Why we love shipping with our own custom printed mailers

As you know, we here at Sticker Mule love some good [custom stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers) — but not only! While we take pride in every single one of our products, today we want to tell you how shipping with our own [custom printed mailers](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers) makes us especially proud.

![custom printed shipping mailers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/62eb39d1-d9bf-461b-b7cb-aa563ab15d34)

Lightweight, but incredibly sturdy, these babies are great for shipping anything from books to t-shirts. They're a time-saving solution, making it a breeze to bulk-ship your merchandise with elegance and care.

In fact, if you've ever bought anything from Sticker Mule, you probably know exactly what we're talking about. Because, yes, we invariably ship with our very own custom printed poly mailers! That's how confident we are in their quality and durability.

### Why you should be printing custom mailers for your business

It's not just us. We just try and lead by example, because we think custom mailers are a great idea for just about any business out there.

Wanna know why? Here's why.

__1. It increases your brand recognition__

As you probably know, [brand recognition](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/b/brand-recognition.asp) (or brand awareness) has long been one of the cornerstones of good marketing. The formula is simple: the more people recognize your brand, the more they trust you. The more they trust you, the more they buy from you. 

And guess what: with custom mailers, you remind your buyers of your brand even before they open the package.  

So, add your logo to your design. How hard can it be? (Hint: not very hard.) Then print it out in the oh-so-nice-and-crispy shape of stylish custom printed mailers. 

Wonderful, isn't it? Now every shipment you make is more than just that — it's also extra brand recognition, at no extra cost.

__2. It's a quick way to display your brand style and ethos__

Fancy and creative or down to earth and minimalistic — a custom mailer design is a great opportunity to tell the savvy buyer, at a glance, what you're all about. It can [give them a glimpse of your values](https://www.brandingmag.com/annie-button/how-packaging-design-can-pack-and-reflect-brand-values/) and who you are as a company.

Besides being a great way to showcase some of your company's buying points, your mailers can also be matched to your target audience. 

Younger demographic? Consider opting for simpler lines and fonts for that "effortlessly cool" hipster look. For a more mature public, solid shapes and colors may be the way to go. And for a hand-crafted, artistic-oriented product, fanciful, out-of-the-box, and even extravagant colors, shapes, and lines can clearly point to your artistic aspirations. 

If you're starved for inspiration, be sure to check out [some trendy style ideas we wrote about here](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/8-graphic-design-trends-getting-popular-in-2023).

__3. It's cost effective — very__

Honestly, there's just no end to the perks. Our custom printed mailers are actually super affordable, and may just turn out to be cheaper than your current shipping method of choice — especially if you buy the [custom mailers in bulk](https://www.stickermule.com/products/poly-mailers), which you can do at Sticker Mule (and save up to 76%!)

### Why we ship with our own custom mailers at Sticker Mule

As we were saying, we make it a point to ship with our own Sticker Mule-branded mailers. That's not only for the reasons stated above — although it's certainly cost-effective for us (ha!) and it does a good job of marketing our brand. 

No, our commitment to using our own custom mailers as we send out packages all over the world is important for other reasons: 

- It ensures our merchandise is kept safe and protected no matter how far the destination 
- It's a way to test our own product against all kinds of climates and situations 
- It shows just how confident we are in their quality and reliability. 
- It communicates to our clients that we stand by our products.  
- It gives customers a sample of a new product to buy! 

"It's not about the money, it's about sending a message."

Or maybe it is about money. It's the packaging way of putting our money where our mouth is.

### We keep improving

For us, it's vital to be constantly moving forward. Constant improvement and innovation are part of our culture, and using our own products helps us with that.

Based on customer feedback, we can make improvements to your user experience and make sure we fully meet customer needs and expectations.

In fact, that's just how we recently came up with [full bleed printing](https://www.stickermule.com/support/full-bleed). Deploying our own custom mailers is a really neat way to work research and development into the otherwise mundane task of shipping.

