How to design business cards with Studio

Learn how to create your own business card design using [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio) – the free online design tool from Sticker Mule.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="3NsH0vA0TY4" />

##Free online business card maker

With Studio by Sticker Mule, designing your own business card takes minutes. Let's create one for a personal trainer. While we can choose to design our business cards from scratch, Studio offers an ever-expanding library of free templates. So we'll start there. We can [find business card templates under branding](https://www.stickermule.com/studio/templates/branding). Already, we're seeing some designs that would work well for a personal trainer. Let's go with this one.

Now that we're in the Studio editor, we can make any necessary changes to the design. To start, let's swap out the text. This business card will be for Herman Mule. And for the title, we'll use a personal trainer. Let's change the phone number and the gym Herman will be operating out of is Hard N Heavy. Let's change the social handle too. Now, this is already looking great and we could stop right here, but let's really make it our own by customizing it.

We can select all the elements and change every instance of blue to a different color. For Hard N Heavy let's go with a deep red. Perfect. Next, let's change the font Arvo seems like it would work well with our gym name, Hard N Heavy. Lastly, let's go into the asset sidebar and see if there's a final way we can customize this design. The emojis and other graphics don't feel like a good fit here, but a line would help to separate the top and bottom portions of the design. Let's use this basic line. We'll move it into place, extend it across the entire design, make it red, and increase the thickness of it. Maybe we could also nudge this kettlebell down so it looks like it's resting on our new line. Great.

Let's select preview to get one last good look at our business card. Looking good, Herman. Once we're happy, we can either download it as one of several formats or select print to place an order. And that's all it takes to make your very own [business card](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/business-card-magnets). We hope you enjoyed this video, and that with Studio, your next design project takes less time and less money. Take care.

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Create your own business card design using Studio – the free online design tool from Sticker Mule.

Free business card maker to design business cards online

What is the easiest font to read on posters and flyers?

There's a question that pops up often enough when you decide to design your own [custom posters](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-posters "custom posters") and [custom flyers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-flyers "custom flyers"): **What fonts should I choose?** 

![best font for posters and flyers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2c295f18-3a3e-436f-a7eb-f1559e54f68b)

It's a good, obvious question. But frankly, when you see so many hastily put-together posters or barely-legible custom flyers, you kind of suspect it's not taken too seriously.

The fact is there's a universe of fonts available out there, and an equally vast, encyclopedic amount of knowledge to match. Humble mortals with neither time nor inclination to pore over volumes of typographic lore and unravel matters of kernings and counters, block size and x-height, may be prone to… well, simply giving up and going with the first font that comes along.

And hence the same boring style posters and illegible flyers you see around.

But it doesn't have to be like that. Rightly chosen, fonts can convey professionality and authority or informality and friendliness. They can make for a clean, minimalistic style, or intricate, sophisticated designs. 

Most importantly, they can be easy and pleasant to read — which is arguably the key element in text-intensive posters and flyers.

## A quick note on serifs and how we read

To begin with, let's make one thing clear: We're not taking sides on the serif vs sans-serif debate. Nope. Instead, we'll simply present the facts of the matter. You be the judge.

A serif, in case you don't know what it means, is that tiny finishing stroke or tail that completes a letter. Times New Roman has it for instance.

For a long time, it was argued that serifs guide the eye along a horizontal line since they help connect one letter to another. That was kind of their reason for being. But when we started switching from printed material to electronic screens, that little extra spec was shown to create too much visual noise in small screens and very diminutive text. 

So most of the fonts born of the digital age are in fact clean, sans-serif (that's French for "without a serif", by the way. Fancy!) Like the one we're using now.

Also, it turns out that [we don't actually read in a clean horizontal left-to-right line](https://www.creativebloq.com/ux/how-human-eye-reads-website-111413463). Rather, we scan pages up and down and often follow something like an F letter, drawn from top to bottom. So the serifs really lost a lot of their relevance, except as a style device.

## What makes a font easy to read?

OK, so what really makes a font easy to read is a combination of several aspects, including the following.

- **Color contrast**. Ever had the bad luck to sit through a presentation where yellow letters are shown over a white background? Yeah, contrast is key.

- **Kerning**. We're getting a little terminological here, but kerning is simply the spacing between letters or characters. Too little kerning typically means poorer legibility in small types (as the ones often used in leaflets).

