Sticker? I Hardly Know Her.
So you’ve seen me mass producing cheap stickers at home and you’re dying to know the deets. In this article I’ll tell you how I Warhol’d my way into affordable and QUICK sticker production by using a shipping label printer.
The one I use is KComer brand but you don’t need any specific one in particular. I first stumbled upon this device while working in retail and instantly knew I had to use it to print my art. I had a friend who owned one and I borrowed it to test out my theory. Since then I purchased my own and keep it at my desk 24/7. I consider it essential to my brand and creative process.
Yes, I added eyes to mine. Although I have not given it a name.
The catch, you can only print, or laser, in black. Tbh I love that no ink or refills are involved. The machine is not actually ‘printing’ your design but lasering it into the label so there is no ink involved. So no color printing. Loophole is using different colors of shipping labels so the background can be a color like yellow or something.
“All of a sudden my world was stickers”
You can get different shape and size labels but the biggest one I’ve used in 4 by 6 inches. The max width of my printer is 4 inches so that is a limit but I haven't felt confined by it. Other than rectangle shapes there are circles and things but remember to alter your print settings when printing on different shapes or sizes.
Something I will note is that the stickers are easy to peel unless you cut them out. If you cut them out I suggest using a piece of tape to help peel the wax paper off to not rip the sticker.
Very rarely will my machine become jammed or have any issues and when it has it is always very simple to figure out and solve on my own.
“I wanted to challenge myself in this medium.”
I created a new sticker everyday for 50 days. This is documented on my Instagram.
I would absolutely recommend this to any artist who wants to create cheap stickers at home in any amount. Although the stickers are relatively low in quality they are still great for handing out for free, selling, tagging, collaging, and more. I always bring stickers of my designs everywhere I go in case I meet someone who is interested in my art. I love handing them out for free and it’s a great way to meet people while I’m out.
Pros:
Print stickers for less than 10 cents each
Print stickers in seconds
Print high volumes of stickers in the comfort of your home
Low initial investment (Can be under $100)
No ink or refills
Easy daily use, rare issues
Perfect for vandalism
Cons:
Design printed can only be black on varying color labels
Must buy bulk labels for cheaper unit cost or to have in many colors
Stickers are not waterproof
Stickers placed outside fade quickly
Max size sticker 4 by 6 in
Cutting out individual stickers is annoying
Not good for bumper stickers
Sticker at LAX - Image Linked to Behance Post
Sticker at Venice Beach Skate Park
