Digital Papers & Clip Art // How to Make Your Own Stickers

Hello everyone!

I’m ready to jump back into it with a new set of blog posts centered around tips and resources for making your own planner stickers. Whether you are looking to design for yourself or to sell, there are not a lot of resources out there explaining how to do that, and I’d love to share what I’ve learned with you.

For the first post, I want to focus on finding patterns and clip art for your planner stickers. Unless you are an artist and are very much into graphic design, digital paper and pre-drawn clip art are essential to complete a kit’s theme. However, there are a lot of rules that go along with using and licensing an artist’s work, so I wanted to break those down and share some of my favorite shops and websites for usable and affordable artwork.

When I first started out, I felt overwhelmed with all the options, so I made spreadsheet outlining costs, licensing, ease of use, and coupon codes.

 

Please note I have been working on this post over the span of ~6 months, just adding to it a little everyday. The information regarding licensing and pricing may have changed since then. Please check the shop’s policies for details. This is meant to be a guide, not an exhaustive list.

Free Art + Free License

This is where I would look for someone just starting out and looking to make stickers for their own use. The artwork is not super unique, but it’ll help you familiarize yourself with the design process. Plus, you can make some great kits compiling free images, and at the end of the day it’s free, so you have nothing to lose.

Freepik

This is one of the first places I looked to when I started making planner stickers. They have a great database of images that are mostly all free to use. If you use the images are used commercially, all they ask is that you credit the illustrator. For more information on this policy, visit them here.

Downloading is VERY easy. Let’s say I am designing a summer-y tropical kit, and I search for tropical images. As you can see, there aren’t a lot of organized themes, in that you mostly will not be able to download a set to use. However, it isn’t too difficult to piece together items, as a lot of them are drawn by the same artist and have a similar look to them. I’ll click on one I like to pull up the download screen. All you need to do is hit download, and it’ll have you select one of two options. You can either credit the author by pasting html code into your site or you can upgrade to a premium plan and avoid having to credit altogether. I have personally tried both, and I think it’ll depend on how often you plan on using their site. It is $9.99 a month and it was worth it for me when I was using this weekly, however I have since unsubscribed since I’m not designing as often.

They have great range on the website with lots of individual images you can piece together, or you can search for some of their sets. Here’s an example. I often used this format, however it is very difficult to use in my opinion. You will need to purchase software to edit them– I used Adobe Illustrator. I had never used it before so extracting the pattern was a challenge for me, but if you are used to working with vector files, this should be no problem for you. Just keep in mind that the file download comes with exactly what you see. You don’t get the 6 pattern files; rather you download the image with the title and the patterns arranged as seen.

Pros:

• Free for personal and commercial use
• large database of images and options
• quick and easy download

Cons: 

• difficult to separate patterns
• no pre-arranged sets
• No JPEG options

For that reason, I would rate Freepik 3/5. While they have some great options, they don’t download as jpegs making it more difficult to use in Silhouette Studio.

Flaticon

Flaticon is one of my favorite sites of all time for sticker designing. Flaticon comes from the makers of Freepik and has a very similar premise.  They have a large database of icons characters that you can use as clipart for free, as long as you credit the author. They also have the option of purchasing a $9.99 membership for access to premium icons and to use without credit. To me, this is definitely worth it, and I’ll show you why. Off to the side you’ll see the set of images that pop up when you search “food”. You’ll notice a lot of icon style clipart where it’s all one color. These are awesome because you can trace them in Silhouette, then fill them in with whatever pattern or color you’d like. When you click on them to download, you can also change the color there, but I prefer to download everything in black, then play around in Silhouette studio instead of downloading multiple colors. Lay them over a circle or a box and you’ve got labels and icons. You can also use the colored ones as clipart for more decorative stickers. Another reason why this site is great is that they group a lot of the icons for you. For example, if I don’t want to pick out every single food, I can open up a gastronomy set that features icons of a similar theme and style, which is great for maintaining consistency. You can save sets or make collections of your own by saving icons into various folders, making downloading them very quick and easy. You can download the entire set or pick and choose your favorites.

A new feature that they’ve implemented that I absolutely love allows you to make patterns out of icons in a set. I never personally used this when designing, as it wasn’t available at the time. Now after playing around in the pattern designer, I really wish it had been. It is so very easy to use– all you do is click on the icons you would like in the pattern and add a background. You can also choose to go for a random pattern created from icons of a particular set. This is really great for someone starting out as you can get great themed patterns very quickly. The top image is one that I created in about 15 seconds just by randomly clicking space themed icons and adding a colored background. The second image is one that they randomly put together, which I honestly like a lot more. There are a lot of options with this designer, and I would highly recommend checking it out.

Pros:

• quick download
• lots of options
• pattern designer
• pre-made sets and collections
• monochrome and color options
• color changer within website

Cons:

• paid membership for full access
• very cartoon looking, not very realistic

Overall I give Flaticon a 5/5. I think they’ve got some great features built into the site that makes it so user-friendly. While they do have a lot of options, they all have a very cartoon-ish appearance so if you are looking for very realistic drawings, this may not be the site for you.

