How to use Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator 

The Image Trace feature in Adobe Illustrator is a quick way to [convert your image to vector format](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) for high quality printing at any size.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="AUxtDCyaPFg?rel=0&showinfo=0" />

[Unlike raster images, vector images](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/raster-vs-vector-images) are made up of mathematical paths that allow the design to be scaled infinitely while retaining its quality.

![differences in raster to vector images](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7084286daa27ce03bbfdab7bfd1a6836fcedde98)

Here’s how to easily convert a raster image into a vector image using the Image Trace tool in Adobe Illustrator:

### Step 1

With the image open in Adobe Illustrator, select *Window* > *Image Trace*

This will bring up the Image Trace panel.

![how to trace an image in illustrator image trace panel](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/619abbac694183e9dc1c3a3b9be10b10097f9fde)

### Step 2

With the image selected, check the *Preview* box. This will give you a live look at your image in vector format. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look great right away – there are more steps to go!

### Step 3

Select the *Mode* drop down menu, and choose the mode that best suits your design.

![color mode options illustrator image trace](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4633434944619e32569b92ebcfdf7b3ccb29e8c9)

![mode color grayscale black and white options visualized illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bdffbcf7fce970bef6bb0945c9eac470e044bb37)

### Step 4

Next, adjust the *Colors*, *Grays*, or *Threshold* slider. This slider will change depending on the mode you select; however the functionality between the 3 sliders remains similar.

*Colors* - Maximum number of colors used for tracing.

*Grays* - Grayscale accuracy from 0 to 100.

*Threshold* - Pixels darker than threshold value are converted to black.

If this is too low, it might make your image too plain. And if this is too high, it could make your image too complex. However, this all depends on your unique image.

![Colors Grays or Threshold slider differences in illustrator image trace](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d6499caf30e5423c75ed5bc7a6a704dbf3710659)

### Step 5

Toggle the *Advanced* menu down to bring up more options.

![advanced options of image trace in illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/227adbb1f2baf0d3b0dd8b3c3d456e8bebcd46ae)

### Step 6

Adjust the *Paths* slider.

This sets the number of paths in your design. Fewer paths means a simpler design, but if there are too few of paths it can distort your image or make it appear boxy. Conversely, too many paths can make the edges of your design very rough looking. Again, this all depends on your unique image - so it’s best to find a happy medium.

![how to use the trace paths slider in illustrator image trace](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e72cc6fbe5a8f0cdff5eeefabde8dbd5054eb047)

### Step 7

Adjust the *Corners* slider.

This controls the amount of corners in your design. Less corners will make the curves of your design more rounded, while more corners will make the curves of your design sharper.

![corners slider meaning and how to use in illustrator trace image](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2ff4d299985d5edce648f97b932e08a08208f247)

### Step 8

Adjust the *Noise* slider.

The noise slider tells Illustrator to ignore parts of your design that fit within the pixel amount set. A higher amount will result in less noise. This can very useful for eliminating artifacts of your design that aren’t supposed to be there. However, it can also eliminate important parts of your design that are smaller, so as always, find a happy medium that works for your design.

![differences in noise slider threshold in illustrator image trace](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a71710f369e96889bcd2fe101c3dd5fa1ba6e876)

### Step 9

Click the *Expand* button and save your image as an .ai, .pdf, or .eps file.

Now that you have a vector image, it will look great at any size. You can have it printed as a 1” inch [die cut sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/products/die-cut-stickers)... or an 8 foot [wall graphic](https://www.stickermule.com/products/wall-graphics)!

Simply choose a product and quantity, and upload your file to Sticker Mule as-is. Within a few hours you'll receive a free proof showing you exactly what your design will look like in real life.

### Try Redraw

[Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) is a service that upgrades any image into a vector format for a flat rate of $19, regardless of the complexity.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="nr7tGu9yKh4?modestbranding=1&rel=0" />

Upload any image and we'll send you a proof of what your new, vectorized image will look like. You can request changes to the proof for free until you're happy.

<ButtonCta text="Order a Redraw for $19" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/redraw" />

How to quickly trace an image in illustrator - A quick video guide to tracing images while using Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator

How to trace an image in Adobe Illustrator the easy way!

Online custom printing service. Specializing in custom stickers, labels, coasters and magnets. Serving companies and individuals around the world.

Sticker Mule

Adobe Illustrator

How to quickly convert your image to vector format for high quality printing at any size using Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator.

How To

How to use Image Trace in Adobe Illustrator

Open Image Trace Panel

With the image open in Adobe Illustrator, select Window > Image Trace

This will bring up the Image Trace panel.

Clip 0

Select The Preview Box

With the image selected, check the Preview box. This will give you a live look at your image in vector format. Don’t worry if it doesn’t look great right away – there are more steps to go!

Clip 1

Select The Mode

Select the Mode drop-down menu, and choose the mode that best suits your design.

Clip 2

Adjust The Colors Slider

Next, adjust the Colors, Grays, or Threshold slider. This slider will change depending on the mode you select, however the functionality between the 3 sliders remains similar.

Colors - Maximum number of colors used for tracing.

Grays - Grayscale accuracy from 0 to 100.

Threshold - Pixels darker than threshold value are converted to black.

If this is too low, it might make your image too plain. And if this is too high, it could make your image too complex. However, this all depends on your unique image.

Clip 3

Open More Options

Toggle the Advanced menu down to bring up more options.

Clip 4

Adjust The Paths

Adjust the Paths slider.

This sets the number of paths in your design. Fewer paths means a simpler design, but if there are too few of paths it can distort your image or make it appear boxy. Conversely, too many paths can make the edges of your design very rough looking. Again, this all depends on your unique image - so it’s best to find a happy medium.

Clip 5

Adjust The Corner Slider

Adjust the Corners slider.

This controls the amount of corners in your design. Less corners will make the curves of your design more rounded, while more corners will make the curves of your design sharper.

Clip 6

Adjust The Noise Slider

Adjust the Noise slider.

The noise slider tells Illustrator to ignore parts of your design that fit within the pixel amount set. A higher amount will result in less noise. This can very useful for eliminating artifacts of your design that aren’t supposed to be there. However, it can also eliminate important parts of your design that are smaller, so as always, find a happy medium that works for your design.

Clip 7

Save The File

Click the Expand button and save your image as an .ai, .pdf, or .eps file.

Now that you have a vector image, it will look great at any size. You can have it printed as a 1” inch die cut sticker... or an 8 foot wall graphic!

Simply choose a product and quantity, and upload your file to Sticker Mule as-is. Within a few hours you'll receive a free proof showing you exactly what your design will look like in real life.

If you're new to sticker design, get started quickly with $10 off your first order. Just sign up by clicking the button below.

Clip 8

A digital image file

Adobe Illustrator Software

A Computer

Two easy ways to make your own tshirt at home or print online

You don’t have to be a graphic designer to [make you own t-shirt](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "make you own tshirt online")! With just a little bit of planning, you can DIY your own custom tee in just a few hours. You don’t need to spend money on expensive software either - there are several easy programs you can use right from your browser. Here we have listed two easy ways to make your own tshirt at home or print online.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="M3pWYC9AAVM" />

## Decide what you want to print

The first step in designing your own t-shirt is deciding what exactly you want to print on it. The possibilities here are endless - you can put a funny saying, your logo or catchphrase, a photo, or anything else you can think of. 

Of course, some types of designs are easier to create than others. If you want to put a photo on your t-shirt, you’ll need to find an image editor that lets you resize, crop, and edit the image. If you want to put text on your shirt, you’ll need an editor that lets you change the font, size, color, and spacing. 

