Top 35+ free & paid AI tools you should be using in 2023

People have been talking about artificial intelligence for a while now. A pet sci-fi theme, it's spurred plenty of outlandish theories and hand-wringing about dystopian futures. But it was only over the past few months that the AI phenomenon seemed to really register on the global consciousness, driven primarily by the release of ChatGPT — a powerful chatbot that took the world by storm and reached a whopping [1 billion users in just under two months](https://www.demandsage.com/chatgpt-statistics/).

![best free ai tools in 2023](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d6e2ffc4-cf2c-4368-8a45-d0a51a13450f)

While it's anyone's guess what the future of AI holds in store for our economies, for scientific development, and even for our society's way of life, one thing's for sure — it's here to stay, and we better get used to its intrusive (but helpful) presence in our lives.

And what better way to embrace this brave new world than by taking advantage of the many free and paid AI tools already available out there? Without further ado, let's look at some of the best AI tools you should be using in 2023.

1). [ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com/)

![best free ai tools 2023 chat gpt](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a72c8286-deee-41db-a094-8c22c2c439a6)

ChatGPT builds on the power of machine learning algorithms and a galaxy-vast database to answer pretty much anything you ask. It'll write you stories and poems, program, provide simple answers to complex topics, and help you with any number of planning tasks — besides just being a lot of fun to play around with.

2). [10Web](https://10web.io/)

![free ai tool to build website 10web](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9503c607-bfbb-4e9d-a1bc-acd4d899b11a)

If you're building your own site, 10Web is the número uno AI assistant for you. The app allows you to create web pages with no knowledge of coding using a simple drag-n-drop interface that makes it easy for anyone to make their own website.

3). [Midjourney](https://www.midjourney.com/app/) 

![free ai tool to create photos and images midjourney](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9416f88d-6329-4168-a6c4-bf33b893b98d)

Text-to-image is another aspect of so-called "generative AI" that's been making huge strides recently, as shown by Midjourney — an app with over 14 million users that can transform any text prompt into a unique, AI-generated output. 

Midjourney has recently [made headlines](https://www.reuters.com/technology/eu-lawmakers-committee-reaches-deal-artificial-intelligence-act-2023-04-27/) as a target of new proposed European legislation to regulate generative AI, given claims that its databases infringe artists' and photographers' copyrights.

4). [Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale)

[![free ai tool to upscale images online without losing quality](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7c33d40b-0bae-4c17-85f6-dc04489c867a)](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "upscale images for free without losing quality")

Got the perfect image, but it's too low-resolution for printing? Fear not: Upscale by Sticker Mule taps into AI algorithms to provide missing pixels and render a high-quality version of your photographs and art.

5). [Magic Design by Canva](https://www.canva.com/magic-design/)

![free ai visualization tools](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9221c565-578f-4995-9623-15c6c5fbc12b)

Magic Design helps you turn into your own designer. Provide an image as a prompt and the AI software will bring up custom designs according to the context you need. With no coding or design skills needed, you'll soon be creating your own designs from scratch in a matter of minutes!

6). [Fireflies AI](https://fireflies.ai/)

![free ai tool for getting an AI assistant](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0cac6430-f369-4c39-ac6a-87e538c69487)

Voice assistants are another technology benefiting hugely from the AI boom, as in the case of Fireflies — an AI assistant for meetings. The app will help you take notes, transcribe discussions, and summarize meetings, improving your workflows and efficiency in the professional arena.

7). [SheetAI](https://www.sheetai.app/)

![free ai tool for google sheets](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/579edd39-265f-4155-a092-76a1492ba292)

Tired of wasting tons of time trying to figure out the right command or coding for an Excel sheet? Well, no need for that anymore, as SheetAI does all the programming work for you. All you need to do is provide simple text prompts, sit back, and let the AI brain do its thing.

8). [Tome](https://beta.tome.app/)

![free ai tool to create and write content](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/daf75d68-0029-430c-8b2d-ada76f2a6851)

Tome describes itself as a "story-telling" app — not the bedtime kind, though. With Tome, you can instantly generate compelling narratives in the form of presentations including audiovisual content — all from a few simple prompts. Tome is a great way to help promote your products or ideas in the workplace.

9). [CodeWhisperer](https://aws.amazon.com/codewhisperer/)

![ai code suggestions for writing code faster](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/33c08039-ab6b-4a63-97d2-a77326b3e38e)

CodeWhisperer helps you code more effectively by drawing from billions of coding lines to suggest anything from simple snippets to fully-built functions of code. CodeWhisperer can even pick up your unique coding style and generate code to match.

10). [Bardeen](https://www.bardeen.ai/)

![free ai tools for automating tasks](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/61df6cac-1a31-4af6-8a96-892a586f61b8)

Bardeen is a business cloud-based data management and workflow tool. With Bardeen, you can automate mundane, repetitive tasks, including report generation, sending reminders, data entry, and a whole lot more.

11). [Tweethunter](https://tweethunter.io/)

![twitter audience and adds ai tool](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/74b7453f-15bb-4f5c-a2cf-93a0eb9aa72a)

Tweethunter helps Twitter users grow their audience and monetize their Twitter accounts, tapping into artificial intelligence to provide key insights for anything from best times to post and hot topics, to interesting opportunities. 

12). [Taplio](https://taplio.com/)

![free ai tool for linkedlin](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fc68b1ff-0693-4f16-8013-c0e08432de0c)

Need an assistant to manage your LinkedIn account? That is the role of Taplio. Making use of machine learning algorithms, the app will provide you with ideas for hot posts, help schedule new content, and expand your professional network as a whole.

13). [VidIQ](https://vidiq.com/generate/)

![create content for youtube with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0cd023b1-05d8-4b66-9316-4458f7e02a08)

VidIQ is an extension for YouTubers— it provides tutorials, analytics, and insights on content creation and channel growth, as well as helps content creators find new keywords and trending topics for future posts.

14). [InboxPro](https://inboxpro.io/)

![free ai tool for gmail automation](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b7380078-bd53-41d6-99cb-83807b3930e6)

InboxPro is a suite of tools for email, calendar, and productivity management. With it, you'll answer emails faster, thanks to preset templates and AI predictive text, as well as save time with a myriad of daily business tasks such as scheduling events, sending RVSPs, or sending out reminders.

15). [HeadshotPro](https://www.headshotpro.com/)

![create professional photo headshots with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c55bd52a-6fbe-4ddf-bab1-b8acbbef86a0)

Is there no profile-worthy pic available? Upload any picture of yourself to HeadshotPro and get hundreds of professional corporate headshots generated in a matter of seconds!

16). [AgentGPT](https://agentgpt.reworkd.ai/)

![create AI bot to automate tasks](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ac8b0719-c897-4439-bf42-4c8059865e2f)

Create an AI agent and send it on a mission — any mission! From planning all the steps in a trip to scouring the web for information on a specific topic, AgentGPT will deliver powerful results for pretty much anything you ask it to do.

17). [Alicent](https://alicent.ai/)

![best chrome extension for chatgpt](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/78b0dc3e-409f-4555-8e84-cfa43f00cff7)

Alicent is a ChatGPT web extension through which you can benefit from the chatbot's assistance at any time and anywhere, with just a few clicks and prompts. Great for content creators, marketers, bloggers, and other professionals.

18). [ChatDOC](https://chatdoc.com/)

![summarize and extract content from documents with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/898eb877-5691-4024-a820-ce3385f202a6)

Another app based on ChatGPT, ChatDOC helps you extract content from any text file or document, as well as locate specific keywords and quickly summarize contents.

19). [Cassette AI](https://cassetteai.com/)

![ai generated music for free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/db284cb4-83ce-446b-8663-0b286bc49abc)

Cassette enables musicians, composers, and music lovers all over the world to create music through prompts — anything from a synthy 80s-inspired beat to a violin playlist for focus and inspiration. 

20). [Lindy.ai](https://www.lindy.ai/)

![ai bot for google excel and google sheets](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/170ba3f9-ff28-424d-a1e0-b8b29bd26730)

Lindy.ai is another AI tool for productivity and workflows, helping you automate all your day-to-day tasks from scheduling appointments and meetings to sending emails, taking notes, memos, and a lot more.

21). [Intellimail](https://www.intellimail.xyz/)

![ai tool for email](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/33aac2fc-01aa-493a-87da-51db389b1e9b)

Intellimail is a Chrome extension that works on Gmail to draft entire emails based on single-phrase prompts, saving users time and making for swifter, more effective, and clear professional communication.

22). [Kickresume](https://www.kickresume.com/en/ai-resume-writer/)

![free ai tool for resume building](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9392c8dd-f389-4271-8906-c76917fb336c)

AI lets you do many things, including drafting your resume. Powered by Open AI's GPT-4 NLP model, Kickresume will create a free resume for you with just a few prompts. And it looks good, too!

23). [Grammarly](https://www.grammarly.com/)

![ai tool for grammar correction](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7f78fdf7-e5b8-40c8-8c93-ab3d219d5a4c)

Grammarly is an extension trained on billions of words to predict and correct text as you type. Say goodbye to grammar and spelling mistakes with this handy tool. 

24). [Trace by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/trace "free background remover with ai")

[![free ai background remover](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/32ae2360-a927-4262-b9ce-10605e34980c)](https://www.stickermule.com/trace "free background remover")

Trace is another app in the Sticker Mule stack of services. Use it to remove the background of any photo — whether it's your pet or your partner! — and create a ready-to-print photo for kickass stickers, magnets, or other custom items.

25). [Otter.ai](https://otter.ai/)

![free ai tool for note taking](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8f339dfe-f70f-40d1-bf88-ee66830314d6)

Otter is another great tool for meetings. Its functions include transforming text into notes, automatically capturing presentation slides, and generating handy meeting summaries.

26). [Quillbot](https://quillbot.com/)

![free ai paraphrasing tool](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2d781d34-6649-4ce1-96d2-1377e2543670)

Lacking creativity, style, or vocabulary? Quillbot gives you a shortcut to better results by rephrasing any text you input. The app works as both a Chrome and Word extension and works with a range of language styles, including "creative", "professional", and "simple" tones.

