How to Make Stickers With Procreate

Setting up the canvas

Create a canvas at the final sticker size at 300 DPI, such as 3 by 3 inches, or work larger and scale down later. A transparent background makes exporting easier. Sketch on one layer, ink on another, and color on separate layers below so you can adjust each part without redrawing.

Sticker art reads best with confident outlines and flat, saturated colors. A slightly thicker line weight than you would use for an illustration keeps details visible at small sizes. Simple shading adds depth without making the sticker look busy. If drawing a concept from scratch is slowing you down, explore alternative compositions in [Sticker Flux](/). Bring a selected paid download into your Procreate project as an imported image, not editable native layers, and keep your own original canvas intact for future revisions.

Adding the sticker border

To create a white border, merge a copy of your art, select it, expand the selection, and fill it white on a layer below everything. A border of about one eighth of an inch is common and gives you a forgiving cut line. Keep the outline smooth by avoiding tiny gaps and spikes.

Check the whole design zoomed out to actual size. If small parts disappear, simplify them. Name your layers so you can easily make variations later, such as different colors or expressions of the same character.

Exporting and printing

Export as a PNG with transparency for print-then-cut machines or for arranging on a sheet. Place several stickers on a letter-size page with space between them and print on sticker paper or vinyl using your best print quality setting.

Drawing every sticker by hand takes time. Many artists brainstorm with generated designs first, then refine favorites or use them as reference. Mixing both approaches helps you make more stickers while still keeping your own style.

When exporting your Procreate designs, ensure you use a high-resolution canvas at 300 DPI to maintain sharp lines during the printing process. Save a lossless PNG copy and retain your original layered canvas for later edits; exporting does not guarantee an exact screen-to-print color match. If you find your colors looking different on paper than on screen, check your color profile settings before your next project. For a deeper look at refining your digital illustrations for physical production, read our complete sticker design guide for expert tips.