- **Font size**. This is a pretty obvious one, but still surprisingly easy to get wrong. Obviously, the font size in a poster will differ from that in a leaflet, but how the size connects to the other elements in your design is a key element to readability.

- **Whitespace**. That's all of the space in your design that's not taken by text or graphics. Too little of it and your text will lack air and be hard on the eye; too much and it'll get lost in the middle of the page.

- **Leading**. That's the vertical space between one line and the next. Again, too little leading complicates reading; too much makes each line seem disconnected from the next.

- **Alignment**. How aligned your font is to the left or right impacts readability a good deal. Typically, we're more used to left-leaning alignment, but you don't want to overdo it and go hard left either!

- **Hierarchy**. This deals with the key points in your text — those that should attract the reader's attention first. Proper hierarchy can be achieved with a mix of style elements such as **bold** or *italics*. However, be wary of overusing these elements. It is typically a good rule of thumb never to use more than one way of setting text apart (no bold + italics, please).

- **Complementary fonts**. A clever device in hierarchy and a common technique in poster and flyer designing is employing different, but complementary fonts. That's an art in itself, but you can benefit from the [many ready-made suggested pairings on the web](https://www.adobe.com/express/learn/blog/10-ways-to-pair-fonts-for-maximum-impact) or harness the power of AI with [Fontjoy](https://fontjoy.com/), which will suggest unique pairings for you.

## What are the best fonts for posters and flyers?

Armed with all this knowledge, we can finally look at some of the easiest-to-read fonts for flyers and posters.

### Serif fonts

Let's begin by looking at four serif fonts for posters and flyers.

__1. Times New Roman__

![time new roman poster font](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/0fb6e8ed-f1be-425f-a5fd-0ea6a72cde4a)

Created for British newspaper The Times in 1931, Times New Roman has since established itself as one of the primary, most respected, and well-known typefaces, including on the web — it's what every unformatted HTML text looks like.

For a respectful, sober, and professional look, you can never go wrong with Times.

__2. Garamond__

![garamond font on a poster wall](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1a5260cc-0a56-4f59-8b34-551ac0435aed)

Harking back to book printing in Renaissance Italy, Garamond is another timeless serif font that is incredibly easy to read in leaflets or larger printed materials. And in spite of being literally a centenarian typeface, Garamond has lost none of its actuality. It's still a common and respected choice in modern design.

__3. Georgia__

![custom flyer georgia font](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/70922739-d1ca-4b12-a16f-429449223d6a)

Going back to something a little more recent, we have Georgia: a font invented for none other than the Microsoft Corporation in 1993. And guess what, it was invented especially to be legible in small screens, meaning it'll never fail you in a leaflet either.

__4. Trajan__

![trajan font on a poster](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/9ec1b97e-159c-42c8-b602-e7224a928e6b)

Trajan is also a recent creation (1989), but is inspired by a very ancient letterform — the [Roman square capitals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_square_capitals) used at the base of Trajan's Column, in Rome. There's a classic for you!

Trajan was created for large displays, rather than printed text, making it a perfect font for a very classy-looking poster.

### Sans-serif fonts

Serif-less fonts tend to be preferred nowadays for a more minimalistic and clean style. You can't go wrong with any of the choices below.

__1. Arial__

![best font to use on a poster - try arial](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/51e1d947-5151-422c-8432-f3de2002fa20)

Arial was created for computers, is in every computer, and has been in every computer since its 1982 inception. It's a simple, some would say boring, font, but it gets the job done. 

__2. Calibri__

![calibri is an easy font to read on a poster](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f37227f6-343f-4dd3-9e83-680a2162e245)

Calibri is another so-called "humanist" typeface, meaning it takes inspiration from classic Roman types, as well as calligraphy. Replacing Arial as the go-to for many of the Microsoft products since 2007, Calibri is a bit more rounded, a bit more modern, and a tad more spaced apart. 

__3. Verdana__

![verdana font on a flyer is easy to read](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/bd47ec46-1b65-4f1a-9bf9-eeee1b1c0481)

Verdana letters are also a little more spaced than Arial types, making them easy to read even with considerably reduced sizing — flyers, anyone? But it's also heavier than Calibri, making it an apt choice for poster headings.

__4. Helvetica__

![best and easiest font for a poster could be helvetica](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/51017f68-f8b4-4658-9def-fdd20d4da3a9)

Similar to Arial in terms of letterform and weight, Helvetica brings a sophisticated, but simple-looking aesthetic that gives it great popularity in modern design trends. 

