Staying safe

All bad things come to an end. We will continue investing and improving until this meets its end too. It’s frustrating that aspects of the outbreak are outside of our control. The good news is we already naturally do a lot of things right to protect our staff. Specifically:

1. Our factories are in quiet, uncongested and rural towns where “social distancing” is natural.
2. We already overbuy floorspace to maintain a comfortable factory environment and expanded spacing to keep people further distanced.
3. We have stringent cleanliness standards and regularly disinfect the workplace. Last week, we trained all staff to disinfect their workplace at more frequent intervals.

Additionally, we increased paid leave for all factory employees so everyone can comfortably stay home when sick and still get paid.

Outside the factory, Sticker Mule has been a remote company from day one. Going remote is a recommended action that many companies are just now taking. Luckily, we did not need to make any adjustments to go remote. It’s already the way we do things.

My #1 desire is to keep everyone positive and happy. Everyone in the world is thinking about how to solve this problem and we will get through it together.


How we're positioned to operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.

10 years of Sticker Mule

10 years ago Sticker Mule was born out of frustration. No one treated customers or employees as good as we felt was possible. We wanted to do better and set out to build the best way to shop and work. 

10 years later we beat all expectations. Sticker Mule is fast becoming a standard for what it means to be a great company. Businesses all over the world copy us and that's great. 

Many people laughed when we said we'd build a mega-brand selling stickers. Luckily, we love to be underestimated.

They said it's rare to build a successful company on your first try. We did. 

They said it's impossible without high profile investors. We have none. 

They said you can't build a big brand from a small rural town. We did. 

They said you need "experienced" people with fancy degrees. We don't. 

They said manufacturing is too hard for a startup. It’s not.

They said you need to run massive losses to grow fast. We don't. 

Sticker Mule is a story for the underdogs. The people who the “experts” say can't make it. Ignore the experts. Believe in yourself. 

10 years ago, a 70 year old that never used a computer before cofounded Sticker Mule after seeing the Internet for the first time. When asked "are you sure we can do this?" He calmly replied, "we never failed at anything and we won't at this." Today we make it a habit to do the impossible. 

Our new goal is to make the next 10 years happier for everyone. Financial “success” as a never-ending goal is a crazy thing. We started Sticker Mule with a plan to be fast, simple and fun. It’s time to focus on fun.

10 years ago Sticker Mule was born out of frustration. We wanted to do better and set out to build the best way to shop and work.

How to design sticker sheets in Adobe Illustrator

This tutorial is going to show you how to create an awesome sticker sheet using Adobe Illustrator.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="5xnVfAY3W18?rel=0" />

A [sticker sheet](https://www.stickermule.com/products/sticker-sheets) is a page with several peelable stickers, most commonly grouped in a theme. These are great for promotion or showing off artistic flair.

With Sticker Mule, designing your own sticker sheet is completely optional. 

You can send us a zip file of the individual designs and we'll lay it out for you. Or you can have total control over the final look by designing the sticker sheets yourself. 

## Step 1: Set up your sticker sheet artwork
For an easy start, we recommend [downloading one of our sticker sheet templates](https://www.stickermule.com/template/sticker-sheets).

Once you have the template open in Adobe Illustrator, make sure you are in the ‘Artwork’ layer.

![Sticker sheet template layers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/eff2b65ccc39327978d88015661badad8ef56a55)

To find layers go to Window > Layers

Now you can start dropping the designs onto the sheet. 

![Sticker sheet artwork setup](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d149cff938301b1201b91f7acef4500fc9e822dc)

From here, you're free to scale, position, or rotate your designs any way that you feel necessary, as long as it's within the sticker sheet box. 

Each sticker must be at least one inch by one inch and have a space of at least a quarter-inch around it measured from the sticker cut lines and not the artwork itself. 

## Step 2: Outline any text
If you're working with text, [make sure it's outlined](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wBuY6KQR24) before you print. 

To do this, right-click on the text and press ‘Create Outlines’. 

![Creating outlines in Adobe Illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7e019c69ea1c8e8d19151fb4b030b09141941b45)

## Step 3: Specify your cut lines
Now you can specify cut lines using a one-point stroke. 

A quick way to do this is to select all of your designs, copy them, and paste them on the cut line layer.

![Specifying cut lines in Adobe Illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a2bdfaf3ca680fabbb47c627789f405d9fb09810) 

Then use the unite function in the pathfinder window. 

![Using the Unite function to create a cut line](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/635bc4247ba7f290f321e13697baf701d660c719)

Once that's done, just apply the cut line swatch as a stroke, and we'll know exactly how to cut your stickers once sent to production. 