### Conclusion

Order from the Sticker Mule shop and you'll get a prompt reminder that we believe in what we do. And we trust you'll agree with us that our custom mailers really are as good as we market them.

Shipping with our poly mailers helps you trust us. It helps us innovate. And it drives us to improve our product even further.

Trust, innovation, improvement. This, even more than stickers, is what we're all about.

If you've never bought from Sticker Mule before, why not start now? Come and join our community of happy customers with [$10 off your first purchase](https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=4898292701%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stickermule.com%2Funlock%3Fref_id%3D4898292701)!

<ButtonCta text="Get $10 off your first order!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/unlock?ref_id=4898292701%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stickermule.com%2Funlock%3Fref_id%3D4898292701" />



We take great pride in being able to ship with our own custom printed mailers. It makes us better and keeps our products on the cutting edge of shipping experience.

Custom sticker deals are heading to Denver!

Have you seen the RTD light and commuter trains in Denver lately? They've got a new wrap and it's all thanks to our [custom sticker](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers "custom stickers printing near Denver") 10 for $1 deals!

![custom stickers denver rtd train](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/4d2cf4e0-aef3-4da8-8608-f0a014daeabc)

Sticker Mule is thrilled to announce a brand new marketing campaign in Denver that is set to take the city by storm. We are launching a comprehensive marketing campaign that will use TV, radio, and web commercials to advertise our custom sticker deals, including the popular [10 for $1 custom sticker deal](https://www.stickermule.com/deals/4b02bdaf?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=brand_2022_dollar "custom sticker deals").

As a company dedicated to being the leader in [printing stickers](https://stickermule.com "printing stickers online") online, we are always looking for new ways to reach our customers and show them the value of our products. And that's what we think our exciting new marketing campaign in Denver will do, showcasing the benefits of our custom stickers and helping spread the word about the incredible deals at Sticker Mule.

At the heart of our marketing campaign is the 10-for-$1 custom sticker deal, which has been a huge hit with customers in the past. This offer gives customers the opportunity to order 10 custom stickers for just $1 — an affordable and convenient way to add some personality and style to products or personal belongings. Whether you're a business owner looking to promote your brand or an individual looking to add some flair to your [laptop](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/laptop-stickers "custom laptop stickers") or [water bottle](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/water-bottle-labels "personalized water bottle labels"), this deal is the perfect way to get started.

To get the word out about this amazing offer, we'll be using a variety of marketing channels, including TV, radio, and web commercials. But that's not all - we're taking our marketing efforts to the next level by wrapping [RTD trains](https://www.rtd-denver.com/ "denver train line") with our advertising! 

![denver stickers printing rtd train wrap](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d29bb29c-a62b-4b06-8ec2-55cf39df8ae6)

This should be a good way to reach people who are commuting in and around Denver, and we're confident it'll be a huge success. Besides showcasing current offers, the train wrap tells you at a glance what our company is all about by showing our unique orange color branding with cute & funny stickers on top.

Our hope is when you see it, you'll think it's time you joined in on the fun! With 10 for $1 custom stickers, you can try what it's like to customize your products or personal belongings for a minimal cost. Visit Sticker Mule now and discover the joy of personalizing your life.

<ButtonCta text="Get 10 stickers for just $1 today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/deals/4b02bdaf?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=brand_2022_dollar" />


Custom stickers deals are all over Denver with our new marketing campaign in the Mile High City. From wrapped up RTD trains to billboards on I-70 - custom stickers are everywhere!

The top 6 ShipStation alternatives in 2023 - Free and paid

With the growth of e-commerce — an industry [projected to reach $8 trillion globally by 2026](https://www.statista.com/statistics/379046/worldwide-retail-e-commerce-sales/ "retail ecommerce trends"), — we’ve also seen an increase in the number of order management systems (OMS) available.

OMS platforms like [ShipStation](https://www.shipstation.com/ "shipstation shipping management print labels") help manage customer orders, catalogs, and shipments. They can often integrate with marketplaces and shopping carts, and even partner up with fulfillment services such as Amazon Supply Chain, helping retailers automate and speed up shipments.

