Want to create a Sticker Sheet but you’re not that familiar with Adobe Illustrator? Although a vector-based document will always have our preference regarding the end result, with Jukebox you can create and export your file using Adobe Photoshop as well.
Walk through these steps with us and you’ll be ready to create your own Sticker Sheet before you know it.
In case you do prefer to work in Adobe Illustrator, read that tutorial here.
Step 1: Set Up Your File
Create a new Photoshop document with your desired size.
Add 0.625 inches on both the Width and the Height which will work as your Bleed. For example: 8.5” x 5.5” as your end size will be 8.625” x 5.625” after the Bleed is added.
Make sure the Color Mode is selected to CMYK and the resolution to 300 PPI. Stickers are produced in CMYK as opposed to RGB. Learn more about CMYK vs RGB.
For the Color Profile, choose U.S. Sheetfed Coated v2.
Click ‘Create’.
Step 2: Set your guidelines
It’s good to have a clear view of the Dieline (the end size of your sheet) and the Safety Margin while designing to make sure you work in the correct areas.
To do this, create a rectangle (U) and set the size to 8.5 x 5.5 in and name this layer ‘Dieline’.
Then, create another rectangle and set the size to 8.375” x 5,375 in and name this layer ‘Safety Margin’.
Make sure both rectangles are placed in the center of your document and keep these two layers on top of your document while designing.
Don’t forget to disable the visibility of these 2 layers before exporting before print!
Step 3: Add a background color
Create a separate Layer for this and name it ‘Background’. Add a plain background color, a gradient, pattern, photo or whatever you’d like to work with.
Step 4: Create Your Artwork
Start creating your artwork in Photoshop or import your illustrations from other software like Adobe Illustrator.
Step 5: Arrange the illustrations in your desired layout
Create a cool layout by rotating the elements and/or make some stickers bigger than others. This will help to make your layout stand out and result in a more appealing sheet of stickers.
Keep your important elements within the Safety Margin to avoid any of those elements being cut off during the production process.
Step 6: Add additional elements
To give some extra character to your Sticker Sheet, you can add some additional elements to the background layer that won’t be printed as a sticker. When you’re happy with the result, select the Layer of the added elements and the Background Layer, right-click and select ‘Merge Layers’.
Step 7: Organize your layers
In case your illustrations are separated by different Layers, we’ll need to flatten this into one Layer.
On the Layer panel, let’s highlight all layers that contain your stickers and go to Layer > Merge Layers. Name this Layer ‘Stickers’.
Step 8: Create the Easy-Peel
To determine where the sticker should be cut, we’ll need to add another layer for the Easy-Peel.
Cmd + click on the ‘Stickers’ Layer and you should see that all elements within this layer are now selected.
Go to Select > Modify > Expand and set this on 35 pixels.
Create a new layer from this and name it ‘Easy-Peel’.
In your Layers Panel, select ‘Solid Color’ and set the color you want.
It’s not needed to add a white border, so in case you prefer your stickers without a visual border, select the same color as your background.
Add a stroke by going to Layer > Layer Style > Stroke and set the size on 2px.
To avoid any issues, it’s important to leave enough space between the stickers as well.
Make sure they’re at least 0.2 inches between the Easy-Peels and you’re good to go.
After you’re done, right-click the layer and select ‘Rasterize Layer’.
Step 9: Add the Thru-Cut layer
In case you prefer a specific kind of cut for your sheet, like rounded angles in our example, add this as a separate layer and name it ‘Thru-Cut’.
Step 10: Export your file
When you’re happy with the result, you’ll need to export the file properly.
But first, let’s have a quick check at your document:
- Check your file for any inaccuracies in text or design
- Your TIFF file should show the bleed area, but will not have Crop Marks.
Crop Marks will be added to your file before printing. - Make sure the Safety Margin and Dieline Layers are disabled so this won’t be printed.
- In case you have used any Effects or Layer Styles you must flatten those layers before exporting to avoid any printing issues and/or differences. To do this, right-click on the Layer and select ‘Rasterize Layer Style’.
When everything is checked, use the following steps:
- Go to File > Save a Copy
- Name your file
- Select ‘TIFF’ as your format
- Click ‘Save'
That’s it! Your sticker sheet is now ready to upload. Ready to print? Check out our range of custom sticker products today.
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