27). [Replika](https://replika.com/)

![free AI support companion](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7bfc604f-c9b1-4bdd-a29c-4412d950e213)

Ever seen Her? Well, Replika brings something of that concept to life with its AI companion that will follow you anywhere, chat with you, be a (virtual) shoulder to cry on, and even coach you on a variety of subjects.

Or, you know, you just get out there and make some friends.

28). [DeepL Translator](https://www.deepl.com/en/translator)

![free ai translation service](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ef8bb413-ffa5-4776-9e2b-35cd959a6f16)

Deploying potent neural network machine learning and tapping into all of the internet for input and context, DeepL has been the golden standard for machine translation for nearly a decade and is available for free for several language sets, including English to French, Russian, and Chinese.

29). [Aiva](https://www.aiva.ai/)

![create music and songs with ai for free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/df4881fe-800f-405f-860b-4887e3471f73)

Aiva is another music maker. Tune into the app and use style (70s rock) and tone (emotional) prompts to generate custom-made, unique machine-learning music.

30). [Hemingway Editor](https://hemingwayapp.com/)

![ai writing and content correction and suggestion](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c0f71904-63b3-4510-8217-52eabb31e2c6)

Although it's not certain the legendary Papa would approve, Hemingway Editor does the bulk of the work in helping you create a more vigorous, concise writing style. The AI editor will help you detect words to trim off, clumsy paragraphs to clean up, and windy sentences to straighten out. It can also give you writing tips and grade your work on a "Readability" scale.

31). [Dall-E2](https://openai.com/product/dall-e-2)

![art and image AI generation](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/467d7973-0a09-4a27-8d49-65b5ae7e1a65)

Another member of the OpenAI family, Dall-E2 creates realistic-looking images (by AI standards, that is) from simple natural language prompts. 

32). [LUMEN5](https://lumen5.com/)

![create video content at scale with AI](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/02a5f651-6f63-4f32-9e25-e5ebe4e5d396)

Lumen5 makes it easy for anyone to create compelling video content on an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. With machine learning algorithms, it can also transform text into videos and prepare clips out of Zoom recordings, among many other tricks.

33). [Riffusion](https://www.riffusion.com/)

![generate music for free with ai tools](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3beeb376-8980-4af0-9899-d7f411ca3a54)

Riffusion is a neural network with an innovative concept: it generates music using images of sound, instead of audio. Essentially, it visualizes, then composes music. Although the app is still in its infancy, the approach carries a lot of promise for composers and soundtrack creators out there.

34). [Point-E](https://openai.com/research/point-e)

![create 3D point clouds with AI](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/49645fff-3455-4103-b610-cd98de9ac66a)

Visualize complex ideas and projects by transforming prompts into 3D point clouds — that is the simple, but rather incredible offering of Point-E. Point-E is yet another member of the GPT-4 family.

35). [LALAL.AI](https://www.lalal.ai/)

![extract vocals from music with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7cbbef03-f089-412e-afbe-754044ddbc3c)

LALAL helps you extract bits of music, detaching specific vocals or instruments from the rest and combining them with other sounds to create new music from old.

36). [Deep Nostalgia](https://www.myheritage.com/deep-nostalgia)

![animate old family photos with AI](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/256fdd23-4b16-45a8-9303-e02b85f5e1bc)

A fascinating, if slightly creepy app, Deep Nostalgia makes use of machine learning algorithms to bring life to old pictures of relatives or historical figures. Don't blame us for the nightmares.

37). [Magic Eraser](https://magicstudio.com/magiceraser)

![remove objects in photos with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/84557edc-de4c-45cd-987d-c7453dffb854)

Magic Eraser's AI brain is pleased to assist you with one of the biggest hurdles of image editing — removing unwanted objects. Correct your pictures, reimagine your living spaces, and perhaps even remove a few tourists from that memorable vacation picture of last year!

38). [Fontjoy](https://fontjoy.com/)

![create design font pairs with ai](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/90dccc23-fa27-4a2c-a8a6-9b4289a587b0)

Font pairing may sound like a far-fetched concept, but it is actually a core element of graphic design and typographic style. With Fontjoy, you can generate fonts that pair well with one another, creating matchups, contrasts, and other effects for greater visual impact and a cleaner and more agreeable reading experience.

39). [Gamma](https://gamma.app/)

![free ai content writing tool ](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/67295ea4-ec9b-4722-a937-f531f1a94940)

Slide decks? Who needs them! Gamma is a fast and downright effective way to share and present your work in presentations, memos, briefs, and docs. Gamma's AI generator gives life to your ideas and helps you drive your message across any professional medium.

### To cap off

From creating images for laughs to serious professional uses, AI tools are everywhere. Use them to improve workflows, aid your creativity, or just have some good old fun!

<ButtonCta text="Upscale images for free with AI today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/upscale" />
<ButtonCta text="Remove backgrounds from photos for free!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/trace" />



Free AI tools are everywhere these days, but here are 35+ free and paid AI apps that are actually super useful and could transform the way you do day-to-day activities!

How to start a candle business at home: Step-by-step guide

Who could have predicted that candles, of all things, would be increasing in popularity in 2023? 

![starting a candle business online with no money](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3ef64d91-8c77-45f8-bccc-68933f32d85a)

Our age is one of plentiful lighting, as [an image of Earth's light pollution map](https://www.cleardarksky.com/maps/lp/large_light_pollution_map.html) will show you. But not even the uber-cheap and ubiquitous LED lamps that illuminate our interiors managed to snuff out the humble candle from our homes.

No longer relevant for lighting, this [5000-year-old invention](https://candles.org/history/) found a new purpose in decoration and lifestyle. Modern home décor tendencies and well-being practices such as aromatherapy have fueled the demand for artisanal and scented candles — a tendency compounded by the [pandemic-inspired rise of wellness trends among millennials](https://www.vogue.in/beauty/content/heres-how-candles-lead-the-wellness-industry-during-the-pandemic). 

With the current $12.88 billion global candle market burning bright and [an expected growth rate of 5.7% from 2023 to 2030](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/candles-market), the popularity of candles is as far as ever from dying out and the moment is ripe for aspiring chandlers everywhere. 

Want to know how to start a candle business at home? Then light yourself a candle and read on as we provide an overview of the main steps for starting a candle business.

## __1) Choose your niche__

![a woman wondering which candle to choose](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/16ae8c1d-a082-4ea9-a64a-f8e700670a90)

Before you get started with your candle business, determine what will your niche be. It's best to start small and do one thing well, keeping the alternative to expand to other candle types later on.

### Main types of candles

As candle aficionados know, candles come in diverse shapes, sizes, aromas, and materials. Let's go over four common types.

#### Scented candles

Scented candles are a great way to relieve stress and create a relaxing environment. Alongside essential oils, they make up the core of aromatherapy and have also grown in popularity as we spend more time at home and are more concerned with how our dwelling spaces smell. 

Research has even [shown the right smells can increase our productivity](https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61708789). All of this makes aromatic candles a great candle-making niche.

#### Decorative candles

All candles are extremely versatile when it comes to decoration, but you can choose to make candles targeting a special kind of décor or style. Decorative candles such as the ones used in hygge trends tend to be odorless, as they're meant to be just a small part of your home environment.

If you choose to work with decorative candles, you'll find it a perfect opportunity to play with shapes and colors. You can even choose to make candles for special seasonal events, such as orange pumpkin-shaped candles for Halloween or green pine-shaped ones for Christmas.

#### Beeswax candles

Beeswax candles make up a special — and expensive — niche in the world of chandlers. The high melting point of beeswax means these candles will burn longer than regular paraffin ones, but that is far from their only advantage. Beeswax candles release less soot and emit more light, while not having a strong scent, which makes them perfect for a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

Beeswax is also said to have a positive effect on the quality of the air in your home — as the candle burns, it releases negative ions which neutralize various air pollutants. 

The thing to have in mind here is that beeswax is a more expensive material, which may require more careful sourcing and planning.

#### Soy candles

Soy candles are another in the category of so-called "happy wax" — non-pollutant wax made from natural materials. Because they don't burn petroleum-based paraffin, their flame is cleaner, with a better impact on both your health and the environment. Plus they're sourced from soybeans, which makes them better for the environment.

Similar to beeswax, soy candles also burn longer than paraffin ones. Add that to the fact they're "green" and you have yourself a nice niche for environmentally-conscious customers.

----

## 2) Create a Unique Selling Proposition

A Unique Selling Proposition (or UPS, for short) is essentially telling your clients why your product is worth their attention and money — why they should buy from you, and not the competition.

A USP is essential for any business, and for a good reason: Having a good product means nothing if you can't convince your customer to acquire it.

To formulate a compelling USP:

- **Identify your target market.** Understand what demographic is likely to buy your product. In the case of beeswax candles, that could be middle-class, environmentally-conscious female millennials.
- **Determine what makes your product unique.** This will be the focal point in your marketing to that audience. Going back to beeswax, it is unique because it is eco-friendly, lasts longer, and is a traditional, timeless product.
- **Write a USP that highlights these benefits** in a clear and concise way. 
- **Promote!** Your USP can be the focal point of your company's "About" page, your slogan, and even your logo.

----

## 3) Develop your product line

![materials for candle business](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/98257d9d-42a9-4e34-bf9b-3ec39c62cfdc)

A company is only as good as the product it sells. Once you have arrived at your unique selling point, it's time to develop your product line so it matches and exceeds your customers' expectations.

Here, you'll want to experiment with the many scents, colors, and candle styles available, finding high-quality materials for each aspect of your candle line. The combinations here are pretty much infinite, and with enough planning and testing, you'll soon be on your way to crafting your very own brand of candles.

Consider carefully each element of your candles.

