How to make a custom dog shirt


<YouTubeVideo videoId="ocOrdSW4yO4" />

If your dog had opposable thumbs and access to a credit card, is there any doubt he’d be ordering posters, stickers, and t-shirts with your face on them, obsessing over you day and night?

Shouldn’t you do the same for your dog? 🐶

Dog face t-shirts are among the most popular designs we see, submitted by both designers and non-designers alike.

And it’s easy to see why. Few things spark joy like a photo of a happy dog. Especially *your* happy dog. Whether it’s for a birthday or Christmas, a t-shirt featuring your pup’s smiling face is guaranteed to make your friends and family smile too.

If you're not a designer, you might wonder how to get that polished, professional look.

Good news! We’ve got you covered. In this post (and the video above), you’ll learn how to use Sticker Mule’s tools to:

- Remove the background from a photo of your dog

- Turn your dog’s photo into a hand-drawn-style illustration

- Use AI to generate fun variations of your dog in different styles

Ready to make your dog the star they are? Watch the video or keep reading!

###Step 1) Find a cool photo of your dog

That should go without saying, but it's still worth emphasizing — it's the most important step. So take your time and go through the hundreds of pet pictures we know you have on your camera roll, and make sure you really get the pick of the litter. 

For a great, natural shot, you want a photograph that checks all these boxes:

- Has great natural lighting 
- Your dog is the focal point 
- It captures a memorable pose or look 

If it's one of those hilarious, one-in-a-thousand moments, then all the better!

###Step 2) Use Trace to remove the background

![trace removed background from dog photo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9e255967-b7a1-4c1f-9422-94a26919ecda)

[Trace](https://www.stickermule.com/trace "free background remover tool") is one of the most popular tools in the Sticker Mule editing toolbox and for good reason. You upload your picture, click a satisfyingly orange button and, before your dog can bark twice, you've got yourself a perfectly isolated version of the star of your photo with a transparent background.

Another click and your picture is downloaded and ready for printing (if you prefer, you can click the "Order" button in Trace to start your order right away). 

###Step 3) Add text in Studio (optional)

If you prefer more than just your dog's face on the t-shirt, you can head on to Sticker Mule Studio to put some copy on the shirt. It might be your dog's name, his or her favorite expression, or an [inspirational quote](https://dogfriendlysanantonio.com/best-quotes-about-dogs/). 

###Step 4) Order your custom dog shirts via Sticker Mule

![custom printed dog t-shirt order](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ead51480-ff3d-4d38-9ae1-687755658b23)

Now that you have  all that's left is to go to our [custom t-shirts page](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirts online"), select the size and quantity for your order, the t-shirt color, and upload your dog picture. You can also add any specific instructions you may have for the printing.

After you check out, we'll get back to you with a free online proof showing exactly what your dog t-shirt is going to look like. At this point, you can either request changes or just go right ahead and confirm the order.

###Step 6) Get your t-shirt!

![custom t-shirts by sticker mule. the most comfy t-shirts on the planet](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/aa93f7cc-94ad-4297-a5f6-34911202df32)

Within days of approving your proof, you'll receive a package in the mail with your brand new t-shirt. Wear in proudly. Your dog will thank you for helping to amplify his message of love, joy, and treats!

Here are some bonus tips for making your t-shirt even more unique.

##How to turn your dog photo into an illustration

![illustration of a dog](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/db9d7298-f94a-4028-8959-ff81802bf086)

If you want to make sure you get the best quality for your picture before printing, then [Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) is here for you. It'll convert your file into a high-quality professional vector image to be printed at absolutely any size you choose.

It's easy, and at $14 it's a fraction of what it'd cost to hire an artist to recreate your photo from scratch. Here's how to do it.

1) Upload your newly downloaded photo to Redraw.

2) Order the Redraw for $14 (we've lowered prices since we made the video above).

3) Receive a proof in email.

4) Upon approval, download your finished vector image under "Artwork".

Unlike other services, our image-to-vector service is done by human artists, so not only can you be assured your artwork will be top quality, you can go back and forth with our artists as much as you need until your image is exactly the way you like it. 

##How to create versions of your dog photo in different styles using AI

While we'll always recommend human artists to prepare professional-caliber art for you, there is another option. We talked a little about AI-generated art [in this post](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/turn-photos-into-studio-ghibli-art) when Studio Ghibli-inspired generative AI images trended on social media. 

AI is another tool you can use to transform your dog photo into a number of other options for t-shirt designs. 

For example, here I asked ChatGPT to redraw the original dog photo in the style of a Hanna-Barbera cartoon. 

![ai-generated rendition of dog in the style of hanna-barbera](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b31d1120-ebbd-4812-a140-6817a959c276)

And here I asked it to draw this dog in the style of a Pokemon character.

![dog in the style of a pokemon character](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b37b38db-2fa5-4038-81eb-2bb01d8f12d9)

Just a note about AI-generated images. While AI does an impressive job of mimicking artistic styles at lightning speed, there's really no substitute for a real human artist to truly capturing the essence of a subject. That said, by playing around and modifying your prompt, you can have the AI fine-tune the drawing similar to how an artist might. 

At this point, AI is probably best for things like parody and fun—for example, a personalized Scooby-Doo quote would go well with the image here on a t-shirt. But if you're looking for serious artwork like a portrait, be sure to find a human! 





Here's a quick guide on how to print a custom t-shirt of your dog. Learn tips & tricks on how to make your dog shirt really stand out!

Fridge magnets: A definitive history


Fridge magnets. You collect them when in your travels and get them as keepsakes from friends or from the pizza place around the corner. You use them to fix little odds and ends to your fridge: family pictures, unpaid bills, shopping lists, reminders of urgent to-dos from months ago

If you're like most people, you may not give your fridge magnets much thought at all. They're kind of just there, staring from their cool abode while you come and go.

But at some point, these little collectibles became a part of our daily lives. When and how did that happen? Today we'll take a look at the history of fridge magnets and how they found their way to everyone's homes.

##The origins of magnets

To no one's surprise, the story of *fridge* magnets is tied closely to that of fridges. 
Magnets themselves, however, had been around a while. Lodestones — a type of magnetized iron ore — had been discovered as far back as 2500 BC, and magnetic properties had been employed in compasses since the year 1100 or so. 

But while magnets were no novelty when the first commercial fridges were made available, just before the 1920s, it was only around that time that the newly-discovered, more permanent steel magnets started finding their way into commercial applications, such as early electric motors and generators.


![An early 1920s "frigidaire", but no cute magnets to be found](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4f1bb2c1-1ba5-4b98-bbd6-dedaa0c57204)
*An early 1920s "frigidaire", but no cute magnets to be found*

##The 1950s: The early years

The 1950s marked a turning point—not for magnets themselves, but for refrigerator design. As enameled steel became the industry standard, refrigerators gained a smooth, durable, and, most importantly, __magnetic__ surface

![Steel refrigerator doors enable a new art form](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6f443493-12fe-45a5-8b3f-d249ce644f44)

At first, this change was purely practical, making fridges easier to clean and available in a variety of colors to match the booming post-war consumer culture. But unintentionally, it also set the stage for something new. With metallic doors now common in homes, magnets suddenly had a new purpose beyond industrial applications.

The biggest innovation in refrigerators and magnets came with the introduction of the alnico magnetic alloy, which replaced traditional door latches. This upgrade made fridge doors more reliable and eliminated the safety risks posed to children by older latch mechanisms.

![early magnets were scientific curiosity items](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/32adc430-d295-4f11-a7a9-a2a1b1eeea3a)

Although decorative fridge magnets weren’t yet a widespread trend, the conditions were now perfect. In the coming decades, as advertising, tourism, and household organization grew, the humble fridge door would transform into a display board for reminders, souvenirs, and personal expression.

##The 1960s: The dawn of decorative fridge magnets

In the 1960s, refrigerator magnets were a far cry from the sleek, colorful, flat designs we’re used to today. They were more rudimentary, often clunky, and reflected the materials and manufacturing limits of the time. 

Fridge magnets existed but weren’t the flexible, fully magnetic items we associate with the term now. Early in the decade, they were typically small, rigid objects—think ceramic or plastic shapes with a tiny, hard magnet glued or embedded on the back. These weren’t "magnets" in the modern sense where the whole thing sticks; the magnet was just a component. 

Common designs included basic geometric shapes, letters, numbers, or simple figurines—like fruit, animals, or advertising logos. They were often chunky, with the magnet (usually a brittle ferrite or alnico type) protruding slightly, making them less flush against the fridge. 

Colors were limited—muted reds, blues, yellows, or plain white—due to basic painting or molding tech. They were usually imported from Hong Kong or Japan.

![a set of fruit magnets from the 1960s selling on eBay](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/96a2ec63-486f-4165-8fee-ccec98e2651e)

At this stage, fridge magnets were still more functional than fun. That changed late in the decade when __Sam Hardcastle__, an inventor and mold maker working with the space industry, was tasked with designing magnetic letters and numbers for use on large metallic charts. 

Instead of using traditional magnetic materials, he experimented with mixing __iron oxide (essentially rust powder) with vinyl__, creating a  flexible, fully magnetic material—meaning the entire object, not just a glued-on piece, stuck to metal. 

Hardcastle founded a company called Ad Specialities. His company produced molded, three-dimensional items, often hand-painted or dipped in vinyl. If you were around in the 1960s and 1970s, you probably remember one of Harcastle's most iconic creations: state-shaped magnets (like Missouri or Texas) about a quarter-inch thick, with raised details—maybe a little cow or cactus for flair. 

![A set of metal state magnets from Classic Magnets](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ded27cf1-d50a-42e6-a27b-64a359869dfb)

They weren’t flat like today’s printed ones; they had a tactile, sculpted feel, sometimes with a glossy finish. Colors got bolder as vinyl allowed it—bright reds, greens, or blues—but still not the photo-realistic prints we see now. These magnets were bigger and heavier than earlier versions, designed to hold papers securely, and often doubled as souvenirs or promo giveaways.