Luckily, there are a lot of really great online image editors out there and some of them are even free to use. Let’s go over some of these options

## Design the t-shirt with free online design software

With all of the different t-shirt design software out there, you might be wondering which one is right for you. Fortunately, you can try out several different programs without spending any money. If you want to design your t-shirt online, we recommend trying a free online design tool like [Sticker Mule’s Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/ "free online design tool"). 

Sticker Mule is one of the most popular print-on-demand services for creating custom t-shirts. They also have a quick and easy online design tool where you can create your own t-shirt designs with just a few clicks. 

To get started, head on over to the [t-shirt templates section](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/t-shirts "custom t-shirt templates free") of Studio. You’ll see a whole slew of ready to use t-shirt templates. You just need to click on any of the templates and you can edit it to your liking with the easy to use online editing tools available on Studio. 

![online custom shirt template design tool](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2cf1e644-17f1-4b81-a38e-9887a2f112b0)

Once you’ve edited your design you are ready to print it. You can save the design by pressing “download” on the top right corner of the screen and then printing the t-shirt design yourself or you can use Sticker Mule’s online printing service directly from Studio by pressing the “order prints” button. 

Alternatively, if you don’t want to design a t-shirt from scratch you can find a pre-made design on a website like Etsy or Pinterest and then save the design and print it right on your new heat transfer paper.

Either way, there are basically two options available to get your design printed on a shirt. You can either do it yourself with special heat transfer paper where you can print and then iron-on the designs from your home printer or you can print it online using a printing service online.

## Print the shirt online at Sticker Mule

We’ve talked a bit about what to expect when designing your own t-shirt, but we haven’t actually gone over the actual printing process yet. Printing your own t-shirt design online is actually a lot easier than you might think. If you use the Studio tool from above, it’s as simple as pressing the order button to get a t-shirt printed. 

If you already have your design ready, the process is pretty easy as well. Just head on over to Sticker Mule’s [Custom Shirts page](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom tshirts online"). Here just select the color and size you’d like the design to print on; then, simply upload your design when asked and complete checkout with your order details. You’ll have your t-shirt printed and delivered to your door in about a week!

There are many other t-shirt printing services available online, but not many come with the peace of mind of having Sticker Mule’s award winning support and proofing teams helping you along the way. But if you are a do-it-yourselfer, there is another option available for you to get your design printed on a custom t-shirt: iron-on heat transfers!

## Print the shirt at home with iron on heat transfers
If you’re crafty, you can create a custom t-shirt at home using iron on heat transfers. Heat transfers are relatively inexpensive and they’re a great way to create a one-of-a-kind design and print it on a t-shirt without much difficulty. To do so, you just need to have a design ready to go and then print the design on [special heat transfer paper](https://www.amazon.com/Transfer-T-Shirt-Printer-Durable-Cracking/dp/B07T2QGT6F "heat transfer printer paper"). This paper is available for cheap online or for a bit more in your local office supply store.

Here is a helpful video from Avery that goes over the whole process in detail - with some tips & tricks to boot. 

<YouTubeVideo videoId="FPyCWMNPnAc" />

Once you’ve printed the design on the heat transfer paper, you can then use an iron to apply the design to a blank t-shirt of your choice. Each paper has different instructions, so make sure to pay attention to the instructions for the heat transfer paper you have.


## Wrapping up

Now that you know what to expect when designing your own t-shirt, it might be a good idea to start thinking of some designs that are special to you. The best thing about designing your own t-shirt is that there are really no limits as to what you can create. You can put your favorite quote, your company’s catchphrase, your logo, or even a silly joke. Whatever you decide, just make sure you design something you’ll love wearing!
 
When you have a design ready to go, you can either print the design on your home printer on special heat transfer paper or have it printed online at a custom t-shirts printing service like Sticker Mule.

<ButtonCta text="Print custom shirts online today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts" /> 



Make your own tshirt at home or online in this simple guide to creating custom t-shirts

What is BOPP?

![What is BOPP?](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7461198ee3175da8a8942b56bc58879842079330)

We use BOPP for all of our [custom labels](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-labels). But what is BOPP exactly?
 
Packaging industry experts would answer the question with a technical term: biaxially oriented polypropylene. That's a fancy name for a type of plastic. ["Biaxially oriented BOPP"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/biaxially-oriented-polypropylene) means manufacturers stretch the plastic film in two directions during its production. They do this to improve its strength, flexibility and clarity.
 
Basically, BOPP is the kick-ass material we use to make the best labels and stickers. Here’s why [we](https://www.stickermule.com/ "online printing service") and other online printing services love it.


## Talk to me like an engineer, what exactly is BOPP?

BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) is a thermoplastic polymer that has many similar properties to PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). It is commonly used in sticker and label printing, food packaging, bottle caps, and other applications. 

BOPP is produced by cross-linking two propylene molecules with a chemical compound called di-(2-propen-1-ol) adipate (DA). The resulting thermoplastic polymer chain is biaxially oriented. This orientation creates a film that is stronger along two axes than it is along just one axis. 

/end nerdTalk
 
 
## When was it invented?

BOPP is a type of plastic that was first commercially manufactured in the early 1960s by companies like [Bbrueckner-Maschinenbau](https://www.brueckner-maschinenbau.com/en "BOPP manufacturer"). It became popular for its low cost, opacity, and ability to withstand harsh outdoor conditions. Today, BOPP is one of the most commonly used plastics in the world; by some accounts, it’s the 2nd most popular plastic in the world!

![Clear and colorful BOPP labels](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/533e12719383fc0fa1bd3294c86ac95eec4c504d)

## Why is BOPP a great material for stickers & labels?

Stickers and labels should be easy to print on, resistant to water and chemicals, and either clear or opaque, depending on your needs. BOPP label material ticks all of these boxes and more.

### BOPP is perfect for printing

Printing with both water- and solvent-based inks is possible on BOPP labels. Manufacturers of BOPP film treat its surface using various methods—like [corona treatment](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/biaxially-oriented-polypropylene)—to improve its adhesiveness and printability. 

The corona treatment is a process of applying a thin layer of metal oxide to the surface of the BOPP label. The metal oxide layer is added by applying a liquid or gas on the surface of the label. The liquid or gas is then evaporated to form an oxide film on the surface of the label. 

The corona treatment is not only applied on the surface of BOPP labels, but also to other labels as well, such as those used in food packaging and automotive parts packaging, due to the ease of printing and durability it provides.

### Water, chemical, and UV resistance

The tough BOPP is "the Hulk" of plastic films. Almost indestructible, it resists oil and water, making it perfect for labeling products used in the kitchen or in the bathroom. 

Thanks to its [resistance to most chemicals](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/polypropylene)—solvents, bleaches, and disinfectants—BOPP is also suitable for drug and cosmetic labels.

BOPP film is an excellent choice for any indoor or outdoor use. While it's waterproof, it doesn't have to be sealed against moisture, which means it can be used in kitchens, bathrooms, and classrooms. It can also withstand harsh UV light exposure, meaning it can be used for printing signs, graphics, and more.

### BOPP can be crystal clear or opaque

BOPP has excellent clarity, so it's ideal for [see-through labels](https://www.stickermule.com/products/clear-roll-labels). But this material is also available in its opaque variety. So, whether you want a totally transparent or brightly colored label, we have a type of BOPP label to meet your needs.