![best shipstation alternatives 2023](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/528065f9-6935-4509-be77-4005102a3645)

One of the main services provided by ShipStation and similar platforms is courier comparison and on-demand label printing. Let’s take a look at how that works.

###How do order management systems work?

Suppose you need to send a package, but are unsure which shipping courier offers you the best service and lowest cost. All you have to do is enter your shipping data into one of these platforms and choose from a list of postage options. You can then issue a printable shipping label, complete with barcode, for the selected courier — UPS Ground, say, or UPS Next Day Air.

After that, the only thing that remains is to print your label, stick it to your package, and send it on its way.
Essentially, platforms like ShipStation work as licensed vendors. Instead of paying directly to USPS or UPS, you pay the vendor. This allows you to save on trips to the post office, while also benefiting from discounts and reduced fees.

##Best ShipStation alternatives in 2023

While ShipStation is a popular OMS platform for multichannel merchants due to its wide array of integrations with marketplaces and carriers worldwide, it may not be the best choice for everyone.

For one, it can be a bit pricey — subscriptions start at $9.99/month, but can go considerably higher depending on things like number of shipments and users.

Besides, it takes a bit of time getting used to, as it’s a large platform with a multitude of options and features.
If you’re looking for something less complicated — and less costly, — there are a few alternatives to consider.

### 1. Ship by Sticker Mule

![ship by sticker mule shipstation alternative](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b5b0da37-1da0-4240-a322-c1e9bb1a3561)

“Simplify, simplify.” [Thoreau’s advice](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meditation-modern-life/201507/henry-david-thoreau-simplify-simplify "thoreaus simplify simplify quote") for life is exactly what Ship helps you do. 

With [Ship](https://www.stickermule.com/ship "ship by sticker mule print shipping label management"), finding the best shipping courier for your money and creating your own USPS or UPS shipping labels is a straightforward, 100% hassle-free process.

1. Create a free account (takes moments)
2. Input sender and receiver data (name, address, etc.)
3. Enter your parcel weight and size
4. Choose the cheapest and best USPS or UPS option from a list
5. Pay for your shipping label — no hidden fees
6. Print or download your label straight away

On top of helping you find the most wallet-friendly carrier option for your needs, Ship also allows you to track and manage the status of multiple orders with different postal services — all on a single platform.

The best part? Ship doesn’t charge you monthly subscriptions or any other fees. Not a single dime.

Ship is the definition of user-friendly, and is number one among our free ShipStation alternatives.

<ButtonCta text="Try Ship by Sticker Mule" href="https://www.stickermule.com/ship" />

### 2. Shippo

![shipp vs shipstation](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ecdf4f9f-9bd7-4d61-aa52-4abc627c0e3c)

Shippo is similar to ShipStation in that it also caters to multichannel retailers, with integrations and partnerships with multiple global couriers and e-commerce platforms.

When comparing Shippo vs ShipStation, there isn’t a whole lot of difference. Both are big platforms, allow for bulk label printing, and have a number of helpful task automation options.

Unlike ShipStation, Shippo offers a free option for single-person users, which can make it an interesting alternative for individuals or small businesses. 

That said, it still will still charge you for other services, such as the use of its order-tracking API.

<ButtonCta text="Try Shippo" href="https://goshippo.com/" />

### 3. Stamps.com

![stamp shipstation alternative online](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fecf75d0-a732-40f1-99f5-0fa5e706ee90)

Stamps.com is popular throughout the US. Similar to Ship, it offers a more austere service that’s only compatible with USPS and UPS. But, coming at a fixed monthly $17.99, it also provides several options such as:

- compatibility with stores based in several locations
- imports orders from shopping carts
- allows for bulk CSV inputs
- sends out shipping notifications to recipients

Although it comes with certain limitations, such as restricting users to a single login at a time, Stamps.com is one of the top alternatives to ShipStation for small retailers and businesses.