Today, Ad Specialities no longer exists, a company named Ideaman, Incorporated was founded in 1992 and [continues to produce magnets](http://classicmagnets.com/history-of-the-classic-magnet/) true to Hardcastle's original designs as Classic Magnets.

##The 1970s: Fridge magnets become fun

The evolution of fridge magnets took a significant step forward in 1972 with the release of Fisher-Price's iconic "School Days Desk"—an educational toy featuring colorful magnetic letters and numbers. While similar concepts had been introduced earlier by companies like Child Guidance, Fisher-Price’s version was a game-changer.

These game sets included their own metal boards, but was there really a need for that? Inevitably, all those eye-catching magnetic characters would end up in the biggest piece of metal in every household: the fridge.

![School Days Play Desk as seen on ThisOldToy.com](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6e5f60a7-5052-4301-9c55-8691b40ffffc)

Around the same time, another inventor, William Zimmerman, went into the fridge magnet business with his "Magic Magnets", flat magnets with cartoon figures, smiley faces, and other playful characters. His magnets also included funny or inspirational phrases. 

Zimmerman was also the first to score a contract to make the first refrigerator magnets for the Walt Disney Company, while his son formed a rival magnet company landing a contract to make magnets for the Peanuts franchise.

__The introduction of magnets featuring popular intellectual properties was a turning point in refrigerator magnet history__. Cartoon characters, television mascots, and movie tie-ins became widely available, marking the beginning of fridge magnets as collectibles rather than just decorations.

With the new popularity, fridge magnets soon attained collectible status. A teacher who owns one of the largest collections of magnets in Britain, for instance, was [started as far back as 1987](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38969439). And the [largest currently on record](https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/68573-largest-collection-of-fridge-magnets)? That's a mere 35.000-fridge magnet collection, proudly owned by Louise Greenfarb of Las Vegas, who's collected them since the '70s. 

(If you're jealous, don't be. Start now and you, too, may have a few tens of thousands of little refrigerator magnets in… fifty years. Just don't expect to have your fridge hold them all!)

![An example of magic magnets that you can purchase on eBay](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0984f070-7d25-416d-9176-d0141bf0893f)

##The 1980s: The golden age of fridge magnets

During the 1980s and 1990s, fridge magnets surged even further in popularity. From simple promotional tools, they now turned into widespread collectibles and decorative items. 

Around the world, souvenir shops began mass-producing magnets featuring landmarks, flags, and cultural symbols, turning them into must-have travel mementos. At the same time, brands and businesses ramped up their use of flexible rubberized magnets for advertising, offering customers free, practical reminders of their services. 

Advances in manufacturing—particularly the use of flexible, lightweight magnetic strips made from ferrite powder and rubber—made it cheap and easy to mass-produce magnets in all shapes and sizes. The availability of injection-molded magnets also allowed for more intricate and colorful designs, making novelty magnets a common sight in homes.

###Fridge magnets take on new roles

One of the biggest trends of the decade was __mass-produced souvenir magnets__. While travel-related magnets had been around in earlier years, the 1980s saw an unprecedented boom. Gift shops in major cities, tourist attractions, and amusement parks stocked magnets featuring landmarks, mascots, and state-themed designs.

Another major development of the decade was the rise of __kitsch and novelty magnets__. Companies embraced magnets as a form of self-expression, creating designs with funny slogans, cartoon characters, and pop culture references. Flexible magnetic sheets allowed for endless creativity. These were impulse buys at gift shops or party favors, adding a splash of personality to suburban kitchens.

Finally, __promotional magnets__ became ubiquitous. Local businesses—from pizza places to real estate agents—began handing out fridge magnets as a way to keep their contact information front and center. Companies began competing with each other for an increasingly shrinking share of real estate on refrigerators. 

![refrigerator magnets sold by ebay seller hollys attic](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e0cc5350-32fc-437d-8b89-92d4382f6a2d)

##The 1990s: Fridge magnets get even more creative

The 1990s saw __photo-realistic printed magnets__ emerge, turning fridges into mini photo albums. Families and businesses alike embraced high-resolution images for both personal keepsakes and colorful promotional giveaways.

Interactive sets—like magnetic poetry kits and mix-and-match face magnets—became kitchen staples, inviting playful word games and silly character mash-ups. At the same time, __pop-culture icons__ from Disney, Looney Tunes, sitcoms, and blockbuster movies continued to lined fridge doors everywhere.

![the first magnetic poetry kits](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2cc0356a-b1a9-47d6-81ef-1b640e91b46f)

##The 2000s: Personalization and mass customization

In the early 2000s, __a shift toward personalization__ dramatically reshaped the world of fridge magnets. Families began using magnets to showcase personal memories, transforming kitchens into galleries of family photos and milestones. 

Digital cameras were becoming common, online sharing was on the rise. This led to __customized magnets emerging as a popular way to preserve special moments__ — from milestone birthdays to quiet everyday snapshots.

With mass customization made possible by advances in digital printing and the rise of the online world, customers could now upload their own images to create magnets that were as unique as their personal stories. This new level of personalization led to niche products ranging from __custom wedding and baby announcement magnets__ to personalized holiday cards. Companies quickly adapted their production processes to handle bespoke orders, meeting the growing consumer demand for products that felt intimate and one-of-a-kind.

![save the date wedding magnet](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/27aa95c2-d561-42cc-ae15-5d671b055296)

Retro designs maintained their allure here too, as nostalgia kept classic, souvenir-style magnets in the market. Travelers collected magnets as tangible memories of their adventures, balancing new personalized options with a love for vintage aesthetics. On top of that, material innovations such as thinner, more robust flexible magnetic sheets allowed for larger and more elegant designs. 

##The 2010s: The digital shift and fridge space decline

The 2010s brought two important changes to the world of magnets.

First, smartphones and digital assistants took over many of the tasks once reserved for fridge magnets. Photos, shopping lists, and appointment reminders all migrated to apps. __Magnets consequently lost some of their utility__, but held onto their decorative role. What else was there to add color and character to your kitchen décor?

Secondly came the popularization of stainless-steel refrigerators. These became the must-have appliance of the decade, but at a cost: non-magnetic doors for many of them. Suddenly, the classic fridge gallery, cluttered with magnets collected over years and decades, grew sparse. For many households, the beloved habit of pinning up notes went away.

But through all these shifts, the souvenir magnet lost none of its charm. Travelers still bought and traded magnets as small, but tangible reminders of their journeys. On [online forums](https://web.archive.org/web/20100130194112/http://www.fridgemagnetscommunity.eu/forum.php), magnet aficionados even harnessed the power of the internet to trade magnets with other collectors from all over the world.

On fridges, lockers, and office cubicles, fridge magnets proved that even in a digital age, the joy of a physical memento endures.

##The 2020s

Thanks to platforms like Etsy, independent artists now sell __unique hand-crafted magnets worldwide__.  

Eco-friendly materials and “buy one, plant one” initiatives reflect growing consumer demand for sustainable, stylish home accessories.

At the same time, 3D printing has unlocked new possibilities: intricate miniatures, interlocking puzzle pieces, and tactile spinners add playfulness to décor. There's a whole new world of possibilities for custom fridge magnets out there.

###Custom fridge magnets — a rising trend

One of the biggest trends of all in this decade is __customization__. 

Custom products are everywhere, and fridge magnets are no exception. A family picture, a cute shot of your favorite feline moment, a company logo, or anything else your imagination comes up — whatever it is, you can have it __printed, die-cut__, and stuck to your fridge __in a matter of days__ — something that just a few years ago only huge companies could dream about.

This, of course, leads us directly to what we at Sticker Mule are all about. Our goal is to continue to democratize the creation—and selling—of custom magnets, which is why we let you create your own flexible or acrylic magnets and sell them on your own Sticker Mule store. 

![Custom fridge magnets are more popular than ever](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1113b97e-1449-46ef-9db3-ae88eea8f4b6)

##What next for fridge magnets?

Despite the rise of minimalist home aesthetics and digital organization tools, fridge magnets have lost none of their appeal. While our lives turn more and more virtual, our fridge magnets remain a tangible reminder of a more real way of living — adventures we had, perhaps, or moments of connection with family and loved ones.

Collectibles, advertising tools, custom mementos — in whichever shape and form we use them, fridge magnets continue to stick around, both literally and culturally. In fact, not that long ago [it was found that over 87% of Americans use refrigerator magnets](https://web.archive.org/web/20130614181222/https://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57588389/pulse-most-americans-have-refrigerator-magnets/). Kind of a lot.

Yes, the world went through a lot of change since fridge magnets first brightened our fridge doors. But the little decorative magnetic souvenirs remain unbothered. As long as refrigerators are around, odds are we'll continue sticking fridge magnets to our doors. 


Discover the fascinating history of fridge magnets—from their industrial origins to becoming nostalgic souvenirs and customizable keepsakes.

How to create a glitter sticker for your phone

You can't change our mind: [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "custom stickers") are the best way to customize your phone.

![custom glitter stickers for your phone](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b525d560-dea5-4fb9-989b-f7f5458ac184)

And if you're in the mood for adding a dash of spring glee and glitter to your phone, we have some good news - we make some of the finest [custom glitter stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/glitter-stickers "custom glitter stickers") you can print on the internet too!

So how do you make the best and glitteriest stickers for your phone? Let's take a look now at how to use Sticker Mule's Studio tool (ready with sticker templates) to create these fun & shiny stickers in no time - it's quick and easy!

## Why choose glitter stickers for your cell phone?

Now, you could, of course, customize your phone with a new and different (perhaps even glittery) phone cover. But our preferred method — no surprise here — is to use custom stickers.

That's because stickers have obvious advantages when it comes to customization:

- __They’re super affordable__. Especially compared to the cost of a new, quality case.
- __They’re easy to apply and replace__. You can stick, remove, and repeat as often as you’d like. 
- __They’re durable and ready to take a beating__. Our quality stickers are made of durable vinyl that is scratch-proof, waterproof, dust- and sunlight-proof. Death proof. You name it.