### Waxes

We already saw how important it is to choose the proper wax for your candle niche. Among the types of candle waxes to consider, we've got:

- **Paraffin wax:** Also known as mineral wax, it is cheaper, more easily available, and better for strong fragrances. However, it burns faster, releases soot, and is sourced from non-renewable petroleum.
- **Soy wax:** A perfect environmental-friendly alternative to paraffin wax, albeit less conducive to smells. Burns very well, with little soot.
- **Paraffin-soy blend:** Blends are often used to bring together the benefits of two materials, as in the case of slow-burning aromatic parasoy blend candles.
- **Beeswax:** The best-burning type of candle material, it is also one of the most expensive.
- **Coconut wax:** Another expensive, but eco-friendly alternative that lends itself well to different blends.

### Wicks

Wicks can be chosen based on the type of wax or container being used, as well as simply with an eye to aesthetics. The main types of wicks are as follows.

- **Flat:** The most common type in taper and pillar candles, flat wicks are made up of two or three fiber strands knitted together. They curl into the flame for an effortless self-trimming effect. 
- **Square:** Braided square wicks are often used with beeswax, as they clog less than other types of wicks.
- **Cored:** Cored wicks are braided around a central piece, usually made of cotton, zinc, or paper, which helps keep them erect. They're popular in jar candles and votives.
- **Wooden:** Made from wood or combinations of wood fiber and cotton, these wicks have gained in popularity due to their aesthetic effect and the gentle crackling sound they produce.

### Fragrances

A powerful, but woefully underused sense, [smell is processed differently from any other sense](https://www.discovery.com/science/Why-Smells-Trigger-Such-Vivid-Memories) — which is just one of the reasons for the popularity of aromatic candles. Used well, the right scent will help shape unforgettable moments; your scented candles can spark vivid emotions and become connected with precious memories. 

Candle fragrances are also a brilliant way to set a mood of relaxation or create an atmosphere for concentration, among many other uses — all of which you should have in mind as you go about choosing, mixing, and inventing your own fragrances. 

Don't forget to name your fragrances in original and memorable ways. That can be a nice way to strengthen brand associations, set your product line apart, and explore your creativity.

### Containers

The containers you use for your candles should also hinge on your target market and the general style you're going for. Mason or jelly jars have a more rustic appeal, whereas tumbler jars can be directed at a public with more refined tastes. Similarly, the colors you employ should also be in touch with your general branding, candle type, and market.

----

## 4) Branding and packaging

![design logo and packaging for candle business](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4a4b17b7-b261-4de4-81b8-c0a468127f36)

Branding is a key aspect of your home candle business — it can be the decisive element that makes customers pick your shop among a multitude of others and keeps them coming back.

While branding doesn't have to take a lot of your time and effort, it does need to be well planned. You want to convey a consistent image and message that will be firmly lodged into buyers' minds, and this means attention to a few key elements.

### Designing your logo

Your logo is your brand's calling card. Make it simple or fancy, but make it memorable and in tune with your brand's overall look and feel. If you need help designing your logo, you can check out some of the [many templates available in our free Studio design tool](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/search?group=all&q=logo).

### Making good use of candle labels

[Candle labels](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/candle-labels) can be a key branding item that is well worth your time and attention. Besides sharing your logo and brand name with the world, they also help create the general feel you're going for — rustic, refined, modern, or classic.

### Choosing the right packaging

Packaging is another often overlooked, but major factor in your overall branding effort. Factors to keep in mind here include:

- **Packaging material:** Boxes, paper bags, and mailers are just some of the most common options.
- **Customization:** [How do you make your packaging stand out?](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/5-inexpensive-ways-to-make-your-packages-stand-out) Among other ideas, custom tags and personalized packaging tape can go a long way toward creating a unique brand look.
- **Pricing:** An important factor for home businesses. But no worries, there are plenty of ways to use unique packaging material and customization while keeping a tidy budget!

----

## 5) Set up your online presence

![setting up an online presence](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/698bbaa7-1dba-4ff9-a252-a9385a426693)

Now that you have your niche, product line, and branding elements figured out, it's time to make sure customers know where to find you. For that, you can create your own website or choose to go with an e-commerce platform. 

### Creating a website

Having your website makes you independent of other platforms and is a sign of professionality, but it also takes a bit more effort. You'll need to register (and pay for) your own domain and choose a web design for your site — something you can build by yourself, buying a [pre-designed theme](https://themeforest.net/category/ecommerce), or simply pay a freelancer on outsourcing platforms such as Upwork to do it for you. 

In order to sell on your own website, you may need to integrate it with a plugin for e-commerce websites. Popular options include:

- **Woocommerce:** An open-source plugin for Wordpress-based websites, Woocommerce is completely free to use and can be a great way to manage your own website.
- **[Bigcommerce](https://www.bigcommerce.com/ "Bigcommerce"):** Bigcommerce is an all-in-one e-commerce platform with a big stack of customizable themes, product management, order processing, payment gateway integrations, and marketing tools for online stores. Pricing plans start at around $40/month.
- **Magento:** Also open-source, Magento provides customizable themes, product management, order processing, customer service, and marketing tools for e-commerce websites. It is great for technical people that want to be able to do everything but can be cumbersome for others to use. Pricing varies according to the services you use.

### Using an e-commerce platform

An e-commerce platform can help establish an early presence in the market while sparing you the trouble of creating a website. Selling through a platform [such as Etsy](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-sell-on-etsy-a-guide-for-designers) can also help you shape a reputation through user reviews, as well as smoothing out the ordering process — all of which is great news in case you're starting your company solo and don't have that much time to spare.

On the other hand, platforms will usually shave a fixed fee or percentage fee off your sales earnings, so keep that in mind. In the case of Etsy, that's 6.5% of each transaction.

### Setting up social media profiles

Social media is [a growing force in the e-commerce landscape](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1251145/social-commerce-sales-worldwide/), and a valuable tool for your home candle business. Make sure to set up pages across all major social media in your country, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Regularly posting on social media will help grow your following, besides showcasing your products, and providing a channel to answer customers' queries and collect feedback.

### SEO and content marketing strategies

Once you've got your website up and running and have established a presence on social media, remember to keep the content coming — that's how you stay relevant and in front of customers.

For search engine optimization (SEO), it can be a good idea to incorporate a blog into your website. You can post about new product releases, interesting facts or how-tos, or just about anything connected to the world of candles. And make sure to post regularly — twice a month or so, at least.

Another great way to stay in touch with your customers is by setting up a newsletter where you share releases and promos with your subscribers. Just take care not to overdo the frequency of your emails, though — two or so a week, tops.

----

## 6) Pricing and shipping management

![determining packaging and pricing for a candle business](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c7ece126-c6dc-43e3-8f9f-de9322d2e4ab)

Last but not least, let's take a look at two key aspects of your candle business: pricing and shipping.

### Pricing

Pricing your products can be quite tricky at first, but you'll soon find your way around. A few key elements to consider:

- **Your total cost in making the candles.** This includes your average spend per type of candle (including packaging and shipping) + time investment. You should also have an idea of how much your time is worth — what is the minimum that this job should pay hourly, as well as your target hourly earnings.
- **Your target market.** Here we go back to your chosen niche, as the purchasing power of your target customers also plays into your pricing strategies.
- **Your perceived value.** This is how much people think your products are worth in comparison to other, similar products. Although it'll be hard to evaluate when you're starting out, you'll eventually be able to factor perceived value into your pricing as you build your customer base and find out where you stand before the competition.
- **The competition.** All of the calculations above have to be grounded in reality. That means understanding how much the competition is pricing their products, and adapting your price accordingly.

There are plenty of other pricing aspects to keep in mind, including bulk sale pricing, whether or not to offer free shipping, loyalty discounts, promo codes, and a lot more. But you don't need to tackle it all at once; just start with the essentials and enrich your pricing system as your business grows.

### Shipping and order management

The importance of shipping cannot be disregarded. On the one hand, the cost and speed at which you ship directly affect your customers' willingness to buy with you. On the other, you need to factor in how much you spend managing order shipment — in both money and time.

With that in mind, make sure you plan your shipping strategy well. One idea can be to manage your shipments through a fulfillment or shipping platform, such as Shipstation or our own free tool: [Ship, by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/ship). A management platform will help you streamline your shipping, which can be particularly helpful when dealing with increased seasonal demand (such as the crazy peak time in November-December).

Finally, remember that shipping is a unique chance to impress your customer. You can find out ways to [captivate your buyers with a memorable shipping experience](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-make-memorable-shipping-experience "memorable shipping experiences") in a recent blog post of ours.

----

## Quick recap

| Step | Things to do                     |
|------|----------------------------------|
| 1    | Choose your niche                |
| 2    | Create a unique selling proposition |
| 3    | Develop your product line        |
| 4    | Branding and packaging           |
| 5    | Set up your online presence      |
| 6    | Pricing and shipping management  |

----

Starting your own candle business from home may seem daunting, but it doesn't have to be that way. Just take things one step at a time. Remember to consider your niche, plan your product line and branding, establish your online footprint, and have a well thought-out plan for shipping and pricing.

Go after your entrepreneurial dreams and you find that not only is it a feasible way to start making money from what for many is just a hobby, but your candle business just might turn out to be the [moonlighting effort](https://www.artofmanliness.com/career-wealth/career/how-to-moonlight-your-way-to-your-dreams-case-studies-from-famous-men/) that transforms passion into a livelihood.


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A detailed guide on how to start a candle business. Even if you have little to no money, this guide will help you on your journey to create a great new candle business!

Discover 10 popular types of stickers for every occasion

[Stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "stickers") have been around for just under a century, but they already feel timeless. From the price tag on your banana to the cheesy quote you inflict on the driver behind you, stickers are simply everywhere. 

![different types of custom stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4c71ec42-812b-44c0-bc0e-5cb35d276247)

Coming in all shapes, sizes, materials, and colors, the ubiquitous sticker plays very diverse roles. There are the prized collectible superhero stickers of your childhood, the faded paper sticker with a barcode, soon to be torn off and discarded, the colorful school wall graphic, and the dull letter stickers on your office door. And so many more.