If no cut lines are specified, we will automatically determine them for you. You will review this during proofing before print. 

For a more detailed explanation of this, check out our tutorial on [how to create sticker cut lines](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-a-sticker-cut-line).

## Step 4: Start your sticker sheets order
Once everything is looking good, you can save your Illustrator file, upload it, and start your order. This tutorial is complete!

![Completed sticker sheets design](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/da1c082d190a904e3cabb46b603a021d700e38a2)

## Further tips for designing an awesome sticker sheet:

- Design first and adjust later. Focus on getting your sticker designs laid out roughly and then if you decide that a certain sticker needs to be bigger or spaced further apart, it will be a simple adjustment. 
- Consider making your stickers full bleed. If your designs allow for it, you can make your stickers full bleed by extending your artwork an eighth of an inch beyond the cut line. Keep in mind that whatever is outside of the cut lines will remain on your sticker sheet when the individual stickers are removed. 
- Make the sticker sheet beautiful itself by adding non-sticker elements. A colorful background or a logo can add a really nice touch to the sheet once it's printed.

<ButtonCta text="Order sticker sheets" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/sticker-sheets" />

Design an awesome sticker sheet or label sheet template using Adobe Illustrator with this guide.

Need more charm? Introducing custom acrylic charms

We’re thrilled to announce the newest Sticker Mule product – [acrylic charms](https://www.stickermule.com/products/acrylic-charms)!

<YouTubeVideo videoId="O7DaakVvnJA?rel=0" />

We use a solid, transparent, acrylic material that can be printed in full color and cut to any shape. Each charm features a small, 2mm hole, allowing you to convert your charms into keychains, jewelry and more.

![charms-blog-post-image-1](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/821033b526aa7892c3c4abd1e0d11c027b79f147)

![charms-blog-post-image-2](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f5c91b306d108d05fabec0ac33308b2742871519)

The possibilities are endless, so we’re excited to see what people come up with!

<ButtonCta text="Order custom charms" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/acrylic-charms" />

Custom acrylic charms can be printed in full color and cut to any shape. We include a small hole for keychains, jewelry and more.

Why kiss cut stickers are better than back slit

We sometimes [receive requests](https://stickermule.canny.io/) for back slit stickers (or crack and peel stickers). In the video below, Vinny explains why we don’t sell them and instead recommend [kiss cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers).

<YouTubeVideo videoId="jDhTwBljqy4?rel=0" />

## Why we don’t sell back slit stickers

### Back slit stickers bend
Back slit stickers bend at the slit, adding an unwanted crease in your sticker. This crease gets worse with time.

### Back slit collects debris
Back slit stickers collect dust and dirt at the seam of the back slit, causing stickers to lose their stickiness.

### Kiss cut stickers are better
Kiss cut stickers can be cut to any shape. We use special blades that allow you to easily peel away your sticker from the paper backing. Meanwhile, the sticker backing itself can contain extra information or design elements.

<ButtonCta text="Order kiss cut stickers" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers" />

Back slit stickers are supposed to make peeling easier, but kiss cut stickers are a better option.

New holographic stickers: Flux capacitor not included

Starting today, [special holographic stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers) will be available so you can add a retro rainbow sheen to any design.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="wS24KZon9Io?rel=0" />

Perfect for kids and kids at heart, we are eager to share this new product with you. [Holographic stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers) are now available. 

All sticker material is specially developed in-house and holographic vinyl posed an exciting challenge. This material needed to be as sturdy as our original stickers but with an added iridescent shine. After over a year in development, we have it perfected to a place where we can share it.

Holographic material turns ordinary objects into animations. It engages people and grabs attention like crazy.

Try it today: [upload a plain color design](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-holographic-stickers) and our team will make it holographic. You can approve the effect during proofing to make sure your stickers are totally awesome.

<ButtonCta text="Make your first holo sticker" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers" />


Add a futuristic rainbow sheen to any design.

How to remove backgrounds in Photoshop

In this easy-to-follow tutorial, we show how to remove the background from any image using [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html). 

Before you start, take a look at Trace, [our new background remover tool](https://www.stickermule.com/trace). It erases backgrounds from photos instantly, and could save you a lot of time. 

<YouTubeVideo videoId="71o67pJxqLw?rel=0" />

__For best results:__

- Find a high resolution image; the more pixels, the more accurate you can be.
- Make sure the subject stands out from the background and they do not share too many similar colors or textures.

