

Buy Sticker Designs

There are several options for buying pre-made designs:

• Stock design websites: Websites like Shutterstock, iStock, or Adobe Stock offer a large selection of pre-made sticker designs that you can purchase for a fee. These designs are typically royalty-free, meaning you can use them for personal or commercial purposes without having to pay additional fees.
• Etsy: Etsy is a marketplace where you can purchase pre-made designs from independent designers and illustrators. You can search for pre-made stickers and purchase the designs you like directly from the seller.
• Creative Market: Creative Market is a platform that sells pre-made design assets, including graphics, templates, and digital products like stickers. You can browse a large selection of pre-made designs and purchase the ones you like for use in your projects.

Make sure to review the terms and conditions of use before purchasing any pre-made designs and ensure that you have the necessary rights to use the designs for your intended purpose.

However, remember that buying pre-made sticker designs have several disadvantages:

• Limited uniqueness: Pre-made designs are often sold to multiple customers, so there is a chance that your stickers may not be as unique as you would like. If you want your stickers to stand out, you may want to consider creating custom designs or hiring a graphic designer.
• Potential copyright issues: Some pre-made designs may infringe on the copyrights of others, and using them could result in legal consequences. Be sure to review the terms and conditions of use before purchasing any pre-made designs, and ensure that you have the necessary rights to use the designs for your intended purpose.
• Quality limitations: Not all pre-made designs are of the same quality, and some may not meet your standards for design or printing quality. Be sure to review the designs carefully and check the resolution and format of the files before purchasing to ensure that they meet your needs.
• Lack of customization options: Pre-made designs may not be fully customizable, so you may not be able to make the changes you want to the design or size of your stickers.
• Higher cost in the long run: While pre-made designs may seem like a cost-effective solution in the short term, the long-term cost of purchasing multiple designs or using designs that are not well-suited to your needs can add up over time.

Keep in mind that these disadvantages are not absolute and may vary depending on the source and quality of the pre-made designs you purchase.

It’s important to carefully consider your needs and budget when deciding whether to buy pre-made designs or create custom designs.

Step 2: Create Stickers

Once the sticker design phase is complete, you can start creating stickers for your Etsy sticker business. Here are the different types of stickers you can create:

• Clear Stickers
• Glossy Stickers
• Holographic Stickers
• Matte Stickers
• Vinyl Stickers

You also need to decide on the sticker cuts. There are two types:

Kiss cut and die cut are two common methods for cutting vinyl stickers.

Kiss cut:

Image Credit: Kiss Cut

A kiss cut is a shallow cut that only cuts through the vinyl material and leaves the backing intact. This type of cut is often used for stickers that are smaller or have intricate shapes and is ideal for multi-sticker sheets.

The backing provides a clean, finished edge and makes it easier to handle and apply the stickers.

Die cut:

Image Credit: Kiss Cut

A die-cut, on the other hand, cuts through both the vinyl material and the backing, creating a single, solid sticker with a finished edge. This type of cut is often used for larger stickers and is ideal for single, standalone stickers.

Printing Stickers at Home

Printing stickers at home is cheaper in the long run even though there will be some upfront costs. Here are the things you will need:

Printer: The choice between a laser printer and an inkjet printer for printing stickers will depend on several factors, including:

• Quality: Inkjet printers are often better suited for printing high-quality, photo-like images, while laser printers are better for printing sharp text and graphics.
• Durability: Laser printers use toner, which is more durable than ink, and therefore, laser-printed stickers are generally more resistant to fading and water damage.
• Cost: Laser printers tend to be more expensive upfront, but they are more cost-effective in the long run as toner cartridges are more affordable than ink cartridges and last longer.
• Sticker material: The type of sticker material you use will also play a role in determining the best printer. Some sticker materials are better suited to laser printing, while others are better suited to inkjet printing.

Ultimately, the best choice will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you need high-quality, long-lasting stickers with intricate designs and graphics, an inkjet printer may be a better choice.

If you need to print large quantities of text-based stickers or graphics, a laser printer may be more cost-effective and efficient.