These stickers each have their point and purpose. Below, we'll take a look at some of the main sticker types, what they're made of, and what they're made for. Join us in this brief exploration of the world of stickers.

### 1. Vinyl stickers

![custom vinyl stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/31ca5210-5aba-49bb-b9f1-87da6b6c2a2b)

Also known as PVC, vinyl is the main material used for stickers meant to last. Sturdier than paper and other materials, vinyl stickers can take a lot of abuse and keep going — they'll literally stick around.

Common uses for [vinyl stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/vinyl-stickers "custom vinyl stickers") include:

- Outdoor applications, such as bike stickers, hard hat stickers, surfboard stickers, etc.
- Customizing water flasks, laptops, and other personal belongings
- Labeling glass jars, bottles, and similar objects

### Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl stickers

Vinyl stickers are the norm — if you're looking at a sticker, chances are it's a vinyl one. That's because:

- They're waterproof and oil resistant
- They're weatherproof and can take years to fade even when exposed to sun and rain daily
- They're sturdy and don't scratch or tear easily
- They're supremely sticky and will last a long time
- They're sleek and quality-looking

That said, they're not fit for every use. Vinyl stickers:

- Can be more expensive than simple paper stickers
- Can leave residue behind once they're removed
- Are not eco-friendly, as they're not biodegradable or recyclable

### 2. Clear stickers

![custom clear stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/63621348-ce77-477d-8f09-db24e1bec1f8)

Let's talk about a sticker's look, not the material. Most [clear stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/clear-stickers) are made of — you guessed it — vinyl. More specifically, transparent vinyl. The point of clear stickers is to make only the sticker's design visible, and not the backing.

There are plenty of applications for clear stickers, but they're especially popular on transparent surfaces such as glass windows or glasses. They're also great for mugs, laptops, and phone cases — pretty much any use case where you want to make sure your design is visible against an object's surface.

### 3. Bumper stickers

![custom bumper stickers types](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/974bc5dc-448d-4eba-97e4-35f80663428a)

Besides being used to entertain or annoy other commuters, [bumper stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/bumper-stickers "custom bumper stickers") are a popular sticker type for more serious uses, such as supporting your candidates or sharing a political slogan.

Bumper stickers are also popular as a way to market your business or services, sharing brand names and company phone numbers. In fact, that was their original purpose back in 1946, when they were [first put into use](https://wtop.com/jiffy-lube-sponsored-content/2021/08/a-brief-history-of-bumper-stickers-decade-by-decade).

Rather more discreet than window decals, bumper stickers are nonetheless a great way to advertise what you're all about.

### 4. Holographic stickers

![custom holographic stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f8dc08b6-5352-4e14-b910-a5147fe424b2)

Holographic stickers have a nice rainbow effect finish that makes them a great choice for fun visuals and appealing designs. But they can also have an important role to play. Since holographic designs are harder to duplicate, these stickers are often used as credentials (think the car window type) or security seals.

You can check out the [Sticker Mule holographic stickers here](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers). If you're the creative type, you'll find they can be really a lot of fun.

### 5. Transfer stickers

![custom transfer stickers for cars](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6f27f054-92c9-4e76-8afe-da95d425acef)

Also known as vinyl cut stickers or vinyl lettering, [transfer stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/transfer-stickers) are stickers made of several pieces that you need to keep together while transferring to the desired surface.

A special transfer tape keeps the pieces together; after removing the sticker from the paper backing and sticking it to the surface, you'll then peel back this transfer tape, leaving only your intricate design.

Transfer stickers are great for complex designs, such as lettering, that need to be precisely applied on a surface. They're often used on shop windows and office doors. 

### 6. Die-cut stickers

![custom die cut types of stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1b8cb07d-b346-448c-a69b-15d4e4a4439b)

Unlike round or square stickers, [die-cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/die-cut-stickers) are cut following the precise shape of your design. This makes them a great choice for stickers that need to blend in neatly with the object they're glued onto. 

Applications for die-cut stickers include: 

- Printing pet stickers that follow the contour of your pet's head
- Stickers for narrow surfaces (such as bicycle frame stickers)

### 7. Face stickers

![custom face stickers types](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/682eedf0-34ee-4cb8-bcd7-b3d57874d789)

[Custom face stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/face-stickers) are just what the name says. More importantly, they're a great way to make people smile. Whether it's a grumpy cat (or baby) or the smiling face of a loved one now immortalized in graphic form, face stickers can be a fun and entirely unique way to customize your belongings.

Face stickers are usually die-cut, and are a popular addition to glasses, flasks, laptops, and notebooks.

### 8. Kiss cut stickers

![custom kiss cut sticker printing](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0454789b-52ba-43b4-b2cd-3c133c957100)

[Kiss cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers) come in a special paper backing that both protects the sticker and doubles as an extra space to print on. This makes them especially popular with delicate designs, where the corners and borders of the sticker require additional protection.

Kiss-cut stickers are also popular as a way for shops and artists to include more information about their business in the discardable sticker backing.

### 9. Window clings

![custom types of window clings](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/07824e96-a21f-472a-a960-36422cd959d7)

Window clings, a.ka. [static clings](https://www.stickermule.com/products/static-clings "custom static clings") or electrostatic stickers, harness the power of electricity and atmospheric pressure to stick to the surface they're applied to. That's right — no adhesive is required to make these thin-vinyled bad boys stick! 

Easy to apply and remove without leaving any residue behind, window clings are the perfect solution for a variety of uses, such as:

- seasonal designs and decorations
- showcasing promotions or sales
- when you want to avoid sticky residue
- other temporary uses and applications

Although they're a great alternative to the traditional sticker, window clings have their limitations:

- they can only be applied to surfaces such as glass or some metals
- they don't do well in high humidity environments and outdoors
- they don't last quite as long as adhesive stickers

This means window clings are great for temporary applications where they won't deal with much wear and tear.

### 10. Wall and floor stickers

![custom types of wall and floor stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/592be51f-1009-4ea5-afaf-020236d0e41d)

Also known as wall or floor decals, these are large stickers made with a fabric-like vinyl and meant for a more permanent decorative use. They're popular in offices, schools, and public places, and are made to last.

Because they're very large, [wall and floor stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/floor-graphics) usually come with a special backing, adhesive tape strips, and even a squeegee to help squeeze out air bubbles from the design. 

Common uses for wall and floor stickers include:

- branding on banks, offices, and public spaces
- home decoration
- large informational graphics and designs

### Conclusion

The above are just some of the more popular types of stickers. For your car or your office, for personal uses or professional applications, to advertise, or to make friends laugh, these stickers got you covered. 

Just remember not all stickers are created equal. A window decal serves a very different purpose from a window cling; a kiss cut sticker is not the same as a transfer sticker. So make sure you do your research before you order your stickers — especially when bulk ordering. 

And speaking of bulk, did you know Sticker Mule has some of the best deals out there for bulk ordering custom stickers? Check out all the [types of custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "stickers") we currently offer and [subscribe to our deals](https://www.stickermule.com/deals "sticker deals") to save big!

<ButtonCta text="Create your own custom stickers today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers" />


Here are some of the most popular types of stickers right now in 2023. Find the perfect sticker type for any occasion!

40 cool sticker ideas that are trending in 2023

[Custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "print custom stickers") can be used for just about anything — from fun uses (plastering your pet's head all over your belongings!) to serious ones (showcasing political affiliations or "baby on board" stickers). If you're low on inspiration for your next batch of stickers, check out our latest list of sticker ideas to jumpstart your creativity. 

![cool custom sticker ideas](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9071a532-3503-470c-83c5-a9fb351ea1bc)

__1. Sustainability and eco-friendliness symbols__

If you already do your part for the planet, consider inspiring others with a nature-friendly design. "Green" sticker ideas include:

- A recycling symbol
- A "Save the Bees" design
- A "Save the Amazon" sticker

__2. National parks and travel destinations__

![custom travel stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9c64be77-5818-4583-b729-8e9cf35da7b9)

Adventure is a popular theme for [car stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/car-decals "custom car stickers"), but you can also show your love for travel on just about anything — including your favorite suitcase! 

- Yosemite National Park logo
- Eiffel Tower illustration
- "Adventure is a state of mind" (Alastair Humphreys quote)

__3. Holographic and iridescent stickers__

We already talked a little about the [big holographic trend in design](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/8-graphic-design-trends-getting-popular-in-2023) lately. So why not try out some new [holographic sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers "custom holographic shiny stickers") ideas? Here are a few for you:

- Holographic unicorn
- Iridescent geometric pattern

__4. Retro and vintage aesthetics__

Harness the spirit of the 90s — or whatever decade is your favorite — with emblematic graphics for the period. A couple of ideas:

- Cassette tape illustration
- Vintage VW van design

__5. Space exploration and galaxy themes__

![custom space stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3093413e-e5b9-409f-aec6-50c6bfce992c)

Always popular with Whovians, Trekkies, Star Wars fans, and sci-fi appreciators in general, this is a theme as infinite as space itself — and your imagination. Try these ideas for a start:

- Mars rover sticker
- Astronaut floating in space
- TARDIS in a wormhole

__6. Music and band logos__

Share your love for your favorite band and get a good conversation starter to boot! 

- Rolling Stones tongue and lips logo
- Nirvana smiley face
- ...and just about any other symbol you like!