__5. Tahoma__

![tahoma font to use on poster and flyers for easy reading](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4c42666a-ac4e-4740-93b5-c9e7c2f94644)

Another recent, digital-era invention, Tahoma is a clean, professional-looking font that makes for easy reading on both digital and printed screens. Popular with resumes, it can also be just the right fit for the body of your flyer.

__6. Trebuchet MS__

![trebuchet ms is a good font for posters](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8034fa3b-1ec3-49d4-a12e-dcdf511e57ac)

If you want a font named after a [badass medieval siege weapon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trebuchet), look no further than Trebuchet. A sans-serif font with a lot of serif envy, Trebuchet is a neat middle-ground between modernity and antiquity that will serve your flyers well.

__7. Roboto__

![roboto wall poster font](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/dfc651ed-1eca-48d3-a9a4-71fdf0cc3b50)

Roboto was invented by Google and has been the go-to font for Android devices for 10 years now. Remember how we mentioned counters earlier on? That's the empty space within each letter. Well, Roboto's counters are huge, meaning it is extremely legible in even very small prints. 

__8. Open Sans__

![open sans wall poster font](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/78e3019c-b86b-4262-8602-a8529b73098c)

Open Sans was also designed by Google for a "neutral, yet friendly appearance". It works great for any medium, print or digital, and is pretty professional-looking too!

__9. Montserrat__

![best font on a poster could be montserrat](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3aaa17f6-81f0-4acc-9eb1-da0238045904)

I just love Montserrat — it's so classy. And guess what: it takes inspiration from street posters in the historic Montserrat neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Now you cannot not love it.

Montserrat is eminently readable, fairly round, and of course,  awesome for posters.

__10. Avenir__

![one of the best fonts for flyers is avenir](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/01618e3a-f4c4-443c-971b-315204815467)

Named after the French word for "future", Avenir exudes a combination of modern elegance and simplicity that make you think of a very avant-garde-looking New York café. For much the same reasons we saw above, it's easy to read in large or small prints and a fantastic way to give your posters a touch of style.

__11. Futura PT__

![good font for posters futura pt](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/2fcd4593-c6b1-4a29-a4c8-f61d5756570e)

The Futura typeface was created in the early 20th century and took inspiration from the Modernist art movement for a balance of simplicity, clarity, and functionalism. It's a rather austere German font, and it can be paired well with serif fonts such as Times and Garamond.

__12. Bonus font: OpenDyslexic__

![easy font to read for dyslexic people](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4d555358-148c-441c-ad9e-c2332c988aaa)

[OpenDyslexic](https://opendyslexic.org/) is a free font that addresses common issues that hamper dyslexic persons' ability to read. Very different from all the classic and modern options seen above, OpenDyslexic has a somewhat blotted look that won't be popular with everyone. But it can be a great — and inclusive — option depending on your specific use case. And it's definitely an easy font to read on flyers or posters.

## Finishing strokes

All of the above fonts will do just fine in your poster or flyer, but they're just a stepping stone into the beautiful world of typography. There are a million other options out there, for those of you inclined to explore and be creative. 

Just remember that both legibility and readability are a fruit of a combination of style elements. So look for the perfect font, but remember spacing, alignment, contrast, and the like. 

If you want to test different fonts and pairings, remember you can always enjoy our web-based design app, [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio). It's free and a joy to use!

<ButtonCta text="Start creating posters in Studio for free!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/studio" />


What are the best fonts to use for poster or flyer printing? Well here are 12 fonts that are easy to read and view from distances that make them great for poster or flyer printing.

Best sticker material guide: Top choices & expert tips

From the custom vinyl sticker on your laptop to the price tag on a book, stickers are all around us and vary not only in size and color but also in the material they're made of. Which is exactly our topic for today.

![best custom sticker materials](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/364a0571-271c-43c6-a1f9-93a6d4e5d86a)

Does the material my sticker is made of matter? You betcha. The material determines what you can use your sticker for, how long it's likely to last, and even how eco-friendly you are. So join us as we go over the main sticker types, their uses, and some pros and cons.

## Types of sticker materials

Let's begin by looking at the main types of sticker materials and what they're good and bad for.