## Why BOPP is the only material you need for labels 

Versatile and durable, BOPP is an excellent material for labels in the food and non-food packaging sectors. It has many advantages over other label materials, like paper and vinyl. BOPP has a long shelf life, which means it will last longer than other labels. This makes it ideal for use in the food and non-food packaging sectors where shelf life is important. 

BOPP can be used in any type of container, whether plastic or metal.

### BOPP vs. paper labels

Unlike paper labels, BOPP stands up to water, oil, and chemicals. Plastic is also more durable and stronger than paper. So, a BOPP label resists tears and scratches better than paper does.

However, since it's a plastic material, BOPP will usually have a shiny look that some people and designers may not like. If you want a more "matte" finish, paper labels and stickers might be more for you. Just remember these stickers and labels will be way less durable, and are not great for many practical uses.

### BOPP labels vs. vinyl stickers

BOPP is thinner (3.4 mil) than the vinyl material (7 mil) we use for [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers). And because labels are printed on a roll, this makes them ideal for fast peeling and application. Check out [stickers vs. labels](https://www.stickermule.com/support/difference-between-stickers-and-labels) for a more detailed comparison.

![custom food labels](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/630b3a0e-8485-4f3a-b21d-7ffe716bda06)

### BOPP labels are food-safe and biodegradable

Being food-safe, BOPP is a superstar in the food packaging industry. Almost any kind of food product can use a BOPP label. [Coffee](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/coffee-labels) and [tea packaging](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/tea-packaging), [honey jars](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/honey-labels), [wine bottles](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/wine-labels), and all sorts of [food containers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/food-labels) are just a few examples. 

As an open-cell construction material, BOPP has many advantages: lightweight, easy to handle, inexpensive to produce, and doesn't need any special packaging. What's more, it's recyclable and biodegradable. So not only does it keep food safe while protecting it from contamination, but it can also be easily recycled when no longer needed.

### Thin and flexible for any container

Flexible and very thin, BOPP labels stick well to any container. That can be a [mason jar](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/mason-jar-labels) or a [jelly jar](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/jam-jelly-labels), a [container for spices](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/spice-labels), or a [scented candle](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/candle-labels). Add the scratch resistance of BOPP, and the label may last longer than what's inside the container.

### BOPP labels are water and oil resistant

Any label that may encounter oil or water needs to come out undamaged. The water and oil resistance of BOPP label material make it useful for applications in the [cosmetic industry](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/cosmetic-labels) and many others - Sticker Mule labels are perfect for moisturizer jars, shampoo bottles, and [lip balm tubes](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/lip-balm-labels), among others. 

![BOPP cosmetic labels](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/21c8623b3c735697314095c7dfa0c879b2e3641b)


## Why aren't you using BOPP?

BOPP is a material that needs specialized equipment to print on. But the good news is that Sticker Mule is the easiest way to print stickers, labels and other promotional materials for your homemade products or promotional business needs with BOPP. 

Whether you need a few custom stickers for your Etsy shop or a large quantity of custom stickers for your retail store, Sticker Mule can help you get the job done quickly and easily. We use the best materials and equipment so we can turn your design into a high-quality printed product.
 
<ButtonCta text="Try our online printing service today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/" appearance="button" variant="secondary" />


Basically BOPP is simpler way to say Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene film. BOPP is a material that's perfect for making stickers and labels, since it can be stretched in two directions. Find out more inside!

What is BOPP? And why we use it for labels & stickers?

5 inexpensive ways to make your packages stand out

You just got a new order. 

A nice one. All that work – the marketing, the website, the product, the sourcing, the transaction processes – paid off. Everything worked! 

Now that order has to get packaged up and sent to the customer. It’s got to survive the journey and arrive at your customer’s door intact. When they open it, everything has to be perfect. 

The moment of unboxing is so critical to the customer experience that people film this stuff. There’s a whole genre of unboxing videos now. [Even Mark Zuckerberg has done one](http://www.digitaltrends.com/virtual-reality/mark-zuckerberg-unboxes-the-oculus-rift-in-facebook-live-video/).

[![Zuckerberg Unboxing Oculus](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6c93e85d40c915b3c628cc41850676882bfaf912)](http://www.digitaltrends.com/virtual-reality/mark-zuckerberg-unboxes-the-oculus-rift-in-facebook-live-video/)

*Mark Zuckerberg used an unboxing video to show off the Oculus Rift. Note how many views this video got.*

If someone makes an unboxing video of one of your packages, your product will be the star, of course. But the packaging you ship it in is the stage. 

Don’t underestimate how powerful this is. The packaging you use is part of the customer experience. But it’s even more than that – packaging has become part of the product. It may only catch your customer’s attention for a moment, but it will frame how they see (and talk about) your product forever.

Packaging may not have such a short shelf life, either. Ever saved a nice box to use it again? Good boxes get around. Good shopping bags do, too.

## The research on why packaging matters

There’s some new research out that really shows how powerful – and profitable – good packaging can be.

Here’s the first data point. This is how much packaging affects brand perception:

![Packaging Affects Brand Perception](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e7913f9edaf9b9eaaaea05af1fe667be0166379c)

Notice how luxury brands are more affected by packaging. It’ll come up again.

And here are the specific ways packaging affects brand perception:

![Specific Ways Packaging Affects Brand Perception](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0988da78e038efcd1bfd3d57b2b8bee27f0bf2f5)

The increases in “makes the brand seem more upscale” and “gets me more excited about receiving the package” are what’s changed most in the last year. This may suggest a shift in how customers perceive the importance of packaging. 
That importance does seem to be growing – [YouTube reports that viewership of unboxing videos is up 57% since last year](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/marketing-strategies/video/youtube-insights-stats-data-trends-vol7/).

Know what else packaging affects? Word of mouth – one of the most effective marketing tactics ever. As this study says, “gift-like packaging also encourages word-of-mouth marketing. Half of shoppers (50 percent) say the use of branded or gift-like packaging for online orders makes them more likely to recommend the product to friends, compared to 40 percent in 2015.” 

This is especially interesting. If packaging can affect word of mouth so much, the moment when customers open your packaging might be the best time to ask them to refer your company to a friend. A package insert that someone could give to a friend for a discount on their first order might work. 

But before you bust out the printer, keep in mind that the influence of packaging depends on the product that is being shipped. Not too surprisingly, the packaging for household goods had less of an effect than for luxury goods. 

![Premium Packaging Matters](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ed948cd8d006d98f13d8170f3d8a82c201cdf708)

There’s one last benefit of better packaging: It has a direct affect on your bottom line. Better packaging makes people more likely to order again. 

![Better Packaging Helps Reorders](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/acf2781a07868a992a05e6522436f1979e9281fa)

So it looks like it’s worthwhile to invest in better packaging. Fair enough – but how? And how to do it without breaking your budget? 

Have no fear. Any one of these five tactics can help:

## 1. Inserts

Inserts are a proven tactic for increasing order size, word of mouth, loyalty and more. They don’t have to cost very much, either. 

You could retrofit the design of a business card to become an insert if you wanted. Print a couple hundred of them as a template, then handwrite a custom code or codes as needed. Business cards can be printed for as little as 2 cents each.

Don’t forget postcards, either. They’re big enough to write a note on. 

The handwritten note tactic is becoming quite the trend. Many online retailers say they’ve had success with this.

![Add Inserts to Your Packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3f994304169556810ff182ab0467c324f65aff18)

Personally, [I love the idea](http://www.wix.com/blog/2015/11/14-brilliant-packaging-ideas-for-ecommerce-sellers/), but it seems like a lot of work. I still remember being up until 2am to get a big order out, and the idea of having to hand-write a thank you note/ insert card for each order makes me feel tired even now.