__7. Inspirational quotes and affirmations__

Cheesy commonplace or valuable life advice? An inspiring quote can be perfect for a bumper car sticker or wall graphic depending on your viewpoint. Think of things like:

- "Whatever you are, be a good one" bumper sticker
- "What if they're wrong and you're right" wall graphic

__8. Popular TV show and movie characters__

Rather than buying overpriced merchandise, make your own fandom swag — starting with stickers. Try all-time beloved characters like: 

- Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian
- Eleven, from Stranger Things

__9. Mental health awareness and self-care reminders__

With our modern epidemic of clinical anxiety and depression, it's never a bad idea to share a message of positivity and encouragement — for yourself and others. A couple of ideas:

- "It's Okay Not to Be Okay"
- "Worry is a choice." — Gavin de Becker
- "Breathe" with a calming waves design

__10. Virtual reality and augmented reality themes__

![virtual reality stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3d6b7728-14dd-4bed-b21b-2a3a333cd5f3)

Are you all about the metaverse? Show it on your custom stickers with things like:

- VR headset illustration
- AR interactive game scene

__11. Internet and meme culture references__

It's memeing time! Put your favorite meme on display in a sticky fashion. Ideas:

- "This is fine" dog meme
- "Two Buttons" meme template (with your text of choice)

__12. Climate change activism and environmental slogans__

Put on display a little bit of your ferociously pro-Earth side with a sticker such as:

- "There is No Planet B"
- "Protect Our Oceans" (with a turtle design)

__13. Abstract and geometric patterns__

These can always be a good way to add a little bit of color and customization to your belongings. Go with:

- Colorful mandala pattern
- Hexagonal honeycomb design
- or anything else that strikes your fancy!

__14. Futuristic and sci-fi designs__

For those with a geeky penchant. Try: 

- Cyberpunk cityscape graphic
- Robot head illustration
- "Don't Tell Me About Life" Marvin sticker

__15. Pop art and bold typography__

To make your design pop, opt for ideas like:

- Lichtenstein-inspired comic strip
- Warhol-style banana sticker

__16. Celestial bodies, moon phases, and zodiac signs__

Whether you're an amateur astronomer, a bit of an astrologer, or simply appreciate celestial-themed designs, you can't go wrong with these ideas: 

- Crescent moon and stars
- Favorite constellation sticker
- Zodiac sign illustration

__17. Kawaii and cute characters__

![kawaii anime stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/151bcd17-6a5a-4163-86e9-5fae09c8e460)

Inject a dose of cuteness into your life with your favorite Kawaii figures! 

- Kawaii cactus character
- Cute sushi roll with a smiley face

__18. Video game icons and characters__

Gaming can be a big part of your life and your personality. So show a little love for your favorite video game characters and icons by putting them in custom stickers! Try:

- Mario from Super Mario Bros.
- Link from The Legend of Zelda
- Any other favorite character!

__19. Minimalist and line art portraits__

Line art is trendy and fun — just the right relaxed vibe for a car or water flask sticker. Minimalist sticker ideas:

- One-line face drawing
- Minimalist Frida Kahlo portrait

__20. Social media platform logos and icons__

You can mix these with your username or use them alone.

- Instagram logo
- Your Reddit avatar sticker
- YouTube play symbol

__21. Animal and pet illustrations__

We're a pet generation and we know it. Celebrate the awesomeness of our best canine and feline friends in your stickers:

- Sleeping cat sticker
- Playful dog design
- Custom [dog photo sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/dog-stickers "custom dog photo sticker")

__22. Inclusive and diverse representations__

If you're all about inclusiveness and tolerance, inspire others to coexist peacefully with a well-displayed sticker. Think:

- "Live and let live" quote
- Jewish-Christian-Muslim unity flag
- "The more variety, the better society" quote sticker

__23. Hobbies and craft icons__

Show the world your passion. Sticker ideas for hobbies and crafts include:

- Camera icon for photography
- Paintbrush and palette for painting
- Chess knight on chess squares
- Football

__24. Minimalistic plant and botanical designs__

Got a bit of a green thumb? Make stickers to match! Here are a couple of sticker ideas for the plant lover in you:

- Monstera leaf silhouette
- Succulent plant illustration
- "Home Is Where My Plants Are" flower pot sticker

__25. Food and drink illustrations__

![custom food symbol pictures](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fbec78c6-6331-4c25-bed6-27aee0150a29)

You say foodie, I say gourmet. You say appreciator, I say bon vivant! Let your love for food and the good life inspire your next design.

- "Good food, fine wine" text with a bottle of wine graphic
- Steaming cup of coffee design
- Tacos illustration

__26. Hand-drawn and watercolor designs__

A penchant for the graphic arts should never go unattended. And stickers are the perfect way to channel it! Go with: 

- Watercolor mountain landscape
- Hand-drawn feathers pattern
- Boat at sea drawing

__27. Tech gadgets and devices__

Are you an utter, complete, confirmed, incorrigible techie? Then you just have to show that on your stickers. Try:

- Oh For Fox Sake sticker with the Mozilla Firefox
- "Don't Worry, I'm From Tech Support" funny cat sticker
- "Have You Tried Switching It Off And On Again?" laptop sticker

__28. DIY and maker culture symbols__

DIYers are a select, but growing community. Help other members of the clan recognize you by adding a custom DIY sticker to your belongings. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

- Sewing machine illustration
- 3D printer design
- I S2 DIY sticker

__29. Optical illusions and 3D designs__

Just have some fun with weird shapes and optical illusion graphics. Any of these can be a good conversation starter:

- Penrose triangle sticker
- Impossible staircase design
- Optical illusion elephant

__30. Cryptocurrency and blockchain icons__

![doge coin custom stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d9e8308f-17ea-4bac-9b96-462920cf9c3a)

DeFi is the mot du jour, isn't it? If you're on the crypto bandwagon and proud of it, show your passion for everything decentralized with car or laptop stickers featuring:

- The Bitcoin logo
- The Ethereum emblem
- A Doge

__31. Upcycling and zero-waste themes__

Are you hyper-waste-conscious? Then don't waste the opportunity to share the message on your favorite stickers. Ideas:

- "Choose to Reuse" text
- Mason jar with a reusable straw

__32. Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness imagery__

Spiritually inclined? In touch with your true self? Or simply inspired by ancient Eastern wisdom? Remind yourself that all is Maya — and make the reminder stick! Here are a few ideas:

- Lotus pose silhouette
- Om symbol
- Buddha statue sticker

__33. Fitness and workout motivation__

Not just for fitness coaches, these stickers can mix a little fun with a little inspiration in a memorable way. Couple of ideas for you:

- Dumbbell illustration with "I feel stronger already" text
- "Sweat is Just Fat Crying" quote with funny graphic

__34. Sports team logos and mascots__

![sports logo stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0730d157-12e2-4ef2-8d0d-84ae9473d9ad)

Showcase your affiliations in the world of sports! 

- New York Yankees logo
- Chicago Bulls mascot

__35. Activism slogans__

If you're fighting the good fight with your deeds, why not do it with your words too? Stickers are the perfect channel for that. Proclaim your dedication to your preferred favorite social causes with things like:

- "Build Back Better" car sticker
- "Come and take it" window decal

__36. Superheroes and comic book characters__

The Man of Steel, the Caped Crusader, or any other superhero can be a big source of inspiration — and a fun way to remind yourself of your heroic potential. Try something like:

- Spider-Man pointing graphic
- Wonder Woman emblem
- Batman with "My Superpower: I'm Rich" text

__37. Street art and graffiti-inspired designs__

Street art can be a big source of design inspiration — some companies even have logos made after them. So try your hand at that with:

- Banksy-inspired stencil art
- Colorful graffiti tag

__38. Mythical creatures and fantasy themes__

![custom mythical creatures fantasy stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/70e39dab-fcb9-4361-bd18-4166c4a3566d)

Add a touch of fantasy to your [laptop](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/laptop-stickers), phone, or water flask. Ideas are plentiful:

- Dragon illustration
- Mermaid silhouette
- Gollum "My Precious" sticker

__39. Cultural and heritage symbols__

Whether it's your true ancestry or a heritage symbol you'd be proud to be a part of, the world of heraldry and ancient symbolism has plenty to offer. You could start with:

- Celtic knot design
- Hamsa hand symbol

__40. Personalized and customizable name stickers__

Create decorated name stickers — your name or someone else's. Get creative with our [online Studio app](https://www.stickermule.com/studio) and flaunt that name! Try:

- Name with a floral background
- Name in a script font with a geometric pattern

## And there you have it

That's 40 ideas to get you started in (or help you further explore) the fun world of stickers. We hope you'll find one that inspires you to create your own custom stickers — and have them printed on Sticker Mule. 

So what are you waiting for? List your favorite ones and get to work designin' and printin'!

<ButtonCta text="Start making custom stickers today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers" />


Stickers can be cool or cute but also great for promoting brands and causes. Here are some popular sticker ideas for 2023 to help make cool stickers!

Why we love shipping with our own custom printed mailers

As you know, we here at Sticker Mule love some good [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers) — but not only! While we take pride in every single one of our products, today we want to tell you how shipping with our own [custom printed mailers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers) makes us especially proud.

![custom printed shipping mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/62eb39d1-d9bf-461b-b7cb-aa563ab15d34)

Lightweight, but incredibly sturdy, these babies are great for shipping anything from books to t-shirts. They're a time-saving solution, making it a breeze to bulk-ship your merchandise with elegance and care.

In fact, if you've ever bought anything from Sticker Mule, you probably know exactly what we're talking about. Because, yes, we invariably ship with our very own custom printed poly mailers! That's how confident we are in their quality and durability.

### Why you should be printing custom mailers for your business

It's not just us. We just try and lead by example, because we think custom mailers are a great idea for just about any business out there.

Wanna know why? Here's why.

__1. It increases your brand recognition__

As you probably know, [brand recognition](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/brand-recognition.asp) (or brand awareness) has long been one of the cornerstones of good marketing. The formula is simple: the more people recognize your brand, the more they trust you. The more they trust you, the more they buy from you. 

And guess what: with custom mailers, you remind your buyers of your brand even before they open the package.  

So, add your logo to your design. How hard can it be? (Hint: not very hard.) Then print it out in the oh-so-nice-and-crispy shape of stylish custom printed mailers. 

Wonderful, isn't it? Now every shipment you make is more than just that — it's also extra brand recognition, at no extra cost.

__2. It's a quick way to display your brand style and ethos__

Fancy and creative or down to earth and minimalistic — a custom mailer design is a great opportunity to tell the savvy buyer, at a glance, what you're all about. It can [give them a glimpse of your values](https://www.brandingmag.com/annie-button/how-packaging-design-can-pack-and-reflect-brand-values/) and who you are as a company.