### Vinyl stickers

The most commonly used type for both personal and commercial uses, [vinyl stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/vinyl-stickers) are made from a thin layer of PVC that makes them waterproof and generally more resistant than other kinds of sticker. They can adhere to almost any surface, including metal, glass, wood, and plastic.

Popular uses for vinyl stickers include car decals, laptop stickers, office signage, and product labels.

What are the pros and cons of vinyl stickers? Let's take a look.

__Pros__

- vinyl stickers are waterproof, sunlight proof, and fairly weather-resistant in general
- they last longer, are harder to tear, and can be washed together with the surface they're on
- given their flexibility, they adhere easily to curved materials and thus have the best adhesion of any type of sticker
- vinyl stickers are easily customizable in a variety of colors, sizes, and die-cut shapes

__Cons__

- although recyclable, vinyl stickers are not the most environmentally-friendly option, as they are not biodegradable
- tend to be somewhat more expensive than other materials

### Paper stickers

![custom printed paper stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ae7377c3-9a6f-424a-aa0a-49c93ceee142)

Paper stickers can be a more budget-friendly option that you can still customize with a variety of finishes, including matte and uncoated. Good for indoor use, they're often used as product identifiers or labels and are often applied to materials such as paper, wood, glass, metal, and plastic.

Paper stickers have their own pros and cons. 

__Pros__

- price (cheaper than vinyl and other materials)
- biodegradable: unlike vinyl, paper [decomposes quickly and completely](https://stacker.com/environment/how-long-it-takes-50-common-items-decompose)
- easier to print: paper stickers don't require high-tech printers for their production

__Cons__

- poor durability: even coated paper stickers have lower durability than their vinyl counterparts, and will typically fade and become illegible under external weather conditions
- don't deal well with dirt: unlike vinyl stickers, they can't be washed
- tear easy (they're paper, after all!)

### Polyester stickers

Polyester stickers are the most durable of the bunch. Slightly thicker than vinyl stickers, they can take a beating from the sun, rain, snow, dirt, harsh chemicals, extreme temperatures, and other elements — and come out looking just fine. 

That's why polyester stickers are often used for very long durability purposes, such as product labels that need to remain legible for the full lifetime of a product.

__Pros__

- extreme durability against all manner of weather and elements
- high level of tear resistance

__Cons__

- print quality tends to be lower than that of vinyl stickers
- cost — polyester is typically somewhat more expensive than vinyl
- eco-friendliness: unlike vinyl, polyester is a non-recyclable material

### Holographic stickers

![holographic sticker materials](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/16804331-7b8b-4be5-9ccc-2ed944373626)

[Holographic stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/holographic-stickers) can be made of either paper, vinyl, or polyester, but what sets them apart is the unique iridescent glow added to them (usually through an extra vinyl layer). 

The holographic light-catching effect is a great way to set your stickers apart and also makes for some special uses — holographic ID stickers for your car's front window, for instance, are harder to replicate than normal stickers.

The pros and cons here are pretty straightforward:

__Pros:__ Create a unique visual style and are harder to replicate.

__Cons:__ Tend to be more expensive and require more advanced tech to make.

-----

## Factors to consider when choosing sticker material

As you see, each type of sticker has its pros and cons. To know which to choose for your company or your personal uses, you must keep a few factors in mind.

### Intended use

Are your stickers meant for indoor or outdoor use? As seen above, paper stickers tend to be suitable for use inside, while the sturdier vinyl and polyester stickers are more suitable for out-of-doors applications.

Surface type, too, plays a role. If you intend to place your stickers alongside a curved or round surface, the extra flexibility of vinyl stickers will be a good plus; for surfaces more likely to end up grimy or oily, polyester stickers are the superior choice.

### Durability

How long should your stickers last? There's another question to ask yourself. If you need them to stick around for quite a while, both vinyl and polyester are a good choices — they'll usually hold up well in any weather and deal well with dirt and high humidity. 

On top of that, you may also want to look for additional specs such as UV coating (to make sure your stickers won't fade fast when exposed to direct sunlight) or resistance to repeated washing and higher temperatures (as in the case of mug stickers).

### Print quality

For intricate designs that are likely to get inspected up close, vinyl and paper tend to be the way to go. Polyester is a challenging fabric to print on, and although it can take beautiful designs and a variety of colors, it's more suitable for large decals meant to be visible from a distance, and not inspected at close quarters.