To top it off, there's something unique and whimsical about a well-designed glitter sticker, with its shimmering iridescence and rainbow palette. It's a dazzling way to showcase a friendly, light-hearted, doesn't-take-themselves-seriously type of personality. 

And, of course, it adds the perfect little sprinkling of extra cheer on your personal device.

## How to design your glitter sticker with Sticker Mule's Studio

A design is only as good as the creative mind behind it — and the tools used for the job. Now, you take care of the creativity part, while we provide a canvas for your imagination — in this case, our own browser-based design tool, [Sticker Mule's Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online sticker label design tool").

Studio was made to make life easier for our customers. To use it:

1. Access [stickermule.com/studio](http://stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool")
2. __Create an account or log in__ to your Sticker Mule account. This step is optional, but it does have the benefit of saving your work automatically to your account.
3. Use one of our __ready-made design templates__ as a starting point (like our custom sticker templates), or start from scratch.
4. __Add photos, text, shapes, colors__, and any other design elements you’d like!
5. Love the result? __Download your masterpiece__ in a variety of available formats, and use the file to place an order for [glitter stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/glitter-stickers "custom glitter stickers for phone"). 

##Designing your glitter sticker

![custom phone glitter sticker of a mermaid](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c21b8af5-edb2-4aef-ad77-cf1cb39924d4)

Designing stickers is its own type of art form. If this is your first time doing so, a good place to start is [Hayden Aube's video tutorial](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-stickers "how to design stickers online") for Sticker Mule. 

A few things to keep in mind as you design a glitter sticker for your phone:

- Start with a [template](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates?q=sticker "free sticker templates online") that includes larger text. Ideally, people shouldn’t need Sherlock Holmes’ magnifying glass to read what your sticker says.
- Remember, a template is a suggestion to help get ideas flowing. You can still customize any aspect of the template with your own images, text, and icons to shape your unique style.
- Some colors naturally lend themselves better to the iridescent shine of glitter stickers. Check out [how we'll set up your custom glitter stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/support/how-will-you-set-up-my-glitter-stickers "how we set up custom glitter stickers for printing"), to help when picking your colors and background. 

Of course, once your order is placed, we’ll send an online proof of your artwork as a glitter sticker, so you can make sure it looks exactly the way you want it! 

##Caring for your glitter sticker and cell phone

Our stickers are made to last, but here are some things you can do to make the most of them:

- Make sure to clean your phone with a microfiber cloth before applying the sticker. The application area should also be perfectly dry.
- Apply with a slow, but firm motion, smoothing out any air bubbles for a clean and neat look.
- When cleaning your sticker, use a microfiber cloth and avoid rubbing excessively. If any dirt accumulates on the sticker, clean it with a slightly damp cloth. This will help keep your sticker sparkling for a long time.
- When removing or replacing your sticker, remember to avoid using anything sharp or abrasive. If the sticker leaves a residue, a little warm water or rubbing alcohol should suffice, [but there's no lack of other available options](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-remove-sticker-residue "how to remove sticker residue from phones").

##In a few words

Besides looking delightful on your phone or phone cover, [glitter stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/glitter-stickers "glitter stickers") can also be a lot of fun to design. Don't believe us? Check out Sticker Mule's Studio and see for yourself — you'll find there's no better way to explore your creativity and personalize your favorite device.

<ButtonCta text="Start making your own glitter stickers now!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/glitter-stickers" />




Learn how to create a glitter sticker for your phone in just a few easy to follow steps. Add sparkle & fun to your gadget now - start crafting today!

How to make custom temporary tattoos from a photo

The Sticker Mule array of custom products just got a new addition: [custom temporary tattoos](https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos "custom temporary tattoos")!

![make custom temporary tattoos from photos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9616189a-b832-41d0-ae98-97dd7f5ed354)

These newcomers are exactly what the name suggests: tattoos that you get to sport for a couple of days but that, just like an ephemeral Sunday afternoon, will eventually vanish without a trace.

The thing about temporary tattoos: they're a fantastic way to express yourself, with no limits to your creativity — and no commitment to wearing them the rest of your life. 

##Why choose temporary tattoos?

As most millennials will remember, temporary tattoos were big with kids in the '90s, and lately they've found a new burst in popularity — largely [driven by social media and influencer trends](https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/john-yuyi-instagram-artist "social media trends in custom tattoos").

It was time to bring that trend back, as temporary tattoos have plenty of fun applications (no pun intended!). You can use them to:

- Find out __how you would look like with tattoos__ (if you've never got one)
- __Try out a design before you commit__ to getting it inked on your skin forever
- Surprise everyone at work or at a party (and __let them think for a while you got an actual tattoo__)
- Use them as a fun way to incorporate your branding at __parties or events__ — you can even consider swapping party wristbands for party tattoos!
- Copy __tattoos from celebrities__ or movie characters for a bit of cosplay fun (we're partial to the John Wick 'Fortuna Fortis Adiuvat', not gonna lie)
- __Indulge the mean streak in you__ and horrify a purist family member, because why not
- Conversely, if you *are* the purist family member (oops), __let your kids play around with temporary tattoos__ — maybe this will keep them away from the real thing?

But really, the uses you can have for temporary tattoos from photos are limited only to your imagination and to how much fun you're prepared to indulge in.

##Choosing the right photo for your custom tattoo

![choosing the right photo for a custom printed tattoo](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1508610e-e35b-45b3-9f48-5d4164dc3766)

One thing to keep in mind as you plan your awesome new temporary tattoos: your output is only as good as your input. (Or, as they say, "garbage in, garbage out".)

Here, this means you want to look for high-quality, sharp photos that will print well and look great as a tattoo. If your image has a low resolution or is pixelated, it won't translate well into a printed design — it may look blurry or simply not print clearly enough. 

If you found the perfect photo, but don't have it in a decently-sized file, remember you can leverage our free Upscale service to [increase the resolution of pictures with AI](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "upscale image ai free").

##Design considerations for temporary tattoos

Keep a few elements in mind when designing your custom temporary tattoos — these will help you get optimal results for your design.

- __Contrast__. A high-contrast image where at least one color pops out from the rest is a great way to craft a compelling and attention-grabbing tattoo.
- __Silhouette__. The more nitid a silhouette you get, the better your tattoo will look on your body. You want it to show clearly, not edges that fade into your skin.
- __Visual hierarchy__. Make sure you plan what parts of the tattoo you want to give more emphasis to, and which ones will be more immediately visible. For that, you can benefit from our free proofing process, which gives you a chance to check out your design before pulling the trigger on your custom tattoo order.
- __Color choices__. There is [plenty to be said about colors](https://www.glamour.com/gallery/cute-watercolor-tattoo-ideas "colorful tattoo ideas") and their impact on your tattoo design. For instance, small tattoos don't do so well with too many colors (as they can blend into each other and lose their sharpness); grey and black can be great for intricate, contrast-replete designs, and so on. One thing to note is that if there are [any white segments in your tattoo, they will print as transparent/see through](https://www.stickermule.com/support/can-you-print-white-ink-on-custom-temporary-tattoos "what happens when you print white ink on custom tattoos").
- __Scale/detail interplay__. More intricate designs tend to do better for larger tattoos, whereas less detail-rich graphics can be printed in a wider variety of sizes.
- __Design elements__. Pay attention to how the different design elements come together to form a nice tattoo. Lines, space, texture, balance, movement — these and other aspects will help in creating a tattoo that truly stands out.

##Using design software to create your tattoo

There is no shortage of options for designing your custom temporary tattoo. If Photoshop is your thing, you can of course craft your design there.

However, in case you're looking for an easier-to-use option, you'll find [Studio by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool for printing") is a handy tool that should more than meet your requirements. 

Studio is:

- __Browser-based__, meaning you can use it on pretty much any device
- Requires __no downloads__
- Allows you to __order with just a couple clicks__ once you finish your design
- Is free!

##Step-by-step guide on transforming a photo into a tattoo-ready design
![custom tattoo online design tool free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/78772eaa-f46a-4ae4-8134-98825ba2f9d7)

Depending on the picture in question, it can be easy enough to make it into a design ready for your skin. But regardless of difficulty, the following steps should see you through to your desired goal:

1. To begin with, __clean up your image__. This likely means removing any background that interferes with your design — and here, too, you can benefit from Sticker Mule's very own [background remover tool](https://www.stickermule.com/trace "free background remover").
2. __Adjust the contrast and saturation__. Make sure your design gets to the desired level of sharpness and color intensity.
3. __Upscale your image__. If your image has a low PPI (pixel per inch) ratio, you may want to upscale it using our AI-leveraged tool, [Upscale by Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "upscale image for free with ai"). This only takes a minute and can significantly improve your final result.

##Preparing your design for printing

With your image looking just the way you want it, it's time to prepare it for printing. This is a simple enough process:

- Make sure the __file format is an accepted one__. At Sticker Mule, we work with most common formats such as .jpg, .png, and .img.
- Preferably, use [vector artwork](https://www.stickermule.com/support/file-formats "best practices when printing with vector file formats"). If your file is not vector, it should have a PPI ratio of 300 or more
- Make sure your graphic __margins are not too large__
- Submit your design and sit tight — our team will get back to you with a __digital proof showing what your print will look like__

Additionally, you may want to try doing a test print on paper with your home printer before you approve the proof and we start the production process. If, as usual, your home printer isn't working, just chuck it out the window and proceed with your order. You should be fine!

###Creating a design from scratch

While [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design studio") may be super easy to use for creating tattoos from photos, sometimes it may be hard to get the creative juices flowing if you are designing a brand new design from scratch. In that case, a little-known trick to spudding potential custom tattoo designs is that you can hire professional digital artists to [design custom tattoos for you for as little as $5](https://www.fiverr.com/categories/graphics-design/tattoo-design "hire professional designers for tattoos"). 

