One year in business MAKING STICKERS at home - Did I make the wrong decision?

[@nikosmargaritis8953]

Wish you the best Mike! Thanks for the insights… 2025 will be my first year into sticker business! Lets kick it…

[@Gwogster]

What a superb video. I only stumbled on your channel a couple of days ago. Some really great advice and I really admire how honest and open you are about your struggles and success. I may be looking at starting up a new business in the new year, and these type of videos really motivate me. Wishing you success in your journey. All the best from the UK 👍🏻

[@klotz__]

Those backup batteries don't have enough power to run all your machines. Their purpose is to be able to safely shutdown your computer and devices. Usually they last for a ballpark 15 minutes.

[@miketheprintman]

Keep doing your thing, Mike! I'm glad you're bringing us all along for the ride. I love seeing other shops, big or small and to see success is amazing. Hopefully soon enough this will become the full time job and you'll actually be looking at moving into a full commercial shop.

[@mikesstickers]

Thanks! I’m having a lot of fun doing it so far & I plan to keep growing the business.

[@truemicro221]

Hey Mike! Good job on the vids and biz brother! I wonder if your city or a bigger city close by publicize lists of new business license applicants...Lots of contact info in there you can send samples to and drum up more biz if they do.

[@hicl5450]

Hi Mike, thanks for sharing this experiences. I like your attitude and confidence in overcoming competition. This is essential for a successful entrepreneur.

[@Cyrus_the_viral]

I like this video because it relates to me how messy my area is gonna be once I start my stickers and decal business, hopefully next month🤞🏽

[@eddieduque9371]

How about changing your HTV, Cadcolor soft opaque can be pressed even in polyester..

[@nerdlabstudios7023]

Dude! This is awesome! I am actually in the midst of designing my website for my own sticker company! It's a $6.3 Billion dollar U.S. market for stickers annually I mean that says it all + if you can make quality stickers then there are more than a hundred ways to market & sell em! Seems like all is well for you since you said going into your day job is now a "nuisance" I'd say that us a great thing! 😂 I Hope you can & do eventually quit your day job bro! It's a good thing to have your own flourishing business. Good luck I just subbed!

[@Kewlstickers]

Great point Dude

[@chiparooo]

Good stuff. Subscribed. Thanks for sharing!

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you!

[@kathywalters3811]

Hi from Conroe, TX! I am running a start-up biz, selling T-shirts, caps, tumblers and other promotional items. I will keep you in mind when I need stickers for myself or for my customers! I'll keep watching! Kathy from Texas RealiTees

[@smalltownink]

HTV sucks for shirts, but if you ever get into Table Covers you can turn a $20 table cover into a $200 one. Love it for that.

[@roberttorres4481]

Use thermal flex for t-shirts. Don't get rid of the heat press.

[@mikesstickers]

Good to know, thanks!

[@brians5104]

Make some training videos I would pay to learn this I have 3 pieces of equipment you use but I am so new learning as I go

[@ukprintshop]

A huge congrats on the growth you’re seeing. I have been watching from the start and it’s been great seeing you go from using the Epson with dodgy inks to your C6500 and now your Roland/Graphtec combo. I’m just getting started with printing stickers (I’m in the UK) but love watching videos like yours for inspiration 😁

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you!

[@iheatpress9984]

Thank you for sharing that with us! Could you please tell me where do you get your stickers idea? Where are you inspired to make a sticker?

[@stickerhoggz]

Hey Mike, i installed a mini split AC unit in my garage. It heats and cools. Was the best investment ever. I did wind up going with a name brand. So it was a total of $900 installed, but there are much cheaper options out there. I also added some of that Styrofoam insulation they sell by the sheets at lowes. They come white on one side and like metallic on the other and i cut is down to size to fit in the slots on your garage door. Helps keep that texas heat out. So with all that it has helped a ton in my garage and i keep it a cool 68-70 during the summer or winter. Just thought i would share.

[@mikesstickers]

I would if I could but it’s a battle with my wife. It’s a brand new house & she doesn’t want me to modify it at all. I will eventually need to get a warehouse space.

[@stickerhoggz]

@@mikesstickers It's just one little 3" hole, that's all.. My wife said the same, but here is the kicker.. You know when we had that freeze right? Well this unit saved us.. Because it's a 110 unit, and we ran it with a generator.. So it saved us from freezing.. Saved my laser machine, save our freezers and so on.... Well worth it...

[@terryw5500]

How did u install please give me info I need info im in the garage too

[@mikesstickers]

@@terryw5500 mikesstickers.com

[@mikesstickers]

@@terryw5500 what sort of info do you need?

[@teezthatpleez6873]

Awesome! Congrats. Our stories are very similar. I was surprised how fast local business can grow. All about Good Quality Product and Great Customer Service. Not gonna lie though...I'd like my online business to be more steady, but it'll happen. Keep Pushing Brother!

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you!

[@anthonyurbano6343]

Mike, I also have my business in my home. I do stickers and large signage. I would like to pick your brain sometimes as we have some of the same machines. I definitely need some help with the business. Anyway just came across your site.