### Step 1
Open your photo in Photoshop and create a new background layer. 

![new-layer](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1c967ad5325b23d084f0a473fe2f0624c3d1b2f5)

On this new background layer go to edit, fill, and then select white for the contents. 

![Fill](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d5c5edc5c7483000e47c57540d03333b8c468aab)

Place this layer below your photo so that as we remove the original background the white one is revealed underneath. 

If your photo is a locked background layer you won't be able to drag another layer below it. All you need to do is double click on it, give it a name, and press enter to convert it to a normal layer so that you can move things below it. 

### Step 2
Grab the quick selection tool and start dragging over the part that you want to keep. 

![selection copy](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8f3c7408bf85ecc9a334afb40bb098aaa308b85b)

The size of your brush determines how much is grabbed with each click or each drag of the mouse. To change it, use the open and closed square brackets to make the brush larger or smaller depending on how accurate you need to be. 

It's likely that as you're making your selection you're gonna highlight areas that you don't wish to. When this happens simply hold alt while using the tool and it will subtract from the selection instead of adding to it. 

The magic wand tool as well as the object selection tool can also come in handy here. Check those out if needed.

### Step 3
Once you've done a fairly good job of selecting your subject from the background we're gonna refine it by going to select and then select and mask.

![select and mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/45c0b25643fe2e2478ac4cf6a949af74157940aa)

Make sure that transparency is set to 100%. This will show you how your current selection is going to look once masked out from the original background. 

Also make sure that the high quality preview is on.

![transparency](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b333056a545ea8ea9065ac61ed974d4461756b45)

Now you can see the temporary white background you made showing through behind. 

If you see a slight gray outline, this is some background elements you picked up when using the quick selection tool. 

To remove this, use ‘shift edge’. This will expand your selection or pull it in. Negative numbers shift edge in, and positive shift it out.

![shift edge](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/229485dcfddda414514ab5a7a9e80221fa1229a0)

### Step 4
Do not shift edge too much. For places with intricate details like hair or fur, use the ‘refine edge’ brush tool. 

![refine edge](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fbf21470da64f1c4acc03b514edbeb89f98dd3d8)

Drag along the edges where the details are present. You will lose a bit of that background and it will look more like a correct crop. Just as with the quick selection tool, you can change the size of this brush with the square bracket keys. 

Lastly if you're finding that overall your selection is looking a bit jagged or there's too many sharp edges, you can use smooth or feather to fix that. 

![smooth](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ab9efdf42d63bba0f7e7fd22384c1213258fc6ee)

Just be careful not to add too much as you still want your selection to look crisp rather than blurry around the edges. 

At any point while you're in select and mask mode you can press P to toggle between what you started with and where you're now at. 

Press okay. 

### Step 5
Rather than actually delete the background around your subject, mask it out. 

With your selection still active, go into your layers menu and press add layer mask.

![add mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8824d13bcf9680bd481241645e6f5af941efae1a)

Layer masks work in black and white: black means hide this part, white means show this part. Right now we want to show the subject (white) and hide the background (black).

At any point, if you want to make the same selection just do Cmd + click  or Alt + click on the layer mask.

You should now be able to move this layer around. Your subject is now separate from their original background. 

### Step 6 (optional)
If you think there are a couple problem areas you want to clean up, you can click on the layer mask in your layer panel and add or remove some of the original background. Use the paintbrush tool in black or white to remove or add details.

![layer mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d61850f7eec6b53748c1b27ab3bb5c077ce4a531)

That is the end of the tutorial!

If you want an easier and faster way to remove backgrounds check out our new tool Trace. Trace is free to use and works instantly.

<ButtonCta text="Try Trace for free" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/trace" />

An easy-to follow tutorial on removing backgrounds using Photoshop

New: Opt out of freebies

Surprises are one of the ways we make our customers happy. That’s why we include fun freebies in every order. Typically, you’ll get a few cute Sticker Mule stickers and maybe a button, coaster or magnet too. Our freebies change periodically to make them more surprising, fun and collectable too.

![freebie-opt-out](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6ff5bb1dd69fd4bec52cd1e203868e7e8cf1180d)

Sticker Mule freebies end up on Instagram, Twitter and laptops worldwide, but some customers, especially frequent purchasers, ask not to receive them. To address this request, we are happy to introduce freebie opt-out. 

You can now opt out of freebies in [your account settings](https://www.stickermule.com/account) (or opt back in).

While most people enjoy the free swag, we recognize it can be wasteful – especially if you order frequently.

