Business owners are quickly realizing that stickers are a cost-effective way to maximize exposure and promotion. Not only can they be used in retail or brick-or-mortar stores for branding, but they can also be implemented across a marketing mix for increased awareness. 

Ready to put custom stickers to use to grow your business? You’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll answer the question, “How to create stickers for my business,” with a step-by-step process to follow and best practices for ultimate success. 

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about creating custom stickers for your business with our step-by-step guide. 

Benefits of Custom Stickers for Your Business 

Of course, if you’re not convinced that stickers are the move for your next marketing budget or project, let’s review the overall benefits of custom stickers before getting into our step-by-step guide. 

1. Increased awareness: Stickers with your logo or brand elements can increase visibility and recognition. 
2. Cost-effective marketing: Stickers are generally inexpensive to produce in bulk and can provide good value for your marketing budget.
3. Versatility: They can be used on products, packaging, vehicles, storefronts, or given away as promotional items.
4. Customer engagement: Fun or attractive stickers encourage customers to interact with your brand and may lead them to display your stickers, further extending your reach.
5. Product labeling: Custom stickers can serve as attractive and informative labels for your products.
6. Event promotion: They're useful for promoting special events, sales, or limited-time offers.
7. Personalization: Stickers allow for easy customization of products or packaging, adding a personal touch for customers.
8. Social proof: When customers display your stickers, it acts as an endorsement to others.

Ultimately, the strategic use of custom stickers can contribute significantly to a company's marketing efforts, helping to build brand loyalty and drive business growth in an increasingly competitive business landscape.

How to Create Stickers For My Business: Step-by-Step

Now that you’re convinced, the step-by-step process on how to create stickers for my business, is up next! 

• Define your purpose

The first step to creating a custom sticker for your business is defining its purpose. This begins by identifying a specific marketing or operational need. Are you trying to highlight a product on your shelf as exclusive or on a discount? Do you need more signage in your windows? Do you need more people to know who you are? 

A clear purpose will also define a target audience, brand message, and overall business goals. To give you an idea of how other businesses use stickers in business applications, here are some examples for inspiration: 

• Product labeling: As we mentioned, product label stickers can help provide information or enhance packaging aesthetics.
• Brand awareness: Distributing stickers with logos or slogans to customers, friends, and family help increase visibility.
• Promotional giveaways: Giveaways include offering attractive stickers as freebies to customers.
• Event marketing: Special stickers are often made for trade shows or local events.
• Internal communication: Using stickers for inventory management or safety reminders.
• Customer loyalty: Reward repeat customers with exclusive stickers as part of a loyalty program or for in-store shoppers (toss them in their bag at checkout!).
• Social media engagement: Designing shareable stickers that encourage user-generated content.
• Vehicle advertising: Applying large stickers or decals to company vehicles.
• Guerrilla marketing: Placing stickers strategically in public spaces (where legally permitted).
• Product customization: Allowing customers to personalize products with sticker options.

By clearly defining the purpose, business owners can ensure their custom stickers align with their overall marketing strategy and effectively serve their intended function, whether increasing brand recognition, improving operational efficiency, or enhancing customer engagement.

• Create a design

Creating an effective design for your business stickers is crucial to their success. Start by considering your brand identity and the message you want to convey, then move into the aesthetics and overall look. 

A few tips? Keep the design simple and memorable – overcomplicated stickers often fail to make an impact. But be sure to incorporate your logo, brand colors, and any key taglines or slogans representing your business for more promotion-forward stickers to identify them appropriately.

Consider the shape of your sticker; while circles and rectangles are expected, a unique shape can make your sticker stand out. Of course, do keep in mind that certain adhesive types or materials (we’ll get into more on that next!) will limit your ability to custom-cut specific shapes or sizes. 

Ensure that any text is legible, even at smaller sizes. If possible, include your website or social media handles to drive engagement. Test your design at various sizes to ensure it looks good on a laptop or a storefront window. 

Finally, consider working with a professional graphic designer if you're not confident in your design skills – the investment can pay off in a more polished and effective sticker design that truly represents your brand. Or, work with a sticker printer that offers design services, too. 

• Pick a material 

The material you choose for your custom business stickers can significantly impact their durability, appearance, and overall effectiveness. Even more, different materials will best suit various applications, so it's essential to consider where and how you'll use your stickers. 

Let's explore some of the most common sticker materials and their ideal uses:

1. Vinyl Stickers: Vinyl is one of the most popular choices for business stickers, and for good reason. It is durable, weather-resistant, and versatile. Vinyl stickers are great for indoor and outdoor use, as they resist fading, water, and general wear and tear.

• Ideal for outdoor signage, vehicle decals, or any application where exposure to the elements is expected.
• Perfect for branding purposes, such as custom logos on products, equipment, or packaging.

2. Paper Stickers: Paper stickers are a more affordable option, often chosen for temporary or indoor applications. They are easy to produce and can be customized with various finishes like matte or glossy.

• Commonly used for product labeling, packaging, and promotional stickers.
• Best suited for short-term or indoor applications where durability is less of a concern, such as event name tags or stationery branding.

3. Clear Stickers: Clear stickers are made from transparent vinyl or BOPP material and offer a seamless look when applied. The clear background allows the focus to be on the design, with no visible border around the sticker.

• Popular for window decals, glass packaging, or any application with a desired clean, minimalist look.
• Ideal for transparent product packaging or glassware, where the sticker needs to blend in with the surface.

4. Polyester (PET) Stickers: Polyester stickers are extremely durable and resistant to scratches, chemicals, and high temperatures. This makes them an excellent choice for long-lasting applications.

• Commonly used for industrial labels, equipment decals, and warning labels.
• Suitable for use in harsh environments, such as machinery, electronics, or other equipment exposed to heat or chemicals.

5. Static Cling Stickers: Static cling stickers do not use adhesive but instead cling to surfaces using static electricity. These are perfect for temporary or repositionable uses on smooth surfaces like glass or mirrors.

• Ideal for temporary window signage, seasonal promotions, or retail displays.
• Often used for car window stickers, as they can be easily removed and reapplied without leaving residue.

Find a reputable printer 

In the world of sticker printing, not all printers can be treated equally. It’s crucial to do your due diligence when seeking a reputable sticker printer, especially if you’ll be working long-term on multiple projects. To do so, ask fellow business owners who they’ve used to print stickers, or if you’re doing a quick Google search to find one on your own, be sure to do your research. 

Vet printers by checking reviews, reviewing their portfolio or catalog of work, and verifying their time in business or history. 

StickerGenius is one of the leading sticker printers business owners turn to for sticker printing success. They manufacture the proprietary Restickable StickleMe℠ material (which can be removed and restuck 100+ times!) and are passionate about the world of stickers and promotion. 

Over the years, they’ve helped businesses across the US create custom sticker projects to promote their businesses successfully. 

The Final Word: How to Create Stickers for My Business 

With the information you’ve gained today, you now know how to create stickers for my business and a reputable printer to craft your magic with. At StickerGenius, our printers are ready and waiting to work on your custom project to maximize your marketing dollars and business growth. 

So, get started with this step-by-step process, and when you’re ready to talk about printing, send us a message or place an order to begin! 

No matter the purpose or message you’re trying to promote - there’s a sticker for that! Explore our work to be inspired, and before you go, check out more educational guides and resources to support your brand with stickers.