Making your own decals is a great way to produce the custom image you want and use it to decorate walls, models, or any object. There are several ways to make your own decal sticker; The method used will depend on how much time and money you want to spend on this project and on your ability to use graphic and photo editing software. A simple image on sticker paper can make a wall hanging that will add color and style to a large room, without spending a fortune. For those who make stickers as a hobby or for sale, it is better to buy the tools needed as an investment to design and produce stickers digitally.
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Method 1 of 2: Making Stickers with Handmade Images
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
You will need blank paper, sticker paper, brown wrapping paper or newsprint, felt-tip pen and scissors.
- Making stickers with sticker paper is cheaper than using a computer and requires fewer materials.
- This method is more suitable for simple designs and does not require detailed adjustments.
Step 2. Sketch the design on a blank paper
You can also do this by using software for editing photos.
- For wall decals, sketch out the room where you want your sticker design to be attached.
- Make sure you use a scale and list the furniture in it.
- If you're using software like Photoshop, scan an image of your room and digitally add your design to the photo.
Step 3. Calculate how much sticker paper you will need
Do so based on your drawing and the scale of the room or object you will be pasting.
- Sticker paper is available in a variety of roll sizes and colors from online stores and home improvement stores.
- Make sure you buy enough for your project and make room for mistakes and parts to throw away.
- If you are working on a large area, it is better to buy sticker paper in bulk to save costs.
Step 4. Draw your design on cheap paper as big as the original
Paper such as wrapping paper or newsprint is suitable for this experimental drawing.
- Stick your design to the wall to make sure you're happy with the size and shape.
- Pay special attention to the corners, making sure they stay well in place and have the right angles.
- Adjust as needed until you are satisfied with the results.
Step 5. Remove the paper from the wall
This is what you will use to trace the image onto the sticker paper.
- Make sure your design made on newsprint is not torn or damaged by the tape that glued it to the wall.
- Double-check your design to make sure it looks right.
- Adjust if needed.
Step 6. Spread the sticker paper on a flat surface
The back side should be facing up.
- Use weights at the corners if your paper is very large and shifts easily.
- Place the paper with your design on top of the sticker paper.
- Trace your design on the back side of the sticker paper with a flannel marker.
Step 7. Cut out your design carefully using sharp scissors
If your design is very detailed with a lot of negative space, it's easier to use an X-acto knife.
- If you're using an X-acto knife, make sure you use a cutting mat underneath to prevent you from scratching your work surface.
- The X-acto knife is very sharp and slips out of your hand easily. Be careful!
- Children must be supervised while performing this step.
Step 8. Transfer your sticker paper to the wall
Do this starting at the bottom of your design and working your way up.
- Peel off the backing paper as you apply.
- Do it slowly to avoid wrinkles and bubbles in your design when attaching it to the wall.
- Press firmly to make sure the sticky surface of the sticker paper is glued to the wall.
Method 2 of 2: Creating Stickers with a Computer and Printer
Step 1. Gather the ingredients
You will need a computer or graphics tablet, a scanner, photo editing software, a printer, vinyl sheet paper, laminate sheets, a lamination machine, scissors and/or an X-acto knife.
- You don't have to use a graphics tablet, but editing images can be done much easier with this tool because you use your finger or a stylus to make changes instead of using a mouse.
- Another option is to use the Pantone color guidelines. This can uniform the color.
- You can use these color guidelines to choose a color and then use the Pantone color settings in your photo editing software to get the right color when you print your design.
Step 2. Scan the image you want to print into your computer
If you have the ability to design digitally, another option is to draw it directly in Photoshop or another graphic design or photo editing software program.
- Make sure you scan at the highest quality to make sure your image isn't distorted.
- It is highly recommended that you scan your sticker into a computer with a resolution of 600dpi and not less than 300dpi resolution.
- You can also take pictures from the internet for editing and use.
Step 3. Edit your sticker by using the software
You can use popular software like Photoshop or GIMP to do this.
- Make adjustments as needed to the color and shape.
- Resize your image to fit in the space you want to cover.
Step 4. Load the white vinyl paper into the printer
Make sure the paper is facing the right direction because if you print on the wrong side, your paper will no longer be usable.
- If you're not sure how to lay your paper face up or down, use a blank piece of paper to try it out.
- Mark one side, then print to see which side is printed.
Step 5. Make a sheet of sticker paper
This way you can fit as many stickers as possible onto one sheet of paper.
- Make sure your designs don't stack on top of each other as you'll have to cut them later.
- This is a good way to prevent you from wasting white vinyl paper, as it can cost you a lot of money.
- You can make this by using photo editing software.
- Print your sticker paper. Make sure you print it on white vinyl paper.
Step 6. Print your paper on a blank white paper
Check the colors, brightness and contrast to make sure the printed version produces what you want.
- Sometimes colors and shapes may not be the same on a computer screen and on paper, so this is a great way to check your designs.
- Make adjustments to your design and reprint to check again.
- Paste the sample next to the wall or object you are going to put the sticker on to make sure the result is correct.
Step 7. Print your sticker sheet on the vinyl paper
Make sure your paper is facing the right direction because printing on the wrong side will render your paper unusable.
- If you're not sure how to lay your paper face up or down, use a blank piece of paper to try it out.
- Mark one side, then print to see which side is printed.
- If your printer's ink is not adhering to the vinyl, then you have printed on the wrong side.
Step 8. Laminate the sticker sheet with a cold lamination machine
Follow the steps on the machine to insert the image correctly.
- The lamination machine will protect your design and keep the colors from fading.
- Press the laminate sheet against the sticker paper, sticky side down. The laminate sheeting should be folded a few inches back.
- Pass the laminated sheet through the cold lamination machine. As you do this the back layer of the laminate will separate.
- Trim excess laminate from your sticker before putting it in the lamination machine for best results.
Step 9. Cut the sticker paper and stick it on your object
You can do this using scissors.
- Cut your sticker carefully, making sure it stays close to the outline of your sticker.
- You can cut off excess sticker paper after it has been pasted using an X-acto knife.
- Peel the backing off the vinyl sheet and apply your sticker to the object.
