Today I'm going to share with you the five must-have items you need to start a sticker shop. I started my sticker shop when I was 17 in high school, and I remember spending hours searching and googling the internet to find all the items needed to start a sticker business for the lowest cost possible. With six years of experience running a sticker shop, I can share where to find the highest-quality items for the lowest cost possible.
Let's get into this.
Sticker Paper
You can't start a sticker shop without sticker paper. I originally started my sticker shop using the cheapest labels from Online Labels. I believe it was around $15 for a pack of 100 sheets of sticker paper, and that's what I used my whole first year of running a sticker business.
While it was inexpensive, the quality was not the best. After a year, I decided to upgrade and switch to Sheet Labels Spectacle Matte sticker paper, which was good for printing colored stickers but not ideal for making foiled stickers. When we got into foiled stickers, we switched to what we currently use: Online Labels Weatherproof Matte sticker paper. It's a bit pricey, but in my opinion, it's worth it. It's our customers' favorite.
If you're just starting and unsure which sticker paper to use, you can order free samples from both Online Labels and Sheet Labels to determine which one suits you best and works well with your printer.
The Sticker Printer
Speaking of printers, one common question is, "What printer do you use?" While some shops prefer not to disclose their printer, we use the Canon Pro 100. Though it's possible that the exact model we use has been discontinued, we would still recommend the Canon Pixma line if we were to choose a new printer today. These inkjet printers offer excellent color quality, and the colors generally match what's on the computer monitor.
A question that arises often is whether to use an inkjet or laser printer. For vibrant colors, especially if you're printing a lot of color, we recommend an inkjet printer. Ink cartridges, particularly third-party or off-brand ones, are more budget-friendly compared to genuine toner cartridges for laser printers. However, if you plan to make foiled stickers, a laser printer is essential.
Ink cartridges can be quite inexpensive, especially when purchased off-brand from Amazon. Some users even refill their own ink tanks, though we won't go into the details of our ink sources. Many online tutorials can guide you on refilling your own inks.
The Sticker Cutter
Next on the list is a sticker cutter, and we use the Silhouette Portrait, which is one of the more budget-friendly options on the market. Like any cutting machine, there is a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, it's straightforward to use. Adequate lighting is essential for a smooth cutting experience.
The line of Cricut cutters are also great options.
Some suggest using a plotter or wide-format printer and cutter for high-volume sticker production, but we make foiled stickers, which require both inkjet and laser printing. A plotter doesn't suit our needs in this case. However, if you're producing non-foiled stickers in large quantities, a plotter could be a worthwhile investment. For beginners, the Silhouette Portrait is a suitable choice.
Sticker Packaging
Lastly, consider packaging. Cellophane bags with adhesive seals help protect stickers from water damage during shipping. We source our cello bags from Paper Mart and Amazon, which offers bulk discounts. Another option we like are bags from Clear Bags that have adhesive on the bag itself, preventing accidental sticking to the stickers when customers remove them.
Business cards serve as a useful tool for customers to find you on social media. We order ours from Vistaprint, and they also function as thank-you cards while keeping stickers flat during transit.
When it comes to mailing your stickers, you can choose between rigid cardboard mailers, which prevent bending, bubble mailers, which are lightweight but more flexible, and custom-made envelopes. Custom packaging can be fun but expensive, so we recommend it when you're more established.
Wrapping Up
Those are the five essential items you need to start a sticker shop. If you found this article helpful, please hit the like button, and if you have any questions about running a sticker shop, feel free to reach out.