The difference between vinyl and paper tends to be not so much in image detail but in color vibrancy. Vinyl lends itself to more vibrant printouts (both glossy and matte), whereas paper will naturally be more on the matte side. 

And, of course, for a supremely vibrant and eye-catching design, you can't go wrong with a good old multi-layered holographic sticker.

### Cost and budget considerations

Cost may or may not be one of your primary considerations, but it makes sense to factor in the equation — especially when bulk ordering. Paper stickers can be significantly cheaper than their longer-lasting counterparts, and can also be printed in most home printers. 

On the other hand, higher-quality designs tend to pay for themselves, which means vinyl stickers almost always give you an excellent bang for your buck — especially if you take advantage of bulk-order discounts such as the ones we offer at Sticker Mule. 

### Environmental concerns

![environmentally friendly stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5874f2a1-cb61-4c86-8506-d0bf9c1be16a)

Some companies pride themselves in being ecologically correct, which is not only good for the environment, but also a lucrative niche all of its own — as of 2020, 45% of US consumers showed interest in buying from [sustainable or environmental-friendly brands](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1234119/consumer-interest-in-sustainable-environmental-brands/).

With that in mind, from paper (biodegradable) to vinyl (recyclable) to polyester (non-degradable, non-recyclable), there's a decreasing scale of environmental-worthiness that you might want to consider if you've been [looking to make your packaging more eco-friendly](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-make-your-packaging-more-eco-friendly).

----

## Tips for selecting the best sticker material

So, what are some good tips for selecting the best material for your stickers? With the above info in mind, we recommend you:

- __Assess your needs.__ Begin by determining how you'll be using your stickers and what are your needs in terms of print quality, durability, weather and waterproof, etc.
- __Test different materials.__ For that, you can benefit from [ordering small custom samples](https://www.stickermule.com/products/sticker-samples).
- __Consult with professionals.__ I mean, why do all the work yourself? Ask a professional at a printer. At Sticker Mule, we're always happy to answer your questions.
- __Consider eco-friendly options.__ After all, if it's good for the environment, it's good for you — one way or another.

-----

### Conclusion

High-flexible vinyl stickers with great print quality, sturdy polyester designs to put through the elements and all kinds of abuse, cheap and simple paper stickers, or fancy shiny holographic ones — there's something to recommend each and every type of sticker. They each have their purpose.

So, just make sure you know what you're getting yours for, test with a sample, and you won't risk ending up with the wrong sticker material for your designs.

If you've read this far, you're either (incredibly) bored or (almost certainly) looking for stickers. So why not try out Sticker Mule's vinyl and holographic stickers? You know you want to!

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What are the best sticker materials for printing stickers? Here are the top choices and the pros and cons of each!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

### To cap off

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

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



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

Make images bigger without losing quality with Upscale

[Upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale) is a free [tool](https://www.stickermule.com/tools) that makes images bigger without losing quality, instantly.

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

Just upload your image and within a few seconds, you’ll be able to download your upgraded larger image. Or you can use your new artwork to order custom stickers and more with a single click.

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




### Why we made Upscale

Some images are small. They're not bad, they're just small. You can save an image to a bigger size, but this just makes each pixel bigger – and you end up with a pixelated, distorted image.

It’s even more problematic if you try to print a low-resolution image ([we recommend artwork be at least 300 ppi](https://www.stickermule.com/support/artwork-ppi)).

Luckily, Upscale makes it easy for anyone to improve the size and resolution of their artwork. Using AI, Upscale creates brand new pixels, allowing your image to be 2x the size with 4x the pixels of the original image.

![make image bigger](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fdc1721c2cf40d5acff214da986d3a34f8892909)

![make any image bigger without losing quality](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/dfe0e8d36794c08d5193f3772fafbacbe5f15942)

![free tool to make image bigger](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e1de5023b5e1a0c62adc6ac4fd47134e8f4fdf1b)

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


Want to make an image bigger? Upscale is a free online tool that allows you to make any image bigger without losing quality for free!

The evolution of t-shirts: A decade-by-decade style trend journey

What makes a t-shirt a t-shirt? Well, easy: its T-shaped format! Besides literally being a "tee", t-shirts are also associated with a certain kind of material (cotton) and with their very own atmosphere (informality). Tees are simple to make, comfortable to wear, and worn just about everywhere.

