Sticker-Making on a Budget: What You Really Need (and What You Don’t)

One of the biggest questions I hear from beginners is: "Is it possible to start making stickers without spending a fortune?"

And the honest answer is: Absolutely YES.

If you've been dreaming of creating your own DIY stickers but feel overwhelmed by the cost of cutting machines, fancy paper, or complicated design software, this guide is for you.

I'll walk you through how to start making stickers on a budget: What you actually need to get started, what you can skip (for now!), and my favorite free or affordable sticker-making tools to help you succeed without breaking the bank.

Let's keep it simple, affordable, and fun!

The Essentials: What You Really Need to Start Making Stickers

Here's a list of what you actually need to make your first stickers at home.

1. Computer or Laptop

You'll need a basic computer or laptop to design or download sticker files.

No need for anything fancy. If it can run a sticker design program, it's enough. (More on that below.)

2. Color Printer

A simple inkjet or laser printer works great to start.

Popular choices include the Canon PIXMA or Epson EcoTank, but don't overthink it. Use what you already have!

3. Sticker Paper

Start with white matte sticker paper. It's easy to print on and forgiving when you get around to cutting your stickers.

You can grab budget-friendly packs on Amazon or in office supply stores.

4. Scissors or Craft Knife

Before buying a cutting machine, try cutting your first few stickers by hand. It's a great way to practice and get a feel for the process without pressure.

Nice-to-Haves (But You Don't Need Them Right Away)

Cutting Machines (like Cricut or Silhouette)

Yes, they're wonderful to have. But you don't need one to get started.

Many of my students have made dozens of sticker sheets with just scissors or a craft knife at first.

Laminators

If you're not making waterproof or vinyl stickers yet, lamination can wait. 

Fancy Design Software

You don't need Photoshop or any expensive programs. There are brilliant free tools available (see below).

Premium Sticker Papers

It'll be fun to explore glossy, vinyl, or clear sticker paper later, but you can start with basic matte paper first.

Free or Low-Cost Tools for DIY Sticker Design

You don't need to be an artist or tech expert to design your own beautiful stickers.

Here are my go-to free and affordable tools:

Canva (Free or Pro)

Canva is the perfect for beginners. You can use drag-and-drop shapes, text, clip art, and templates to design your own sticker sheets.

The free version is more than enough to start!

Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio (Free)

If you plan to use a cutting machine down the line, Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio let you design, size, and lay out your stickers.

Both have free and paid options, but just like Canva, you can absolutely start with the free versions.

Free Clip Art + Graphics

There are many sites with free clip art and graphics you can use for sticker-making, but here are some places to start:

• Creative Fabrica – Check the Freebies section
• Pixabay or Pexels – For commercial-use images
• Canva – Plenty of elements available in the free version

Tip: If you plan to sell your stickers later, make sure to check the licensing terms for any designs you take from online!

What You'll Actually Spend to Get Started

Here's an example of a beginner-friendly sticker-making setup that's easy on your budget:

• Basic inkjet printer – Already own or $50-90
• Sticker paper (25 sheets) – $10-15
• Scissors or craft knife – $3-10
• Canva account (free version) – $0

If you already have a printer, you can literally start making stickers for less than $20!

And if you decide to invest in a cutting machine later, you'll already have the confidence and practice under your belt.

Learn to Make Stickers the Simple Way – Without Wasting Money

You don't need a craft room full of supplies or a big budget to begin. What you do need is a plan and easy-to-follow guidance to help you start strong.

That's why I created my beginner course Sticker Making 101, where you'll receive:

• Step-by-step video tutorials
• 6 sticker templates you can customize in minutes
• Inspiration guides so you never run out of ideas
• Lifetime access to all course materials and updates

It's your next step to start making stickers on a budget. You'll go from "I don't know where to start" to holding your very first sheet of DIY stickers in a matter of hours.

Click here to join Sticker Making 101 now!

Final Thoughts

Sticker-making is for everyone, not just crafters with big budgets or fancy machines.

You can start with what you have, keep it simple, and make something you're proud of. I'll be cheering you on every step of the way.