How I Design Stickers | Manufacturers | Home DIY | Pricing

[@Inkwell]

My apologies if you guys notice weird audio in a small section of the video, KZbin found copyrighted music in that area so we muted the background sound, ironically KZbin doesn’t seem to mind all the animal crossing music though out the video 😅

[@wingedcanvas]

KZbin do be difficult like that.

[@SebastianSeanCrow]

KZbin gets weird, it’s copyrighted music that I made myself so 🤷‍♂️

[@veggiebr0th2]

Silhouette is a good alternative for Cricut machines. some of their models are a bit cheaper, and they do the trick. If you're cutting with scissors, my best tip is to hold the scissors in place and move the sticker around. I've been told that some of my early stickers looked machine cut, despite being cut with scissors. Another big tip is to print out the cut-line at a very low opacity, so you know approximately where to cut and end up with more even results

[@Inkwell]

Great insights, thanks you!

[@10keyes]

I’m the artist of the “I’m using AI to generate art of YOUR MOM” sticker! Thanks so much for creating such a great, informative video! It was wonderful to meet you in person as well

[@Xiran]

THIS is the kind of stuff we need! I feel like so many people gate-keep this information. Thank you for putting together this video and sharing! Could consider going a bit more in-depth on specifically the Alibaba-type process (stickers, enamel pins, magnets, prints/vines/booklets, cards, standees, etc.,), in the future? I think many of us would love to learn from it! My main concern regarding Alibaba would be how to approach the sellers, red flags to look for, how to look for 'quality', and are there any sellers out there that you'd recommend! I would also be interested in knowing what the Alibaba sellers expect from the artist so that we could prepare our files properly ahead of time, much like how you went over it in this video (what DPI is standard, what layering they would want for special cases like foiling or holographic stuff, etc.). Do you know of any sellers that are willing to produce smaller amounts (x20/x50/x100)? Any that are willing to produce samples (free or paid) before commitment? Do any provide videos of samples if they don't want to send a sample to you? I have so many questions lmao. I've been wanting to produce merch for cons maybe 5 years now, but I always chicken out because I'm small and don't have anyone to ask. I'm really afraid of making an investment and it going wrong on the first step or just wasting money on a red flag that I should've known about. Thank you again for such an in-depth video!

[@Inkwell]

Great suggestions, I’ll keep them in mind for the next one

[@artbyinky]

I never realized how popular making stickers would be! They don’t bring in a ton of profit, but people seem to love them. I do a similar thing when planning out stickers, but usually focus on size and color and if I’d like holographic or not. I also try to think how that design can be used in different products like keychains, prints, etc. When I first started, I used sticker mule which aren’t the best and they are a problematic company. I didn’t realize that years ago. I’ve also used sticker bunnies which are great, but they have a slow turn around time as they’re a small business!! But they have affordable pricing and no minimum quantity. A year or so back, I decided to get a cricut and do it myself. While that can be a challenge I can test what designs sell that way.

[@Exokaubed]

Great guy for beginner artists? Critically underrated. Why is it always like this. Also thank you for the information I think this is a great way for people to figure out how to get started if they don't know where to start.

[@Ch-ob6zv]

Great video! the sharing of info and sources within the artist community can never be enough. Would love to see another one of these videos on Enamel Pins!

[@Inkwell]

I made one on enamel pins last year, feel free to check it out.

[@Ch-ob6zv]

@@Inkwell oh snap awesome! I’ll definitely check it out

[@prodigiart]

Thanks for your candour and willingness to share details about your art business with the community! I also very much appreciate your sponsor-free recommendations. 👏 (Although content creators often proclaim that their recommendations are their own and I believe many are sincere, it’s nice not having to consider the potential for bias.) ☺

[@FilomenaJackStudio]

Libraries often have a cricut machine you can use on site ;)

[@LAngel2REAL]

Vograce is excellent for stickers! They have a low MOC and low price but great quality. I just received some recently and they're gorgeous.

[@Inkwell]

Good to hear! I hadn’t used them before but a lot of people has suggested them to me

[@AxlTruth]

This is incredible! The magic fish bag looks awesome. Will you ever make a video covering the process of making a product like that? Thanks for sharing your expertise!

[@amandac8836]

That delivery driver just dumping that package 😂 wtf

[@hundredone]

loving all the Frieza! thank you for the insights!

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for watching!

[@o_lilium4829]

I had no idea you used a thermal printer for all those small business labels! Ima look into that!

[@Inkwell]

They are great, very low maintenance too!

[@swolerabbit]

hi mom! fancy seeing you here!!