[@mikesstickers]

Shoot me an email. [e-mail]

[@benpenph]

1 thing I learned about this kind of business is you should put more effort to it. This is not a need industry but a want industry. I love how decal business works I believe I can help most person with my service

[@mikesstickers]

In regards to “need vs want”, that’s why I also produce labels. Labels fall into the “need” category.

[@lindaolson3402]

Thanks for the inspirational video! I recently bought a Roland BN20a and want to make vehicle decals and magnetic signs. I was wondering what type of printable vinyl you used on the beef trailer? And did you laminate it? Hope your business is growing and you got to quit the day job!!

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you. Right now I’m using Substance Incorporated Icon PM-2755 on everything & yes I laminated it with matte laminate from Substance. They bought 3 more trailers & I’m making decals for those right now. I haven’t quit the day job yet but it should be happening soon.

[@lindaolson3402]

Right on! I'll check it out...thanks!

[@rabsrealm]

You should try the Siser HTV. It's super thin and doesn't have the plastic feel of other HTV.

[@TG5879]

This is the comment I was looking for lol. Watching videos thinking about getting into it.

[@smalltownink]

That’s what we use, but mostly just for table covers.

[@theprintwizard]

Make that jump into Full time Mike!:) You won't regret it. You can always check back into the matrix if things don't work out. Keep grinding man.Love your content.

[@mikesstickers]

Thanks!

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

Congrats on the success!

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you!

[@alurpal888]

If the Roland is a cutter too, why do you need a dedicated cutter?

[@AdilBayS]

Hi dear, Your shop is great. My profession is advertising in Turkey

[@9amStudio]

Inspirational

[@mikesstickers]

Thank you!

[@bkkp5468]

I'm trying to start a label and sticker business alongside other work. I have an Epson c4000 label printer and a graphtec ce7000. I'm wondering what large format printer to buy. I only have a small budget (£2000 or $2500) at the moment so I need something that's good value for money, any ideas?

[@mikesstickers]

The Roland BN-20a is the cheapest printer I can recommend but it’s not inexpensive. I never could find a cheaper alternative that would produce quality results. They looked fine but would fade & bleed over time. You need a true Eco-solvent printer, latex printer or UV printer. My next upgrade will probably be for a Roland UV printer.

[@mikesstickers]

You might be. Lento get. Good deal on a HP Latex printer.

[@bkkp5468]

@@mikesstickers thanks for the advice. I'm very new to printing. I'm printing on both paper and polypropylene on my C4000. Does anyone print on polypropylene on large format printers? I only ever hear vinyl being used?

[@mikesstickers]

@@bkkp5468 to the best of my knowledge, everyone used vinyl. I’m my experience vinyl is a better product than the polypropylene (BOPP). I tried using BOPP for stickers but they did not hold up as well as vinyl over time.

[@bkkp5468]

@@mikesstickers Do you just use paper labels on your Epson? I've tried gloss paper and 2 different gloss bopp materials and labels come out far better on bopp than paper.

[@leviteapparel]

🎉🎉 Hello new to your channel looks like you're doing amazing things keep it up. 💯 Also subscribe

[@BellionaireStudios]

what label printer is that i want one for my shop

[@mikesstickers]

Epson ColorWorks C6500au

[@BellionaireStudios]

@@mikesstickers do you like ut? Has it done all that you wanted ?

[@mikesstickers]

Yes but keep in mind you need to purchase the rewinder separately. The machine works good but sometimes bad batches of blank labels causes frustration. I ordered 20,000 blank labels recently & almost all of them were out of alignment, cause if print issues. Seems like all companies have bad batches from time to time.

[@BellionaireStudios]

Thank You

[@terryw5500]

What's your website

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

How did you get into sticker making? Did you have previous experience or did you just start learning from scratch?

[@mikesstickers]

I just learned from other KZbin videos. Many led me in the wrong direction so I like to give my own take on everything I’ve learned

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

How did you choose the sticker business? I’m thinking about trying a side hustle from home because I’m a stay at home dad. Your videos have been a good inspiration of someone who has given it his best shot and now finding success

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

How did you choose the sticker business? I’m thinking about trying a side hustle from home because I’m a stay at home dad. Your videos have been a good inspiration of someone who has given it his best shot and now finding success

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

How did you choose the sticker business? I’m thinking about trying a side hustle from home because I’m a stay at home dad. Your videos have been a good inspiration of someone who has given it his best shot and now finding success

[@patrickbresnahan2884]

How did you choose the sticker business? I’m thinking about trying a side hustle from home because I’m a stay at home dad. Your videos have been a good inspiration of someone who has given it his best shot and now finding success

[@MellyG2007]

AADesigns got some lit stickers tbh

[@mikesstickers]

😂 okay. Good for them. I’m here to teach tutorials & trade secrets. I didn’t come here to sell my products. Funny you came here to spam when they already have way more subscribers than me.

[@ericortizbasketball7512]

Mike you don’t know what your doing. Quite your job and commit 100% to stickers