How to Start a Sticker Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re a graphic artist planning to produce your own custom stickers or a small business owner looking to source them from another supplier for reselling, this step-by-step guide can help you get started on your journey.
Steps to Start a Sticker Business
- Define your business’ niche
- Pick your Products
- Draw up a business plan
- Decide on your business model
- Decide where to sell your stickers
- Register your Business
Define your business’ niche
If you have a clear and well-defined niche, you can stand out from the competition and set competitive prices. For example, you can offer Gothic themed stickers that appeal to a specific customer demographic.
By contrast, casting your net too wide might make it more difficult and may cost more, especially in terms of marketing and advertising, to attract your target audience.
Pick your products
Learn about the different printing options, such as inkjet, digital, sublimation, and traditional screenprinting, so you can decide which methods will suit the look, durability, and applications you want to offer to your customers.
In terms of materials, the two most popular options are vinyl, which is durable and water- and oil-resistant, and paper, which is more affordable but less durable.
Offering stickers made from different materials is a great idea. However, if you’re starting out, you may want to choose one material and expand later once you establish your business. All in all, knowing your options for materials and printing methods will help you plan your budget and order quantities.
Draw up a business plan
Your business plan doesn’t have to be perfect or thorough (at least not at first!) if you are starting out small. A less-than-perfect plan is way better than having no plan at all.
With a written business plan, it becomes easier to consolidate your ideas and create short- and long-term goals. Plus, it can help you find the right talents and partners and pitch your business in the future to seek financial backing for expansion.
An effective business plan should have these things:
- A general summary of your business
- Target customers
- Ideas for your marketing strategy
- Members of your team
- Financial goals and the strategies to achieve them
Decide on your business model
Your business model will determine your production and distribution process, the cost and effort required to produce stickers, and the scalability of your company in the future.
Manufacturing is the business model that gives you the most control, although the caveat is the high upfront cost.
If you have limited funds and manpower to fulfill orders, partnering with a print-on-demand (POD) service provider is a great way to start your sticker business. You design the stickers while your supplier prints and ships them to the customers. Thus, you can focus your time and effort on creating designs, improving your marketing strategy, and growing your business.
But if you want to fulfill and ship customer orders, private labeling might be a better option. This business model requires partnering with a supplier who will create stickers for your brand. Then, you do the rest, from marketing and packaging your products to shipping them to customers.
Meanwhile, dropshipping is a great business model if you have a small capital or limited budget to buy equipment and inventory. With dropshipping, you sell your supplier’s design online, and the latter manufactures and ships the stickers to your customers. You’re like a middleman in this arrangement.
It’s worth noting, though, that a disadvantage of dropshipping stickers is that you have no input on the design, quality control, and shipping. Thus, if you choose this business model, it is critical to find excellent suppliers.
Decide where to sell your stickers
Selling stickers online is the best way to reach more customers. You can create your website using e-commerce platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce or sell your products on marketplaces like Etsy.
Using online marketplaces is a great way to start a small business because you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on advertising or maintaining your online shop.
Stickers can also be a great addition to your product line if you have a brick-and-mortar store or join holiday bazaars, pop-up markets, and fundraising events.
Register your business
Register your business as soon as possible to avoid problems later down the line. For most small businesses opting for sole proprietorship, the registration process is relatively easy and quick. These days, you can apply for permits and licenses online for a small fee, but always check with local and state policies before you start filling out forms.
Visit the website of your local Small Business Association (SBA) to find out what requirements and permits you need to start your business.
Conclusion
With this simple but essential step-by-step guide, you can start your sticker business with more confidence.
If you want more control over your business but don’t want to invest in expensive printing equipment and tools, consider finding a reputable supplier. PrintRunner offers premium materials and high-quality printing methods to help you succeed in your business venture.
Moreover, we have an extensive collection of free templates with guidelines (e.g., cut area, bleed, and safe area) and an easy-to-use online design tool, allowing you to create designs with just a few clicks.