[@o_lilium4829]

​@@swolerabbit this is my son's video of course I am here 😤😂

[@swolerabbit]

@@o_lilium4829 AND IT WAS VERY USEFUL, really wish i had this video in my Sticker Era 😭😂

[@so_va]

I wanted to print some stickers for myself and was trying to research yesterday. So glad you posted this!

[@Inkwell]

Hope it helps

[@mirisoji8406]

0:12 I purchased those tickers from Sang Lam at C2E2 this year!

[@rosar.4293]

Great video and straight to the point! Would love to see another video on manufacturing other products like pins, plushies, etc. 🎉

[@Inkwell]

Made one for pins already! Plushies would be cool tho

[@bennettpisek5566]

Plushies would be a great info. video.

[@bunbunb0nni]

Perfect timing (early bird yay! 🥳) cause I wanna start selling stickers and then slowly expand to more merch like charms, standees and print etc.

[@Inkwell]

exciting! best of luck to you

[@mrmustache7023]

I just finished some sticker designs too perfect timing

[@jessekoskinen]

Yay! I have been looking forward to a sticker episode.

[@Inkwell]

🙏😈🙏

[@LightCurlz]

Thank you for making a sticker video that’s less than 30 minutes long. Greatly appreciate it. Also! I’d love to see a video from you on packaging because yours is beautiful and I want to hear all about it

[@project.barbarella]

Liene printer is also an option similar to the thermal printer but in colour

[@21cormorants]

Thanks for breaking it all down, from process to ordering, in such a chill and understandable way! I’d love to hear a little more about the process of ordering through Alibaba if you’re ever looking for more video ideas! I’ve, for some reason, always been hesitant to try, perhaps overthinking it - but your descriptions here have been so helpful in every other step! (And you’ve sold me on the thermal printer! Just a question - how do those labels stand up over time? Do they tend to fade like receipts? Not necessarily a problem, just an interesting consideration I hadn’t really thought of until I realised how sad I’d be for your gorgeous labels to fade!)

[@shineefeels]

It’s disappointing that the more complex stuff can’t be done affordably stateside. As much as I want to support the local economy, it’s hard to do if the local vendors aren’t competitive. Thank you for the tips!

[@caringfamily8132]

5:52 Yes, folks, it's true. The artist life is always rainbows and fun times, 🤣. Ok, seriously! Inkwell is blowing off steam, Incredible Hulk style - "Inkwell SMASH!!!"

[@SlateBlueC4t]

Thank you for this useful information! I was recently thinking of doing some stickers for me and my friends, so this video comes super handy!

[@crystalloartsandcomics]

Thank you for making this video! I'm trying to get my sticker designs off the ground and stuff like this really helps!

[@Inkwell]

Best of luck!

[@BigJay2133]

I loved the lowkey Frieza themed video lol Also thank you for mentioning using a thermal printer. I feel pretty slow for not realizing I could also use my printer to make little freebie stickers for my products...

[@rootbearfloat2757]

Hi Dustin! Thank you for continuing to come out with this phenomenal and helpful content, friend. I have a question for you! Do you worry about your art being stolen by manufacturers when ordering on Ali Baba? We’ve ordered through them before, though we presented NNN agreements that was quite a hassle to coordinate with certain suppliers.

[@Inkwell]

In my experience I haven’t noticed any more art theft from alibaba then say other US based companies, I think its always good to watch out for red flags. Like if you see an artists design on their website check with the artist, looking at reviews. There are gonna be sketchy manufacturers on every platform. So just give them a look over before sending your work.

[@boo.buggaboo]

this video is very helpful! i would love a video on the process of making a bad/purse!

[@Inkwell]

Planning on one!

[@boo.buggaboo]

@@Inkwell LETS GOOO!!!

[@dixieyoung]

I love these insights!! And beautiful work on the sticker! Thank you for sharing such helpful info 💛

[@Inkwell]

Thanks 🙏

[@Un_Elysian]

The timing of this video is hilarious 😂😂 I got a printer yesterday for making stickers and gaddamn janky is the right way to describe cutting these fkers by hand 😂 (I’m too small and poor to always manufacture - it’s expensive to get stuff to Australia and the Australian ones are expensive af and got a grant for the printer)😂

[@Inkwell]

😅😅😅 oh no, you will be a master sticker cuter by the end of this!

[@Un_Elysian]

@@Inkwell arthritic hands means I’m definitely saving for a cutting machine 😂😂 or my partner will become the master cutter - even better!

[@Antisympathy]

None of the links are working when clicked. What is the name of the thermal printer you mentioned?