Then again… maybe the note doesn’t have to be very long. [This company](http://www.packagingdigest.com/packaging-design/trends-in-ecommerce-packaging-center-on-design1512) made an impression just by writing the customer’s name inside the box. All that takes is a Sharpie.

![One easy way to make an impression with your packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cddf73e90e53c3624f402cfd8ef4a151241ed0ee)

A few other ideas for “inserts”:

- Candy: Kinda the retail equivalent of the chocolate mint on a hotel pillow.
- Review request: Because more reviews means more orders. 
- Product samples: These aren’t free, but they can increase sales by a lot. 

Learn more about [how to create package inserts that work](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-package-inserts-that-work).

## 2. Printed boxes or mailers

I know – you think you don’t have budget for a custom box. 

But you can cheat... and “print” your own boxes with a custom stamp. A custom stamp with art and text that’s 5 inches long x 5 inches wide costs around $70-$100. That’s not free, but would let you have boxes like this:

![Hand stamped boxes](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b69847aa3047775a3ca1b6712b84da35c1dee151)

*The Etsy shop Heirloom Home and Studio ships with standard cardboard boxes pressed with a custom stamp.*

If a custom stamp won’t work, consider using standard stamps used in a creative way. There are also roller stamps that can be made to look like your package is wrapped with ribbons. Roller stamps can be made with food designs, clothing designs, plant designs… you name it. 

Of course, while stamping is nearly free, it does take time. Ideally, you’d have a spare gang of little kids hanging around who just want to decorate boxes all day. 

![Trunk Club Boxes](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a3c6bb08be80498b367c1eaacffec65d6e018d2c)
*An example of the printed boxes Trunk Club uses for its orders. This is also a clever example of another way to make your packages stand out – use a design that makes the box look like something more than just a box and [ties into a theme](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/online-crafters-save-time-money-with-creative-packaging).*

[Poly mailers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers) are an easy way to save on shipping and can be done in small batches with custom designs. These work best for apparel, t-shirts and other non-breakable items.

![Full Color Poly Mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a5e7a080270c2253f834ffd4d135bbc5b8a4fd51)

I actually used a [bubble mailer](https://www.stickermule.com/products/bubble-mailers "custom bubble mailers") for a mailing a few years ago. It held a cover letter, a short report, and a clear plastic puzzle. The puzzle had a little metal bead inside that you had to roll around just so to open the puzzle. Inside the puzzle was a little card… and behind the card was the call to action. 

That mailing got a 20% response rate. 

Good packaging works for lots of things. ;)

## 3. Color

Color is one of the best, simplest branding tricks ever. For example – that printed box we just talked about? If your company has a signature color, you could skip the printed box. Just get a box in as close a color to your brand color as possible. 

The color should continue inside the box, too, of course. Your color of tissue wrap. Your color of ribbon. Your color of insert card. Product label. Order form. 

You can also use color in strategic spots, like this:

![Bright colors inside of box](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/05b2910018a6cc3da53fc5e9d8432c6c9b9696a6)

I think you get the idea.  :)

## 4. Unusual materials

It’s tempting to go with fancy ribbons and luxe papers. But simple, lower cost materials often work just as well. It’s the creativity they’re used with that makes them work. 

So don’t get too limited in your materials. Think beyond the packaging shop. I once used cut up raffia in a gift box product. It was a gift box of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, so the raffia was meant to look like straw from the manger. People loved it. And the raffia was definitely not standard packaging materials. 

Here’s a few other examples of distinctive packaging materials that can be had for cheap:

* Aluminum foil (not for exterior packages)
* Wallpaper
* Butcher paper
* Old, discontinued hiking maps
* Twine
* Wool or yarn

Pinterest is a treasure trove of ideas like this. Here’s a cool silver bubble mailer:

![Bubble Mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/52d90b1998a17401aff7061d0529cabdcc522216)

Note that Behance logo. Behance is a hub of designers, including packaging designers. You might find your next package designer there. Or you could just shop for inspiration.

## 5. Strategic use of stickers

Ok – not to toot our own horn, but we think [stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers) can make almost any package better. [Here’s an example](http://www.underconsideration.com/fpo/archives/2012/01/a-christmas-pack-needs-description.php) of a fairly plain, staid cardboard box that’s instantly hip thanks to its sticker:

![Use stickers to add custom packaging and seal your box](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/330ead9b2b10864b555ca694462c23dd942d0685)

Here’s another [cool packaging sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/packaging-stickers). Very similar to the first, but notice the orange tape. That’s not custom tape, but it further secures the box and adds to the appeal. 

![Use color tape to enhance your store packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/14a2531f485c94b3038384cb4f967f084b5f2f14)

[Custom tape](https://www.stickermule.com/products/packaging-tape) is pretty cool, too. And it's [easy to design](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-packaging-tape).

![cover-eco-friendly-packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/381bb5cd39c67367e65415d49cbc6432315a03b4)

## Word to the wise

While all these packaging ideas are fun, consider their durability as much as their looks. It’s not okay for your packages to arrive at your customers' doors trashed. 

So before you fall in love with a box, or any kind of packaging, test it. Buy about ten of the boxes. Mail a complete order to ten people you know. Get detailed reports – photos, ideally – of what the packages look like when they arrive. 

Pay careful attention to your results. These are only ten packages, remember. If you’ve been shipping for awhile, you know it’s that outlier package – the one that got caught in some machinery – that’s when your packaging will be put to the test. 

![Damaged Box Package](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/763c695214ffb5e97aa1023e21510b0078bfb11e)
*About 5-10% of ecommerce packages get damaged during shipping [(depending on which study you cite)](https://www.packworld.com/issues/operational-excellence/article/13366678/ecommerce-packaging-pitfalls-opportunities).

## Conclusion

Packaging is way more than just a fulfillment function. It’s become a core part of the customer experience. It influences word of mouth and improves loyalty. It can even become part of your marketing, like Chewy.com has done with its ongoing #ChewyBoxLove campaign.

![Facebook Packaging](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4f91142092d07c2e036ca324cadafcb9ef85a8f5)

But while it’s really powerful, great packaging doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need to… um … think outside the box.

Want to make *your* packages stand out? Test some options out with our samples. Click the button below to start sprucing up your packaging for as little as $9!

<ButtonCta text="Order Packaging Samples" href="https://www.stickermule.com/samples" />

Check out these five simple ways to make your packaging stand out, without breaking your budget. 

Online printing services vs printing at home - How to choose?

Eventually everyone needs printing services to get stickers, brochures, or packaging for their events or endeavors. You can print them yourself at home, but that requires a lot of time and effort and doesn’t necessarily save you money once all is said and done. [Online printing services](https://www.stickermule.com/ "sticker mule online printing service") can be more convenient, affordable and have all the tools you need to get your designs ready for mass production but there are so many services out there and results vary among them all. Here are some considerations and questions you should ask before choosing an online printing service for your business needs or going with printing at home.

![online printing services like sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d826b2aa-9e78-4878-9f26-98b9a8e94da5)
 
 
__What is your printing budget?__

*For budgets under $100*

You may think printing at home is the way to go with smaller budgets or if you want to save money, but there really isn’t a golden rule on that. Online printing works great for smaller budgets too and after the costs of materials, it can oftentimes be even cheaper than doing it yourself, and that’s before even [factoring in the amount of time](https://www.entrepreneur.com/money-finance/how-to-calculate-the-true-monetary-value-of-your-time/320027 "estimate the cost of your time") it takes!