Sticker Paper: Selecting the right paper for creating sticks is important. Here are the options you will have:

• Matte Sticker Paper: Matte sticker paper is a type of adhesive paper with a dull, non-glossy finish. This type of paper is often preferred for its ability to reduce glare and fingerprints, making it ideal for use in a variety of settings, including indoor or outdoor applications. The dull finish also provides a more natural, organic look and feel, making it a popular choice for hand-lettered or illustrated designs.
• Glossy Sticker Paper: Glossy paper is a type of adhesive paper with a shiny, high-gloss finish. This type of paper is ideal for printing high-quality images with vibrant colors, as it enhances the vibrancy and saturation of the ink. The high-gloss finish also provides a sleek and modern look, making it a popular choice for branding or marketing materials.
• Holographic Paper: Holographic paper is a type of adhesive paper that features a unique, eye-catching iridescent finish. This type of paper is ideal for creating stickers with a futuristic or sci-fi look and feel and is often used for special-event promotions, product packaging, or to add a touch of fun to your designs.
• Printable Vinyl Sticker Paper: Printable vinyl sticker paper is a type of adhesive paper that is designed specifically for printing vinyl stickers. This type of paper is weather-resistant, durable, and long-lasting, making it ideal for outdoor or long-term use. The printable vinyl material allows you to print high-quality images and text, and the adhesive backing makes it easy to apply and remove the stickers as needed.

Regardless of the type of paper you choose, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your project and choose the paper that best suits your design and intended use.

All of these paper types are available in a range of sizes and can be printed on most standard inkjet or laser printers.

Cutting Tools: Sticker-cutting machines are specialized devices used to cut sticker material into custom shapes and sizes, making it easy to create high-quality, professional-looking stickers.

They use a cutting blade or laser to precisely cut through the sticker material and can be adjusted to produce different cutting depths for kiss-cut or die-cut stickers.

Some of the popular sticker-cutting machines include the Cricut Explore Air 2, Silhouette Cameo 4, and Brother ScanNCut 2.

These machines cover a wide range of materials such as matte, glossy, holographic, or printable vinyl stickers. They also have advanced features such as creating and uploading custom designs, cutting multiple stickers at once, and more.

Manual Cutting: A cutting mat and craft knife is a manual option to cut stickers, commonly used for small projects or for those who prefer a hands-on approach to their sticker-making process.

The cutting mat provides a stable and durable surface for cutting, protecting your work surface and preventing your blade from slipping.

A craft knife or scalpel with a sharp blade is used to cut the vinyl material into the desired shapes and sizes, which is often preferred for its precision.

However, the process can be time-consuming when compared with using specialized sticker-cutting machines.

Sticker Printing Services

You can use third-party sticker printing services. Some popular ones include:

Sticker Mule: Sticker Mule is a popular online print shop for custom stickers, offering high-quality printing and fast turnaround times.

The site offers a wide range of materials and finishes, including clear, matte, and glossy finishes, as well as custom shapes and sizes to fit your needs.

Different sticker types available include:

• Vinyl lettering
• Transfer stickers
• Sticker sheets
• Static clings
• Square stickers
• Rounded corner stickers
• Round stickers
• Rectangle stickers
• Oval stickers
• Kiss cut stickers
• Holographic stickers
• Front adhesive stickers
• Die cut stickers
• Clear stickers
• Bumper stickers

Sticker Ninja: Sticker Ninja is a sticker printing service that specializes in custom stickers, offering a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials, including die-cut, kiss-cut, and static cling options.

They also offer a user-friendly online design tool that makes it easy to create and order your custom stickers.

StickerGiant: StickerGiant is a company that provides custom sticker printing services, including high-quality digital printing and a range of materials and finishes, such as gloss, matte, and clear.

They offer fast turnaround times and a user-friendly online ordering system, making it easy to get the stickers you need when you need them. They even provide free shipping.

Step 3: Start Selling Stickers

Create Your Etsy Shop

To sell stickers on Etsy, you must set up your Etsy shop. Here are the steps involved:

Create an Etsy account: Go to Etsy.com and sign up for a new account. You’ll need to provide your name, and email address, and create a password.

Choose your shop preferences: Click the “Sell on Etsy” button on the top right of the screen to set up your shop. Select your shop language, currency, and country, and set your shop policies regarding payment, shipping, and returns.

Set your Etsy shop name: Create your shop name and location, then select the type of goods you plan to sell.

List your products: Add your products to your shop by entering a product title, description, price, and photos. Choose the product categories and tags that best describe your products. For now, you can add only one product, or even create a demo product.