[@thesketchartist6328]

Me personally I’d like to see a video on how you make cards. Like pokemon cards

[@BeyondReality2]

Thanks for the information on the stickers! I've been trying to find a good manufacturer at a decent price so this was a great source. I would love to see how you went about getting your custom bags created, contacting a manufacturer and all that, and I see another comment as I'm writing this about enamel pins I would also like to second that c: Thanks for always sharing great information with people looking to start artist alley or their online shops it's been super helpful to me and my journey so far! :3

[@savannahscoops2881]

Do you have any recommendations for where to get custom packaging? I want my products to have professional packaging as a nice final touch but I don’t have the tools to do this myself

[@anamartins371]

I had no idea you had a youtube channel, amazing video and amazing art!

[@iscott5279]

i'd love to see a manufacturing video on prints! looking into it there's SO many options and especially being in canada i have no clue where to start

[@Inkwell]

@@iscott5279 already made one about a year ago 😅

[@iscott5279]

@@Inkwell oh I'm sorry!! Idk how I missed that. Thank you!

[@Inkwell]

@@iscott5279 no worries, hope it helps

[@aaronp1431]

Great and informative video. And great stickers, Sang!

[@PrettyPearPricess]

32k ??!! Omg congratulations I’ve been following for a year when your 3 video was at like 10k great content well deserved

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for sticking around!

[@project.barbarella]

Not sure if anyone mentioned stickermule? They give you an option to order sample stickers which is pretty cool!

[@ParadoxMooCheese]

Unfortunately they turned out to be Trump supporters/promoters.

[@victorhart1895]

Not to mention they're doing a cyber truck giveaway now. Pretty clownish behavior.

[@project.barbarella]

@@ParadoxMooCheese sad that everyone needs to get involved in the Politics! I certainly dont !

[@project.barbarella]

@@victorhart1895 i am clearly not up to date!

[@Versa2030]

Can u make a video on poster printing and it’s costing ?

[@di-bellaf9341]

Hi, your work is stunning🥹. Please may i ask, which company do you use for custom packaging for items bigger than stickers? The gold foil on the black box for your card set on etsy was really elegant.

[@thexenobunny]

I've only just started my etsy shop... Like, week 2. I am using Printify because I'm new, want to focus on creating art, and because I am being of hatred. It fills me with rage. It is not a website for common design sense... Oh, we have a horizontal format fridge magnet template. What? You need it formatted in the same dimensions but vertical, complete with thumbnails in vertical? "I'm afraid I can't do the, Dave". Even the kiss cut sticker situation seems broken because when I fill an area with white to create a transparent space on a see through sticker it fills in as opaque white in spite of the tool tips telling me it will be designated a see through zone. It gives me hope, seeing other options though. If I step up the sticker game I will look into the manufacturers you've recommended here. I still prefer POD as mailing from Canada is not viable. Our postal service is medieval and mythical creatures are devouring our post pigeons mid flight, packages and all.

[@henrypereira9503]

I have been watching your videos with the hope of soon next 2 years bc im out of the USA to create my own artis shop and universe but i wanted to ask for a video where you budget he production cost of your items for a start or first time shop , like for example right like how many stickers would you make for a alley week end and what ecentials do we need like the lable printer you showed here where do you get your boxes how many items do you recomend like a high value item and cheaper alternatisves like like if you where starting again and you wanted to produce something with decent quality how much would it all cost you .. ???

[@ProfessorSpacecakes]

Thank you for this! I was just about to start stocking up on product for my first artist alley, which will be mostly stickers. I was going through StickerMule and I was less than satisfied with the quality some of the samples I've been getting back from them. StickerApp actually looks to be cheaper per unit and does way more materials, so I'm going to give them a shot!

[@Inkwell]

Sticker mule is definitely on the pricier side, I use to use them back in the day but switched as there wasn’t a benefit for that extra price

[@ParadoxMooCheese]

@@Inkwell And it also turned out mule is Trump supporters/promoters, so I'm glad they were left out of the video.

[@Inkwell]

@@ParadoxMooCheese that also ⬆️

[@zy2239]

Inkwell , thanks for your amazing videos as always !!!! ❤❤❤❤ We need one on printing art on clothing and fashion !!! 😊

[@Inkwell]

I have little experience in that department but maybe I can find a good guest on the topic

[@zy2239]

@@Inkwell that works out as well ! Your guests are always refreshing and knowledgeable to watch 🙌

[@Usagi_Bex]

Thanks, This was helpful. 😊 Your sticker is so cute!

[@victorhart1895]

Has anyone had any issues recently with stickers curling? My last orders from Sticker Bunnies curl really bad while still on the backing paper. It doesn't effect the performance once they're stuck down, but it doesn't look great when sitting on my table either.

[@ashleyeverything588]

Loveee thisss. I want to try through alibaba but “negotiating”? That’s worried me a bit 😅, how much correspondence is necessary when it comes to Alibaba manufacturers?