However, printing at home gives you all the control and allows you to experiment a bit more than using a online printing service. So there is definitely a give and take. 

Answering these questions might make the process of choosing a bit easier though;

- Do you have the printing materials (paper and printers) available already?
- Do you have spare time to dedicate to printing?
- Are you handy at designing?
- Are you able to solve technical problems when they arise?

If you answered no to any of these questions, then honestly, online printing may be the way to go. After the time, resources and technical skills needed to create a design and then printing it, you may have spent more money on materials and way more time printing than you anticipated which just hurts your chances of getting a good result with your printing goals.

*For budgets over $100*

For larger budgets, the choice of printing leans more heavily on using an online printing service. The costs and time involved gets much more demanding with higher budgets so unless you have industrial processes in place and the experience needed to scale your printing by yourself, it would be hard to argue not to use a online printing service for your printing needs


__What kind of printing services do you need?__

Before you send your print job to the printer, you will need to select the type of paper, labels, or stickers you’ll want to print on. These options will affect the price and turnaround time of your project. You can choose from glossy, matte, UV or uncoated paper. If you are printing cards, signs or brochures, you might also want to add a UV coating to your print job. This will help protect it from smudging and make it last longer. 
 
If you want to use premium or special materials in your printing job, then the costs of getting a smaller quantity of these materials might not be cost-effective. 
 
Some things you should be able to print at home at smaller quantities;

- Normal paper printing
- Square or circle stickers
- Custom shipping labels
- Color photos
- Heat transfers

Other things that won’t be possible to print at home (no matter the quantity);

- Custom magnets
- [Custom posters](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-posters "custom posters printing")
- Custom packaging
- Die-cut (custom shape) stickers, signs, or decals


__Who will be in charge of the design process?__

If you are hiring a design company to print your stickers, labels, packaging or brochures, you can expect them to have their own designers on staff. They may have their own processes, so they may recommend specific printing services that they normally work with. The design process and costs will vary depending on the company you choose. If you are hiring a designer, you should inquire about their process and prices. 
 
Most online printing companies will provide you with pre-made templates while others will also let you design your print job from scratch. Using the [premade templates](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates "online printing templates") at companies like Sticker Mule makes the design process much easier if you aren’t a designer yourself and don’t have the budget to hire a designer. It’s the best of both worlds for smaller printing jobs!


__How well does the company handle printing emergencies?__

Sometimes things happen unexpectedly, especially during rush season. You’ll be pressed with extra printing demands and the ability of you or your company to handle these situations will be tested. If you are printing in house or at home, then these situations can be very hard to overcome without experience. It’s these kinds of high-stress situations that make printing for yourself unfeasible at larger scales. Even then, it’s important to find a printing company that can handle your print job without any delays in case something happens. Some companies will charge extra for last-minute printing, while others will not be able to handle it at all. We here at Sticker Mule are proud to provide multiple printing and shipping options depending on how quickly you need things!


__Are there any upfront or hidden costs?__

Some online printing companies will charge you a fee upfront for designing your print job. If you need design services, it’s important to inquire about the design process upfront so you know how much it will cost. It is also important to inquire about the hidden costs of printing. Some companies charge extra for rush printing, shipping and other factors such as the type of paper or binding you choose. Bear in mind that you can avoid hidden costs by choosing a company that offers free design services or ready to go templates.


__How to make your decision__

There are quite a few things to consider before choosing whether or not to print at home yourself or having it sent off to an online printing service like Sticker Mule.
 
Printing at home is an excellent way to save money on printing when printing smaller quantities, while also ensuring that your documents are printed exactly the way you want them. By printing at home, you'll be able to avoid many of the costs associated with professional printing, like shipping, storage and setup fees. Plus, you'll have total control over the quality and appearance of your prints. 
 
However, the more you print, the less this approach makes sense. Even for smaller jobs, online printing might be the cheaper and better alternative especially if you are able to take advantage of deals like Sticker Mule does with it’s 10 for $9 samples.

<ButtonCta text="Get 10 custom prints for $9 sample pack" href="https://www.stickermule.com/samples" />


Find out how to decide between printing at home or printing online in this handy guide

6 ideas on wrapping & decorating your Christmas gifts like no one else

![christmas gift decorating guide](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6013bd38-3205-45e1-9c3b-72cd8ff41380)

‍Christmas is a time for giving, but it can also be a time for creating. The festive season is the perfect opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care about them. If you’re on the lookout for some creative ways to decorate your Christmas gifts this year, keep reading! We think these simple ideas are the perfect way to add an element of surprise and delight when presenting your gifts. Let’s take a look at some inventive ways to add a little extra dash of holiday spirit to your gifts:

__1) Custom packaging tape for the gifts you tape__

![custom christmas packaging tape](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7dd1a401-bf03-43a1-a79b-cc64c37d22ef)

The first festive decor idea we love is [custom packaging tape](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/holiday-packaging-tape "custom christmas holiday packing tape") for your gifts. This is a really fun and easy way to bring some festive cheer to your gifts. You can use one of our [premade packaging tape templates](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/packaging/packaging-tape "free designs for packaging tape") at Studio to get started decorating your packaging tape with Christmas pictures or even photos of your family, friends, or pets! This is a sure way to pack your present to bring a big smile to the person you are gifting.

__2) Personalized return address labels for the gifts you send__

![custom christmas return labels](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/204628bb-75b4-443e-9183-e5106caeb79e)

Another festive decor idea we love is creating your own [personalized return address labels](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/return-address-labels "custom made return labels"). Christmas is the season of giving, and many of us exchange gifts and letters with friends, family, and colleagues. Sometimes, you have to send gifts to people far away. That’s when it could be a good idea to add a custom return label to your letter, present or box so the person you are gifting knows that something special is inside the box. It’s the little things like this that make all the difference when spreading holiday cheer to your family and friends.

__3) Mule Sauce stocking stuffer__

![mule sauce 6 pack](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/af87433a-cc14-421a-bd92-a7a3d1968f65)

A fun & festive idea that’s great for stocking stuffers is a [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "mule sauce sweet & spicy hot sauce"). This unique gift is perfect for any spicy food fan in your life. It’s a great gift for colleagues, friends, and family members who enjoy cooking and adding a bit of spice to their foods. Our Mule Sauce is a perfect combination of sweet and spicy that even recently [won the first place prize](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/mule-sauce-wins-top-award-at-fiery-food-challenge-hot-sauce-competition "mule sauce first place hot sauce") in a renowned spicy food fest in Texas. That spicy food lover in your life deserves the best, so why not add a bit of top ranked spicy goodness to their stocking this holiday season.

__4) Customized labels for baked goods__

![custom cookie can box labels](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cdc41c5a-1a8d-45de-a2c9-5187394c0f22)

Another festive decor idea is [customized labels](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-labels "custom labels for baking goods") for baked goods. If you’re giving baked goods as gifts this Christmas, why not decorate them with festive labels? This is both a decorative and useful way to present baked goods. You can use our premade templates of cute and silly Christmas sticker labels or start a design from scratch and use them to decorate your baked goods.

__5) Personalized shipping bags for smaller items__

![custom shipping bags for christmas](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c7d989fe-4f71-496e-aade-bdee0383279c)

If you’re buying gifts for friends, family members, and colleagues, a useful but yet festive idea to amp up your wrapping game this year is using [personalized shipping bags](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/shipping-bags "custom shipping bags") for smaller items. This is a great way to add some extra Christmas spirit to your gifts. It’s super useful when sending smaller gifts or can even be a special way to package gifts together inside a box. Our custom poly mailers are printed in full color and are lightweight so they are a perfect addition to your gifts this holiday season.