Choose your billing and payment options: Set up how you want to be paid for your sales by adding a payment method and your billing information.

Set up your billing: Etsy charges selling and listing fees. You will need to provide a credit card for identity authorization.

Open your shop: Click the “Open your Etsy shop” button after adding your products and setting up your payment options to start selling stickers on your store.

Create an Etsy Listing

After creating your Etsy sticker shop, start listing your stickers. Here is how you create Etsy listings:

Go to Etsy.com and log in to your account.

• From the main menu, click on the “Listings” tab to access the listing manager.
• In the listing manager, click the “Create a new listing” button to start creating your listing.
• Choose the category that best describes your product, such as “Stickers & Stationery” or “Craft Supplies.”
• Fill in the listing details, including the product title, description, price, and shipping information. You can also add photos and choose the appropriate product tags.
• Select the product options, such as size, color, or material, and set your quantity and SKU.
• Review your listing to make sure everything is correct and complete, and make any necessary changes.
• Click the “Publish” button when ready to make your Etsy listing go live.

Understanding Etsy Fees

There are several Etsy fees you must be aware of:

Listing fee: This is a fee charged by Etsy for each item you list in your shop. The fee is $0.20 per item, and each listing lasts for four months after which the listing is automatically renewed.

For listing multiple quantities of the same item, $0.20 will be the initial listing fee. The listing automatically renews at $0.20 after each of the items sells.

Transaction fee: This fee is charged by Etsy on each sale made in your shop. The fee is 6.5% of the total sale price, including shipping and gift wrap.

Offsite ads fee: This is a voluntary fee that allows you to advertise your products on external platforms such as Google and Bing. The fee ranges from 12% to 15% of the total revenue earned in the last 365 days.

Taxes: You may be charged a sales tax on each Etsy sale depending on your shop’s location and the buyer’s. Etsy will automatically calculate the tax for you and add it to the buyer’s invoice.

Shipping fee: As the seller, you set this fee and cover the cost of shipping the products to the buyer.

You can offer free shipping, flat rate shipping, or calculated shipping. You may set a shipping fee for each individual product or offer a combined shipping rate for multiple items.

Learn all about Etsy fees here.

Packaging and Shipping

When packing and shipping stickers, follow these critical steps to ensure stickers arrive safely and in good condition:

• Choose appropriate packaging material: Use a sturdy envelope or protective mailer to ensure the safe transit of the stickers. Adding a stiff cardboard insert prevents the stickers from bending. You can add tissue paper to prevent scratches.
• Label the package: Clearly label the package with the recipient’s address and your return address. You may include a packing slip listing the contents of the package. You can purchase a shipping label from Etsy if you ship through one of their approved carriers (USPS, FedEx, Canada Post, Australia Post, Global Postal Delivery, and Royal Mail). Purchasing Etsy shipping labels entitles you to enjoy shipping discounts.
• Calculate shipping cost: Accurately calculate the shipping cost based on the weight, size, and destination of the package. Incorporate the total cost of packaging materials, shipping supplies, and any additional services you offer, such as expedited shipping or tracking.
• Ship promptly: Ship the package immediately after receiving the order to keep your customers happy and reduce the risk of delays or lost packages.
• Track the package: Consider using a shipping service with tracking to monitor the progress of the package and to provide your customers with updates on the delivery status.

How to Make Money Selling Stickers on Etsy: Increasing Visibility of Your Etsy Shop

Here are a few tips to increase the visibility of your sticker shop on Etsy:

Optimize your shop and listings:

Use keywords in your shop and listing titles, tags, and descriptions to make sure your stickers are easily discoverable by potential customers.

You can use Etsy keyword tools like eRank or Marmalead for keyword research. Also, make sure your shop’s appearance is clean, professional, and visually appealing.

Utilize tags and categories:

Use relevant tags and categories to help customers find your stickers more easily. Make sure to use tags that accurately describe your stickers and their themes.

Promote your shop and stickers:

Use social media, email marketing, and other marketing strategies to promote your shop and stickers to a wider audience. You can also participate in Etsy Teams and online communities to network with other Etsy sellers and share your work.

Offer competitive pricing:

Consider pricing your stickers competitively especially when you’re just starting out. This can help attract price-sensitive customers and increase sales.

