How to Sell Stickers on Amazon in 2024: Your Ultimate 8-Step Guide

Are you looking for a beginner-friendly business venture that won’t break the bank?

If you’re seeking a creative side hustle that fits snugly within a tight budget, a sticker business might just be it. Stickers are currently in high demand—despite their modest size, they can convey large ideas, are effortlessly shipped worldwide, and offer excellent profit margins.

The cherry on top? You don’t have to possess graphic design skills to kickstart a sticker business, and even if you lack artistic flair, you can still sell custom stickers online, thanks to the wonders of print-on-demand services.

Amazon attracts billions of monthly visitors, providing an accessible entry point for ecommerce beginners without the need for intricate store-building skills. Amazon, known for its seamless shopping experience and global shipping options, is the perfect marketplace for selling stickers online.

In this post, we’ll equip you with all the essentials on how to sell stickers online, coupled with handy tips to pave your path to success.

Are you ready? Stick with us as we delve deeper!

Why start a sticker business?

Selling stickers offers a great avenue to generate income online, with high-profit margins and lightweight, easily shippable products. Here’s why launching a sticker business can be an ideal side hustle to manage from the comfort of your home:

• Wide popularity and demand: Stickers are popular across diverse niches, appealing to people of all ages who use them to decorate laptops, binders, notebooks, cars, and more

• High profit margins: With relatively low production costs, profit margins can climb as high as 80%, especially when printing in bulk

• Ease of shipping: Stickers lightweight nature makes them inexpensive to ship, allowing you to reach customers globally while keeping storage and transportation costs minimal

• Low upfront investment: Starting a sticker business requires minimal upfront investment, often less than $100, making it widely accessible to new entrepreneurs

• Home-based operation: Whether you invest in a home printer or use a print-on-demand service, running a sticker business can be done from the comfort of your home

Source: Openverse

Given its low startup costs, a sticker business can be an ideal side hustle, offering the flexibility to transition to full-time entrepreneurship as your venture grows.

How much does it cost to sell stickers on Amazon?

The startup costs for launching a sticker business can vary significantly, depending on your chosen business model. While stickers themselves won’t break the bank, the equipment to print stickers can be pricey.

If you decide to handle printing in-house, acquiring the equipment alone will cost several thousand dollars. The most cost-effective approach to starting a sticker business involves leveraging print-on-demand services that handle the production. POD services enable you to print custom designs on stickers without the hassle of managing inventory, fulfillment, or printing processes.

How to sell stickers on Amazon in 8 steps

Now that we know that the sticker business can be a profitable venture, let’s dive into all the nitty-gritty to help you begin your sticker business today.

Step 1: Pick a niche and check the competition

Starting a sticker business begins with finding a niche—a crucial step that demands careful consideration. When selecting a niche, it’s vital to balance specificity and market size.

Effective market research forms the cornerstone of a successful sticker business, offering invaluable insights into industry trends, competitors, and potential customers.

Here’s a quick checklist to follow:

1. Identify trends: Utilize tools like Google Trends to explore both local and global sticker trends, gaining an understanding of popular designs and themes

2. Analyze competition: Study successful sellers on platforms like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay to learn from their strategies and identify gaps in the market that you can capitalize on

3. Identify target audience: Leverage social media and competitor feedback to gather insights into your potential customers’ demographics, interests, and purchasing behaviors

4. Build buyer personas: Develop detailed buyer personas based on your research, enabling you to create sticker designs that resonate with your target audience’s unique preferences and passions

Source: Unsplash

Ultimately, success in the sticker business hinges on finding a profitable niche that deeply resonates with specific customer groups, whether it’s fitness enthusiasts or craft beer lovers. By honing in on a niche and understanding your target audience, you can create compelling sticker designs that drive sales and foster customer loyalty.

Step 2: Pick your product

When diving into the world of sticker sales, you need to determine the type of stickers you want to sell.

Stickers can be categorized by their type and cut, each serving different purposes:

1. Paper stickers: Affordable and versatile, perfect for personalizing items like notebooks, laptops, and phone cases. Paper stickers are available in different materials and sizes to suit diverse needs.

2. Holographic stickers: These trending stickers reflect light to create stunning rainbow effects. They’re ideal for decorative purposes, adding a touch of sparkle to any surface.