__6) Custom-made buttons for your stockings__

![custom buttons for the holidays](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/229edac7-4f1b-47e3-b9e5-c29469bcdcb1)

Another festive decor idea is making [custom-made buttons](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/photo-buttons "custom photo buttons") for your stockings. Stockings are great ways to give smaller presents, but they also make a great Christmas gift themselves that many people enjoy receiving during the Christmas season, so they can be a great way to show your loved ones how much you care about them. Buttons are a quick and easy way to decorate your stockings and make them look even more special. You can design some Christmas-themed buttons with family members, pets, Santa Claus, reindeer, snowmen, gingerbread men, or Christmas trees, and use them to decorate your stockings. 

__Well, that's a "wrap"__

There’s no better way to celebrate Christmas than by giving gifts to your loved ones. However, you can make these gifts even more special by decorating them using festive wrapping ideas. The holiday season is a great time to show your loved ones how much you care about them, and it’s an excellent opportunity to get creative with your gifts. If you’re on the lookout for some creative ways to decorate your Christmas gifts this year, we hope this post helps spark some extra creativity in your gift-giving. 


Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays 🎄☃️ from the entire Sticker Mule team!



Stand out from the rest of the crowd with these unique ways to make your presents impress that no one else is really doing

Enlarge an image without losing quality in Photoshop, it's possible?

As a photographer, artist, or designer, the ability to enlarge images without losing quality is a valuable skill. Fortunately, with the right software and technique, it is indeed possible to accomplish this, but with varying results. The key is utilizing a process called "interpolation," which involves inserting new pixels into an image based on the colors and tones of surrounding pixels. This can be [done manually](https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282942&p=1888161 "manually increase size of an image in photoshop") with just increasing the size of the image but this really isn’t well suited for detailed photos and images.

Luckily, there are a few options these days. But it really depends on if you have access to Adobe Photoshop and its Creative Cloud or not. If you do, you are in luck, Photoshop has released a new feature for photographers called Super Resolution. This can increase the size of the image size by up to 4x, but you’ll need access to a plugin called [Camera Raw](https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-in-installer.html "camera raw photoshop plugin") and Adobe Bridge to get started. If you have access to these programs, it just [takes a couple steps](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/enlarge-image.html "how to enlarge photos in photoshop with a plugin") to get the process done.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="fXmYz-Zy1j4" />

If you’ve spent this entire blog post not quite understanding what those pieces of software do or how they work, we are right there with you. Even seasoned pros grow tired with the complexity of this problem, the whole process is way too confusing. Luckily there are some easier ways!

The following two methods will enable you to increase the size of any image without losing quality, which is perfect if you never intended on editing photos in Photoshop!

__1) Use a AI image upscaling service online__

<YouTubeVideo videoId="MnlxadIeVKQ" />

The easiest and fastest way to improve your quality of photos is by using an AI-powered upscaling service which will not only help you save time, but also make sure that all aspects like color balance are preserved. There are many such services out there, but one that is getting quite popular (for good reason) these days is [Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "enlarge image without losing quality online"). It’s a 100% free image way to upscale images online and it works quite well. You can increase the resolution of any image for free by up to 8x with just a couple of clicks!

The best part of this service is that it’s completely free so you really don’t have much to lose by trying it out and seeing if it’s what you are looking for.

<ButtonCta text="Click to upscale your image for FREE" href="https://www.stickermule.com/upscale" />

Like with any AI image upscaler, it’s incredibly fast and easy to use, but it’s not always absolutely perfect. It will work great for a majority of images and photos, but you may need some additional tools to achieve perfection with some images. That’s when a  more extensive solution may work for you; like vectorization of your image.

__2) Use a image vectorization service online__

<YouTubeVideo videoId="nr7tGu9yKh4" />

Like with all the AI image upscale services out there, there are quite a few services these days that can turn your image into a vector so you can scale the image indefinitely. This online solution works great for logos, symbols, and artwork among many other object oriented images. If you are looking to increase the quality of a photo, however, this will not be something that will help. But if you do have an object, transforming your image into a vector will pay off for years to come!

Once you have a vector image, you can scale and increase the size of it as large as you want it! You can even fill an entire movie screen with your new vector image without losing any quality. That’s why it’s such a great resource to have for images that you’ll need to send around a lot, since it will work for any purpose someone might want. 

To get started to vectorize your image, head on over to [Redraw by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw "turn an image into a vector"). From there, just upload your photo and we will send you a proof within a couple hours of your new vector image. If you want any changes or don’t like certain things, just keep revising the proof until you are 100% satisfied with it. Once that is done, you just have to pay $19 and you’ll have a brand new vector image that can be used anywhere and practically for any purpose! Success! 

It's also possible to convert an image into a vector a few different ways in Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, but again, this approach is a very difficult task for non-Adobe experts. However, if you have the skills, here are [6 different ways to convert an image into a vector](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-convert-any-image-to-vector "convert image to vector") that way.

<ButtonCta text="Click here to turn an image into a vector" href="https://www.stickermule.com/redraw" />

__So in conclusion__

It is indeed possible to enhance images in photoshop, but there are certain limitations that make it infeasible for images that have a lot of detail. In those cases, you can use an AI powered upscaling service like Upscale to increase the resolution by up to 8x or if that is not enough, then you can also convert your image into a vector image that then can be enhanced or enlarged to however big you’d like it!



Is enlarging or enhancing images in Photoshop possible without losing any quality? Find out inside!

How to make a holographic sticker and 5 tricks to make it shine!

[Holographic stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers "holographic sticker vinyl") are made with a colorful, reflective vinyl that gives your designs a unique shine. I love how they make our designs shine like nobody else. If you want to make your hologram sticker stand out even more, here's some tips for creating eye-catching designs with this reflective vinyl

A creative design is the key to success when it comes time for custom holographic stickers. Here's a video guide that will get your imagination flowing and give you some ideas on how best use these tools in Photoshop/Illustrator:

<YouTubeVideo videoId="vD9duBs1M0c?rel=0" />

When you're ready to share your design with the world, you can send it off to a [holographic sticker printing service online](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers "holographic sticker vinyl") and upload your design there. It should take about a week for it to be sent back to you a physical holographic stickers!

However if you're ready to take your design from good to great, here are some tricks that will help make sure the new holographic stickers shine like never before!

### Leave empty spaces on your design
Whatever is printed on the holographic material will blend with the holographic effect. Conversely, leaving any part of your design empty, will let the holographic effect shine through 100% and really make it pop.

![holo-empty-fill](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ee8643bee8ff4f57518743fd7ed0f76dc87d10e7)

In the design above we originally had a grey color to represent the metal on the robot. The grey color looks fine, but by removing the fill we can make the metal appear purely holographic.

### Adjust color saturation
[Different colors blend differently](https://www.stickermule.com/support/holographic-stickers-setup) with the holographic vinyl. In general, lighter colors blend with the holographic material more, while darker colors tend to block out the effect more.

![holo-saturation](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9bdd791406097480637f9450ee885e4d9d8e4164)

In the design above, we wanted to create a higher contrast between the cheeks and the pure holographic metal. To do this, we simply increased the saturation of the red to make it darker, to give it less of a holographic effect.

### Use black and white
While nearly all colors will blend with the holographic material in some way, there are 2 colors that almost completely block it out: black and white.