More:

I’ve linked below some other websites where you may find some digital paper downloads for free. Just be sure to check the licensing information to ensure you are not violating any copyright rules. When in doubt, always contact the site administrator for more information.

Free Pretty Things For You

Lots of great options here! Her terms of use change for each item so be sure to check what she allows.

Liana Scrap

The site has not been updated in a few years, but there are a lot of sets available for you to download. Usage is limited to personal use and small commercial use (i.e. small businesses only).

Just Peachy Designs

Once again, it hasn’t been updated in a while, but you can still find some great sets here! Free for personal and commercial use!

The Coffee Shop Blog

Free for personal and commercial use!

Printables and Inspirations

Free for personal use only.

Salt Town Studio

I couldn’t find anything about commercial use — I would email to be sure!

Paid Art + Free License

This section is intended for someone who has some experience with designing stickers and is looking to expand the quality of their kits. Just because something costs money does not mean it is better than something free, however I have generally found that these websites are very consistent in quality and are very affordable for those getting started. A lot of these shops (if not all) are based on Etsy, which is how I prefer to purchase digital items. There is some risk involved with digital purchases, but I have found Etsy’s buyer protection to be reliable. Just make sure you read all the details in the description box and that you understand their licensing policy. The shops listed below all offer free licenses with purchase of their artwork, however this can change sometimes, so be sure to check every time you purchase and to message the seller with questions. I will also include each shop’s Instagram page since that is where most will post about sales and coupons.

At the end of the description, I’ll include a bolded number. That number is a rating out of 5. This rating is not a determination of that artist’s skill or the quality of their business. It’s simply my thoughts on pricing, ease of use, licensing, and how “planner-friendly” the patterns are.

True Colors OHA

This shop offers some great digital paper sets, and for $5, it is very much worth the price. They offer digital paper sets, shown to the right, as well as themed clip art bundles. Each digital paper set and clip art set comes with a commercial license that is valid for 100 copies. After that, you will need to purchase an extended license for $10 (clip art) or $20 (digital papers), which works well for someone starting out. Check their page for coupons. 5

KaramfilaS

I have purchased from this shop multiple times, and I have loved every purchase. She has a very unique character style that you won’t find anywhere else. She allows for free commercial use for up to one project and 100 sales on digital paper sets. However, a license is required for all clip art sales. Licenses are tiered based on how many sales you would expect to make with the product. Check out her Instagram page for more information on sales and promotions! 5

PainterlyGal

Once again, this is a shop I have purchased from multiple times in the times. In fact, when I did purchase from her she was known as ArcoIrisCrafts. All items on her shop include a small commercial license for up to 100 sales. One of the reasons I would recommend this shop for beginners is the price. It is all very affordable and you get 10 papers with your purchase which will give you a lot of options to play around with when designing. She also has quite a few clipart sets, each with their own limited commercial use license. 5

ATArtDigital

ATArtDigital offers a lot of digital art such as paper packs and clip art as well as printable stickers, signs, and invitations. Their kits are very reasonably priced, and they usually have some sort of coupon code or promotion. In terms of licensing, purchases come with a free commercial license for small business. 4

Digital Designs and Art

I was pleasantly surprised by this shop. They have lots of options for many different themes, and I think the price is right. No credit or license is required. Instagram is @digitaldesignsandart. 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

StasiStudio

StasiStudio offers more subtle, softer designs. Each paper pack appears to be $5.57 with clipart packs of $9.12. The matching clipart set is certainly a bonus when designing kits. Each set includes a license up to 50 sales. After that, extended licenses are available for purchase. 3

FoxyDigitalPaper

This was one of the first shops I found when I was starting out. They offer a lot of basic patterns that you can pair with other kits to add some variation. They also make great backgrounds for photos or scrapbooking. Licenses are free with purchase for up to 100 sales as long as you can provide a clickable link for credit. Price is very reasonable. 3

FrouFrouCraft

If you’ve been following shop accounts, this style is very familiar. A lot of shops use her designs, myself included. The price is very reasonable and there are always BOGO deals and coupons around holidays. I always used to stock up around cyber Monday. Licenses are included with the paper packs for up to 500 sales. She also makes matching clip art sets, however clip art requires the purchase of a license. Instagram is @froufroucraft. 5

HuckleberryHearts

HuckleberryHearts offers a variation of digital items, such as clip art, paper packs, stamps, and banners. It is one of the most affordable options for planner stickers, though the designs tend to be simpler. As you can see in the banner, there are a lot of promo codes floating around to help you save even more. Licenses are included for small commercial use up to 100 sales with credit. Instagram is @HuckleberryHeartsDesigns. 3

KrisDreams

I have used this shop so many times for blog and shop kids. The price is super reasonable, and the designs are very unique. She always has a coupon or sale floating around. Licenses are included for up to 100 sales. She also sells her own stickers and clip art. Instagram is @kristelraymundo. 5