![the history of t-shirts decade by decade](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b5f3bc36-354d-4990-af9c-3feb717efb32)

In fact, nowadays, t-shirts are perhaps the most common element of clothing all over the world. But it wasn't always like that — in fact, the humble tee has only been with us for a little over a century. 

From its origin as a 19th-century working man's garment to the modern trends of the 21st century, the t-shirt has come a long way in a short time. Let's take a look at how it developed over the years.

### The birth of t-shirts

![1800s t-shirt origin story from the union suit](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8a340f78-b45d-4963-8998-61a9196abfbb)

Believe it or not, t-shirts come from a very ridiculous-looking (by our modern standards) piece of clothing called the union suit. We highly recommend [googling union suit](https://www.google.com/search?q=union+suit) sometime, there are definitely a few chuckles to be had.

Well, at some point in the late 19th century, workers in mines and docks seemed to have fallen into the habit of cutting short the top piece of their union suit. Because seriously, those things were hot to work in. And there you have it — the first version of the t-shirt was born.

### The early 1900s and armywear 

![t-shirt history from the military](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ce653520-ee27-41a9-9239-fb28d1c1d2af)

Once the effectiveness of lighter clothing in the mines was realized, it didn't take long for the military to discover them. First issued by the US Navy, they were soon a staple undergarment in all branches of the military. They made for a comfortable piece to wear under a soldier's uniform and were great for fieldwork in hot climates.


Fast forward a few more years and we have World War I spreading the tee's popularity even further. No longer an undergarment only, t-shirts now started seeing ample use in all kinds of manual labor, including agriculture. They also became a popular garment for boys — cheap, good for running around, and easier to clean than regular shirts.

In 1920, "t-shirt" became an accepted word in the English language and had the honor to make it into [Merriam-Webster's Dictionary](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/T-shirt "t-shirt definition"). Now we're talkin'!


### 1930s-1950s: T-shirts enter mainstream fashion

Ranch workers in the Great Depression wore the t-shirt often, and so did Navy men during World Word II and afterward, and for pretty much the same reasons mentioned above — they were cheap, comfy, good for physical work, and cool.

![50s t-shirt history](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ed15dfd3-7464-466f-a1b4-6a6c151d54fe)  

However, it wasn't until the early '50s that the t-shirt became cool in the other sense of the word. And for that, as you may have guessed, we have Hollywood to thank for. After Marlon Brando wore it in A Streetcar Named Desire, the t-shirt finally had its big moment. Now it could never not be cool again. Now it was a cool, manly, edgy, rebellious type of garment — something for the James Dean and Marlon Brando would-bes to eagerly copy.


The t-shirt had finally come of age. No longer perceived as an undergarment, it was its own thing and could be proudly worn everywhere.
  

### 1960s-1980s: T-shirts as a form of expression

![t-shirt history during 70s and protests](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a46cbd6d-cc86-4f82-a831-6c8d474c7eb7)

The 1960s brought two things that further changed and popularized the t-shirt: advancements in screen printing and, of course, a big societal shift in favor of freedom and personal expression.

The first change made it possible to print t-shirts with all kinds of text and images printed on them. The second made people want to give wings to their creativity and spread slogans  — and for that, the t-shirt was a favored means of expression. 

Besides being a vehicle for political-cultural expression, it didn't take long for tees to be channeled for advertising, as major companies like Coca-Cola and Disney started printing out t-shirts with their logos and company slogans.
  

### 1990s-2000s: T-shirts go global

![t-shirt historys during the 90s and sports wear](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/62ede000-c253-4383-aa59-13519d6e3248)

T-shirts had been a staple of hip-hop and rap culture for some time, but the 1990s and the spread of streetwear made them go truly global for the first time — the relaxed, casual style of the t-shirt and sneakers was simply too easy to fall in love with. 

Add to that the growing popularity of sportswear, driven by brands such as Nike and American sports franchises, and the tee further consolidates its worldwide appeal.

### 2010s-Present: The evolution continues

![2010s t-shirt history of style trends](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/25d82d1c-90ec-4b79-a2a9-13e8f902e99c)

For the past couple of decades, people continued to find new and creative ways to wear their tees. Our age is one of easy customization, and [custom printed t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts) now show our love for popular movies and series, favorite bands, or favorite designer brands. Internet meme culture, too, is very present and brings an extra touch of humor to tees everywhere.

T-shirts have also been reinvented in different materials — the so-called performance t-shirts, popular in various athletic endeavors, have turned into their own athleisure fashion trends. The good old, simple t-shirt is still going places.