3. Vinyl stickers: Known for their durability and weather resistance, vinyl stickers are suitable for outdoor use. They’re commonly used for bumper stickers, car decals, and window stickers, offering long-lasting decoration.

4. Transparent stickers: Popular for their ability to add a subtle design element without obscuring the background, transparent stickers are perfect for decorating glass surfaces such as windows, car windows, or jars. They offer a seamless and elegant look to any surface.

Stickers also differ in the way they’re cut, let’s find out how.

Die-cut stickers

A die-cut sticker is a custom sticker that’s cut entirely through both the vinyl layer and the backing material. This meticulous process yields a sticker that stands distinct from its surroundings, boasting a unique custom shape.

Unlike other types, die-cut stickers don’t require peeling off a sheet, making them ideal for various applications such as phone cases, laptops, and notebooks. Die-cutting offers a cost-effective method for producing custom stickers quickly and efficiently.

Kiss-cut stickers

A kiss-cut sticker is a custom sticker cut to a specific shape, leaving a paper backing that holds the design. Unlike die-cut stickers that cut through the backing, kiss-cut stickers only cut through the vinyl layer. This keeps the paper backing intact, making it easier to peel and stick.

Kiss-cut stickers come with a square or round backing that can be easily peeled away, making them convenient for branding and logo applications.

Sticker sheets

Sticker sheets are convenient collections of multiple stickers with either a high gloss or semi-gloss finish, all printed neatly onto one sheet. They’re easy to store and organize, making them ideal for customers who prefer multiple stickers of a single theme for planners, gift labels, and address labels.

Bumper stickers

Bumper stickers are full-color stickers primarily applied to vehicles, commonly used to convey group affiliations and personal beliefs. Designed for outdoor use, they’re scratch-proof, waterproof, and UV-resistant.

Roll stickers

Roll stickers, available in quantities of 250+, are stickers wound on a roll. They offer affordability and versatility, making them suitable for various applications such as shipping labels, product labels, corporate events, and envelope sealers.

Valuable read: Custom Sticker Ideas: Get Inspired and Design Yours

Step 3: Design your stickers

Once you’ve decided on the type of stickers you want to sell, the next step is creating stunning sticker designs. Here, you have several options to consider.

Design your own stickers

Designing your own stickers is the cheapest option. This method allows you to create unique designs that set your business apart. However, it requires some knowledge of graphic design.

Several tools that can assist you along the way:

• Canva: A cloud-based platform with templates and customization options, making sticker creation easy and enjoyable

• Adobe Photoshop: A powerful tool for creating original graphics, suitable for those with design skills

• Pixlr: A user-friendly, browser-based tool for design and photo editing, perfect for creating stickers

If creating a design still seems daunting, you can use existing graphics and add your unique touch later.

Here are a few platforms that offer professional-grade graphics:

• Printful’s Design Maker: Provides templates and editing tools tailored for Amazon sticker shops

• Canva: Offers a range of templates, images, icons, and graphics for easy customization

Source: Printful’s Design Maker

These tools and platforms offer templates and customization options, making sticker creation simple and affordable.

Need some extra inspiration? Check out our blog post on 42 Custom Sticker Ideas for 2024.

Buy sticker designs

Another option is to purchase ready-made sticker designs. While convenient, this option may prevent you from creating exclusive designs for your shop.

Here are a few sources that’ll help you along the way:

• Creative Market: A marketplace for graphics, templates, and fonts, though some items require licensing fees

• Design Bundles: A marketplace that offers exclussive deals on stickers and other designs

• The Hungry Jpeg: Offers high-quality graphics, illustrations, and visual assets through a subscription model

These platforms will help you acquire stunning designs for selling your custom stickers.

Hire a designer

You can hire a freelance designer to create custom sticker designs tailored to your needs. This option combines the uniqueness of designing your own stickers with the convenience of outsourcing the work.

Platforms that can help you connect with designers:

• Upwork

• Fiverr

• PeoplePerHour

Source: Fiverr

With your designs finalized, you can proceed to printing. Whether you handle the printing yourself or use a professional printing service, make sure your designs are high-resolution and suitable for printing.

Step 4: Decide on product fulfillment

You’ve got your niche, product, and designs, but how do you actually start printing stickers?