Even if you don’t like the final result, the whole process can still be rewarding by helping you fine-tune your idea so you can eventually get an amazing result from what was just a little seed of an idea!

##Applying your custom temporary tattoo
![custom temporary tattoos application](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7c865f48-b191-4277-903c-cfe12c9a5414)

Now I hear you say, "This is just a temporary tattoo — no brainer!" Well, yes, but keep a couple things in mind to avoid smudging your design, ensure your tattoo keeps looking great on your skin for a little longer, and ensure safety.

- Make sure you __clean the area of application__ beforehand. Consider using a light moisturizer half an hour before you apply your tattoo
- __If you have thick/coarse hair, shave the area__ in question before application
- __Avoid heat, water, or dirt__ in the tattoo area for a couple of minutes after applying
- If you're concerned about potential allergic reactions, __try testing the tattoo on a small patch of skin__ before making the final application. If you're allergic to adhesive, avoid applying to sensitive or broken skin areas

When your temporary tattoo has served its term and it's time to take it off, any of the below methods works fine (and better than soap and water, which we don't recommend):

- Baby oil/olive oil/other analogous oils
- Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer
- Scotch tape (but if you have thick hair, [you know what to expect](https://youtu.be/6CTSUjT4Xuk?si=yb7a9HVe1zg618xC&t=44 "funny ripping hair scene from 40 year old virgin")!)

##Creative uses for your custom temporary tattoos
![custom fake tattoos from sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ff1940d0-2578-412e-a7a2-360147816c95)

There is no lack of creative ideas for your temp tattoos. Try these personal ideas:

- Give out as swag to promote your own personal brand
- Flaunt at festivals and parties
- Experiment and test your looks before committing to a real tattoo
- Incorporate as part of your cosplay
- Challenge yourself or friends to wear bold tattoos publicly — for a day!
- Have fun with your kids
- …and many more!

And that's not all. Temporary tattoos also have quite a few professional applications, not least of which is their use as branding for business, in giveaways, as part of promotional events or commemorations, and, of course, as merchandise.

##Conclusion

Just as with any of our other main products, [custom temporary tattoos](https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos "custom temporary tattoos") are above all about having fun. Whether as a conversation starter or a way to have a few laughs with friends, temporary tattoos are the perfect way to exercise your creative side a little.

Now is the time to tap into your creativity and explore new avenues for your style. Try our custom temporary tattoos — the quality is on us, and the fun is on you!

<ButtonCta text="Create your own custom tattoos from photos today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/temporary-tattoos" />

 Learn to transform any photo into a custom temporary tattoo with our easy guide. Perfect for personal use or events. Click for full instructions!

Step-by-step campaign marketing guide using custom buttons

Do pin-back buttons win campaigns? Well, if you're looking to gain an edge for your campaign, they just might be the answer!

[Campaign buttons](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/campaign-buttons "custom campaign buttons for politics") are a quirky way to grab people's attention and __they boost voter turnout__. And if you get your messaging right, you might just end up creating an iconic piece of American history.

![i like ike custom campaign button slogan](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/487149d6-4c59-4d42-8bd9-250ab49da208)

Their appeal is easy to understand. Pinback buttons are an easy, but subtle way to convey support for your politician of choice. Often, a person who would rather not flaunt their political allegiances in yard signs or car decals will still be open to the discrete, but firm political messaging that campaign buttons offer.

This, by the way, is key. If you're planning to add pinback buttons to your campaign swag items, it goes without saying you want to focus on your messaging. A campaign button may be a simple enough object, but if done well it is an amalgamation of your entire strategic planning. Let's find out how.

##Step 1: Establishing the foundation: Identifying key issues and messaging

![political canvassing with custom campaign buttons](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/c5cad06e-f26b-4668-8bb0-22b0e6b81457)

Your messaging is only as effective as the issues underlying it. This means to craft a powerful and compelling narrative, you will need a wide grasp of your voters' preferences: what they're happy and unhappy about, what they fear most, what impacts their day-to-day lives and well-being the most.

This, of course, is politics 101. But it's still worth emphasizing.

- Getting into the hearts and minds of people is what canvassing is all about:
- Going from door to door
- Getting to know the people who'll be (hopefully) electing you
- Finding out what matters to them.

This is also where you'll want to harness the [power of polling](https://www.pewresearch.org/course/public-opinion-polling-basics/ "power of polling in political campaigns"). Polling is one of the most impactful political institutions brought to us by the last century. It's your best systematic tool for __gauging preferences on a large scale__ and avoiding deadly biases, and __should not be disregarded__ no matter whether you're running for state attorney, councilman, or even a seat in Congress.

###Campaign pin-up buttons in practice

Want to see an example of proper political messaging? Look at Bill Clinton's 1992 campaign. 

Take the issue in everyone's mind — the economy, as the US was in the midst of a recession. Polling amply confirmed that [82% of US voters found the economy to be either fairly or very bad](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/03/us/the-1992-campaign-poll-in-poll-voters-are-unhappy-with-all-the-choices.html#:~:text=The%20level%20of%20concern%20about%20the%20economy%20remains%20remarkably%20high%3A%2082%20percent%20say%20it%20is%20either%20%22fairly%20bad%22%20or%20%22very%20bad.%22 "when polling is bad using messaging"). Then take the need to deliver a pithy, convincing message, and remember brevity is the soul of wit. 

Mix all these ingredients and we get the famous slogan: "It's the economy, stupid."

That's the sort of message you aim for. Short, yes. But very, very well-planned.

###Other prominent examples
![gallery of campaign buttons throughout usa history](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a76b6314-a0a6-45ee-84c2-119fe48cd8e1)

Let's go over a few more historical instances, shall we?

- A message that seeks to inspire: The Obama "Hope and Change" slogan button
- A recovery promise: Reagan's "Let's Make America Great Again", repurposed and made famous by Trump's 2016 campaign
- A bit of humor: Nixon's "They Can't Lick Our Dick" campaign button (Yes, seriously.)
- And finally, a good apolitical example: Wendy's 80s "Where's The Beef?" button

##Step 2: Creating impactful campaign buttons
So campaign buttons are essential to political messaging. Why? A few reasons. 

- They're inexpensive
- Easy to produce
- Easy to wear 
- They are a quiet way to express support

Plus, they're a great little thing to hand out in canvassing, in campaign committee meetings, or to friends and acquaintances. 

Most importantly, they are a neat little mobile packaging of your political campaign: name, logo, voting date, slogan, and party colors. All of these can be combined to make the perfect campaign button.

###Craft a button your grandson will want
![custom buttons that make a grandfather and grandson happy](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a88a3daa-cdac-460b-a3b5-60479aae9273)

Here's one thing to keep in mind when designing your campaign buttons: people like them because they're durable. Definitely more durable than your average election swag.

I mean, who keeps old election yard signs lying around? Not too many people I know of. Dirty, beaten down, worn off decals don't have that much of a life expectancy either. But a campaign button?

That, my friend, is a collectible. The best ones will pin themselves onto the fabric of American history, and be handed down for generations to come. Some will even make it into [famous museum collections](https://youtu.be/OU-AMdbWbRA "video of famous museum collections"). 

##Step 3: Integrating buttons into canvassing
![custom political campaign buttons](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/145d14f1-38ad-4497-ada8-91926759d7f8)

Campaign buttons can be a great device for your canvassing — and canvassing, as you know, plays a key role in election campaigns. Face-to-face interaction with voters will help you gain insights into their thinking, but it also __makes you a more concrete person to them__, increasing trust and familiarity.

In fact, canvassing is crucial not only for gaining and understanding voters, but as a core component of your __get-out-the-vote strategy__ — that is, convincing your electors to [do the irrational act](https://alumni.berkeley.edu/california-magazine/fall-2012-politics-issue/does-your-vote-really-count-why-act-voting-irrational/ "does an individual vote even matter anymore") of getting up and going to the ballot box for you.

This is why it's fundamental to train your canvassers on:

- Communicating a consistent message
- Active listening
- Compassion for voter’s lived experiences
- Extemporizing to connect with voters

You and your team can benefit from courses such as [this master class on canvassing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-canvassing-learn-about-the-campaign-technique "masterclass on what canvassing is"), on top of understanding basic voting psychology, voters' biases, and how to talk to voters.

Campaign buttons play well into canvassing, not only as a way for canvassers to identify themselves but also as a small gift to voters.

##Step 4: Enhancing canvassing effectiveness

A few strategies go a long way to making your canvassing more effective. Make sure you provide proper training to new canvassers — above all, they should be familiar with good conversation practices. 

Keep in mind that __canvassing is a campaign all of its own__, so it should have a clear objective — whether that is to acquaint yourself with new voters or to simply get them out to vote (GOTV).

You should also __have a set script for canvassing conversations__, including the line of argument to follow and answers to common voter questions. It's also a good idea to have your volunteers train among themselves, simulating conversations with voters and answering frequent points.

A practiced canvasser will also find ways to go beyond the script to drive home his or her point. 

One way to do that is by sharing a personal story that ties in to the reason why it's important to vote, for example. Another, as mentioned above, is to leave a campaign button that both serves as a physical reminder of the visit — and a call to action, — and draws on the positivity that comes from receiving a gift.

##Step 5: Data-driven canvassing optimization
To ace your canvassing game, you'll need a good plan for the several aspects you'll be tackling, such as:

- __Managing__ your canvassing team
- Providing __field reports__ and collecting insights
- __Scheduling__ events 
- __Building and segmenting__ a contact database

For these and more, it can be a good idea to leverage the power of technology. There are plenty of software CRM targeting specifically this type of political activity, such as [E-Canvasser](http://ecanvasser.com/ "canvassing software for elections") or [Mobilize](https://www.mobilize.us/ "mobilization software for political campagins").

A centralized platform will help keep track of the many different aspects a canvassing operation entails, allowing you to __adjust your strategies based on the collected feedback and data insights__.

In its turn, this feedback can be leveraged towards adapting or reformulating your campaign messaging, as well as refining the messages in your buttons and other campaign swag.

