How to sell stickers online on a budget: Artist’s Guide for 2023
If you're a young entrepreneur who loves art and wants to start a small business without spending too much money, selling stickers online is a great option.
In this article, we'll explore the thriving sticker market in 2023, discuss popular sticker themes, and guide you through the different ways to sell stickers online and turn your passion into profit!
Here you can read how to make vinyl stickers at home without a machine.
The 2023 Sticker Market:
Stickers are no longer just cute embellishments. They have become a form of personal expression used to decorate everything from laptops to water bottles.
The sticker market has grown in popularity among young adults aged 16-24, creating a vast customer base for aspiring sticker artists.
Stickers have also found their place as collectible items and statement pieces due to the rise of social media and online communities.
Popularity and Profitability:
Stickers are a profitable art niche due to low production costs, easy shipping, and customization, making them attractive to sell online.
Their affordable price point encourages impulse purchases, boosting sales.
By tapping wise into this market, you have the opportunity to turn your artistic talents into a thriving business.
Popular Sticker Themes in 2023:
To increase your chances of success, it's essential to understand the current trends in sticker themes.
According to my analysis of the best-selling stickers on POD platforms in 2023, some of the most popular themes are:
1. Nature and Wildlife
Vibrant and intricate designs featuring plants, animals, and landscapes have captivated the attention of eco-conscious customers.
Home plant lovers are booming nowadays.
2. Pop Culture Icons
Characters from movies, TV shows, and video games continue to be a hit among sticker enthusiasts.
Reddit's video game subreddits are a great and free source of inspiration.
3. Empowering Quotes
Inspirational and motivational stickers with empowering quotes or affirmations are sought after by those seeking positivity and self-expression.
Emotional support water bottles are a thing.
4. LGBTQ+ Pride
Stickers that celebrate inclusivity and promote LGBTQ+ rights have gained tremendous popularity in recent years, providing a meaningful way to support and express oneself.
Best Places to Sell Stickers Online
1. Online Marketplaces
Online marketplaces such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon offer a pre-existing customer base and serve as an ideal initial step toward sticker sales.
However, note that these platforms typically charge fees and face stiff competition.
2. Personal Website
Creating your website gives you complete control over your brand and allows for a personalized customer experience.
Platforms like Squarespace, Shopify, or Wix offer affordable options for setting up an online store.
3. Social Media
Leverage social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase your stickers, engage your target audience, and expand your online presence.
This strategy can help you reach a wider audience and boost sales.
How Much Money Do I Need to Start a Sticker Business - Cost Analysis
When starting a sticker business on a budget, it is essential to analyze the costs associated with each option.
Costs related to sticker production at home you can find in this article.
Here is a breakdown of the necessary expenses:
1. Marketplaces
Remember that listing fees, transaction fees, and packaging costs can impact your profits when selling on online marketplaces.
Nonetheless, despite the competition, these platforms offer significant customer reach and user-friendliness benefits.
Listing Fees: These platforms typically charge a small fee for each listing you create. For example, Etsy charges $0.20 per item listing for four months.
Here is my Etsy link, which gives you and me 40 free listings if you decide to sell on Etsy.
Transaction Fees: When a sale occurs, online marketplaces usually charge a percentage of the transaction as a fee. Etsy, for instance, charges a 5% transaction fee on the item's sale price, including shipping costs.
Packaging Materials: Factor in the cost of packaging materials, such as envelopes or mailers, protective sleeves, and labels.
These expenses may vary depending on the size and quantity of your stickers.
Example costs: Let's say you have 100 sticker designs, and you list each one on Etsy.
The listing fees would be $20 (100 designs x $0.20 per listing).
Packaging materials and shipping costs (I use post stamps) are around $30 for 100 stickers, depending on their size.
If you sell 50 stickers at $3 each = $150, the transaction fees would be $7.50 (50 stickers x $3 x 5%).
Packaging and shipping for 50 is about $15.
Plus, after each sale, Etsy updates the listing for $0.20.
So, 0.20 x 50 = $10 plus the $10 you spent to post these listings at the beginning = $20.
The total profit from the sale of 50 stickers on Etsy will be approximately $107.5, from which you have to deduct the cost of labor and materials such as paper, printer ink, etc. For me, it's usually $32.
$107.5 - $32 = $75.5 - I made from selling 50 stickers on Etsy.
These are approximate calculations.
Actual numbers depend on how many stickers come in one order and your exact shipping, packaging, and materials costs.
