How to Make Printable Stickers for Fun or Profit from Home

How to Make Digital/Printable Stickers and Labels from Home (For Fun or for Profit)

In the world of DIY, productivity tools, and e-commerce, digital stickers and labels are a rising star. Whether you’re a planner addict, a small business owner, or a digital artist, designing printable stickers and labels can be a creative outlet—or a great source of income. Trying something new can be really daunting and a little scary, our ‘How To’ guides are here to step you through the process and to hopefully inspire you to start creating your own amazing printable products.

What Are Digital Stickers and Labels?

Digital stickers and labels are downloadable files (typically PNG or PDF) that users can print at home or use in digital planning apps like GoodNotes, Notability, or ZoomNotes. Unlike physical products, these are instant downloads—low overhead, scalable, and eco-friendly. Whilst there are plenty of them available on online seller platforms there is still plenty of space for new and innovative makers like yourself. Particularly if you choose a genre/nitche that is under-represented.  

Tools You Need to Get Started

You don’t need a commercial studio to create beautiful digital stickers and labels. Here’s some ideas on for software that you might consider need (We use Canva and love it – for what its worth):

Software for Designing

1. Canva (Free/Paid) – Easy drag-and-drop interface. Great for beginners.
2. Affinity Designer – A professional, one-time-purchase alternative to Adobe Illustrator.
3. Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop – Ideal for pros needing vector and high-res raster design.
4. Procreate (iPad) – Loved for its intuitive drawing experience.
5. Inkscape (Free) – A free vector design tool with strong capabilities.

File Format Tools

• Save designs as PNG (transparent background) for stickers.
• Use PDF for full sheets of printable labels.
• ZIP files if you’re selling bundled items.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making Digital Stickers & Labels

Step 1: Choose a Niche or Theme

Select a concept or audience to guide your design process:

• Productivity (planner labels, to-do stickers)
• Kids & Schools (name tags, reward stickers)
• Small Business (thank you labels, packaging tags)
• Hobby (journaling, scrapbooking)
• Seasonal/Holiday themes

TIP: We recommend spending some researching on online seller platforms such as Etsy, Gum Road, Creative Market and Shopify. You might also like to check out image repository sites such as Adobe Stock, Shutterstock and Pixabay

Step 2: Decide the Format

Are your stickers meant for:

• Cutting by hand? Keep them spaced and easy to cut.
• Cricut/Silhouette users? Use traceable outlines or include cut files (SVG/DXF).
• Digital planners? Use individual PNGs with transparent backgrounds.

Step 3: Create Your Designs

• Use vector elements for scalability.
• Create a sticker sheet (multiple designs on one page) for PDF downloads.
• Ensure designs are 300 DPI for crisp printing.
• Use white outlines or sticker borders if printing and cutting.

Step 4: Export Your Files

• Save as high-res PNGs with transparent backgrounds for digital use.
• Export as PDF sheets for print-at-home users.
• Organize into ZIP files if needed.

Step 5: Test & Refine

Before publishing, print or test the files yourself (or have someone else test them) to ensure sizing, resolution, and layout are user-friendly.

Design Inspiration: Styles & Colors Trending Now

Trending Aesthetics:

• Retro Y2K (holographic, neon outlines)
• Neutral Boho (beige, terracotta, leafy motifs)
• Minimal Tech (icons, productivity timers, clean labels)
• Mystic & Celestial (stars, moons, tarot symbols)
• Hand-Drawn & Watercolor (organic, soft, artsy)

Color Palettes:

• Earthy tones (beige, sage, mustard)
• Pastels with bold outlines
• Monochrome blacks + metallic golds
• Neon pinks, blues, greens for digital aesthetics

Where and How to Sell Digital Stickers & Labels

Online Marketplaces

• Etsy – Ideal for digital downloads, planner users, small biz owners.
• Creative Market – For professional-style label kits or branding bundles.
• Gumroad or Payhip – Easy checkout for selling from social media or blogs.
• Your own Shopify site – Gives you full control and branding.

Marketing Tips

• Share on Pinterest with searchable keywords like "printable planner stickers" or "kids name labels."
• Use Instagram Reels and TikToks to show sticker usage or time-lapse design processes.
• Offer freebies via your blog or newsletter to build a loyal customer base.

Niche Ideas and Target Audiences

Here are several proven and emerging niches:

Trends to Watch for the Future

• Editable Canva Templates: Allow buyers to customize text online before downloading.
• Interactive Stickers: Designed for apps like GoodNotes or iPad journaling.
• Branding Label Kits: For home-based and cottage businesses needing cohesive sticker packs.
• Sustainability Messaging: Labels with recycling icons, eco slogans, and clean design.
• AI-Enhanced Graphics: Use AI tools to generate custom elements and illustrations.

TIP: Research a comprehensive list of different styles, themes and nitches – look for ones that seem to be under represented, eg. A popular theme or style etc that doesn’t have as many stickers or labels available in that style. This might be a great place to start creating your own stickers etc to get noticed faster.

Final Tips

• Offer bundles and upsells (e.g., sticker sets + matching labels).
• Include user instructions (how to use with Cricut, how to import into GoodNotes, etc.).
• Optimize listings with keywords like “printable planner stickers,” “small business labels,” “editable PDF,” and “digital sticker bundle.”

Conclusion

Creating digital stickers and labels is a fun and lucrative venture or side hustle for designers, planners, educators, and small business owners alike. With minimal setup and creative flexibility, you can build a passive income stream or grow a loyal following of fans who love what you create. Be sure to check out the rest of our blogs in this How to Make Printable Products series for more ideas.