So…you have to add an outline to your sticker file. But you have no idea where to even start. Luckily, you’re in the right place! Our sticker experts here at StickerGenius are equipped to help! In this guide, we’ll teach you how to add an outline to a sticker file quickly and easily. 

Skip the stress of troubleshooting platforms like Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, and Gimp, and follow our step-by-step process instead. Keep reading to learn how to add outlines to stickers, ensure an exact cut, and protect your design's integrity.

How to Add an Outline to a Sticker File: Photoshop

If you’re using Adobe Photoshop to design your final product, here’s how to add an outline to a sticker within the program step by step. 

1. Open your file: Launch the Photoshop program and open your sticker file. Ideally, you’ll already have a transparent background set. 
2. Select your design: Using the magic wand tool or “select subject” prompt, highlight your artwork. 
3. Create a layer: With the design still selected, find the layer toolsets and create a new layer beneath the artwork. 
4. Expand the selection: Then click select, modify, and expand to choose how thick you want the outline (or new layer) to be. 10-30 pixels is usually ideal. 
5. Fill the layer: With the new layer selected, select the paint bucket tool, choose an outline color, and click expanded selection to fill it with the color. 
6. Make adjustments: Deselect the layer (hit ctrl+D or cmd+d as a shortcut!) and fine-tune the position, color, or opacity.  
7. Save your file: Once completed, save your file or export ait s a PNG for a transparent background. 

How to Add an Outline to a Sticker File: Illustrator 

Adding an outline to a sticker file in Illustrator is just as straightforward when following the steps below:

1. Open your file: Launch the Illustrator program, open your sticker design, or create a new one. 
2. Select your elements: Similar to Photoshop, use the selection tool to select your design elements.
   1. If your design contains multiple layers or objects, you can combine them into one using the Object > Compound Path tools. 
3. Open appearance panel: With your design selected, open the Appearance panel, which is under the “Window” drop-down menu. 
4. Add a stroke: Select “Add new stroke” at the bottom of the appearance panel. Set the stroke weight to your desired thickness (3-5pt works well for most stickers).
5. Adjust the stroke: Go to Object > Path > Offset Path and enter your preferred offset amount to create a separate outline. Make sure the stroke layer is behind the original artwork for proper visibility.

To customize the stroke further in Illustrator, you can click on the stroke layer from the Appearance panel to further:

• Change the color in the Color panel
• Adjust the stroke alignment (select "Align Stroke to Outside" in the panel)
• Modify the stroke style if desired (dashed, dotted, etc.)

Finally, save your file as an AI file to preserve editability or export it as PNG for printing with a transparent background. 

How to Add an Outline to a Sticker File: Canva 

When learning how to add an outline to a sticker file in Canva, remember that Canva doesn’t offer true vector outlines, but this method works for most digital and print uses.

1. Open or create a design: Start a new design or upload your sticker image to Canva
2. Select the image: Select the design you want to outline.
3. Use shadows: You’ll use “shadows” to fake an outline. With the image selected, click Edit Image > Shadows > Glow.
4. Customize the outline: To make a solid outline, set transparency to 100, blur to 0, and adjust the color and size to mimic an outline. 
5. Apply and complete:  Click “apply” to add the shadow outline, then download your file as a PNG with a transparent background.

How to Add an Outline to a Sticker File: GIMP

Last but not least, here is the step-by-step process on how to add an outline to a sticker file in Gimp. 

1. Open your file: Open GIMP and select your sticker image file, or create a new design.
2. Add an alpha channel: Right-click your layer in the Layers panel and choose Add Alpha Channel for transparency.
3. Design selection: Use the Fuzzy Select Tool or Select by Color Tool to isolate your design.
4. Grow the selection: Click Select > Grow and enter the number of pixels you want for your outline (e.g., 10-30 px). 
5. Create a new layer: Add a new layer beneath your artwork and fill the selection with the color you’d like the outline to be. 
6. Deselect and save: Deselect the design (or hit select > none), save your file, and export it as a PNG for a transparent background. 

The Final Word: Where to Print Your Stickers 

Now that you know how to add an outline to a sticker, it’s time to learn how to print your stickers with the highest quality possible. Again, you’re in the right place! StickerGenius is the industry's leading sticker provider and innovator with our re-stickable variety, StickleMe. We’re proud to offer various sticker types, from removal vinyl decals to exact cut transfer decals and beyond. 
Whether designing for personal or professional projects, StickerGenius strives to offer not only the best value but also a user-friendly experience from start to finish. Experience a better sticker experience with the StickerGenius team and begin crafting your next project today! Get in touch with our team to learn more or order samples now.