<Tweet tweetUrl="https://twitter.com/sarahdayarts/status/1176924428078407682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" />

Freebie opt-out was designed 100% based on customer feedback. Hope you enjoy it!

If you no longer wish to receive freebies with your orders, you can now opt out in your account settings.

5 DIY gift ideas that require no skill

Run out of gift ideas? Don’t know what to get your family or loved ones for Christmas or a birthday? We’ve all been there. Here are 5 super easy gifts that you can make right now — even if you have no crafting skills whatsoever! They are unique, very cheap, and can be given to friends or family, regardless of the season or occasion.

These are the 5 best ideas for gifts that you can make right now, regardless of the occasion, your skill level or how creative you are. They are all super easy and are guaranteed to show your loved ones how much you care.

If you’re as excited as I am to get started, read on to find out more!

### 1. Pet stickers

This first one is really cool and super easy to make! It’s an [image background removal tool](https://www.stickermule.com/trace) called Trace. It lets you upload images of your pets (or anything else) and then automatically erases the background in the image. You can then use the file that it creates to make [die-cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/die-cut-stickers)!

![Die cut dog stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5167193ce13d8441b23dcf2427c8d085216709d7)

Trace lets you choose different sizes and quantities and you can even get discounts depending on the size of your orders! Here are their size options, prices and discounts available:

Pet sticker sizes:

-  2” x 2”
-  3” x 3”
-  4” x 4”
-  5” x 5”
-  Custom size

The interface is super simple to use and your design can be done in just a few minutes!

Once you have specified the size and quantity of your stickers, they will be delivered to the address you specified within a few days. Die-cut stickers are ideal as gifts that can be stuck on to laptops, tablet cases or any smooth surfaces.

Have fun designing your personalized pet stickers!

### 2. Personalized coasters

Water rings can leave awful — often permanent — marks on furniture. [Coasters](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-coasters) are the perfect (and stylish) solution to making water rings a thing of the past.

Thanks to [Sticker Mule’s free coaster templates](https://www.stickermule.com/template/custom-coasters), you can now custom-design your own coasters to match your personal style!

<YouTubeVideo videoId="ZgaM2DdGIW4?rel=0" />

You can also choose any one of the designs from this video right now if you are out of design ideas!

Your coasters will look great under any cup, mug or glass and are cut precisely into a thick, premium 3.7” circle. 

So what do these awesome custom coasters cost? The good news is that they are super cheap and you get automatic discounts depending on the quantity you order.

### 3. Family photo magnet

This one is really cool if you are a magnet fan and have a metal refrigerator or any metal surface that could use some decoration. 

The nice thing about magnets is that you can reuse them over and over again, and what better way to remind yourself, or others, of the importance of family than to make a [custom magnet](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-magnets) for everyone?

![Custom family magnets](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d087dabea1769dd411ac654310c3c62f9a0ec17e)

Again, here you can use [Trace](https://www.stickermule.com/trace) to cut out shapes in images and then order your photo magnets directly on the page in just a few minutes. Finally something you can do with all those great family photos on your phone!

The magnets are also really affordable and you can get up to 85% discounts depending on how many you order. As with the [stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers), you can specify the size you would like your photo magnets to be. Here are the size options and prices for custom photo magnets:

Custom magnet sizes:

- 2” x 2”
- 3” x 3”
- 4” x 4”
- 5” x 5”
- Custom size

You can order custom quantities by simply selecting the “Custom quantity” option when designing your custom magnet.

### 4. Bumper stickers

Bumper stickers are a great way to show support for your loved ones’ causes. Why not help them make a difference with some [bumper sticker advertising](https://www.stickermule.com/products/bumper-stickers)?

Yep, you guessed it. With Trace you can custom-design your bumper stickers with different shapes and sizes and they are ideal for cars, trucks or any other vehicles with smooth surfaces. They have a removable adhesive and their thick, durable vinyl will protect the stickers from scratches as well as water and sunlight.

![Bumper stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/59f7c888780846396052919cf001cf728668c5fe)

You can even use any of [Sticker Mule’s free bumper sticker templates](https://www.stickermule.com/template/bumper-stickers) here or just send us a logo or image and we’ll automatically create a digital proof for you.

Here are the sizes and quantities you can order. As with the other items, the more you buy, the bigger the discount you get!

Bumper sticker sizes

- 7.5” x 3.75”
- 11.5” x 3”
- 15” x 3.75”
- Custom size

You can also order custom sizes and quantities by simply specifying this during the order process.