##Step 6: Building social proof with button visibility
There is another way buttons support your campaign, and that is by __building social proof for your campaign__. Social proof — the phenomenon whereby people tend to mimic the behaviors of other members of their social sphere — can be leveraged through __visibility and a sense of sharedness__, and that's where buttons make their mark.

The simple act of wearing a badge, button, logoed t-shirt, or any symbol of some sort, can make a person feel more connected to the cause or institution associated with it. This, in turn, [strengthens the perceived value](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endowment_effect "what is the endowment effect") of their membership and the actions associated with it. Which, in this case, is __going out to vote__.

With this in mind, you can distribute your campaign buttons at meetings or public events and have your canvassers wear them and carry some to give out to other contacts. As seen above, __buttons carry a perception of value__ (a collectible, a nifty little token) that makes them an excellent giveaway for your campaign supporters.

Finally, don't forget the power of the Internet. Make sure your button-distributing campaign is __well-represented on your main social media__: sharing pictures of the buttons and people wearing them will make them seem more desirable and bring further visibility to your campaign.

##Step 7: Microtargeting with customized buttons
![targeting political campaigns with custom buttons](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/afe274b6-73c4-489e-a903-7b71f9fbf7c7)

Want to take the power of your button campaign even further? Consider targeting specific voter demographics and customizing your buttons accordingly.

How this could work is simple:
- Once you have a large enough database on your electorate, you __begin by segmenting according to relevant demographics__ — age bracket, minority groups, commitment to social or environmental causes, gender, and so on. That's something that should be par for the course in any campaign.
- Next, brainstorm with your team and __come up with different button designs that appeal to different demographics__. Ideally, you'll be able to bring to button form the different causes your campaign is committed to, whether that's individual rights or environmentalism. 
- Finally, remember to __style your buttons according to the groups they're targeted for__. Millennials might appreciate a more minimalistic design whereas a baby boomer would like a more classic style. (Never mind Generation X, they're all online.)

To distribute these targeted buttons, __leverage the power of your databases__ (hopefully you are building a good one with the right platform) to determine where to distribute which — whether that's in train station gatherings, town hall meetings, or good old door-to-door knocking.

##Step 8: Continuous strategy evaluation and adjustment
It's hard to get things right the first time, so be sure to give yourself space to experiment with different ideas and adjust as the feedback comes in. 

Remember to be organized with your A/B testing —  that is, testing how two or more sets of parallel ideas work with different groups, and drawing actionable conclusions from the results. This can be used for your general campaign messaging, but also for specificities such as your campaign swag: distribute different batches of buttons and other campaign swag to different canvasser teams, keeping a record on how these are received. This will help you orient going forward.

As with anything else, the secret to success is observing and adapting, even if that means never getting out of a [constant improvement loop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop "why improving constantly is good").

##Step 9: Integrating buttons with overall campaign strategy
Your campaign buttons are all the better if they tie in with the rest of your campaign strategy. This means you should:

- __Retain messaging consistency__ throughout your campaign swag, online marketing materials, etc. 
- Pair your pin-up button with your campaign's __overall visual themes__
- Seek to __integrate your buttons__ with other parts of your campaign. 

For this last point, think __social media themes, popular moments__ in the campaign, and even __memes that arise during the campaign__ — all of these provide good opportunities to up your campaign badge game. 

Recent case in point: two pins for the 2024 election (see below). One is pro-Trump, one is pro-Biden. Both reflect a good dose of self-aware humor, with one playing on Trump's famous social media presence and the other rolling with the "Dark Brandon" meme that was even embraced by the President himself.

![political campaign buttons from 2024](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/12152ac3-77ac-45fa-a5f2-d536626b6142)

These are just a couple of examples, but the potential for integrating your pin-back buttons with the social media environment is virtually (no pun intended) limitless. You can simply go online, find what light your campaign is being portrayed in, the memes about it, etc., and take your ideas from there. 

Before you know it, you'll have a campaign button worth speaking of!

##Step 10: Post-campaign reflection and learning
Once the campaign is over, it's time to reflect and summarize what you learned from it. That's regardless of the result. Whether a bitter defeat or a resounding victory, this campaign is unlikely to be the last. And in today's fast-shifting environment, drawing the right conclusions can give you the edge you need for the next time around.

There is no lack of tools here, either. You'll want to compare survey data to actual results, gather insights from advisers and campaign collaborators, and — very importantly — keep in touch with your voters and maintain a tight database of the contacts made along the way. 

##Conclusion

Ultimately, the success of political campaigns hinges on a wide variety of factors. Current societal trends, how effective your team is, how effective the opposition is, the value of your campaign promises. And so on.

Some of these things may be outside of your control. But key ones aren't. You can always __improve your strategy, up the vigor of your campaign__, and __boost the enthusiasm__ of your followers. These things are malleable and, to no small extent, willpower-driven.

So be proactive. Think of all the ways you could be improving the way you move your campaign marketing forward. And don't forget to leverage the historically-proven power of campaign buttons to drive your point home, pin it, and make it something to remember.

<ButtonCta text="Start winning campaigns with custom buttons!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/campaign-buttons" />



Discover the ultimate guide to leveraging custom buttons in your political campaign. Essential reading for anyone aiming to secure victory. Learn how now!

How to resize images for print

When you are looking to print a graphic — perhaps as a [sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "custom stickers") or [custom t-shirt](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom shirt printing") — one of the first things to do will be to resize it to the proper dimensions. But you'll also need to make sure it retains good resolution. Without proper resolution, it's just not possible to get a quality-looking product. No bueno.

![how to resize images for printing tutorial](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b2cb39b9-c12b-49b8-97af-803a2c8816a0)

Resizing a large image into a small one is a fairly simple process that most image editors will cover, including Photoshop and many different online-based image apps. But what to do if you're stuck with a low-quality file that you want to enhance? If you can't find a higher-resolution version of it, one way out would be to [upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "free image upscale resolution") it. Below, we'll look at how you can do a basic resizing in the first case, and how, if your file is undersized or low quality, Upscale by Sticker Mule helps you get it ready for printing.

##Understanding image resolution for printing

Here perhaps we should recap just what [image resolution](https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=282942&p=1885350 "what is image resolution") is. In a few words, it represents how much detail your image has, and hence how much it can be expanded. For digital files, that is usually represented in pixels (short for "picture elements"). The higher your picture's PPI (pixel per inch) ratio, the more you'll be able to expand it.

For printing, a different measurement is commonly used: DPI, or dots per inch — the amount of dots and spaces a printer produces within each inch of printed material. Higher DPIs mean a higher quality look on your printouts. Typical print sizes are 300 DPI for content such as leaflets, stickers, and labels, and 150 DPI for larger printouts such as posters and wall graphics, where the viewer will stand farther away from the print.

##Resizing images with Photoshop

If all you need to do is resize your picture because it's too large to fit your editing canvas or the file is too heavy to upload, you'll find it an easy enough procedure:

1. Open your image file on Photoshop
2. Click __Image > Image size__. A dialog box will open.
3. Adjust the image's dimensions in pixels on the width and height fields, or simply enter a percentage of the current size.
4. If you prefer to use a measurement other than pixels, you can also do so in the same dialog box — inches, centimeters or millimeters, among other options.

![resize image inside photoshop](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a2da07f6-8b6a-44a5-886b-9176d0366728)

What if you want to resize your picture while retaining the original one, with the original resolution? That's easy, too — just use the export function:

1. With your file open on Photoshop, click __File > Export__.
2. Adjust your new file's dimensions (pixels or percentages).
3. Select the format for the new image you are creating (JPEG, PNG, etc.) and click OK.
4. And that's it — now you'll have created a second, smaller file for your current use case, while at the same time keeping the original one safe and sound.

![exporting resized images in photoshop](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/afdb2746-9850-4a67-91b1-84a65d076dcc)

##Using free tools to resize your images

If you don't have a Photoshop account or your laptop starts sounding like a malfunctioning rocket when you try to run it (we've all been there, trust me), you can try using one of a myriad of free online tools. Here are a couple of them.

###Image Resizer
![resize image online for free in seconds](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e53b7379-7a9f-4db6-bf2a-21b2786ba281)

Image Resizer is a nifty and easy to use tool. Just open their [homepage](https://imageresizer.com/ "free online image resizer"), upload the image you want to resize and enter the new dimensions. Once again, you can do it either in percentage terms or by entering the new size directly in pixels — just make sure you keep the original width/height ratio intact.

Once that is done, click __Resize image__ and, after a few seconds, you'll be presented with a ready-to-download, resized version of your file. You'll also be able to re-edit it, convert it to PDF, or compress it to a .ZIP file.

###Adobe Resizer
![adobe online free image resizer](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3ac8fe03-2f1d-4979-bd28-177cfa75a4a9)

You don't need to have Photoshop to benefit from an Adobe resizing service — that's just what their online resizing service is for. To use the free Adobe image resizer:

1. Go to the [Adobe Free Image Resizer](https://www.adobe.com/express/feature/image/resize "adobe free online image resize") page.
2. Click __Upload your photo__.
3. Select the file in question on your computer.
4. Once the file is uploaded, enter its new dimensions and click __Resize__.
5. Your file will soon be ready for download. Before downloading, you'll also be able to choose new dimensions for your file according to standard sizes such as Instagram story, landscape, portrait, and square.

As resizing is a fairly simple operation, any of the above options should be enough for your needs. Both Image Resizer and the Adobe solution are free and don't require creating an account. However, we found that the Image Resizer is best for slower-working devices.

Finally, remember the solution to your resizing needs may be literally in the palm of your hands. Most modern Android and iOS smartphones come with image editing software that works great for simpler operations such as resizing, so you can likely generate your new image file on the go, no problem.

##Enhancing image size without losing quality with Upscale by Sticker Mule

What if you need to resize an image upwards — that is, your file is too small for your printing needs? Run it through any of the above options, and you'll find yourself looking at a larger, but pixelated and low-resolution image. In fact, the Adobe tool will sometimes tell you straight off that your image is too small for the selected size.

