How Much Money Can You Make Selling Stickers?

Yes, selling stickers can be profitable. In fact, it’s one of the most creative ways to turn doodles, designs, or even puns into dollars. Whether you’re an artist looking to share your work, a hobbyist testing out a side hustle, or someone who just really, really loves stickers (we see you), here’s how you can make it work.

The Sticker Market in 2025: A Surprisingly Big Opportunity

Here’s the scoop: stickers aren’t just for kids’ lunchboxes anymore. They’ve evolved into mini works of art that decorate laptops, water bottles, skateboards, and planners all over the world. And guess what? The market is growing fast.

According to Towards Packaging consultants, the global personalized stickers market is projected to reach $7.99 billion by 2034, up from $4.58 billion in 2024. That’s a steady CAGR of 5.73% between 2025 and 2034. Translation: people are buying more stickers than ever, and there’s room at the table (or sticker sheet) for new creators like you.

How Much Money Can You Really Make Selling Stickers?

Understanding Sticker Profit Margins

• DIY Handmade Stickers
  

  If you love tinkering with Cricut machines and sticker paper, DIY can give you great margins. A sticker might cost you $0.40–$0.60 to produce and can sell for $3–$5. That’s more than 70% profit per piece.

• Print-on-Demand (POD) Services
  

  Think of this as the “lazy genius” option. Online printers such as 48HourPrint handle printing and shipping for you. The trade-off? Your margins shrink. You’ll often pocket $1–$2 per sticker sold, but you don’t need to manage inventory or a printer that suddenly jams at 2 a.m.

• Bulk Outsourcing/Wholesale Printing
  

  Ordering 500 or 1,000 stickers at once from a professional printer usually brings your per-sticker cost down to pennies. This makes it the best choice once you’ve tested your designs and know they’ll sell.

Sample Profit Calculation (DIY vs. POD)

Let’s play with some numbers:

DIY:

Cost to make 1 sticker = $0.50

Selling price = $3.50

Profit per sticker = $3.00

POD:

Base cost from POD provider = $2.00

Selling price = $3.50

Profit per sticker = $1.50

Bulk Outsourcing:

Order of 500 stickers = $100 total ($0.20 each)

Selling price = $3.50

Profit per sticker = $3.30

See how the math adds up? Even with the lowest margins, you’re still making money. The real difference is how hands-on (or hands-off) you want to be.

From Side Hustle to Six Figures: Real-World Earning Potential

At first, your sticker shop might bring in enough for coffee money or a streaming subscription. But with the right designs and consistent marketing, sellers have scaled this into serious income.

• Side hustle math: Selling 20 stickers a week at $3 profit each = about $240/month
• Scaled-up math: Selling 300 stickers a week at $3 profit each = over $900/month.
• Big league math: Consistently selling 1,000+ stickers per week can push you into the six-figure territory annually.

Platforms like Etsy can help bring in steady part-time income, while top sellers run full-fledged businesses. Mim Jenkinson, for example, started selling on Etsy back in 2015 and now makes six figures a year from sticker sales and courses. Your success will depend on your niche, designs, and hustle.

How to Start Selling Stickers: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Find Your Niche (What Kind of Stickers Sell Best?) Minimalist aesthetics, funny memes, pet illustrations, affirmations, fandom vibes—the possibilities are endless. Pick a style that feels authentic to you and appeals to an audience.

Step 2: Choose Your Business Model (DIY, POD, or Bulk?)

• DIY = high margin, more work
• POD = lower margin, almost no work
• Bulk = best for scaling

Step 3:
Create Your Designs Use design tools like Procreate, Canva, or Illustrator. You can also use 48HourPrint’s online design tool. Keep them bold, clear, and sticker-friendly. Remember, stickers are often small — details can get lost.

Step 4:
Set Up Your Online Shop (Etsy vs. Shopify) Etsy is like a bustling craft fair with built-in traffic. Shopify is your personal boutique with more control but less foot traffic unless you drive it yourself. Pick the one that suits your vibe.

The #1 Rule: Can You Sell Stickers of Superheroes, Memes, or Quotes?

Here’s the fun-killing truth: copyright and trademark laws matter. You can’t legally sell stickers with Batman logos, Taylor Swift lyrics, or that viral meme you saw yesterday. But don’t worry! Your creativity is more than enough to keep your shop thriving.

Example Sticker	Can You Sell It?	Why
Your original cat art	✔	It’s your work
Batman logo	𐄂	Copyrighted/trademarked
“Carpe Diem” phrase	✔	Generic/public domain
Taylor Swift lyrics	𐄂	Copyrighted
Vintage art (pre-1920)	✔	Public domain

Best Practices for a Profitable Sticker Shop

• Pricing Your Stickers for Profit: Aim for $3–$5 per single sticker or $8–$12 for packs. Don’t underprice yourself.
• Choosing the Right Materials: Vinyl = waterproof and durable (customer fave). Paper = cheaper but less resilient. Fun extras: holographic, matte, or glossy finishes.
• Photography and Mockups That Sell: Use bright, clean photos and lifestyle mockups. Customers love seeing stickers “in the wild” on laptops or water bottles.
• Shipping and Packaging Tips: Use rigid mailers to avoid bent stickers. Add a thank-you card or branded insert for extra charm.

Your Sticker Business Questions Answered

How much does it cost to start?

• POD: almost nothing upfront
• DIY: $200–$1,000 for printer, Cricut, and supplies
• Bulk outsourcing: around $50–$150 for a first order

Do stickers really sell on Etsy?

Yes! Stickers are one of the most popular categories in Etsy’s Craft Supplies & Tools.

Do I need a business license?

It depends on your location. Check your city/state’s requirements to be safe.

The Verdict: Is a Sticker Business Worth It?

Absolutely. Stickers are a low-risk way to turn your creativity into income. Start with a few designs, choose the right business model, and let your audience grow with you. As long as you keep things legal and strategic, selling stickers can be a fun and profitable adventure.