Besides being a great way to showcase some of your company's buying points, your mailers can also be matched to your target audience. 

Younger demographic? Consider opting for simpler lines and fonts for that "effortlessly cool" hipster look. For a more mature public, solid shapes and colors may be the way to go. And for a hand-crafted, artistic-oriented product, fanciful, out-of-the-box, and even extravagant colors, shapes, and lines can clearly point to your artistic aspirations. 

If you're starved for inspiration, be sure to check out [some trendy style ideas we wrote about here](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/8-graphic-design-trends-getting-popular-in-2023).

__3. It's cost effective — very__

Honestly, there's just no end to the perks. Our custom printed mailers are actually super affordable, and may just turn out to be cheaper than your current shipping method of choice — especially if you buy the [custom mailers in bulk](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers), which you can do at Sticker Mule (and save up to 76%!)

### Why we ship with our own custom mailers at Sticker Mule

As we were saying, we make it a point to ship with our own Sticker Mule-branded mailers. That's not only for the reasons stated above — although it's certainly cost-effective for us (ha!) and it does a good job of marketing our brand. 

No, our commitment to using our own custom mailers as we send out packages all over the world is important for other reasons: 

- It ensures our merchandise is kept safe and protected no matter how far the destination 
- It's a way to test our own product against all kinds of climates and situations 
- It shows just how confident we are in their quality and reliability. 
- It communicates to our clients that we stand by our products.  
- It gives customers a sample of a new product to buy! 

"It's not about the money, it's about sending a message."

Or maybe it is about money. It's the packaging way of putting our money where our mouth is.

### We keep improving

For us, it's vital to be constantly moving forward. Constant improvement and innovation are part of our culture, and using our own products helps us with that.

Based on customer feedback, we can make improvements to your user experience and make sure we fully meet customer needs and expectations.

In fact, that's just how we recently came up with [full bleed printing](https://www.stickermule.com/support/full-bleed). Deploying our own custom mailers is a really neat way to work research and development into the otherwise mundane task of shipping.

### Conclusion

Order from the Sticker Mule shop and you'll get a prompt reminder that we believe in what we do. And we trust you'll agree with us that our custom mailers really are as good as we market them.

Shipping with our poly mailers helps you trust us. It helps us innovate. And it drives us to improve our product even further.

Trust, innovation, improvement. This, even more than stickers, is what we're all about.

If you've never bought from Sticker Mule before, why not start now? Come and join our community of happy customers with [$10 off your first purchase](https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=4898292701%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stickermule.com%2Funlock%3Fref_id%3D4898292701)!

<ButtonCta text="Get $10 off your first order!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=4898292701%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stickermule.com%2Funlock%3Fref_id%3D4898292701" />



We take great pride in being able to ship with our own custom printed mailers. It makes us better and keeps our products on the cutting edge of shipping experience.

Free photo enlargers online: How well do they work?

[Photo enlargers](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale) are software designed to help you increase the resolution of photographs or other image files. There are a variety of free and paid versions on the market nowadays. Below we'll take a look at some of the options out there and how you can benefit from them.

![upscale images for free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ef7c670b-523a-445a-a786-2bf50b9304c0)

## Common use cases for photo enlargers

Let's get started by taking a look at some of the most common use cases for photo enlargers.

**1. Improving low-resolution photographs**

Sometimes that perfect portrait-worthy picture is just too blurred or pixelated for a decent printout. Enter the photo enhancer: with state-of-the-art AI tech, the software can upscale your photo into a high-resolution, sharp picture that you'll proudly send straight to print.

**2. Preparing images for large prints or posters**

OK, so perhaps your image is a modern high definition pic — just not *that* high definition. If you need to have it printed in a large-size format (perhaps for a wall poster?), it's again the photo enlarger's time to shine. Apps such as Upscale will accurately render high-resolution graphics for posters and other large printout uses.

**3. Enhancing digital art and illustrations**

It's not all about old photographs; if you have a cool illustration or digital picture that's sadly not in vector format and unusable as it is, time to enhance it with a photo enlarger. From the simplest clipart to the most sophisticated modern art, image upscalers can take on pretty much any challenging graphic — and produce a superior, HD version of it.

**4. Social media and online marketing**

Images are the first thing we notice; our brain is attuned to them. And that's exactly why having high-definition images is so important for online marketing. When you have the perfect picture for a post, but it's only available in smartphone-compatible size, it's once again time to unsheathe your upscaling software of choice.

In an alternative timeline, your post would have been an eye-watering pixelated mess; here, it's a glossy paragon of professional graphic design.

**5. Restoring old or damaged photos**

Maybe you lost the original and only have a social media compressed version; maybe it's just an analog, pre-Digital Era pic. Regardless, you need it in a bigger size or it'll be useless. Once more, the free photo enlarger is your friend and can take your blurry old photo look like to iPhone quality in a blink.

Online photo enlargers are getting so good at reviving historical pictures that, yes, you guessed it — it's even [generating controversy](https://www.wired.co.uk/article/history-colourisation-controversy) from indignant historians.

## Key factors for evaluating photo enlargers

How do you pick a photo enlarger for your use case? There are a few criteria to keep in mind.

__A. Image quality__

Well, duh! As the main point of the photo enlarging process, your first question is: Does the photo enlarging app deliver on its overall HD quality promise? If the question is no, you're probably better served looking elsewhere; if yes, move on to the next point.

__B. Resolution and detail preservation__

Many apps will seemingly produce a high-quality picture within seconds of your inputting the low-definition one. Upon closer inspection, though, you may notice the result was achieved at the cost of important details. Paradoxically, the resulting image may look like it's better quality but be less rich than the original one.

__C. Noise reduction__

How does the app handle noise? Photo enlargers that are incapable of turning noise-filled, old-looking pictures into sharp, digital-era ones are probably not worth your time, to begin with.

__D. File format support__

The photo enlarger should be able to output all of the most common digital image formats, such as jpg, png, gif and bmp.

__E. User-friendly interface__

However complex a software's internal processes, its exterior — the user interface — should be simple and easy to navigate for even the least experienced of us. So that's definitely another factor to look for in your free photo enlarger of choice.

__F. Processing speed__

Is the upscaling online software able to process your pictures fast, preferably for this century — here's another key question to ask. Because, really, who's got time to sit around and look at a progress bar in this day and age?

__G. Price and value__

If the app is free, does it offer real value or a subpar service that will take you nowhere? And if it's not a free photo enlarger, is its quality really worth the price? Often, the only way to find out is by testing it out; for that, test out your free software first and take advantage of free trials for the paid ones whenever possible.

_______________

## Top free online photo enlargers: A comparison

Now that we know what to look for in an online picture enlarger, let's take a look at some of the main choices out there and what they've got to offer.

### 1) Upscale by Sticker Mule

![free ai image upscale by sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ab951402-b6c8-4a5a-a330-7f53e24e88bd)

[Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "free ai image upscaler") is one of the top free online photo enlargers. Available entirely on a browser version (no downloads needed) in an intuitive drag-and-drop interface, the software taps into artificial intelligence to upscale your images, adding missing pixels and enhancing the overall image quality.

Improving image quality up to 8x the original size, Upscale is a great solution for blurry, pixelated, or small-size photographs, logos, digital art, and other graphics.

Upscale can be used 100% free of charge.

Visit __[stickermule.com/upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "ai image upscaler free")__

### 2) Let's Enhance

![lets enhance](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ce68c50b-5f18-44d6-b2a3-31d8e476b147)

Let's Enhance offers a powerful, AI-based API to enhance, brighten, and sharpen images — hundreds at a time. It's a great solution for things like logos and product photos and has the capacity to enhance images up to 16x the original size.

Although it's one of the best solutions available out there, Let's Enhance is only available with a paid subscription, after the user has worked through their initial demo credits.

Visit __letsenhance.io__

### 3) Bigjpg

![bigjpg photo enlarger](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/73f8cd1d-5ec1-4d85-ae05-7c4ab8e7e947)

Bigpjg is a powerful image enlarger that leverages deep neural networks (DNN) to remove noise and improve image resolution — either online, on the browser, or through dedicated apps for Windows, iOS, and Android.

Bigjpg works on a freemium model: free users enjoy more basic features, with limits on the size of uploaded images, whereas premium users can enhance larger images at greater speeds.

Visit __bigjpg.com__

### 4) Deep Image

![deep image photo enlarger](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/60563f60-b5da-4105-a381-27fe0b30f830)

DeepImage allows you to remove image noise and serration, sharpen overall quality, correct colors, and remove backgrounds, among other options. It's a comprehensive and feature-rich software that can be used by graphic designers, professional photographers, and for a variety of business use cases.

DeepImage gives users access to a trial version, but strictly speaking it's not free, as images generated by free accounts are watermarked and not fit for printing or professional use in general.

Visit __deep-image.ai__

### 5) ResizeImage

![resize image to enlarge photos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1f666049-6dd0-42f1-b8ae-7bb6b697e064)

ResizeImage is a handy, free tool for cropping, resizing, and compressing images. Although it is technically not an image enlarger, as it cannot increase image size without losing resolution, ResizeImage is a helpful, free, and easy-to-use online tool for image editing.

Visit __[ResizeImage.net](http://ResizeImage.net)__

## Comparison summary

There are pros and cons to every software above, but there are also overall winners.

Upscale by Sticker Mule is the only truly free image enhancer able to produce sharp, high-definition graphics and photographs. It compares positively to ResizeImage.net, which is also free, but doesn't have the ability to retain resolution while enlarging images.

On the other hand, for professional users willing to pay for a wider array of options, both BigJpg and Let's Enhance are powerful solutions and can handle multiple, large-size image uploads with fast processing and accurate image enlargement.

Ultimately, your choice of image enlarger will hinge on your needs — whether you require an upscaling platform for mass uploads, with plenty of other image-editing features, or need only high-quality a free photo enlarger for one or a few pictures at a time. For the latter, [Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "free image enlarger without losing quality") is our recommendation.

