Custom Stickers

How to make custom stickers using an inkjet printer and the Cricut machine in the AMS.

Materials Needed

1. Inkjet Printer: A printer capable of handling sticker paper. The settings for sticker paper will be the same as printing on photo paper.

   Tip: If the printer in the AMS is not functional try asking for help at the print center in the library.

2. Cricut Machine: The Cricut machine is found in the AMS at the craft station.

3. Sticker Paper: Choose between glossy, matte, or transparent options. There are many types available at the AMS, just be sure that it is sticker paper by confirming it has an adhesive side once peeled apart.

4. Personal Computer: Used to find your design, upload to Cricut Design Space, and send the information to the Cricut machine.

5. Design Software: Cricut Design Space is used for generating the PDF to be printed on the sticker paper. Download this software onto your computer before starting the project. The software is free for download and is very user friendly.

6. Cutting Mat: A cricut mat holds the sticker paper in place while the machine cuts. These mats vary in size and adhesivn strength. For most cases the small normal adhesion (green) mats work well.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Design Your Stickers

• Create Your Design: Design your stickers by going online and finding an image you wish to make into a sticker. Use MS Paint to crop the image down as necessary.

• Save Your Work: Save this image as a JPEG or PNG file. If your image was taken directly from a website and will not save as a designated file type crop the image from the site using the snipping tool, upload to MS Paint, and then file, save as, and then choose your image type.

• Open the Software: Once saved open Cricut Design Space and select "Canvas" from the top two tabs.

• Upload: Select the "upload" option at the bottom left side of the window to upload your file.

• Remove Background Items: Once uploaded you will be directed to the background remover where you can simply click and undesired part of the image to remove it from your design. Once satisfied press apply and continue.

• Choose from the single layer or flat graphic options presented in the window (Flat graphic is what I typically use). Then select Continue.

• Name the image: Here you can name the image for later use or add it to a collection (like a project file). Click upload.

• Scale the Design: Once uploaded the design will be placed in the Design Space canvas where you can scale the image to your desired size.

• Check Settings: Check that under the "operation" drop down bar along the top of the window has "print then cut" selected

• Upload Design: At this point you can continue to upload more designs to be cut on the same piece of sticker paper by repeating these steps. Once satisfied with your designs and all are uploaded for this batch click "make" in the top right corner.

• Prepare mat(s): On this page you can move the stickers around on the page to use the paper most efficiently. Also confirm that the paper size selected in 8.5x11 (or what ever size paper you plan to print on). Press continue.

• Configure PDF Settings: On this screen press "send to printer", select "Add Bleed" and then set the printer to "Microsoft Print to PDF".

• Save and Print: Save this PDF and print it on your sticker paper with an inkjet printer, I suggest the print center. (Or if you are feeling lucky you may or may not be able to replace the paper in one of the many on campus color printers with your sticker paper. Be sure you know which bay it is pulling paper from and add the sticker paper with the side to be printed on facing upward. Print as normal. P.S. if not using photo paper settings the on campus printers may jam, if so follow on screen prompts and remove that sheet. If you can not fix it, abort mission and delete this part of the wiki.)

2. Set Up the Cricut Machine

• Turn on the Cricut: Power the Cricut with the power cable attached to the back of the machine. Plug in the white USB cable into the back of the machine as well. Open the top and front panels of the Cricut. Press the power button to start the initialization sequences.

• Upload Your Design: Once the PDF is printed return to the screen where you saved your design as a PDF. Plug in the white cable into the USB port of your computer. The software should now see the Cricut, select it an press continue.

• Select Material: Select the material type you are cutting. You can see all material types configured for the machine by selecting "browse materials" in the top right of this screen. I typically use "Printable Vinyl".

• Cut Pressure: Start with normal pressure, but if the stickers are not cut all the way through adjust this setting to "more pressure" and vice versa. Also confirm you have the regular square mat selected in the software

• Attach Paper to the Mat: Take your printed sticker paper and attach it to the mat by aligning the top left edge of the paper to the top left corner of the grided area on the mat. Use a ruler or a rolling device to apply pressure to the paper in order to adhere the paper to the mat.

• Load the Mat: Load the mat with the paper into the machine. Align the edges of the mat into the white guides in front of the roller. Press the top of the mat against the roller and press the arrow button on the top of the machine to load.

• Start the Cut: Press the flashing Cricut logo to start the cut. It will start by calibrating to the black edges printed on the paper. Once calibrated it will start the cut. Keep an eye on the paper as it cuts and make sure it does not start to lift from the mat. If so push down on that part to re-adhere.

4. Weed and Apply

• Remove From Machine: Once complete press the arrow button again to remove the paper from the roller's grip. You can then remove the paper from the mat.

• Weed Your Stickers: After the cutting process is complete, carefully remove excess sticker material from around your designs. This is known as weeding.

• Transfer Tape (Optional): If your design is intricate, use transfer tape to help position your stickers accurately when applying them.

6. Enjoy Your Custom Stickers!

• Application: Your custom stickers are ready to be used! Apply them to laptops, water bottles, notebooks, or wherever you like.

Tips and Tricks

• Test Print: Always do a test print on regular paper to ensure your design looks as expected. This also helps to confirm that your designs will cut along the correct edges.