So yes, for enhancing your image size you'll need something a little more advanced than any old picture resizer. Allow us to present our very own solution: [Upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "free image upscaler"), by Sticker Mule.

###What does Upscale do?
![free upscale image without losing resolution online](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cada1386-c4c1-406e-acd9-005a808f7043)

Upscale leverages the power of AI algorithms to increase the number of pixels in your image. As it expands your image, it also fills in the missing pixels, avoiding the granulated look you would get otherwise.

Upscale is completely free to use. It also boasts a pretty simple and intuitive interface. Try it out yourself:

1. Go to the [Upscale main page](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale "free image resizer without losing quality with AI")
2. Upload your image (or images, as you can also run a bulk upscaling)
3. Select the type of image — photo or artwork —, or, if unsure which to choose, leave it in __Auto__
4. Select the desired upscaling scale — 2x, 4x or even 8x.
5. Click __Start processing__ and hold on tight. Upscaling one or two images should be fast enough, but if you're doing that with a whole bunch of them, you might want to check the __Email me when complete__ box and go about your business. Just don't close your browser tab!
6. When your files are ready, you'll be shown their new size in pixels, in comparison to the original one. Now click the download button and you're all set. 
7. [Optional]. If you want to order your prints directly from our website, simply select the desired product, below your upscaling results — stickers, coasters, labels, keychains, or anything else from our store. Enter the quantity and size and order in one click. It's as simple as that!

As a caveat, remember even the best apps have their limitations, and Upscale is no exception. If the original file is minuscule and barely has a fistful of pixels to show, you should adjust your expectations for the result accordingly. 

Overall, though, we are convinced you'll be more than happy with Upscale's image-enhancing magic.

##Conclusion

Resizing and redimensioning are key steps if you want to ensure the best possible results for your [custom printed products](https://www.stickermule.com/ "online printing"). And happily, as you can see from the above examples, it's also a pretty straightforward process. So give the above browser-based options a go and see what works best for your use case — you'll soon have a properly sized version of your graphic, ready to print.

<ButtonCta text="Start trying Upscale by Sticker Mule. It's free and easy to use!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/upscale" />


Learn to resize images for print like a pro! Explore how to use Photoshop, free online tools, and Upscale to get the best print quality for all your marketing needs.

How to design custom t-shirts from scratch

There are few things as fun as literally wearing your own creation. This is perhaps why [custom t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirts") have become so popular over the past few years — they're a way to showcase your creativity, have fun with new designs, and easily dress in a unique way.

![woman wearing gray custom t-shirt from sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b62d9766-23d8-4e3c-8df9-bda597865bf2)

It's perhaps no surprise, in fact, that the global market for custom-made clothes has been on a meteoric rise — worth $51.8 billion in 2021, it's [projected to reach no less than $131.6 billion by 2030](https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/custom-made-clothes-market-101188 "custom t-shirt and clothing market trends"). It's no secret: people want to dress custom.

##Designing your custom t-shirts

There are plenty of ways to design your own t-shirts, but few, if any, are better than Studio.

###What is Studio? 

Essentially, it's a canvas for your creativity — a browser-based, user-friendly platform for devising your own designs and creating your own custom-made products.

Unlike other, more complicated apps, [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool with free templates") removes all the hurdles from your creative process, at the same time providing an ample library of templates as a starting point for your creative endeavors. 

##How to use Studio

To work with [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool"), all you need is a browser and an internet connection. In fact, you can even create from your smartphone. Let's take a look at how that process works.

###1. Choose a template

![custom t-shirts free templates](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/66e723bc-d2e4-48d0-b857-735f0ffe24f6)

Studio comes with a [vast library of free t-shirt templates](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/t-shirts "free custom t-shirts templates"). Whether you are designing a t-shirt for a sports team, for your company, or just for good old fun, you'll likely find a Studio template that's just the right starting point for your needs.

And don't worry about spending time thumbing through templates either; just select the category you have in mind and browse the top templates for that particular subject.

###2. Edit your template

![editing a custom shirt template online free](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bc722438-7cb7-4047-87cc-3294b37c1d74)

Even if your template is nothing more than a blank canvas, editing is as easy as adding new text or drawing elements, dragging them into place, adding color… it's all done in a few clicks (or taps, if you're on your phone). 
While you're at it, keep in mind a few key points to ensure your design looks well put together and appealing, including:

- The right combination of colors. It's not about how many colors you work into your design, but the extent to which they match. You can do some research on how different colors complement each other, for starters, and play with several combinations as you go.

- Text is often the first thing that gets noticed in a design, so use fonts that match the vibe you're going for. We [wrote a bit on the subject of fonts](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/what-is-the-easiest-font-to-read-on-posters-and-flyers "best fonts to use for t-shirts and poster printing") before, but it is a topic worth exploring in depth, as it can make or break your visual style.

- Placement. How harmonious the different elements in your overall design look — that's also key to your success. You can find out a little more about the rules of design composition and layout [here](https://99designs.com/blog/tips/design-composition-and-layout/ "tips on design composition").

###3. Print it out

Once you're happy with your design, you can download it or send it straight to print with Sticker Mule. All you have to do is choose your t-shirt size, quantity, and order. Before your t-shirt is produced, you'll get a free sample proof showing you what it'll look like with your design — if need be, you can request further changes before giving the green light for the printing process. 

Once you complete your order, your t-shirts will be coming to you in just a few days!

##Printing your custom t-shirt

Did you know you can print your own custom t-shirt at home and at little cost to yourself? That's one of the options we'll explore below.

###DIY printing

If you're a fan of doing things yourself, why not try DIY t-shirt printing? It's easy, doesn't take long, and yields fairly good results for more casual use cases. 

Take a look at [this tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1QSgRSzoFY "create your own t-shirt at home tutorial") and you'll see you don't even have to invest in complicated equipment to print your own t-shirts (although you can get professional results if you're willing to fork out around $1300 as an initial investment for a shirt-printing machine!)

To print your own custom design onto a t-shirt at home, all you need are a regular printer, an iron and ironing board, a blank t-shirt, and some transfer paper.

The steps are simple, too:

1. Print your design onto a sheet of transfer paper
2. Lay out your t-shirt onto the ironing board and place the transfer area over the area you want your design to be printed on
3. Carefully iron over the design a few times, making sure you smooth out the whole of the design.
4. Remove the backing on your transfer paper and glory in your newly-printed t-shirt!

That's the gist of it, anyway.
 
##Going the professional route

![custom t-shirts of cats and pets](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9edbff82-a284-4b5a-a805-c8704fbe4859)

DIY printing is a fun way to personalize your tees at a low cost, but it may not be for everyone. For starters, the quality of the design will inevitably turn out to be inferior to the design on a professionally printed t-shirt — the shapes will be less crisp and nitid, and the design is likely to wear off faster. 

On top of that, it's a time-consuming process. If you want your design stamped on a large number of t-shirts, you'll find yourself spending hours ironing stuff back and forth. Maybe not the best investment for your time.

###Online printing services

With that in mind, there's a simpler alternative: [get your custom t-shirts printed out for you](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirts printing") by a professional printing service like yours truly, Sticker Mule.

It'll save you headaches and the potential disappointment of making a mess of your design — and ruining a t-shirt. And that inevitably happens on a long enough timeline of printing your own stuff.

In fact, if you intend to print your design on a large number of t-shirts, you may find ordering your tees from an online service can be a lot more cost-effective. Just check out the mouth-watering bulk discounts we offer on [custom t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom shirts printing") — order enough and you can find yourself paying less than $10 for professionally printed, high-quality, 100% cotton t-shirts.

Order now and enjoy holding your crisp, nice new tees a few days from now!

##Conclusion

As you can see, designing your very own t-shirt with Studio is a no-brainer. All it takes is a browser, an internet connection, and a little bit of inspiration — and remember our 2000+ templates are all there to help you with that!
Plus, once you have your design ready, sporting it in quality-printed t-shirts is only a matter of a few clicks and a few days' wait. Your Sticker Mule-made t-shirts will stick around for years.

<ButtonCta text="Browse all the free custom t-shirt templates today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/t-shirts" />


Your step-by-step guide to designing your own custom t-shirts online for free. When you're happy with the design you can either order them online or print them at home!

How to build an email list with sticker giveaways and more

Email lists are a fundamental marketing tool in today's digital landscape. They're a valuable way of engaging with customers, building relationships, and driving sales. 

In today's post, we'll take a look at the impact email lists can have on your business and how you can work to deliver personalized and targeted messages right into your client's inboxes.

## Understanding your audience

The cornerstone of good email marketing is to understand your target audience. You need to know what your buyers like — what makes them, quite literally, click. 

To build a loyal customer base, you first need to gain a good understanding of their interests and preferences. There are more than a few ways of that, including:

- Market research: Market research gives you insights into your industry, competitors, and potential untapped customer bases. Your research can be geared towards demographics (age, gender, location, etc.), as well as psychographics — interests, values, behaviors, and the like.

- Existing data: Internet analytics tools are a great way to gather data from your website, from social media platforms, or from other marketing channels, with an eye to understanding your audience's preferences, browsing habits, and engagement patterns.

- Surveys/feedback: With surveys and feedback forms, you can get your customers to tell you themselves what works for them or doesn't. What could be better than hearing it straight from the horse's mouth?

- Social listening: Go on social media, online forums, and review sites. Check out relevant YouTube video comments or, yes, even Reddit subs. There's a wealth of information just lying around the web if you know what to monitor and where to look for it.

- Competitor analysis: While they say you should never blindly imitate your competitors, it pays to keep an eye on what they're doing — their audiences, their marketing strategies. What is their messaging like, and how do they engage with their customers? These and similar questions can provide useful insights into your own target audiences.

## The importance of email marketing

Email marketing is particularly relevant for small businesses and startups, as it's both effective and cost-efficient. But, if you're doing it right, it will never cease to bring you value no matter how big your company gets.