## How Upscale by Sticker Mule stands out

Upscale can generate premium-level enhanced images for free, which in itself makes it stand out from other similar options. Its advantages include:

* **Advanced AI-powered enlargement technology:**  Upscale's AI algorithms find and recreate missing pixels, making it possible to increase images up to 8x the original resolution.
* **Superior image quality:** Unlike some free image enhancement apps, Upscale accurately enhances blurry or low-res images to print-worthy definition.
* **Fast processing times:**  Even bulk uploads are processed fast on Upscale's browser interface; for single images, the processing time usually takes only a few moments.
* **Seamless and free integration with Sticker Mule products:**  With a few clicks, you can edit your newly-enhanced image on Studio and integrate it with a logo or product design; another click will send it directly to production as a custom sticker, label, t-shirt, or other Sticker Mule product.


## Tips for using free photo enlargers

Free photo enlargers are pretty intuitive, but it's worth keeping a few things in mind as you set out to improve your photographs:

### 1. Start with the highest quality image possible

The better the input, the better the output. Even though AI-based image enlargers can do wonders, their magic will always work best on larger-size, higher-quality images.

So, before you start uploading, make sure you are working with the best version available for your image.

### 2. Choose the appropriate enlargement ratio

You may not need to go all the way to 8x or 16x the original size if you're only planning to use your enhanced image for a social media post or small printable. But if your graphic is meant for a printed poster, wall sticker, or another large-size device, it may be good to avail yourself of the highest enlargement ratio available.

### 3. Use additional editing software like Photoshop for further enhancements

Free photo enhancers like Studio can take you a long way toward your ultimate goal, but sometimes it's worth having an extra tool to add a few finishing touches and regulate things like brightness, object sharpness, and contrast. So consider using apps like Photoshop (or free apps like our own Studio) to leave your image just the way you want.

### 4. Save images in the right format for your needs

Once you download your finished product, remember to pick the right format. For instance, JPGs are best for finished social media posts, whereas a BMP or PNG might be better for further editing your graphic.

________________

## Conclusion

Free online photo enlargers can be the perfect way to upgrade your images into high-resolution printables without the hassle of downloading more expensive and time-consuming software. All you need is a relatively fast internet, a browser (could be your phone's), and a couple of spare minutes.

Among the many choices available, Upscale by Sticker Mule is one of the best. It's fast, it's free, and it outputs high-quality images that are good for professional use — all while working on an extremely intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Have an image you want to upgrade? [Try Upscale now](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "enlarge images without losing quality for free online") and tweet us about your experience @stickermule. The Mule always loves hearing from you!

<ButtonCta text="Try Upscale for free now!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/upscale" />

We compare 5 free online photo enlargers and see how well they enlarge photos online. Read more to find out the results and some neat tricks to boot!

10 cool ways to use custom lapel pins

Some people I know swear [custom lapel pins](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-pins) are a perfect, if unconventional, marketing tool — a nifty way to showcase events, increase recognition, and just get your brand out and about with a refreshing mix of elegance and good old shameless marketing.

![customizable lapel pins](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ee999a16-a0f4-43e4-8f0f-8f873472952d)

And seeing as pins — or, as boomers may prefer, brooches — are [making a comeback](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/24/style/lady-gaga-brooch-brooches-pins-gucci-schiaparelli.html), we thought we'd go over a few uses for them. So, without further ado, here are 10 of the best use cases for custom lapel pins.

### Brand promotion

Pins are great for your marketing packs, as package inserts, and simply as a little extra tool for your publicity repertoire. You can create custom lapel pins with your logo or mascot to build loyalty and reward employees or customers, who will in turn serve as vectors for raising your brand awareness. A nice win-win.

And remember: make them neat enough and you'll have people literally pin-ing for them!

### Fundraising

It's not unheard of for nonprofits and charitable organizations to sell custom lapel pins as a way to raise funds and awareness. Organizations and political movements have used pins as the instrument for campaigns for generations, as further evidenced by the [previous year’s State of the Union](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/state-of-the-union-pins-crayons-1870-buttons-symbols-worn-by-congress/ "state of the union custom lapel pins") address.

### Corporate events

Custom lapel pins are sometimes given away at conferences, trade shows, or networking events. This helps keep your brand in people's minds and can be the pretext for some pretty neat creations. Just check out this [gauntlet pin from the 2018 San Diego Comic Con](https://www.sideshow.com/blog/heres-how-to-get-the-exclusive-pins-from-sideshow-and-court-of-the-dead-at-comic-con-2018/). If that ain't cool, what is?

### Commemorative purposes

Big milestone for your business? Whether for your company's anniversary, a key product launch, or the retirement of a beloved team member, custom lapel pins can be a special way to honor special moments, fostering pride, unity, and identity within your company.

### Awards and recognition

Use custom lapel pins to reward employees for their hard work, dedication, and achievements — in fact, you could do worse than integrate this type of reward into [your company culture](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-make-company-culture-stick). 

For non-profits, too, lapel pins are a thoughtful way to show how much you appreciate the time and effort of volunteers and donors. And yes, not even the humble pin escapes becoming an [object of controversy](https://www.postguam.com/forum/editorial/private-sector-nonprofit-front-liners-took-risks-deserve-more-than-a-pin) as to whether or not it's a proper way to say thank you. That's the 21st century for you.

### Sports teams

Proud of your team? Puff your chest out and flaunt that pin! Pins can be designed to represent team logos, mascots, or special events. They're a nice way to celebrate the team spirit and camaraderie that bond players, coaches, and fans around a single entity.

![custom lapel pins for clubs](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/938aa89f-4400-48c3-b433-ce3f0a13fc7e)

### Clubs and associations

You don't need to be a freemason with an All-Seeing Eye medallion to want a better way of displaying your affiliations. Custom lapel pins (or, again, brooches!) have been a traditional way for members of clubs, societies, and professional organizations to identify each other and showcase their membership.

### Collectibles

Of course! Ultimately, custom lapel pins are simply cool little objects to have, and many people love collecting and trading them. For some, they're a hobby in itself, for others they're [part of a larger (and expensive-r) addiction](https://www.shopdisney.eu/disney-store-star-wars-pin-set-466043761351.html), and for other people they're simply a nice little touristy souvenir to take home from trips around the world.

### Social and political causes

This is no doubt a classic use for custom lapel pins: expressing support for your pet social or political causes. But while wearing candidate buttons on your lapel was already done way back in the day, it was not until the rise of online shopping and the increase in the popularity of memorabilia shops that [buttons went into high demand](https://www.ohiohistory.org/collection-of-political-buttons-from-president-barack-obamas-2008-campaign/). 

Nowadays, nothing's easier than creating your own custom button for just about any cause close to your heart. You can do it yourself online — check out our [custom buttons](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-buttons) page as a nice place to start.

### Personalized gifts

I don't know about you, but for me getting a personalized lapel pin as a small gift from a friend is particularly heartwarming. (And it's only happened the one time, so please remember me with your next batch.) 

If you're planning on giving custom lapel pins as a gift, well… there's no lack of design ideas out there. Incorporate a person's name (or face), initials, a special message, a symbol, or even a classic movie scene for a unique and certainly memorable birthday, anniversary, or graduation gift.

### And there you have it

Pins are so much fun that some people literally go to [health-damaging lengths](https://thehardtimes.net/culture/local-mans-excessive-enamel-pin-collection-leading-cause-knee-pain-coolness/) to wear and flaunt them. And while we definitely don't recommend adding 80 pounds' worth of pins to your daily garments, the humble pin can be an exquisite — and highly effective — extra touch to your marketing game.

So there you have it, Sticker Mule's top ten custom lapel pin use cases. And those are just off the top of our collective Mule head — we're sure they'll be just the beginning of your pin-tastic acrylic adventures!

<ButtonCta text="Start making your own custom lapel pins today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-pins" />

Custom lapel pins are a great way to make a statement to anyone you come across. Find out some cool unique ways to use custom lapel pins in this post!

How to make stickers that sell well online

## Why make stickers?

![why make custom stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6376b910-e223-441a-9cf1-fce0301b8db5)

I think we can all agree on one thing: [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "custom printed stickers") are fun. Fun to collect as children, fun to use on our cars and accessories as adults, and fun to give away. And to receive. 

But besides the collectibles, the face stickers, the pet stickers, the football club stickers we plaster around in our homes and belongings — how do we get real-life use and value from stickers?


By selling them, obviously. We know that's why you're here.
 

Whether setting up a [sticker shop on Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/market/sticker_shop), selling office supplies, or simply using stickers as a brand-booster of sorts, you'll find the humble-looking sticker to be a popular item with the potential for some truly stellar ROI.

### Other uses for stickers

It's useful to remember, too, that stickers are a five-star marketing device. Handed out to potential customers, [delivered with product packages](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-package-inserts-that-work), distributed in giveaways, or used as an extra touch to your wrapping game, stickers can be the thing that sets you apart from the pack.


In fact, play your cards right and your clients will be literally sticking your brand to their cars, laptops, water flasks, and whatnot. Just ask Apple.

## How to make stickers

Now, making stickers ain't hard, but you should know what you're doing and yeah, definitely pay attention to a few pesky details.

### Step 1 - Blueprint your sticker

First up — design. If you want to print a sticker, you probably have a good idea of what you want it to look like. You may even have your art or company logo readily available in image format. But can you convert that into a proper printable design?

  

For that, you've basically got two options:

  

- __Design from scratch__: Use Adobe Illustrator to put together your design. Better yet, use Studio — our online, download-free, and money-free design tool. 
- __Use a template__: Inspiration not abundant? We blame the weather. Regardless, Studio has a vast array of design templates for you to use and abuse at will. 
  

And well, yes, there is that third option — hire a fancy graphic designer to put together your nifty, shiny design. Or a non-fancy, underpaid, overworked, doomed-to-poverty designer. 

  

Sorry, that got a little existential.