[@Inkwell]

Depends on you really, I always get multiple quotes from different companies on there and then use those that negotiating with the one that I think will do the better job. But that’s not necessary. You can often request for sample to be made first so depending what your making seeing who dose it better can be smart. Normally do have to pay for a sample tho

[@sanglamart]

Nice sticker collections you got there

[@Inkwell]

Mid tier really 💙

[@teteotolis]

Great value on this video :D ! Very useful information.

[@thesketchartist6328]

Finally a new video

[@Inkwell]

Truly years late 😅

[@vonnart]

Commenting to push the algorithm and also to let you know your sticker is pretty cute! ✨

[@Inkwell]

Thanks dad!

[@evelynp789]

Amazing video! I’m just now getting into making stickers and prints. Is it wise to work in a CMYK or RGB color profile when initially designing your product? Or does it really matter? Thanks 😊

[@Inkwell]

depends on what type of printer you're using, converting an image to CMYK never hurts tho.

[@lowbudgetmic]

Professor artist alley Inkwell 😮😎💛🍑🌎

[@MsRinda]

How important is it to you how weatherproof/scratchproof the material is? I've gone through several manus and make stickers at home too, but I never really know what finish is "okay enough" to sell as vinyl stickers, yknow. Will the customer assume outdoor usage is OK? If they can't put it on their water bottle and run it through the dishwasher, should I state that on my display? Wonder if you've ever had any complaints or customer remarks about this, or like... What your strategy is. I love what stickerapp can do with their different materials, but found them to wear down relatively fast compared to other manus, for example, and with that in mind I find their pricing hard to justify.

[@Inkwell]

I think waterproof is important, personally I wouldn’t consider making a sticker that isn’t somewhat water proof, you end up cutting out to many customers without it. But it also depends what price point you’re trying to fill in your catalog.

[@vidotter]

Awesome as always 😊

[@hikarii-kun2698]

What's the video where you destroy that canon printer

[@Inkwell]

It’s from my where to get prints made video

[@Shadowstar_Art]

Asking for a vtuber friend do you know where to get dakimakuras made

[@alskarmode]

Thank you for this! What software do you use 01:13

[@Inkwell]

Procreate and clip studio for file prep

[@fergal2424]

People say PING file? I've always just said P-N-G haha

[@Jowellee2]

Isn't Alibaba selling your designs afterwards ? Isn't that why it is cheaper ?

[@Inkwell]

@@Jowellee2 alibaba is a market place so there are many different manufacturers to choose there, so the short answer is no. But this is always a risk no matter who you go though, always best to check for red flags before working with someone

[@Jowellee2]

@@Inkwell Thank you so much for your answer, that makes a lot of sense !

[@cirsoe]

the delivery lmao

[@andyborch9886]

Is Freezer your favorite DBZ character? 😋

[@nurrdy]

Jesus you're so handsome! And talking about something I'm curious about? Heckin big sub from this lady!

[@Kikopaints_]

Great video! I’m planning to level up my sticker game for 2025 cons (lol i know we still have half of this year) so this video is perfect for me! Thank you! 🎣 #fishscout

[@Inkwell]

Hell yeah! best of luck to you!

[@villegassn]

I manufacture and sell srtickers full time and I just want to point out that cricut is one of the worst cutters out there. Its unreliable and its software only cares about trying to sell you stuff. I personally use a sister juliet. It's a little pricier but it gives you more controlover designs and has some material saving features. Manufacturing stickers is tricky but really fun! I love how much control I have over my designs and the fact I can have as many as I want on demand. I even figured out a how to print my information on the back of my stickers, so I can hand them as business cards.

[@Inkwell]

Thanks for the information! Good to know!

[@hikarii-kun2698]

Why would you say manufacturing is tricky? Very curious! I felt it wasn't really highlighted, aside from wait time and finding the right manufacturer.

[@SideBurns]

Poggers

[@artb_ytiti]

Wow I’m early

[@miteruno]

i cant understand the alibaba website, its confusing as to what am i paying for

[@Inkwell]

I only every use it for custom stuff, so I find a listing that is kind of similar to what I want and then I just contact that seller and ask if they can do the custom thing I need

[@bennettpisek5566]

Thank you Dustin for another great info. video. Very impressive sticker illustration/design. I have used Sticker Mule with success. My designs were simple, and they matched the colors, as the colors appeared on my screen. Prices were comparable to other manufacturers, and they arrived on time. They also offer weekly deals on their other products. Communication was fantastic.

[@ParadoxMooCheese]

Unfortunately mule turned out to be open Trump supporters/promoters.

[@xhovisx1]

Thank you for the informative video as someone that is looking into starting artist ally it is very helpful XD