There's plenty to say about the value of email here. But if we were to list just a few key ways it helps you, we could say it:

1. Helps you connect directly with your audience. With email, you can reach people directly, as well as tailor your messages according to customers' preferences and purchase history. 

2. Allows you to build relationships. If you consistently deliver real value — whether that's timely updates, offers, or interesting content, — you'll find it easy to establish trust and loyalty, which in turn will increase your customer retention.

3. Is cost-effective. When you compare it with other marketing channels and ad campaigns, email marketing is extremely cost-effective. With a minimum initial investment, it nonetheless offers a very palpable ROI. In fact, a recent Litmus report points to an average return of 36:1. That is, for every $1 spent on email marketing, you'll make $36. Not too shabby, eh?

4. Increases conversion rates. Emails have a proven conversion track record of around 3%. While this may not seem impressive at first glance, get a hefty email list, do the math, and you'll see it adds up to a neat plus on your marketing game. In fact, [surveys have shown](https://www.salecycle.com/blog/stats/18-essential-email-marketing-statistics/) shown that as many as 59% of buyers are influenced by email in their purchase decisions.

## Strategies to create an email list from scratch

So you're bought into the whole email list thing, but don't know where to start? Well, perhaps we can offer a few handy ideas.

### 1. Sticker giveaways

![free sticker giveaway tips](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/82487dc9-bda2-4429-aff0-183b73f7911e)

Yes, we continue to think [stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "stickers custom") are awesome, but that's only because we've seen how well they work up close. And using them for capturing your customers' emails is a no-brainer, really:

- Design a few stickers. Not just any stickers, mind you: we're talking stickers that your target audience will find irresistible! Give it some thought, get creative, and — of course — make sure they relate to your brand or niche.

- Create a giveaway (duh). Then promote it on your social media, on your website, or heck, even on your [product shipments](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-package-inserts-that-work).

- The catch! Ask participants to sign up for your email list in order to enter the giveaway — or make it optional. Because remember: nobody likes to be tricked into these things. If you decide to make subscribing mandatory, at least make sure to tell them loud and clear that unsubscribing is a breeze and they can do it at any time.

- Honor your side of the deal and make sure your giveaway winners get their stickers.

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

### 2. Interactive quizzes

Everyone loves a good quiz — whether about news, popular films, or fun facts. But for our purpose, you want to create quizzes that connect directly to the industry or niche you operate on. Just make sure they're fun and not too long. Then share them on your site, on social media, and in ads.

Once you've got your quizzes figured out, add a final step where you request participants to provide their email addresses to get the results or rank on the leaderboard. Again, do all you can to avoid the impression that you're coercing users into giving up their emails. Best not to get started on the wrong foot.

And remember, quizzes are something that people just love sending to friends and family. Make sure yours is super easy to share.

Also, if you're looking for a way to get started creating your own quizzes, you can try [Quiz and Survey Master](https://quizandsurveymaster.com) — a great Wordpress plugin that will take the hassle away from your quiz-creating endeavors.

### 3. Email list swap

An email list swap involves partnering with another business or marketer in a similar niche to exchange email subscribers. Here's how it works:

- Find a reputable partner with a complementary target audience and email list.

- Collaborate on a joint promotional campaign where both parties promote each other's email lists.

- Set clear expectations and guidelines for your list swapping, including the number of subscribers to be exchanged and the duration of the partnership.

An important caveat here: Make sure you didn't tell your clients you'd never share their email. If you did, well, then this step is just not for you.

### 4. Collaborations or partnerships

![using partnerships and collaborations to grow email lists ](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e458ff28-c47d-4394-9af5-838c64ae93be)

Try collaborating with other businesses or influencers in your niche. This can be a brilliant way to tap into existing audiences and expand your email list.   

__Try things like:__

- Guest blogging: Feeling the creative mood? Write a guest post for a popular blog in your industry. And don't forget that sweet call to action to join your email list (offering goodies like promo codes or access to special discounts is a good way to seal the deal).

- Co-hosted webinars: If webinars are up your alley, you can partner with industry experts or complementary businesses to host events that will both provide value to your audiences and encourage sign-ups. Talk about a win-win.

- Social media cross-promotion: Talk to influencers or other businesses on social media. There are a myriad ways you can cooperate and generate value for everyone around, including joint giveaways or simple shoutouts that will drive traffic to your email lists.

Spend a few hours on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms to find influencers in your niche that can be great collaborators. 

### 5. Pop-up forms  

Nobody loves pop-ups per se — they're like someone holding you by the sleeve when you want to leave the damn place. But there's [evidence pop-up forms can work](https://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/email-marketing/why-signup-popup-forms-work/). Try and see for yourself.

There are plenty of ways to use them. Exit intent pop-ups can grab the email of a visitor that might otherwise never come back to your site; time-based pop-ups allow you to not scare off visitors that have just only made it to your website. And similarly, scroll-based pop-ups let you present your form to readers that have already shown an interest in your content and are thus more likely to sign up. 

As always, though, be sure to keep a few best practices in mind: 

- Offer value. This can be a discount, exclusive content, or a freebie in exchange for an email sign-up.

- Use a simple, friendly design for your pop-up. Don't be obnoxious.

- Don't overdo it. One pop-up, every once in a while, is tolerable. Several pop-ups, or having the same one pop again every time like a mosquito that won't die? That's a surefire way to alienate users.

### 6. Landing pages

An optimized landing page can be a boon to your email list conversions. But you need to do it right. So it's more of the same:

- Keep the design simple, clean, and focused on your call to action.

- Clearly communicate the value proposition of joining your email list. Again, that could be early access to new products, special promo codes, promotions, and so on.

- Use persuasive, straight-to-the-point copy and visuals to encourage signing up.

- A/B test different elements — headlines, CTA buttons, and form placements — to optimize your conversions.

[Carrd](https://carrd.co/) is a user-friendly and free platform for quickly creating landing pages.

### 7.  Lead magnets 

Believe it or not, this time we're not talking about our very own [custom magnets](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-magnets). No, lead magnets are simply the "carrots" you offer in exchange for email addresses. That is something that actually is attractive or valuable to your target audience.

Examples of effective lead magnets include:

- E-books or guides related to your industry or niche. For instance, a fitness or health product website might offer users a free weight loss program or a recipe book for healthy snacks.

- Downloadable templates or checklists for a specific need your users are likely to have. An example would be a financial guru that offers a budgeting or expense-tracking checklist.

- Exclusive content. This could be anything from video classes to exclusive industry reports, case studies, and so on.

Also, remember: Lead magnets can be more than just a way to entice visitors to subscribe. They can provide value in their own right and be shared by your users, thus pushing your marketing strategy a further notch up.

## Final thoughts

![building an email list from scratch successfully](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/43f4d06c-d21a-47f1-aa60-1fcc38df1dd0)

It's never too early to start building your email list, and there's no wrong way to get started doing it. Whether you love the sticker giveaway idea or just want to annoy your customers with a well-timed pop-up, you have plenty of options to choose from above — and many others waiting for you out there.

So pick the strategies that work best for you and make them a focus of your marketing efforts. You'll be reaping the rewards for a long time to come.

And, just before you go, I guess it's our move: Did you know we have the best weekly promos in all of stickerdom? Of course, the way to get access to them is by subscribing to our newsletter — [click here](https://www.stickermule.com/deals) for that.

<ButtonCta text="Check out today's deal for promotional printing!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/deals" />



Building an email list from scratch may seem daunting at first but using sticker giveaways and these other tried & tested strategies will help grow your email list in no time!

5 things to consider before making custom logo t-shirts

How can I  stand out? That is the one big question that defines every marketing effort out there. Ad copy, logos, branding, influencer endorsements — it's all **a continuous quest for visibility**. 

![custom logo t-shirts printing tips and tricks](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/655ccce9-3377-466e-a8f4-0538dbb1e925)

Sometimes, though, the answer is a lot simpler. Instead of complicated ad strategies, keep it simple with some physical merchandise. Instead of just creating TikToks, create some [custom logo t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirts") to wear in videos and promote later.

Branding via t-shirts (which you can both sell and give away, according to your strategy) is a time-tested marketing strategy. And far from being outdated in our digital age, it's made even **more relevant** in contrast with the overabundance of virtual content.

You just need to go about it the right way and look at the brands that had success with their t-shirt marketing.

## 1) Understand your brand

Custom t-shirts can be a wonderful way to gain visibility and convert a casual buyer into a loyal one. But there are a couple of things you need to get right.

First, know your identity. **The best design is born out of understanding what your brand is all about.** What do you stand for, what are your values? Do you have a mission? These are the elements that give real power and recognition to a brand name.

Second, be consistent. Think you have a compelling message? Stick to it and let it shine throughout your marketing style. 

### Case in point: The Hot Lips logo

![rolling stones logos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7879d958-20cf-40f4-9448-8e1e942c4119)

For an example of what we're talking about, look no further than the Rolling Stones' tongue and lips logo. Simple, but powerful, [their logo became immediately associated](https://americansongwriter.com/the-story-behind-the-famous-tongue-and-lips-rolling-stones-logo/ "history of the rolling stones logo") with the rebellious rock-'n'-roll culture of the '70s, and remains to this day a symbol of the band's timeless appeal.

## 2) Choose the right design elements

To get the best results, you can't overlook the importance of proper design. Give the proper attention to each design element to make sure you make the most of your t-shirt advertising bid.

### Positioning

For your logo to be clearly visible, you should opt for the top center or the upper right corner. There's a reason those are the most common positions for custom logo t-shirts — there your logo will attract the eye and be easy to see.

### Color

Our mind [instinctively associates emotions with different colors](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027086/), which is just part of the reason they're so important in design. Bright red or orange? That's energetic and vibrant. Earthier or paler tones of brown and blue — that's a subdued, controlled feel. So besides fitting your logo t-shirt design to your overall brand style and vibe, keep in mind that colors have their own language.