But at least it gives you a rough idea of the profitability of selling stickers on Etsy.
2. Personal Website
Creating a personal website involves costs like domain registration, web hosting fees, and possibly e-commerce platform charges.
However, having your website can provide long-term benefits, allow for more customization, and it is FOREVER yours.
No one can take and close your store, as Etsy or other marketplaces can do.
The algorithm for your store doesn’t change, as it happens if you sell on Instagram. Boom, and nobody see you on one sunny morning.
When you have your website, your customers always stay with you, which is the most significant benefit of going this way for me.
Domain Registration: The cost of registering a domain name for your website can range from $10 to $20 per year, depending on the domain registrar you choose. My domain name is cost me $19 per year, for example.
Web Hosting Fees: You'll need a hosting service to make your website accessible online. Prices can vary depending on the hosting provider and the package you select. Shared hosting plans can start at around $5 to $10 monthly.
E-commerce Platform Charges: If you opt for an e-commerce platform like Shopify or Wix, they often have monthly fees ranging from $20 to $30, depending on your chosen plan.
I use Squarespace, and I love it because it allows me to have my store, blog, and everything in one place.
An advanced commerce plan costs me $49 a month, but you can go with $23 a month for a start.
Example costs: Registering a domain for one year might cost $15, and let's assume you choose a shared hosting plan for $8 per month.
If you select an e-commerce platform like Shopify at $29 per month, your total cost for the first year would be around $260 ($15 + $8 x 12 + $29 x 12).
Sales profits depend on your e-commerce plan.
For instance, my plan includes hosting and has no Squarespace transaction fees.
I pay minimal fees to PayPal or Stripe for their service when sales are made, which enables me to sell my stickers for $2.80 with free standard shipping.
3. Social Media
Starting with organic reach on social media platforms is a budget-friendly advertising option.
Engage with followers, collaborate with influencers, and use hashtags to expand reach without much spending.
Advertising Costs: If you decide to run paid ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, the cost will vary depending on your targeting, ad format, and budget. For instance, on Facebook, you can set a daily or lifetime budget, with costs ranging from a few to several hundred dollars.
Photography and Content Creation: Creating visually appealing photos or graphics for your stickers may require some investment in equipment, props, or editing software. Consider the costs of a decent camera, lighting setup, or image editing tools if needed.
How Do I Promote My Stickers - Free or Low-cost Sticker Advertising Methods
Promoting your sticker business can be affordable.
These low-cost marketing strategies can help:
1. Collaborate with influencers who align with your target audience.
They can promote your stickers through sponsored posts or giveaways.
2. Utilize relevant and popular hashtags on Instagram and Twitter to increase sticker visibility. Here you can tell that nowadays, hashtags are dead. But let me disagree with you. Use #plantlover instead of #cactussticker, #crazycatlady instead of #cutecatsticker. Sell lifestyle and ideas instead of products.
3. Connect with other artists and potential customers by participating in your sticker's theme-related forums, social media groups, and subreddits.
Share your work, offer value, and engage in meaningful discussions to establish a strong presence online.
How Can I Make My Sticker Shop Popular?
If you want your sticker shop to be more noticeable and attract more customers, here are some ideas that you can try:
1. Create buzz and incentivize purchases by periodically releasing limited edition sticker sets or collaborating with other artists.
2. Customers can request personalized stickers or custom designs to foster loyalty and repeat business.
3. Packaging and presentation. Pay attention to details, from packaging design to including a handwritten note or extra freebies.
Thoughtful touches leave a lasting impression on customers and encourage word-of-mouth referrals.
For example, I include a handwritten message card and a mint tea bag in each order, along with funny stickers that say "Caution! The opening will lead to an explosion of happiness!" Here are some examples of Thank You and Happy Mail packaging stickers.
Typically, a package of 500 pieces costs around $15, so I find it more convenient to purchase them instead of making them myself.
Selling stickers online is a fun and accessible way to build a loyal audience and start your art business on a limited budget.
It's hard for people to trust buying from someone online for the first time, especially if it's not necessary, like toilet paper.
Stickers are low-cost items that can help build trust and lead to future purchases, such as a painting from the same artist.
With a deep understanding of the 2023 sticker market, the popularity of various themes, and the available selling options, your online shop can thrive in the competitive art market.
Start small, and watch your art business become profitable.
Pinterest is an excellent platform for artists to promote and sell their work. With over 400 million active users, Pinterest is a massive audience of potential customers for your art. In this article, I'll show you how to use Pinterest to promote and sell your art in 2023.