![robot-holo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cd77f4f29adb526f4baaf86b8e114f0e7526787c)

Using black and white in your design is a great way to create more contrast and make the holographic effects stand out.

### Use color background while designing
When designing with both white fills and empty fills it can become confusing to tell them apart. To help, we recommend putting a colored background beneath your design.

![holo-background](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d4bf7955bc37393b4991a2d0b64a6c7a63df4c57)

The color will help you figure out which parts of your design are set to be totally holographic vs. the parts that are totally white. Just remember to delete the background layer when you’re done!

### Try printing some holographic sticker samples
The best way to figure out what your holographic stickers will look like is getting them in your hands! We offer [custom holographic sticker samples](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-sticker-samples), so you can try a small batch before placing a larger order.

<ButtonCta text="Print your holographic stickers @ Sticker Mule" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers" />

Make holographic stickers with this easy to follow video guide and learn some tricks on how to make them stand out even more!

How to make your own custom QR code sticker for free online

Whether it’s a barcode, matrix code, or QR code, all these visual codes have one thing in common. They are used to encode information and make it easier to access. Quick response (QR) codes are dynamic optical codes that can be read by almost any device. They can be found in almost every industry, including retail and e-commerce, education, logistics and transportation, advertising and marketing, and more. 
Unfortunately, most businesses don’t know how to design a QR code sticker for their marketing strategy or how to use it effectively. If you want to know what a QR code sticker is and how to use it for your business strategy, keep reading!

__What is a QR code sticker?__

A QR code sticker is an advertising tool that can be printed on paper, a sticker, or a poster, and then placed in a location where customers are likely to see it. The QR code sticker contains a URL or a phone number and links to the desired destination. To access the information, a user needs to scan the QR code sticker with a QR code scanner. This can be done with a smartphone or a special application designed to read these codes. QR codes can be used for all types of industries, including retail and e-commerce, education, logistics and transportation, advertising and marketing, and more. They can be applied to anything, such as a poster, a magazine ad, the side of a bus, a billboard, a product, a poster, and more. The only limitation is your imagination! QR codes have been used for many years and are an effective way to drive traffic to your website, generate sales, and engage customers. Businesses of all sizes can benefit from QR codes by using them to promote special sales, hosting online surveys, linking to an online store, and more.
 
__Why use a QR code sticker?__

If you’re still not convinced that QR codes are relevant to your business, here are some great reasons to use a QR code sticker. 

- *__Better reach__*. With QR codes, you can reach a larger audience than with just text. This is especially true if you’re trying to reach people in different languages. You’re also likely to get better engagement rates as people are more likely to scan a QR code than they are to visit sites spelled in text. 

- *__More visual__*. People are visual creatures, and they’re much more likely to remember information if they’ve seen it in a visual format. If you add some design elements to the QR code (like a logo or brand color), you’ll make it even more memorable. 

- *__Time savings__*. A QR code is faster to scan than it is to read a text link. This means you’re likely to see a higher rate of engagement and sales from using a QR code.

For the longest time, people considered QR codes a fad. But as you can see and tell, QR codes exploded in popularity in 2020 and it's safe to say...QR code stickers are here to stay. 

__Things to consider when designing a QR code sticker__

If you’re thinking about using a QR code sticker for your business, keep the following tips in mind to make sure it’s effective. Choose a highly visible location - Where you place your QR code sticker is just as important as what you put on it. If you want people to see and scan your QR code, then it has to be in a highly visible location. Avoid dark corners, dimly lit rooms, or areas that are out of the way. Choose the right color - Be sure to choose a color that contrasts with the surface that you’ll be sticking your QR code on. You don’t want to blend in with the wall or blend into the poster behind you. The color of your QR code needs to stand out.
 
__3 recommended tools for creating a QR code sticker__

If you’re ready to create a QR code sticker for your business, there are a few tools worth checking out. Depending on your budget and time frame, you can choose from various of easy-to-use apps.
 
__1) A website that creates QR codes__

There are plenty of websites that allow you to create QR codes. But QR-code-generator.com is the biggest website and it comes featured packed with a whole slew of options. It was recently acquired by Bitly, so you can be very confident that it has a lot of real value. To get started, simply head on over to https://www.qr-code-generator.com/

Once there, you’ll see a textbox where you can put anything you want and transform it into a QR code. From URLs, PDFs, and MP3s all the way to Bitcoin wallet addresses, the world of links here is your oyster. If you just want a link to a website, select the URL option at the top and input the URL you want a link to, like below;

![qr code generator online](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0ab654d3-aee3-4ee3-8bda-c6657b7c3941)

Once you do that, you’ll see your basic QR code available for download. If that’s all you want, just press the green Download button and you’ll have your QR code sticker!

However, there are a few other options you can do here to make your QR code stand out a bit more. There are 3 free frames that you can use that surround your QR code with words like “Scan Me” to make sure your users know what to do. There are 6 other premium frames that are available, but they will require a paid plan. There is a 14-day free trial available though, so that is something that might work for you.

But that’s how you can create a basic QR code. It’s pretty simple, so give it a try today to start creating your new QR marketing tool!

__2) A design tool like Studio or Photoshop to edit your QR code__

Even though many QR code generators out there have the tools needed to make a nice QR code, oftentimes you’ll need to add some additional text or change some details or orientation of the image. In that case, you’ll need some kind of image design software. The most popular software for this is Adobe Photoshop, however, it’s a bit complex and can be overwhelming for many people. If that’s the case, there are also plenty of online design tools available for free on the internet. 

One such design tool is [Studio from Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool").

![studio custom design tool free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9802afef-adc7-40eb-8bd0-26dbec38360d)

This tool is completely free to use and has the options needed to customize your QR to your exact liking. To get started with Studio, just head on over to [stickermule.com/studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio) and you’ll be presented with a bunch of templates that will help you get started. Once you’ve selected a template, or just start your own design by scratch, you’ll have a bunch of features available to you like adding text, adding images and changing the orientation, and adding shapes and colors. This should give you plenty of inspiration and the tools you need to make your QR even more special and stand out even greater.

The really neat thing about Studio is that once you’ve finished designing your QR code, you just need to press the “order prints” button on the upper right to get your stickers printed! It’s super easy so give it a try today.

__3) A phone or barcode scanner to test your QR code__

The last tool you’ll need is either a smartphone/tablet or a barcode scanner with the ability to read QR codes. Luckily, if you don’t have a barcode scanner, these days almost every smartphone can read a QR code through the default camera app that is already installed on your smartphone. 

So to get started, just open up the camera app on your phone and point it at your new QR code. If you see a popup that wants to redirect you to your website, then your QR code works! However, you may want to click through just to make sure the exact website you want is where your QR code takes you. So once you’ve clicked through, and you’ve confirmed that the website is the one you want, you’ve finished setting up your QR code and you’re ready to start printing!
	
 
__How to print your newly designed QR stickers__

So you have a snazzy new QR code that makes it easier for your users to find more information about your organization or business, now what? Well, now you just have to print them and start sticking them around! 

The cheapest way to do this is by yourself with [blank QR code labels from Avery](https://www.avery.com/blank/usage/qr-code-labels "blank qr code labels") and using the included template. You’ll have to open that in Microsoft Word or some other text editor and then drag and drop the QR code into each label spot. Once you’ve done that, you are ready to print them on your printer. Just insert the label sheet into your printer paper stack and press print! 