### Font

We've looked at [how fonts matter in your poster or flyer design](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/what-is-the-easiest-font-to-read-on-posters-and-flyers), and it goes without saying the same is true for [custom logo t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirts"). The right font will go a long way toward setting the entire tone for how people perceive your brand: professional and focused, playful and creative, conventional, out-of-the-box, and so on.

### Size

If your design has written content such as your brand name or motto, too small a size can impact legibility. On the other hand, bigger isn't always better; there is a right size where your design will both grab the attention and be instantly recognizable. 

If you're not sure which size is best, it may help to print out your design in different sizes on paper sheets. Place the sheets one at a time on top of a regular t-shirt and check how it looks from different distances — doing this will quickly tell you what size you should be going for.


### Case in point: Hard Rock Cafe

![hard rock cafe logo on an orange background](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8413fa60-165e-4aed-8490-f8ea42619f81)
*Alan Aldridge, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons*

[Take a look at that classic, oh-so-familiar emblem](https://shop.hardrock.com/tees/mens-classic-logo-tee/0889382316677.html) from your favorite rock-themed restaurant chain. Designed by British graphic artist Alan Aldridge, the logo (and subsequently, the tee) was such a huge success that the brand never had to look back or think to upgrade it: in fact, you can now buy this "piece of history" of a t-shirt just the way it was back in the '70s.

The design is bare — two colors, two fonts, and one geometric symbol. But its effectiveness is a clear argument for the timeless value of well-thought-out simplicity.

## 3) Print quality

You are stamping your brand on a physical product people will take home and associate with your name. So for the love of whatever matters to you, don't be cheap. Getting your brand linked with the idea of "terrible quality swag" is hardly a winning marketing move.

**What you want is to make sure your loyal customers take home a garment they can be proud of and wear for years to come**.

With that in mind, steer away from the many printing companies that offer cheaper, screen printing services that have a flatter, low-quality look. Opt instead for Sticker Mule or another company that uses direct-to-garment printing — a digital process that prints sharper, higher-quality, higher-DPI designs that really come alive on your tee.

## 4) Consider wearability

![a person choosing between different custom logo t-shirts](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cf07f9c4-eaab-46a1-8e36-e19bf88ccf04)

You want others to wear your tees out and about, and for that comfort and overall wearability are key.

That's what we make our own t-shirts for. They're printed on 100% ring-spun cotton and are unisex-shaped. Our buyers find them super comfy — just [see the reviews for yourself! ](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts)

Depending on your marketing plan, **it may also be a good idea to give your t-shirt a little bit of extra personalization**. For instance, people will proudly wear your custom logo t-shirt to display a location they've traveled to, a niche hobby interest they have, or a funny saying. 

Giving people an extra reason to wear your tee is never a bad idea, as long as it fits in with your overall branding and company values and style.

## 5) Determine your distribution strategy

Once you have your t-shirt design figured out, it's time to decide on a distribution strategy. You can:

- **Sell them as regular merchandise.** Even if your main product is not in the apparel category, you can offer t-shirts as part of a larger branded merchandise effort on your website or physical store. Loyal customers are always on the lookout for swag from brands they love.
- **Use them as rewards.** Add them as a quality freebie when a buyer places a large order — this can come as a nice surprise and will encourage repeat orders and loyal customers.
- **Give them away!** Social media giveaways are a fantastic way to get people talking about your brand. You can add your tees as a low-tier giveaway item or even as the main giveaway itself — all up to you.

Or just combine these and other distribution strategies according to what fits your business model best. Here, too, we can look for inspiration from the two famous names we mentioned above:

- **Rolling Stones:** Tongue-and-lips logo t-shirts were sold at concerts and other events, as well as [featuring prominently on their website](https://therollingstonesshop.co.uk/collections/t-shirt), making them into a kind of collectible promotional item that further connects owners to the brand.
- **Hard Rock Cafe:** The chain has retail stores at popular tourist locations where tees are sold as souvenirs. The brand is also known to use its merchandise in [limited edition offerings](https://shop.hardrock.com/pins/limited-edition-pins), adding a sense of exclusivity to the purchase. 

## Conclusion

Iconic names such as The Rolling Stones and Hard Rock Cafe are just some of the more famous examples that bring our point home. But since the [t-shirt became popular](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/the-evolution-of-t-shirts-a-decade-by-decade-style-trend-journey), companies of all sizes have been successful with this straightforward promotion strategy.

Keep in mind the requirements of a good design, of quality, of wearability. Understand your brand and plan an effective distribution campaign. Do all of that and you, too, can join the club of successful custom logo t-shirt promotion.

And with such prestigious members, who wouldn't want that?

Start printing your own [custom logo t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom t-shirt printing") through Sticker Mule today!

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


Custom logo shirts can be a great way to make your brand more recognizable. Find out the 5 things you need to consider before making t-shirts with your company's logo on it.

Ultimate guide to aesthetic stickers: cute designs, trends, and tips

Home decor, DIY, crafts. Lately, these three uber-popular topics have converged somewhat over the humble sticker with a new trend: aesthetic stickers.

![cute and funny aesthetic stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2591d3d6-1699-4943-af68-c3f7c5f6a833)

What are aesthetic stickers? In a few words, they're stickers that help shape a certain personal style or vibe. They can be anything to express your current mood or vibe. The use of the word "aesthetic" here puts us right away in the mind of decoration, of shaping a specific ambiance. So that's what people are going for with their aesthetic stickers: imprinting their personality on their surroundings.

### Understanding aesthetic stickers

Aesthetic stickers are all about helping shape a certain tone or vibe — or, if you will, a certain aesthetic. Rather than isolated individual stickers, aesthetic stickers usually come in sets and follow a predetermined theme. 

You can have a set of fruit or emoji stickers, vacation-themed stickers, or even build a line of stickers for your favorite fandom or TV show. The main point is that the stickers must work between themselves to really create that feeling you're going for, whether it's excitement, tranquility, or fun.

With a kit of aesthetic stickers, you can really transform your belongings (think office or school materials) — or your environment. That's why people love them so much. A few stickers in a bedroom or home office, paired with some minor rearranging (and maybe some tidying up too), and suddenly your place looks refreshingly new. 

And that, for a very low effort and little time investment, can be an incredibly satisfying thing.

### Different types of aesthetic stickers and the latest trends

If you're making your own custom aesthetic stickers, there really is no end to the possibilities at your disposal. Popular styles, of course, often reflect existing trends in decor and fashion, such as:

- **Vintage aesthetic stickers:** Nothing is better for a vintage feel than a few choice items of daily use — daily use in another century, mind you. Oil lamps, old umbrellas and magnifying glasses, bicycles, old dial phones, top hats… the list goes on. 
- **Minimalistic:** Simple fonts, few-line drawings, plenty of white space. These stickers can go a long way toward showing off your minimalist preferences on your laptop or car bumper. Just remember not to overuse them — that goes against the spirit of the whole thing.
- **Nature aesthetic:** Leaves, trees, cacti, rocks, birds… If you're a nature lover and your living room looks like it might soon be taken over by the jungle, try a combination of these and other nature-themed stickers on your belongings to seal the vibe.
- **Bibliophile aesthetic:** Love books? Sure you do. Love flaunting your love for books? We suspect so. So order a selection of custom book- and stationery-themed stickers to liven up your desk, phone, or backpack. Just don't stick them on your books — those are sacred you know.

These are just a few examples. Can you imagine what you could do with your favorite aesthetic?

### Examples of cute aesthetic sticker designs
__Food, animals, and pets__
![food animals pets aesthetic stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2a72673b-e9a1-44b3-b51d-5fa764fc974f)
__Icons, logos and messages__
![Icons, logos and messages aesthetic stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0ba4ce4d-953c-4f4e-9935-7929037da576)

### Tips on using aesthetic stickers

Unlike rocket science, sticker science is pretty obvious. There are just a few things you can keep in mind when decorating with aesthetic stickers:

- **Give some thought to placement.** Do you want your stickers to stand out and attract attention or just provide a more subdued background? There's a range of options according to your answer: you can try laptop, phone, or water bottle stickers to simply decorate everyday objects, or larger wall stickers to really capture the eye.
- **Try a combination of styles.** Sometimes mixing individual aesthetic stickers from different styles or sets can work great. Just take your time and lay out a few combinations on your table before you actually stick them in place.
- **Help your stickers last.** Make sure you apply your stickers to a clean surface and smoothen out any imperfections or air bubbles right away. This will help them stick around longer. Give extra some love to static clings, as these are typically less durable than our more common vinyl custom stickers.

### Where to buy aesthetic stickers

It's not hard to find pre-made aesthetic sticker packages out there on websites like [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/aesthetic-stickers/s?k=aesthetic+stickers "amazon buy aesthetic stickers"), eBay, or [Etsy](https://www.etsy.com/market/aesthetic_stickers "buy aesthetic stickers on etsy"). But if you find it boring to buy combinations that maybe hundreds of others have already on display, there's always the option to [print your own stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/ "print custom stickers").

After all, that's what we're all about here!

At Sticker Mule, you can order your own custom stickers in any shape, size, or style. You can also use our own free tools, like Studio, to design the stickers yourself and order them with a click. Before we print, we always send you a proof showing what your stickers will look like, and you can request changes until you're 100% happy with the result. It's fast and easy.

### Conclusion

Not just a nice little trend, aesthetic stickers can be an incredibly fulfilling way to let your personal style come through in your environment. Whether you like modern minimalism or elegant vintage styles, you'll find stickers the perfect medium for your creativity and personality.

Think aesthetic stickers are just the thing for you? Then go over to [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio "free online design tool") and start creating your own [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "custom stickers best and fast") today! Our broad array of design templates are a perfect starting point — and they're waiting just for you 😉

<ButtonCta text="Design your own stickers at Studio!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/stickers" />




What are aesthetic stickers? Are you looking for sticker design inspirations? Here are examples and tips to make your stickers the most aesthetically pleasing!

Posts by Alberto Queiroz