From homes to businesses, custom stickers are everywhere and used for nearly everything—brands, events, art, and even personal projects, such as school, sports, and beyond. Of course, creating your own sticker design starts with the right sticker design software, and not all of them can be treated equally. 

At StickerGenius, we’ve helped thousands of customers turn digital designs into high-quality stickers, and we know what makes a great file. That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the topic, including the top 4 design software to turn to for your next sticker project. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about software for printing stickers. 

What To Look For In Sticker Design Software 

First and foremost, especially if you’re a beginner sticker designer, is to choose a software that prioritizes user-friendliness. When working with complex designs, ease matters the most. Find a platform that offers design flexibility, allowing you to create layered designs, custom shapes, and transparent backgrounds, while also providing high-quality exports. 

It’s crucial that whichever sticker design software you choose, it’s capable of outputting high-resolution, print-ready files (300 DPI or vector format). Your file may also require a bleed margin for designs that extend to the edge, and a CMYK color mode for the most accurate and aesthetically pleasing results. With that information under your belt, now let’s get into the specifics of the sticker design software to achieve your goals and impress your printer. 

The Top 4 Sticker Design Software 

In general, there are four top sticker design software programs that support the file types printers expect to see. To get familiar with each and to decide which is right for you, here’s a breakdown of each. 

1. Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is the most advanced sticker design software, ideal for creating complex, vector-based designs. This is ideal (and sometimes required) for logos, custom shapes, scalable artwork, or branding elements. It offers designers a variety of tools that help fine-tune designs, such as pen tools, die-cut paths, and custom shape tools. Even more, printers love .AI and .EPS files, which offer the cleanest, sharpest sticker prints!

2. Adobe Photoshop

Photoshop is another Adobe product that’s optimal for photo-based or artistic sticker designs. It enables designers to create detailed imagery, add textures, raster graphics, and incorporate high-resolution photos into files suitable for printing. It offers a blend of Illustrator-type tools, including layer management and custom brushes, too. It’s best for those who want a detailed sticker design, or layered sticker art. For best results, be sure to design in 300 DPI and export as a high-res PNG or PDF for best printing results.

3. Canva

Canva is one of the most user-friendly sticker design software options, perfect for beginners or anyone looking to create quick, clean designs. It’s handy for basic layouts, text stickers, social media-style art, and pre-sized templates. With drag-and-drop tools, a massive asset library, and simple customization options, Canva makes it easy to design without advanced skills. While it’s not as powerful as Adobe tools, it gets the job done for simple sticker needs.

4. GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program) is a free, open-source sticker design software that’s surprisingly powerful for the price — or lack thereof. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop, including support for layers, custom brushes, and photo editing tools, making it a solid choice for intermediate designers on a budget. GIMP is ideal for raster-style sticker art, especially if you’re creating detailed, hand-drawn elements. Just remember to start your canvas at 300 DPI and export as a high-resolution PNG or layered PDF for print-ready results.

Comparing Sticker Design Software 

To help compare the different sticker design software, popular with professionals and others creating their own custom stickers, here’s a side-by-side comparison of the top factors to consider. 

Pro Tips For Preparing Your Sticker Files 

Lastly, but not least, your final sticker design will benefit from knowing a few professional tips to ensure printing is as smooth and successful as possible. While creating your file in these sticker design softwares, be sure to keep the following tips in mind (and your printer will thank you later!): 

• Save/export at 300 DPI (minimum) for crisp prints.
• Use CMYK color mode for the best color match.
• Include a bleed area (at least 0.125" around your design).
• Save layered files whenever possible, as this makes it easier to make edits if needed.
• Export as print-ready PDF, EPS, AI, or transparent PNG.

The Final Word: Printing for Sticker Design Software Files 

Designing your own stickers is easier than ever with today’s sticker design software options, no matter whether you choose Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, or GIMP. Ultimately, the right software will help you create a design that truly “sticks”. The right printer will make sure it stands out and sticks just right!

The final quality and overall success of your sticker will come down to the capabilities of your printer. That means, as important as it is to select the software that’s right for you, it’s just as important to select a high-quality printer with exemplary service to help if things go awry with your files. 

When you’re ready to turn your design into custom stickers, StickerGenius is here to help with vibrant, durable, high-quality printing. Begin browsing our variety of sticker adhesive types, upload your design or start your order today!