### 5. Face wall decals

Getting ready for a party? Celebrate the guest of honor with a huge (sticky but removable) decal of their face. Just [send us a selfie](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/face-wall-decals) and we’ll do the rest.

![Face wall decals](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c7ffb0e9f1c45e448075853d34ef1e79520758fe)

At just $57 for a default-sized 24” x 24” face wall decal, you can rest assured that you will not have to break the bank to get one of these. If you want your wall decal to be even bigger than that (or want a smaller one), you can also customize the size during your design process. The price will adjust automatically depending on the size you choose.

### Bonus idea 

If you know someone who is itching to get creative and wants to make something beautiful on their own, you can alternatively just [give them a gift card](https://www.stickermule.com/products/gift-cards) and then share this post with them. They will then be able to use their gift card to buy any of the items mentioned in this article and [much more](https://www.stickermule.com/more).

Well, I don’t know about you guys but now I’m really inspired by all the possibilities that Trace offers. If you’re like me and want to get started designing your own awesome original custom gifts right away, Sticker Mule provides free 2-day shipping and 4-day turnaround on most orders.

<ButtonCta text="Get your customized stickers" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers" />

Five gifts (plus one bonus) you can make right now. No expertise required.

Sticker back printing vs. kiss cut stickers

We heard you wanted more space on your stickers – somewhere to put social tags, coupons, website, and contact details. Traditionally, this would require back printing.

But did you know you can achieve the same goal with [kiss cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers)? Kiss cut stickers typically have a rectangular backing around the design that's bigger than the sticker, which can be printed on.

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

Hey, we don’t want to be accused of being biased so in the interest of fairness, we’ll discuss both options. 

## What is a back print on a sticker?

A back print is when the other side of a sticker sheet is maximized to include details such as company information or instructions on how to use the sticker. 

However, since these pieces of information are printed on the back of stickers, not many people pay attention to it. Worse, they are simply thrown away once the sticker has been used. 

### How do you print on the back of a sticker paper?

Though this is technically possible, printing on the back of sticker papers can be a bit messy. For example, when you get your sticker sheets and you try to manually print on the back of it using an ordinary printer, there is a possibility that your printer can jam or that the ink can also smudge on the sticker side, ruining your design. 

## How do you use a kiss cut sticker? 

Though some people may argue that less is more, with stickers, you are wasting space that has so much potential! Use a kiss cut sticker to promote your brand or cause! The extra space in your kiss cut sticker can be used for informational purposes too. 

Since it’s also part of the sticker, the information printed on these can be used and stuck on surfaces too, unlike back prints!

### What can you print on a kiss cut sticker?

Use the remaining space on your sticker to print your company information or other promotional details. 

- Coupons or discount codes 
- Product specifications or additional information 
- QR code that will lead your customers to your website or a specific landing page
- Company contact details such as phone number, address, etc. 
- Your company’s social media accounts 
- Reminder about an upcoming event or sale 
- Instructions to subscribe or be part of your community 

## Why kiss cut sticker is better than back print stickers 

Kiss cut stickers are a superior alternative to back printing for a few reasons:

### Better visibility

It is counterintuitive to put vital information where people are least likely to see it. Kiss cut stickers display your extra information right next to the sticker itself.

### More printing options

Back printing is typically limited to black and white, and confined to the shape of the sticker. The backing on kiss cut stickers can be printed in full color and full bleed and isn’t dependant on the shape of the sticker.

### Lower cost

Since back printing adds an extra step to the manufacturing process, there is typically a ~20% surcharge. The manufacturing process for kiss cut stickers is [similar to standard die cut stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/die-cut-stickers-vs-kiss-cut-stickers) and so the price is nearly identical.

Overall, the kiss cut design is a better choice for creative professionals.

## How to make kiss cut stickers at home and without a machine?

The good news is you can make kiss cut stickers without the aid of a machine! And you can do it here on the Sticker Mule website!

### Step 1: Create your design

Here’s your chance to let your brand shine by maximizing the space around your kiss cut sticker! Make sure not to overdo it and allow some “breathing space” in your design. Don’t put items too close to the edges too!

### Step 2: Upload your kiss cut sticker design 

Go to Sticker Mule’s kiss cut product page and [upload your design](https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers). 

### Step 3: Order your kiss cut sticker 

Choose the size, quantity, and order a proof of your design. You can do some modifications if you’re not completely satisfied with it but once you are, your order will be shipped to you!

<ButtonCta text="Order kiss cut stickers now" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/kiss-cut-stickers" /> 

We get a lot of requests for sticker back printing. But did you know kiss cut stickers can serve the same purpose?

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