Since 2016, I’ve been selling stickers online and love teaching others how to start a sticker business from home! Using, making and selling stickers is my biggest passion and I’ve built a multi-six-figure a year business around all of these things.
Today, I want to share how YOU can turn your passion for stickers into a thriving and profitable sticker business right from the comfort of your own home. So if you want to know how to start selling stickers, this is for you.
Just imagine the joy of designing your very own unique stickers, connecting with happy customers worldwide, and building a successful sticker side hustle on your terms.
In this comprehensive guide answering how do I start an Etsy sticker shop, I’m going to share my seasoned sticker business startup expertise with you. I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of starting your own sticker business from home.
So, get ready to start on an exciting journey filled with creativity, entrepreneurship, and the satisfaction of making a living doing what you love!
Contents
How to Have Success Selling Stickers
Let’s first look at how you can create stickers that make a real difference in people’s lives. This guide is perfect if you’ve been asking how so I start a sticker shop and come up with stickers that people love.
Truly Help People
To do this, take the time to research and identify the needs, interests, and struggles of the people you want to help with your stickers. What are their aspirations? What challenges do they face? By gaining this insight, you can tailor your sticker designs to address these specific areas and provide solutions that truly resonate.
Inspire Others
Next, focus on creating stickers that inspire and motivate. Think about the positive messages, affirmations, or quotes that can uplift and empower your audience. Consider designs that promote self-love, confidence, or mindfulness. These stickers can serve as daily reminders to stay positive, embrace self-care, and believe in themselves. By offering stickers with motivational messages, you can make a meaningful impact on people’s lives and help them navigate their challenges with a positive mindset.
Help People Improve
Another way to make a difference is by designing stickers that promote personal growth and development. Consider creating stickers that encourage goal setting, organization, and productivity. These stickers can be used in planners, journals, or vision boards to help individuals track their progress, stay focused, and achieve their objectives. By providing practical tools for personal growth, you empower your customers to transform their lives and make meaningful changes.
Raise Awareness
Stickers can also be a powerful tool for raising awareness about important causes and fostering social change. Think about designing stickers that support environmental sustainability, mental health awareness, or social justice. By spreading these messages through your stickers, you contribute to important conversations and inspire others to take action. Proceeds from the sale of these stickers can even be donated to relevant organizations, amplifying the impact of your business.
Customize
Personalization is another aspect to consider when creating stickers that make a difference. Think about offering customizable stickers that allow individuals to add their names, favorite quotes, or specific details. These stickers become personal mementos that hold sentimental value to the individuals who purchase them. By providing personalized stickers, you create a deeper connection with your customers and enhance their overall experience.
Collaborate
Collaboration can also be a powerful way to make a positive impact through your sticker business. Partner with local artists, non-profit organizations, or community groups to create collaborative sticker collections that support a shared cause. This collaborative approach not only expands your network but also amplifies the impact you can make together. By working with others, you can reach a wider audience and create a stronger sense of community.
Communicate
Lastly, don’t forget the power of storytelling. Consider creating sticker designs that tell a story or convey a message through visual narratives. These stickers can spark conversations and encourage individuals to reflect on their own experiences. By using storytelling techniques, you create an emotional connection with your customers and make a lasting impression.
Now let’s look at the steps you need to take to get set up selling stickers from home!
10 Steps How to Start a Sticker Business
Step 1: Brainstorm Sticker Ideas
Your sticker business begins with getting creative – and I believe that everyone has a creative side. Perhaps yours is untapped!
Take the time to brainstorm and explore different sticker styles, themes, and ideas. Really let your imagination run wild as you brainstorm ideas and experiment with various designs.
I love to get inspiration from my everyday life, people, nature, art, and surroundings. Remember, the sky’s the limit when it comes to sticker designs. Embrace your individuality and create stickers that reflect your personal style.
When you start an online sticker shop on Etsy and start designing your stickers, you can add vibrant colors, captivating illustrations, and inspirational messages.
By creating beautiful stickers that truly help people live better lives, you will sett yourself apart from the competition.
Step 2: Lay Strong Foundations
Before you dive headfirst into your exciting, new sticker business, it’s essential to lay a strong foundation.
To do this, start by conducting market research to understand your target buyers. Now is the time to get super clear on who you want to make stickers for and why they will use them.
You can also start to define and develop your new shop’s brand and even explore possible name ideas!
When it comes to pricing your stickers, ensure you are pricing for profit. To do this, consider your costs, competitors, and market demand for your type of stickers.
Step 3: Get the Tools
My sticker shop started at my kitchen table! Where will you start yours?
Set up a dedicated creative space in your home. It was years before I had my own home office. Choose an area that inspires you, whether it’s a spare room, a cozy corner, or a well-organized desk. Gather the essential tools and equipment, such as a computer, graphic design software, a printer, and cutting machines like a Silhouette or Cricut. Invest in high-quality materials, including sticker paper, ink, and packaging supplies. Organize your space to maximize productivity and ensure easy access to your creative arsenal. With a well-equipped creative space, you’ll be ready to bring your sticker designs to life.
