How to print stickers at home
Short answer: download a 300 DPI PNG, lay it out on a Letter or A4 sheet, load sticker paper made for your printer, and print at Actual size with Best quality and the paper type set. Then let it dry before you cut.
- Design the sticker and download the 300 DPI PNG.
- Fill a page with the printable sticker sheet maker.
- Use the settings below, print one test on plain paper, then print on sticker paper.
Loading the settings picker…
Before you press Print
- Match paper to printer. Inkjet sticker paper and printable vinyl are coated to hold liquid ink. Laser printers fuse toner with heat, so they need sheets marked laser-compatible. The sticker paper guide compares matte, glossy, vinyl and clear.
- Check resolution. 300 pixels per inch at the printed size is the target. A 3 inch sticker needs about 900 × 900 pixels; the sticker sizes guide has a DPI checker.
- Keep words away from the edge. Hand cutting and machines drift, so keep text about 1/8 inch inside the cut line (see the bleed demo in how to make stickers).
- Test on plain paper first. Hold the test over the sticker sheet against a window to check the layout lines up, and measure one sticker with a ruler.
How to print a full sheet of stickers
One sticker per page wastes paper. The sticker sheet maker tiles your design on US Letter or A4 with cutting gaps and prints from your browser. For a Cricut, keep everything inside the 6.75 × 9.25 inch Print Then Cut area instead; the Cricut guide shows how many fit.
Fixing common sticker printing problems
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stickers print smaller | “Fit to page” scaling | Print at Actual size / 100% |
| Ink smears or beads up | Not dry yet, or laser paper in an inkjet | Wait longer; use inkjet-rated sheets |
| Colours look dull | Plain-paper setting on coated paper | Set the photo or sticker paper type, Best quality |
| Banding or streaks | Clogged nozzles | Run the printer’s nozzle check and head clean |
| Paper jams or skews | Thick sheets in the front tray | Use the rear or manual feed, one sheet at a time |
| White areas show through | Clear vinyl has no white ink | Use white vinyl or darker colours |
After printing: protect and cut
For anything that will be handled, washed or stuck outside, add a clear laminate sheet before cutting so the edges seal. Then cut with scissors, a craft knife or a cutting machine. The kiss cut vs die cut guide explains when to cut through the backing.
Questions people ask
Can I print stickers with a regular printer?
Yes. Any home inkjet or laser printer can print on sticker paper; it feeds like a normal sheet. Use paper made for your printer type, set the paper type and best quality in the print dialog, and print at 100% scale.
What setting should my printer be on for sticker paper?
Best or high quality, the paper type the sticker pack recommends (often matte or glossy photo paper on inkjets, labels on lasers), actual size / 100% scale, and the rear or manual feed tray if your printer has one.
Why do my printed stickers come out smaller?
The print dialog is set to “Fit to page” or “Shrink to fit”. Switch it to Actual size or 100%. Our PNG files carry their DPI, so at 100% a 3 inch sticker prints at 3 inches.
Why is the ink smearing on my sticker paper?
Glossy paper and printable vinyl dry slowly, and laser-only paper does not absorb inkjet ink at all. Give glossy sheets 15–30 minutes and vinyl at least an hour, and check the paper matches your printer.
Can I print stickers without sticker paper?
Yes, as a stop-gap. Print on plain paper, then either cover the front with clear packing tape and the back with double-sided tape, or use the tape-and-parchment method in our how-to-make-stickers guide. They are less durable than real sticker paper.
How do I print stickers at home so they are waterproof?
Print on printable vinyl with pigment ink if you can, let it dry fully, then apply a clear self-adhesive laminate before cutting. Unlaminated inkjet ink can still smudge when wet.