Printing the stickers yourself may be cheap, but there can be quite a few issues that can happen from doing it yourself. From non-centered QR codes to uneven printing that may make your QR stickers unreadable, there always seems to be something that goes wrong when doing it yourself. So you’ll need to be comfortable with problem-solving tech and proofing issues yourself if you want to go this route. 

If you aren’t comfortable playing around until it is perfect then custom online printing might be the best option for you. Most online printing services have free proofing processes so they’ll make sure the stickers look and print right, you just have to give the approval.

For example, at Sticker Mule, you’ll just need to upload the image of the QR code when purchasing the [custom square stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/square-stickers "custom printed square stickers") and the proofing team will have a design ready for you to approve in an hour or so. You can work with them on fine-tuning the sticker design or just send it off for printing. The only thing you need to do then is wait for the stickers to arrive by mail in about a week!
 
 __Conclusion__

QR codes are an excellent way to bring more traffic to your website, generate sales, and engage with customers. A QR code sticker is an easy and effective way to display this code. If you want to start using QR codes in your business, the first step is to design a QR code sticker. To do this, choose a highly visible location for your code and select the right color. Then, select a tool to create your code and customize it with your URL and branding.

<ButtonCta text="Start designing labels online" href="https://www.stickermule.com/studio" />



Find out how to create your own custom QR code stickers for free and start printing them!

8 creative ways how to increase brand awareness with your logo

You may know a lot about your brand and what it stands for, but does the rest of the world? How can you make people remember your brand when they see your logo or other elements of your [brand identity](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/12/20/how-a-strong-brand-identity-can-bring-in-customers/?sh=351c7f585b3a "brand identity important")? Brand awareness is an important part of any business, as it allows customers to recognize your company more easily. With more brand awareness, you can expect increased sales and better partnerships with other businesses. Here are some tips on how to increase brand awareness with your logo.
 
![t shirt with logo for brand awareness](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/76bfccf6-4e00-4078-a731-f4719f624a24)

__1) Make a custom t-shirt with your logo and wear it around town__

A simple way to increase your brand awareness is to wear your company’s apparel every now and then. If you have your own custom t-shirts and sweatshirts, wear them as often as possible. If you don’t have a custom shirt yet, consider getting a [custom t-shirt at Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom logo t-shirts at sticker mule") or another shirt printing service with your logo or branding. The investment is usually quite low, think $20 for quantities of 1, and it can get much cheaper with the more shirts you order. Either way, this will help to spread the word about your business and get people talking about your logo and brand name. People will ask you about your shirt and you can talk about your company and products. You can also take pictures of yourself wearing your t-shirts and post them to social media. This will allow you to reach a wider group of people and help to increase brand awareness in real-life and social media much faster. 

![custom poly bags with logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3b00435e-a765-4766-9eb4-2011f82294ee)

__2) Ship products in your custom poly bags__

Another way to increase brand awareness is by using your [custom bags for shipping products](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/poly-bags "custom poly bags with logo"). Many online sellers use brown boxes for shipping, but if you are shipping items to customers who don’t know your brand, these boxes are all the same and don’t really stand out. Using custom poly bags is a simple way to make your shipping brand stand out. You can use your logo and name on these bags to make them stand out even more. People will see these bags when they receive a shipment and they will remember your company name. Even better, many people live in multi-family residences and your shipments can be seen by even more people if left around the mailboxes! This is a great way to increase brand awareness, especially if you are shipping products to people who don’t know your brand.

__3) Create custom calendar magnets to hand out__

Calendar magnets are a great way to advertise your brand. They are inexpensive and easy to customize to your brand and logo. You can create [custom calendar magnets](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-magnets "custom magnets") for businesses events and local events in your area. Many people find these smaller calendars very helpful and will proudly display them at home or even public environments like schools and businesses where even more people can see your branding. This is a great way to create brand awareness and get people to notice your logo. You can also take these calendar magnets to events in your area and hand them out to people. People love freebies and this is a useful one, so it’s a win-win for everyone!

![car bumper magnets for brand awareness](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e154b20f-1c93-4797-a8da-50b1c839e35d)

__4) Create a custom bumper magnet for your car with your logo__

Bumper magnets are another great way to increase brand awareness. Bumper sticker magnets are easy to stick on and take off, which allows you to take them on and off as you please. You can stick your [custom bumper magnet](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/bumper-magnets "custom bumper magnets for brand awareness") on your car, truck, or any other vehicle you drive. This is a great way to increase brand awareness because people will see your bumper magnet every time you drive your car. This is especially useful if you drive to work every day and live in a moderately large city, you can spread brand awareness to thousands each day! Over the years, one small bumper magnet could be responsible for millions of views, which is quite the return on investment. That’s why we think bumper magnets are a sure fire way to stand out and increase brand awareness.
 
![custom window cling with logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2a50ea32-1315-4c3e-bb12-089cf6943f2d)

__5) Add a custom window cling of your logo near your entrance__

Another easy way to increase brand awareness is by adding a [custom window cling of your logo](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/window-clings "custom window clings for business brand awareness") near your door. This is a great way to grab the attention of people walking by your business. You can create a window cling for a sale, new product, or upcoming event. You can also use this as a way to show support for a cause. You can use this custom window cling to show support for a cause that is near and dear to your company. This is a great way to increase brand awareness and show support for causes and events in your community.

![custom stickers with logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6df1f875-03dd-46ab-93ed-647b0240cb49)

__6) Create custom stickers with you logo__
You won't believe how many people will take a [custom sticker of your company's logo](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/logo-stickers "custom logo sticker") if you leave it at the point-of-sale or add them to shipments. There's just something about an unexpected goofy, cool, or unique sticker that makes people happy. That, and people love free stuff. Put those together and you have one happy customer. But better yet, you never know where a customer might display a sticker and getting your brand out there can only help increase your brand awareness. This is a classic brand awareness tactic that still works great today and you should give it a try!
 
![custom tape for packaging brand awareness](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bbfeb756-9a5c-4d63-94e4-dfc3fe66898f)

__7) Create packaging tape with your logo to tape packages__

Another simple way to increase brand awareness is by using [packaging tape with your logo](https://www.stickermule.com/products/packaging-tape "custom shipping tape with logo") on it. You can set up a giveaway or contest where you give away custom packaging tape with your logo on it. This is a great way to increase brand awareness and put your logo in front of many people. You can use this packaging tape to seal packages for customers or to seal your packages when shipping items. This is a great way to increase brand awareness and make customers remember your company.

![custom pins with logo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7c1d9cb2-50bc-4de4-9e55-ab7da6c23e4a)
 
__8) Add your logo to custom pins to add to bags or clothing__

Custom pins are a unique way to increase brand awareness. You can [create custom pins](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-pins "custom pin maker online") with your logo, name, or other design elements. These are great to add to bags or clothing as a badge of sorts. You can wear these custom pins on your clothing as a way to show people you work for your company. You can also use these pins to seal bags or boxes containing products. This is a great way to increase brand awareness and show customers that you are proud of your company.
 
__Bottom line__

[Branding is a critical part](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/06/16/why-branding-your-business-is-important-in-2022/?sh=4d8bf4ba2cb2 "branding importance in 2022") of any business, and while it’s important to make your logo recognizable, it’s also important to make your company recognizable. It’s not enough to just have a great logo, you also need to make it clear what your company does, what your company values are, and who your target market is. Branding can be done with your logo, but it can also be done with your mission statement, your values, and your target audience. In order to increase brand awareness, you need to make sure that all of these things are clear and easy to understand.


There are many cost-effective ways to increase your brand's awareness. Here are 8 different ways you can start your brand awareness campaign today!

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