Hi, I’m Mim! I’m a planning-obsessed, Award-Winning Online Business Owner, Author and 5-Star Planner Sticker Seller.
I help new sticker makers create planner stickers from scratch that stand out and sell … even if you’ve never made a sticker before!

Where Do I Start with Making Planner Stickers? Your First Steps!

Are you ready to dive into the world of planner stickers and add a creative touch to your planning journey? Making planner stickers can be such a rewarding and enjoyable hobby or even side hustle!

Whether you want to enhance your organizational skills or simply indulge in a fun crafting project, this beginner’s guide will help you get started with making planner stickers. Let’s dive into this exciting creative sticker-making journey together!

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How to Start Making Planner Stickers

1. Gather the Tools

The first step in making planner stickers is to gather your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

Design Software

Choose a design software that suits your preferences and skill level. Silhouette Studio and Cricut Design Space are my go-tos and there is also Adobe Illustrator, Canva, or even free options like Inkscape are great choices for creating sticker designs.

Source Graphics

Access a library of digital graphics, illustrations, and icons from places such as Creative Fabrica, Design Bundles, Creative Market, Etsy and The Hungry JPEG. They offer a wide range of free and paid graphics that you can use to design your stickers. Or you could even create your own artwork and hand drawn designs!

Printer and Sticker Paper

Invest in a good-quality printer and sticker paper suitable for your printer type (e.g., inkjet or laser). Matte or glossy sticker paper works well for different sticker finishes.

Cutting Tools

Depending on your preference, you can use scissors, a craft knife, or a cutting machine like Silhouette or Cricut to cut out your stickers.

2. Get Inspired

Before diving into the design process, seek inspiration from various sources. Browse through planner communities, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, and sticker shops to explore different sticker styles, themes, and layouts. Gather ideas that resonate with your planning needs and personal aesthetics. This creative exploration will help you refine your vision and develop your unique sticker designs.

3. Choose Your Sticker Themes

Now that you have some inspiration, it’s time to decide on the themes for your stickers. Consider your planner’s purpose and your specific planning needs. Do you want functional stickers for daily tasks, habit tracking, or fitness goals? Or are you more drawn to decorative elements that add a pop of color and fun to your planner? Define your sticker themes to provide a clear direction for your designs.

4. Start Designing

With your themes in mind, begin the design process on your chosen software. Experiment with different layouts, colors, and graphics to create your sticker sheets. Pay attention to the dimensions of your planner to ensure your stickers fit perfectly on its pages. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations and get creative with your designs.

When designing functional stickers, consider the practicality and usability of each sticker. For example, if you’re creating habit trackers, ensure there’s enough space to mark off each day’s completion, and use clear, distinct symbols or colors for better visual recognition.

5. Print and Cut

Once your sticker designs are ready, it’s time to print them on the sticker paper. Make sure your printer settings are adjusted for the best print quality. After printing, use your cutting tools to cut out the individual stickers. If you’re using a cutting machine, set up the cutting files and let the machine work its magic.

Take your time during the cutting process to ensure clean and precise cuts. Smoothly cut stickers will enhance the overall appearance of your planner and make using them a joy.

Cricut Maker

6. Organize and Store

After cutting out your stickers, organize them into different categories or themes. Consider using sticker storage solutions like binder pockets or sticker books to keep your stickers well-organized and easily accessible for future use.

Label each section in your storage system clearly, so you can quickly find the stickers you need when planning or decorating your pages. Organizing your stickers also gives you a better overview of your sticker inventory and helps you plan future sticker designs more efficiently.

7. Have Fun Decorating Your Planner

Now comes the most exciting part—decorating your planner with your homemade stickers! Use your stickers to mark important dates, tasks, and events. Experiment with different layouts and combinations to find what works best for you. Let your stickers be a reflection of your personality and planning style.

Get creative with layering stickers or using them to create eye-catching borders and headers. Mix and match colors, patterns, and graphics to add flair to your planner pages. Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to decorate your planner, so have fun and let your creativity flow!

8. Keep Learning and Growing

As you gain more experience in sticker making, keep learning and growing your skills. Explore new design techniques, experiment with different sticker formats, and seek feedback from fellow planner enthusiasts. The more you learn and practice, the more your sticker-making game will evolve.

Consider joining online planner communities or attending planner meetups to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from their experiences. Don’t be afraid to try new things and challenge yourself with more complex sticker designs. The journey of sticker making is about continuous improvement and honing your craft.

9. Share Your Stickers

Don’t hesitate to share your sticker creations with the planner community. Post photos of your decorated planner on social media platforms like Instagram and join planner groups to connect with other like-minded individuals. Sharing your work can inspire others and foster a sense of community within the planner world.

Receiving feedback from fellow planners can also help you gain insights into what works well and what areas you can further enhance in your sticker designs. Embrace the supportive and encouraging environment that the planner community offers.

10. Have Fun and Embrace Creativity

Most importantly, have fun and embrace your creativity throughout the entire sticker-making process. Let your imagination run wild, and enjoy the process of turning your planning visions into tangible sticker designs. With each sticker sheet you create, you’ll infuse a piece of your personality into your planner and make the planning journey even more enjoyable.

Celebrate each milestone in your sticker-making journey, whether it’s mastering a new design technique or receiving positive feedback from fellow planners. Remember that the joy of sticker making lies not only in the end product but also in the process of creating something uniquely yours.

Summary of Making Planner Stickers

Making planner stickers is a delightful and fulfilling way to customize your planning experience and bring your planner to life. As you embark on this creative journey, remember to gather your supplies, seek inspiration, define your sticker themes, design with passion, and enjoy the process every step of the way. Happy sticker making, and may your planner be a canvas of organization, inspiration, and joy! 🎨✨

Mim Jenkinson holding up a planner with planner stickers

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I hope you enjoy learning how to make planner stickers or how to start a sticker business!

I’ve been making and selling stickers for journals and planners since 2017 and it’s become a wonderful and creative way to turn my hobby into a side hustle, then full-time online business.

Whether you want to make Cricut stickers, Silhouette stickers or you’re starting from complete scratch, you’re in the right place. Making planner stickers can be for you, or to start an Etsy sticker shop and sell stickers online and you don’t need any previous experience to get started.

Want to make planner stickers from home? Check out my sticker making courses, eBooks and other products here!

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land I work and live on, the Awabakal peoples, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.
I thank them wholeheartedly and express my love and gratitude for the privilege to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world and for the opportunity for my family to be part of this vibrant and supportive community.