I share my fave sticker making tools here:
Step 4: Design Beautiful, Helpful Stickers
Let your creativity shine as you dive into the process of designing and creating stunning stickers.
Want to know my sticker design process? Keep reading!
Start by sketching out your ideas on paper or digitally. Add colors, patterns and fonts that make your stickers POP!
When it’s time to print, choose high-quality sticker paper and adjust your printer settings for optimal results. Cut your stickers using a cutting machine or by hand if you prefer. Your commitment to creating top-notch stickers will captivate customers and set your business apart.
Step 5: Research Selling Online
Establishing an online presence is crucial for the success of your sticker business. Start by choosing an e-commerce platform that suits your needs, such as Etsy, Shopify, or your own website. Create an engaging and visually appealing shop that showcases your stickers effectively and draws customers in!
When writing your product listing descriptions, use SEO optimized, relevant keywords to improve search visibility and highlight the unique features and benefits of each design. Capture high-quality product photos that accurately represent your stickers and really make them shine.
Finally, develop a beautiful and cohesive brand identity across your shop and social media platforms with the aim of attracting customers and driving sales.
Step 6: Packing and Posting
A smooth shipping process will delight your customers! That’s whether you’re selling printed stickers or printable stickers.
We want to delight our customers at every stage and make the experience really easy and positive for them.
Start by determining how you will post your stickers and the costs associated with these. Invest in packaging materials that protect your stickers during delivery and calculate postage costs so you can clearly communicate your shipping policies to customers.
Aim to deliver your stickers as quickly as possible – you’re about to get very friendly with your local post office!
Step 7: Marketing and Promotion
To get your sticker business noticed, you’ll need to invest time and effort in marketing and promotion. Make it fun!
You can develop a marketing plan that includes strategies for finding and keeping potential customers on social media, through email marketing, collaborations and more.
Whilst social media isn’t essential, platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest can help you to reach a wider audience. Engage with your social followers through captivating content, perhaps giveaways, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your shop!
Email marketing is the best way, in my opinion, for you to nurture customer relationships and get repeat sales. With effective marketing and promotion, your sticker business will thrive and grow.
Step 8: Providing 5-Star Customer Service
Delighting your customers has to be your main goal! It’s really the key to building a loyal customer base and earning positive word-of-mouth.
You can excel in customer service by responding promptly to messages and addressing any issues with empathy and professionalism.
I loved adding personalized touches in my packaging, such as bonus stickers and thank you notes!
In the event of any complaints of refund requests, always handle them with grace and with the aim of getting a quick resolution for your customer as well as you.
Ask your customers for feedback and use this to continuously improve your stickers and processes.
Step 9: Scaling Up Your Sticker Business
As your sticker business gains momentum, you can build on your sticker collections and range.
At a stage where you think it’s financially appropriate, you could outsource certain sticker-making or selling tasks to help you free up time for the tasks you should be doing.
Also, take the time to continuously monitor market trends and adapt your processes and designs to stay ahead of the competition. I am always thinking about how I can help my customers even more with my stickers!
Step 10: Enjoy the Entrepreneurial Journey!
As an entrepreneur, I love nurturing my creative spirit and keeping that joy that brought me to start a sticker business in the first place. I recommend you always do the same!
Connect with fellow creative entrepreneurs to share ideas and support – I adore my business buddies.
Invest in training and ways to upskill and refine your processes by taking online courses. Here are my sticker making and selling courses.
By nurturing your entrepreneurial spirit, you’ll grow a sticker business that fills you will joy every day!
How to Start a Sticker Business: Next Steps
I hope this comprehensive guide to start a sticker business from home has inspired you!
Are you ready to get started? Click here to watch my FREE class on Discovering the Stickers That Sell!
AFTER THIS CLASS, YOU’LL KNOW:
- The 3 BIG mistakes new sticker makers and shop owners make … so YOU can avoid them
- The tools and equipment you need to get started
- How to use your creativity to start a side hustle … even if you’re not an artist or designer
- How to stand out from the crowd for sticker shop success selling the stickers that people WANT
You’ll discover the stickers that stand out from the crowd on Etsy and that people actually WANT to buy!
Sell Your Own Stickers!
Want to get started today creating your own stickers for yourself … or to sell?
You can, when you join The Sticker Shop Plan eCourse!
After taking this course, you’ll know how about making stickers to sell on Etsy in a fun, profit-focused sticker shop.
I’ll show you how to get awesome sticker ideas out of your head (and your heart) and into your planner … and the hands of customers who are just waiting for your stickers to brighten their days.
CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW TO GET STARTED NOW
Read Next:
- 6 Life-Changing Benefits of Using Planner Stickers!
- Check out my Making Planner Stickers book here and learn how to design planner stickers!
- Get Free Printable Planner Stickers
- How To Make Planner Stickers With Cricut
- Learn How to Make Planner Stickers with Cricut or Silhouette
I hope my guide on how to start a sticker business from home has inspired you!