#### Bonus tip: Design with the times

Here's a little extra idea for selling stickers: Tap into recent events, upcoming holidays, or even pop culture moments for some guaranteed best-sellers. 

  

Even if you only plan to use your custom stickers for brand recognition, adding holiday themes for a little variety in that stickery mix is always something your customers will appreciate.

### Step 2 - Decide on printing — home or online?

Ah, yes, the old question.

### Printing at home

Depending on what kind of printer you have at home or in your office or shop, you may want to consider printing and preparing your stickers yourself.

  

__Pros__: It's cheaper for small quantities and you get your stickers right away.

__Cons__: Your stickers won't last as long, quality will be inferior, and you [risk depleting](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ego_depletion) your every-dwindling patience supplies in case your printer acts up.

  

And trust us, your printer will act up.

### Printing online
![print stickers online at stickermule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/49695e32-b3a2-436e-af00-bd6c305fd7b7)

For most cases, and especially if you're looking to print quality stickers in large quantities to sell, you may find [printing online](https://www.stickermule.com/ "print stickers") is the best option.

  

__Pros__: You save time, save money on larger orders, and — of course — get great quality and versatility (hey, that's what we do for a living!).

__Cons__: We may not be fully impartial here, but we can't really think of any cons to online printing. Unless you spent a ton of money on a deluxe printer that you won't get to use. Sorry.

### Step 3 - Pricing your stickers

Whether sold online, at events, or in your physical store, stickers usually cost something around $2-6. The material (vinyl quality), sticker type (static clings, anyone?), and size are all factors to account for. Plus, of course, how much you paid to get them made in the first place

  

A good best practice when selling stickers is to create progressive discounts — larger purchases get lower per-sticker prices.

### Step 4 - Where will you sell your stickers?

Your shiny new stickers are ready to be passed on to happy purchasers everywhere! Time to choose the venue for your sticky commercial activities. 

#### Etsy

Etsy is a favorite for individual designers who are just dipping their toes in the world of e-commerce, but it's also a great marketplace in its own right. Check out our [guide on how to get started with Etsy](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-sell-on-etsy-a-guide-for-designers) — it might be just the thing for you.

#### eBay

Look for stickers on eBay and you get [over 2 million results](https://www.ebay.com/b/stickers/bn_7024805278). And while that could seem discouraging at first glance, it shouldn't be. Find a good niche for your stickers, provide top-notch customer support and delivery times, and you just may find yourself in eBay's[ TopRated Seller Program](https://www.ebay.com/sellercenter/protections/top-rated-program) — a recipe for success.

#### Amazon

As vast a territory as the rainforest itself, it can be just as hard to find your bit of sunlight on Amazon. Getting ahead of the competition will mean a lot of work with SEO, listings, and ad campaigns, but make it to the top and you'll find the world's biggest online marketplace brings the rewards of a true El Dorado.

  

Amazon can be a fantastic choice if you need another company to take care of fulfillment for you, or if you intend to sell with print-on-demand.

#### Your own website

You might already be doing this if you already have your own online shop; if not, it's always an option to consider as your custom sticker business begins to gain steam. 

  

Besides advantages such as fewer fees (or none), selling on your own website is also seen by many as a mark of success in business and will set you apart as a confirmed merchant of sticker happiness.

  

Finally, keep in mind none of the above options are mutually exclusive. You can get started with just one and end up selling on as many platforms as you can profitably manage.

### Step 5 - Keep making them stickers!

The final step is… keep at it. Create new designs on a regular basis to give previous customers something new to look forward to, as well as to expand your reach and tap into other sticker niches.

  

Finally, don't let initial inconveniences or setbacks discourage you. Keep what works, ditch what doesn't. Be patient, work hard on your designs, allow time to bring you the desired results — and then, be sure, the results will come.

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Selling stickers online is a great way to make some extra money. Here are a few tips on how to make stickers that sell really well online!

Custom promotional t-shirt printing for effective advertising

[Custom t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom shirts") may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of advertising, but they can be a potent and surprisingly effective way to market your brand. A good t-shirt offers real value to the client and can stick around for a long time, featuring your brand out and about for years to come.

![free branded shirt promotions](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5814ac08-f150-4f04-a436-6f1285d1017e)

The catch, though, is quality — fabric as well as print quality. 

Think about it. There is a world of difference between a nice, crisp tee with a well-delineated logo that you'll wear with pride time and again, and the cheap, junky piece of garment that loses shape and fades after a single wash, meeting an untimely end as a car drying rag.

To get your promotional t-shirt campaign going, you need a solution that'll get you first-rate tees at an affordable price, with high-quality printing and fast and free delivery. 

And that's where Sticker Mule comes in.

## The problem with traditional promotional t-shirt printing
You'd think a basic thing like getting a decent, custom-printed t-shirt to give away at company events would be a piece of cake. But you'd think wrong. 

A number of issues have plagued custom t-shirt printing for years. We're talking about things like:

- poor print quality for anything other than a solid color design
- designs that crack fast or discolor after a little contact with water/sun
- slow, cumbersome ordering, turnaround, and shipping
- exorbitant prices and inability to bulk-order

Quality is a given — you don't want your clients throwing away a crappy free t-shirt and thinking everything else you offer is just as much junk. You definitely don't want your logo to end up scrubbing away dirty shoes.

But, if you are to have a successful advertising scheme with t-shirts, you need a model that scales, that's seamless, and that pays for itself. So every one of the issues above is a pretty clear no-no for a company looking to advertise through t-shirts.  

## How Sticker Mule custom t-shirt printing solves your problem

From design to print, to getting your product on your doorstep, Sticker Mule makes ordering custom t-shirts a breeze. 

1. Upload your logo or design. (Or create one using [our free Studio tool](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/t-shirts "custom t shirts templates")!)
2. Provide any printing instructions (such as frayed edges on the design or sending a sample of what you have in mind)
3. Check out and wait a few hours before you…
4. Get a free proof showing how your design will be printed. Now all you have to do is ask for changes or send to print!

Unlike traditional t-shirt printers, Sticker Mule uses DTG (direct-to-garment) printing, which means a pretty much infinite color palette that'll accurately reproduce even the most intricate and colorful designs. 

To address your scaling needs, Sticker Mule allows bulk ordering up to 500 t-shirts, allowing you to save more than 40% on large orders. And, one of the best parts, the turnaround takes 4 days or less and shipping is free worldwide.

Here are just a selection of some reviews from satisfied customers;

> The T-Shirt exceeded my expectations! It looks fabulous and the material is soft. I'm really happy with the way it came out! You guys Rock! - Frank C.

We bring the same type of satisfaction no matter what we print for you. Case in point:

> I ordered this shirt as a sample for my non-profit's 15th anniversary. I was more than pleasantly surprised by the quality of both the shirt and the printing. We already order our stickers and buttons from Sticker Mule and we may start ordering shirts from them as well. - Jennifer R.

We strive to do all the little things correctly, which leads to great results!

> Design was easy and intuitive, shipping time was short, and the quality of the print and shirt is excellent! - Josh C.


## Best practices for designing effective promotional t-shirts

Designing can seem like a daunting process. But stick to a few tried-and-true principles and your design will come out looking just as it should — elegant, effective, and perfect for your brand.

Here are three elements to help steer you through the ocean of design possibilities:

- __Simplicity:__ Using your print space well doesn't mean adding everything you can think of to it. Be economic, and focus on a few design elements that'll drive home your logo, slogan, or other information without making too much of themselves.

- __Clarity:__ Make sure your design is easy to grasp — and remember to take into account the t-shirt color that'll serve as background. If you have written content, you want it to be easily perceptible and readable. Go with simple fonts and don't overdo your color scheme.

- __Relevance:__ Your promotional t-shirt design should be consonant with your overall branding. This means understanding the main visual elements of your company's style and not drifting too far from them in terms of color, graphics, and tone.

## Examples of some successful promotional t-shirt campaigns

Companies and organizations have been using t-shirt promotions with great success for a very long time. 

### 1) Coca-Cola t-shirt vending machine promo
[Coca-Cola](https://us.coca-cola.com/ "coke soft drink") once installed branded t-shirt dispensing machines at trio of train stations throughout London, prompting individuals to tweet with the hashtag #ChooseHappiness. In return, they would receive a complimentary t-shirt and coke. This innovative approach not only boosted interaction on their digital channels, but also increased brand endorsement as individuals donned the company's t-shirts.

### 2) I ❤️ New York t-shirts

![i love new york t-shirts](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d6b48411-c5a7-4292-ba04-f3b43c2de3a2)

Among the most prominent t-shirt promotional strategies, the I Love New York t-shirts were conceived by the New York State Department of Economic Development to stimulate increased tourism in both the city and state. The initiative proved so triumphant that one can hardly visit a souvenir store in any leading global city without encountering locally-inspired adaptations of the initial concept.

### 3) Mailchimp's 1000 shirt giveaway
To promote their latest offerings, [MailChimp](https://mailchimp.com/ "mailchimp email newsletter software") opted to distribute 1000 complimentary branded t-shirts among their social media fans. The t-shirts were released in increments, as followers were motivated to stay tuned to MailChimp for announcements on the availability of new sets. This approach successfully piqued interest and curiosity surrounding their new plans while transforming dedicated followers into brand representatives. Astonishingly, they managed to dispense 100 t-shirts in just a few short minutes!

## Conclusion

It's easy to see promotional t-shirts, used right, can be a dynamic and compelling addition to your marketing game. Durable and with a longer promotional life than many other promotional devices, tees are a great way to fire up giveaways, please your clients, and get your brand out with a great ROI.

For businesses looking to create high-quality, effective promotional t-shirts, Sticker Mule offers first-rate color DTG printing on 100% cotton t-shirts, bulk discounts, free proofing, fast turnaround and free shipping worldwide. It doesn't get better than that!

Think it's time to step up your marketing game? Try our [custom t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t shirts") now!

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Custom promo t-shirts can be super effective for your marketing campaigns. Find some tips & tricks on how to create the best t-shirts for advertising!

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