When creating stickers, you’ll have two primary options: buying the equipment and printing the stickers yourself or utilizing print-on-demand services. Let’s explore both options to help you make an informed decision.

Printing yourself

Opting to create stickers independently offers ultimate control. However, you should also consider the limitations.

Pros:

• Higher profit margins: Complete control over production costs translates to higher profit margins

• Creative freedom: Experiment freely with materials, textures, and printing options

• Branding opportunities: Seize branding opportunities through custom packaging and promotional materials

• Easy product photography: Simplified product photography with all products readily available for promotion

Cons:

• High startup costs: Requires upfront investment in materials and equipment

• Limited scalability: Expanding the business may prove challenging due to increased time and inventory management

• More responsibilities: Handling every aspect, from design to shipping, demands significant time and effort

With print-on-demand services like Printful, you can have all the creative freedom in the world while we take care of the rest. Printful offers product mockups and samples, as well as custom packaging that leads to an amazing customer experience, making your sticker shop stand out.

Partnering with Printful

For those seeking a hassle-free alternative, Printful’s print-on-demand solution makes the whole sticker creation process a breeze.

Pros:

• Low startup costs: Requires no investment in materials or production tools

• No inventory: Avoid inventory management errors and unsold stock risk

• High customization: Customize each sticker order according to customer preferences

• Efficient business management: Requires minimal time and effort, making it suitable for a side business

Cons:

• Smaller profit margin: Convenience comes with a trade-off—smaller profit margins

• Longer fulfillment times: Depending on the service provider, production time may extend shipping duration, impacting delivery times

Printful ensures premium quality and consistency across all products and fulfillment locations, with an in-house team dedicated to maintaining the highest standards.

When Partnering with Printful, you’ll have multiple sticker types and design templates to choose from through Printful’s Design Maker. Use it to not only create your sticker designs but also high-quality mockups to present to your customers.

Source: Unsplash

Integrating these personalized stickers into your Amazon shop requires just a few clicks, with Printful managing printing, packaging, and shipping upon each sale.

Step 5: Start selling

With your stickers ready to go, it’s time to start selling. Before we begin, let’s create the necessary accounts.

Create an Amazon seller’s account

Head over to Amazon Seller Central and create your account.

Amazon provides users with two account options: a free personal account and a professional seller account. Picking the professional account grants access to advertising, brand registry, and advantageous selling functionalities.

If you’ve decided to sell with Printful, during the sign-up process, opt for the Professional selling plan, priced at $39.99 per month. This plan is essential as Amazon requires it to access their API, which is necessary for integrating with Printful.

Keep in mind that in addition to the monthly subscription fee, you’ll also be subject to referral fees for each product sold. These fees, which can reach up to 20%, vary depending on the product category and listed retail price.

Connect your Printful account to Amazon

Start by signing up for Printful using your email address or log in through Facebook, Apple, or Google. Creating a Printful account is entirely free, and you’re only charged when your customers make a purchase.

After creating your account, log in to Printful and navigate to the Dashboard. Click on Stores and select your platform, which in this case is Amazon. Then, proceed to connect your Printful account to your Amazon seller account.

Source: Printful

Next, log in to your Amazon seller account and select the regions where you want to sell by accessing Inventory > Selling Globally from your Amazon Dashboard.

Return to your Printful Dashboard to authorize selling products in North America, Europe, or both.

Source: Printful

If you sell under your own brand, Amazon requires you to provide real-life product photos to obtain your GTIN (Global Trade Item Number) exemption. Once Amazon grants this exemption, you can seamlessly add and sync Printful products to your Amazon store.

And just like that, you’re all set for your sticker selling journey.

Step 6: Perfect your Amazon listings

Now that you’ve become an Amazon seller, it’s time to ensure that your stickers sell. 

Here are the best practices and tips to follow:

• High-quality photos: Clear, bright, and detailed photos are crucial. Use online mockups to showcase your designs in real-life scenarios. If your product doesn’t look appealing in the pictures, potential customers may overlook it.

• Detailed descriptions: Provide comprehensive information about your stickers, including size, materials, and design. Detailed descriptions help potential buyers make informed decisions and reduce the return rate.

• Highlight unique features: If your stickers have special finishes, textures, clever designs, or humorous quotes, highlight these aspects in your listing. This sets you apart from competitors and attracts more attention.