### Conclusion

From a second-rate working undergarment to possibly the most popular item of pop culture, the t-shirt has no doubt come a long way. And it's likely got even more future than past — if recent trends are anything to go by, the t-shirt is likely to be a key theme of exploration for future fashion and customization trends. What can we say? We're all for it!

It's anyone's guess where the t-shirt goes next, but one thing is for sure: it's not leaving our culture anytime soon.

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

T-shirts have been around since the 1800s, learn the fascinating history of this everyday garment in this new blog series on style trends.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

## __1) Choose your niche__

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

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

### Main types of candles

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

#### Scented candles

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

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

#### Decorative candles

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

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

#### Beeswax candles

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

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

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

#### Soy candles

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

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

----

## 2) Create a Unique Selling Proposition

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

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

To formulate a compelling USP:

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

----

## 3) Develop your product line

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

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

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

Consider carefully each element of your candles.

### Waxes

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

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

### Wicks

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

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

### Fragrances

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

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

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

### Containers

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

----

## 4) Branding and packaging

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

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

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

### Designing your logo

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

### Making good use of candle labels

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

### Choosing the right packaging

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

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

----

## 5) Set up your online presence

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

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

### Creating a website

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

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

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

### Using an e-commerce platform

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

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

### Setting up social media profiles

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

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

### SEO and content marketing strategies

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

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

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

----

## 6) Pricing and shipping management

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

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

### Pricing

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

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

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

### Shipping and order management

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

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

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

----

## Quick recap

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

----

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

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


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


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

Discover 10 popular types of stickers for every occasion

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

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

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

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

### 1. Vinyl stickers

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

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

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

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

### Advantages and disadvantages of vinyl stickers

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

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

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

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

### 2. Clear stickers

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

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

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

### 3. Bumper stickers

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

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

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

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

### 4. Holographic stickers

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

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

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

### 5. Transfer stickers

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

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

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

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

### 6. Die-cut stickers

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

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

Applications for die-cut stickers include: 

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

### 7. Face stickers

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

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

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

### 8. Kiss cut stickers

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

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

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

### 9. Window clings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

### 10. Wall and floor stickers

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

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

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

Common uses for wall and floor stickers include:

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

### Conclusion

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

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

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

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


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

How to convert PNG to SVG

Scalable vector graphics or SVGs are made from mathematical paths, allowing them to be scaled infinitely without losing clarity. This makes SVGs and other [vector formats](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/raster-vs-vector-images) superior to PNGs and other raster formats, which are limited by the number of pixels they contain.

To convert PNGs to SVGs, there are a few ways to get this accomplished. You can convert PNGs to SVGs manually through design programs or you can [use an online service like Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw "convert png to vector online") to create a real vector file from a non-vector image. But whatever you do, be weary of free online services that promise to do it for free in seconds. These services will just change the format of the file without drawing the vector paths that make vectors so valuable.

To help guide you on the journey to get the best possible vector file result, let's go over each method to converting png to svg in a bit more detail.

### Use a vector design app
You can recreate your image in vector format from scratch using an app like [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-stickers). Recreating artwork takes some design skill, especially for more complex artwork.

![illustrator ui for vectorizing a png image](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f8e4d8fb61be22f11b5bec2afe27cbdf8643a608)

Once you are done you can export your image as an SVG.

### Use an auto-vectorization tool
Illustrator has an [Image Trace tool](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-use-image-trace-in-adobe-illustrator), that converts any raster to vector with just a few clicks. The results from this tool (and others like it) vary widely depending on the complexity of your artwork.

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

*Note: there are many tools that technically convert your artwork from PNG to SVG, but just change the file extension – not the artwork itself. You'll need to look elsewhere to obtain a true vector version of your artwork.*

### Use a vectorization service
[Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) is a service that upgrades any image into a vector format for a flat rate of $14, regardless of the complexity.

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

Upload your PNG, checkout, and within hours you’ll receive an online proof showing your vector graphic will look. You can request changes to the proof for free until you’re happy (or cancel if you’re not happy).

Upon approval, you’ll be able to download the artwork in its new SVG format.

<ButtonCta text="Order a Redraw for $14" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/redraw" />

Converting PNGs to SVGs doesn't need to be hard and complicated. Find out how to convert any PNG into a SVG with this guide!

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