 

Maishop Digital Art

This was one of the first shops I found. Prices are very reasonable, and licenses are free with credit. The designs are a lot simpler, but it allows more room for larger clipart and decorative pieces. 3

 

 

 

 

MinaArtDesign

MinaArtDesign offers a lot of floral, feminine designs revolving around a one color and its variations. The price is very fair, and she offers a free license for up to 100 sales. 3

 

 

 

 

 

PawPrintzDesignShop

PawPrintzDesignShop has some amazing sets with really vibrant colors. I love these for using as backgrounds. They allow free use up to 1000 sales. They also sell brushstrokes and textures if you want to customize a design. Check for BOGO sales and coupons! 4

 

 

 

Pretty and Creative

Here is another shop that I purchased from very frequently. Her aesthetic matched what I was aiming for with my stickers, and the clipart was very easy to use. She also offers brushstrokes and dolls. Some items include a license, so be sure to check the item description for more details. Instagram is @prettyandcreative.shop. 5

SibylDesign

This shop also offers a lot of floral, watercolor prints and clip art. Licenses are included for sales less than 100 pieces. The price makes these sets a great value. 3

TWGDesigns

Another very popular shop is TWG Designs. They offer digital paper packs, matching clip art, and fashion dolls, and the price fits. Their terms of use allow for free commercial use up to 100 units. This shop’s style tends to be more doodle-brush stroke style than the watercolor that we saw previously. Instagram is @TWGdesigns. 5

 

 

 

CollartStudio

CollartStudio also offers very easy-to-use planner designs similar to those of aforementioned artists. She has a few BOGO offers active and sells clipart in addition to the digital papers. A small license is included for up to 50 uses. Anything beyond that requires a $22 license. 4

Paid Art + Paid License Required

I would only recommend going to this section once your shop/blog begins to take off, otherwise, I would stick to the first couple sections. Purchasing licenses for each set can add up quickly. This section will consist of shops that do not include free licenses, or the majority of the shop requires a license for any commercial use. Once again, there will be a bolded rating factoring in the price of the license and the value of the set. Any prices listed are as of the writing of the post, and can most definitely change later on. I will go through this list much quicker than others, just because I don’t know how helpful it will be to beginners. Nonetheless, I had the list compiled and thought it may be useful in the future.

Annakristal

Very similar set up to the shops listed earlier with the digital paper and the matching clipart. There is one $12 license that I could find that covers no-credit commercial use for up to 1000 copies. 3

Bloomsical

No doubt you have seen Bloomsical’s work before. A lot of planner sticker shops utilize this shop for kit inspiration. She has a unique feel to her kits, and they are always very vibrant and well put together. That being said, the packs and clipart are a bit on the higher end price-wise. She also sells logos, fashion girls, brush strokes, and smaller paper packs. Licenses are tiered with a basic, extended, and unlimited version. A single basic license is $25 and covers 500 sales. Anything beyond 500 will require an extended license for $75. These are sold in multiples for a discount per license. The unlimited license is for the petite paper dolls that she sells. Instagram is @bloomsical. 5

Haute Glam Design

HauteGlamDesign sells lots of digital tools such as paper packs, clipart, brush strokes, and dolls. The basic license is $23.37 and covers up to 500 sales. Instagram is @hauteglamdesign. 4

DesignLoverStudio

The next shop offers digital paper sets and clipart for a very reasonable price. The license is only $4.50 at the time of writing this, which is one of the most inexpensive ones I have found. In addition, for $45 you can receive unlimited licensing for all past and future sets, which is a great deal if you are interested in using multiple sets from their shop. Instagram is @designloverstudio. 5

Elle P Studio

Elle P Studio has a more unique look to their shop, with a very distinctive character design. They offer lots of digital items, though the price is on the higher end. They offer a basic and large license. Basic ($25) covers 250 sales. Anything more necessitates a large license ($55). Once again, this shop does sell in bundles.

SkarletArt

 

SkarletArt sells watercolor paper sets and matching clip art for a reasonable price. The license is $15 and is also sold in a bundle of 3. Check back for sales and coupon codes. 4

Custom Art

Alright! So we are to the end of a very lengthy post, and the last thing I want to discuss is the use of custom artwork for planner stickers. This is a way to differentiate yourself from other shops by using exclusive, custom artwork they won’t find anywhere else. I idon’thave any specific links here to share with you, as I’ve never commissioned artwork before, but I would recommend checking Instagram and custom Etsy listings. These custom pieces can be expensive, so definitely don’t jump in with the custom artwork.

Once again each list is not exhaustive. These are just shops that I found/ enjoyed using when I was making planner stickers many moons ago. This is just meant to be helpful and not critical or exclusive in any way!

If you have favorites that you use that weren’t mentioned here, feel free to comment and let me know!

Thanks for checking in, and I hope to see you again soon!