• Incorporate keywords: Use relevant keywords in your titles and tags to improve your listing’s visibility in search results. Accurate descriptions with high-volume keywords enhance discoverability.

• Offer variety: Diversify your product offerings by providing different sticker designs and sizes. This appeals to a broader audience and can lead to increased sales. Consider offering bundles, sticker packs, or sticker sheets instead of single stickers per listing to attract more customers.

Read also: How to Get More Sales on Amazon: Expert Tips

Source: Amazon

Step 7: Master Amazon SEO

Now that your store’s up and running, the next step is crucial—standing out in the vast marketplace.

Imagine yourself as an Amazon shopper looking for a sticker that reflects your love for graffiti. You type “graffiti stickers’’ into the search bar and are presented with hundreds of options. While you may browse the top results, you won’t sift through every listing. Therefore, as an Amazon seller, it’s vital to surpass the competition and secure a prominent spot in search results.

This is where Amazon SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes into play. By using relevant keywords in your product title and description, you boost the discoverability of your listing.

Let’s explore some Amazon SEO strategies:

1. Conduct keyword research: Understand what words and phrases customers use to find products similar to yours. Explore different methods like typing keywords into the Amazon search bar, analyzing competitor listings, and utilizing SEO tools to identify valuable keywords.

2. Craft high-performing product titles: Use primary keywords identified through research in your product titles. Keep titles concise yet informative, including product type, brand name, and descriptive details like color or size.

3. Create informative product descriptions: Incorporate secondary keywords in product descriptions to expand on features and benefits. Avoid keyword stuffing and focus on providing valuable information naturally.

4. Highlight key details with bullet points: Use bullet points to showcase important product details and features. Keep them concise and capitalize on relevant keywords to increase visibility.

5. Add back-end search terms: Incorporate additional keywords into a product’s catalog data to improve searchability. Include synonyms, abbreviations, and alternative names while avoiding redundancy.

6. Showcase high-quality product images: Utilize clear, well-lit photos from several angles to convey key information about the product.

7. Adjust product prices to drive sales: Stay competitive by adjusting prices based on costs and competitor research. Consider using Amazon’s Automate Pricing feature for automated price adjustments.

For more insight into Amazon SEO, explore our complete Amazon SEO guide.

Step 8: Use social media to your advantage

Social media is a potent marketing tool, especially for those in the sticker business.

• Choose the right platforms: Identify social media platforms that resonate with your target audience. Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are particularly effective for promoting sticker businesses.

• Craft engaging content: Develop compelling content comprising high-quality images and videos tailored to each platform’s style. Whether it’s humorous skits or visually appealing designs, ensure your content resonates with your audience.

• Engage with your audience: Foster meaningful interactions by actively responding to comments and messages. Building a community around your brand fosters loyalty and trust.

• Organize giveaways and promotions: Generate excitement around your sticker business by hosting giveaways and promotions on social media. Encourage user engagement to boost visibility and brand awareness.

• Collaborate with influencers: Partnering with influencers in your niche can significantly expand your social media reach. Consider sponsoring posts or organizing giveaways with influencers to reach a broader audience.

Source: Instagram

By effectively integrating Amazon SEO and social media marketing strategies, you can optimize your sticker business, enhance visibility, and achieve sustainable growth for your Amazon store.

How much can you make off stickers?

The average selling price for a sticker ranges from $3 to $5. After deducting product costs and shipping fees from your selling price, the profit potential becomes even more apparent, especially if you decide to order your stickers in bulk.

To maximize your earnings, consider bundling your stickers into packs and selling them on multiple platforms such as Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and your online store. By leveraging these channels, you can generate thousands of dollars on the side while indulging in your passion for sticker design.

That’s a wrap

That concludes our extensive guide on how to start selling stickers on Amazon. By now, you should be equipped with all the necessary knowledge to kickstart your Amazon dropshipping venture.

While it may demand patience, perseverance, and careful strategizing, creating a successful sticker business is within reach for everyone. With Printful by your side, the dream of running a prosperous Amazon shop becomes a reality.

Stop worrying about investments, equipment costs, and shipping logistics. With Printful, you gain access to flexibility, unwavering quality standards, and a global audience, making it an ideal partner for custom printing businesses of any scale.

And with that, you’re all set to sell art online and make money with stickers. 

What’s holding you back?