Offer sales and promotions:

Regularly offering sales and promotions can help increase sales and attract new customers. Discounts or free shipping special deals encourage customers to purchase your stickers.

Use Etsy Ads:

Etsy Ads is a paid advertising platform that allows you to promote your stickers to a wider audience on Etsy. By targeting specific keywords, you can reach potential customers who are actively searching for stickers like yours.

How to Make Money Selling Stickers on Etsy: 5 Top Tips for Your Sticker Business

Offer free shipping:

Offering free shipping can help make your stickers more appealing to potential customers and increase sales, by simplifying the process for your buyers.

Free shipping can also make your store stand out from other sellers, while some sticker makers may recommend free shipping, others may advise against that.

Sell sticker packs:

Instead of selling individual stickers, consider selling sticker packs. This not only provides more value for customers but also makes it easier for you to manage inventory and shipping.

Since you will sell sticker packs at a higher price, it will be a win-win case.

Provide top-notch customer service:

Providing excellent customer service is key to building a positive reputation and increasing customer loyalty.

Respond promptly to customer inquiries and concerns, and go above and beyond to ensure that customers are satisfied with their purchases.

Add new products:

Regularly adding new products to your shop can help keep customers interested and engaged.

Consider launching new designs or expanding your product line to stay ahead of the competition and keep your shop fresh and exciting.

Offer unique stickers:

Creating unique stickers can help your stickers differentiate your shop from the competition and attract customers looking for something different.

Experiment with different themes, designs, and materials to make your stickers stand out and appeal to a wide range of customers.

To make money selling stickers online, you must provide something that others are not offering.

Whether it’s through incorporating bold colors, quirky illustrations, or eye-catching patterns, offering stickers that are truly one-of-a-kind can help you build a loyal customer base and increase sales.

How to Make Money Selling Stickers on Etsy: Summary

Selling stickers on Etsy can be a lucrative and enjoyable business.

By offering a variety of high-quality stickers, providing excellent customer service, and utilizing effective marketing strategies, you can build a successful shop and start making money selling stickers.

Making money on Etsy takes time and effort, so patience and persistence are vital when growing your business.

With the right approach and focus on giving value to your customers, you can turn your passion for stickers into a profitable and rewarding business venture.

How to Make Money Selling Stickers on Etsy: FAQs

Can I sell digital stickers on Etsy?

You can sell both paper stickers or physical stickers and digital stickers on Etsy. Digital stickers are printable stickers that people can use to decorate printable or online journals, other printables, etc. You can easily create digital stickers using Canva Pro.

Is it profitable to sell stickers?

The sticker market is constantly growing. It is a profitable online business and many sticker shop owners on Etsy make thousands. AnnaKateGifts is estimated to have made over $25,000 in sticker sales during her first year.

What are the best-selling stickers on Etsy?

According to Etsy, the 5 most popular sticker types are Clear Stickers, Logo Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Digital Stickers, and Photo Stickers.

Some of the top-selling stickers include Kodama Stickers, Wutang Stickers, Sedona Stickers, Manga Stickers, Bitmoji Stickers, NYPD Stickers, Horoscope Stickers, etc.

Can you make good money selling stickers on Etsy?

Yes, you can make a substantial income selling stickers on Etsy. The key to success lies in your niche selection, sticker design quality, effective Etsy SEO strategies, and diligent Etsy marketing efforts. Over time, many Etsy sellers have generated significant revenue by starting a sticker business on Etsy.

What type of stickers sell best on Etsy?

The types of stickers that sell best on Etsy can vary, but some popular choices include clear stickers, die-cut stickers, logo stickers, and digital stickers. However, the key is to offer unique and creative designs, cater to niche markets, and maintain high-quality sticker printing to stand out.

How do I increase my Etsy sticker sales?

To increase your Etsy sticker sales, focus on Etsy optimization by enhancing your shop’s appearance, utilizing Etsy branding, offering competitive pricing, and actively promoting your shop. Utilize Etsy marketing strategies such as social media, email marketing, and Etsy Ads to reach a wider audience and optimize your Etsy shop for success.

Can you actually make money selling on Etsy?

Yes, you can make money selling on Etsy. Etsy provides a platform for creative entrepreneurs to turn their passion into a profitable Etsy business. With the right Etsy tips and strategies, you can generate income by selling stickers or other niche products that align with your interests and expertise.