<ButtonCta text="Try Stamps.com" href="https://www.stamps.com/" />

### 4. ShippingEasy

![shippingeasy vs shipstation alternatives](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ff142655-a5f2-4ea4-ab5f-a8435854c14f)

An uncomplicated interface, top-notch customer support, and a plethora of integration options with third-party platforms and order management services, Shipping Easy makes an easy fourth place in our list of alternatives.
Among several mention-worthy features, it offers:

- comprehensive and shipping reports and graphics
- real-time order tracking and automation
- shipment progress notifications to keep users informed every step of the way
- send out return labels
- print shipping labels from the comfort of your home

How do we stack up ShippingEasy vs ShipStation? The main thing to note here is that ShippingEasy provides a free package — up to 25 shipments per month. For small businesses looking to cut costs on shipping, it may be a better option than ShipStation.

<ButtonCta text="Try Shippeasy" href="https://shippingeasy.com/" />

### 5. EasyShip

![easyship alternative to shipstation](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/601ab008-ca42-4a82-931e-a1fdc2d67eab)

While similar in name, EasyShip stands out from ShippingEasy in some ways. It also offers a free subscription (but up to 50 monthly shipments), where it’ll only charge users the cost of postage and insurance. However, its subscriptions are a little costlier, at $29 for an entry-level monthly subscription.

The main difference here is that some of its best options are only available in the top customer tiers: things like pre-generated return labels, phone support, label customization, and displaying import taxes and duty at checkout.

<ButtonCta text="Try Easyship" href="https://www.easyship.com/" />

### 6. ShipHero

![shiphero shipstation alternatives](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8518fdf4-3e7b-4e30-add6-f64996b8cf17)

ShipHero is a true heavy-hitter in the OMS industry. Not only does it provide tracking and label-printing services, but it also works with warehouse management and order fulfillment.

As such, it may be a great choice for larger retailers looking for someone to take most of the shipping flow off their hands. But that, of course, comes at a significant cost. This makes it a less palatable pick if you have simpler needs and are not looking to scale exponentially over the foreseeable future.

<ButtonCta text="Try ShipHero" href="https://shiphero.com/" />

## Courier, wrap it up

In 2021 alone, a whopping [21.6 billion parcels were sent out](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1178991/parcel-shipping-volume-united-states/ "shipping volume statistics") across the US. Little wonder, then, that there’s no shortage of order management systems out there.

How can you find the best order tracking and management service for your business? As usual, the most correct answer is: it depends.

ShipStation is a powerful platform for those who run vast, multi-integrated stores with tens or hundreds of employees and a profusion of different shipment management needs.

But, if you’re looking for a simple and free platform to compare best shipping courier options, track your shipments, and print USPS shipping labels with no hidden fees, then we think Ship is the top choice for you.

<ButtonCta text="Order custom packaging supplies from Sticker Mule!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-packaging" />


Shipstation, Shippingeasy, Shippo, Ship...which one is best? Find out which shipping management service is best!

Naughty or spice? Holiday recipes with a kick!

When it comes to holiday recipes, hot sauce might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind. But trust us, a little bit of heat can go a long way in adding depth and flavor to your holiday dishes.

![hot sauce food and drink recipes](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/dfbc0df3-c103-49d4-8b96-d9ebd7c75694)

This post will provide you with some delicious recipes that have a bit of a kick to them. From traditional holiday recipes with a twist to hot sauce drink recipes from around the world, there are plenty of ways to add some flavor and a bit of heat to your holiday meals. Here are a few ways to spice up your holidays this year.

------------------------------

##Sleighin’ Spicy Shrimp Bites
![hot sauce shrimp bites](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7be102d1-12a3-479b-b10c-ffbc495bf856)

*Makes 16 bite sized appetizers*

1 1/2 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tbsp for frying pan

2 tbsp honey

2 tbsp [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "sweet spicy hot sauce")

Zest and juice of one orange

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

16 phyllo shells or mini pie crusts

1 cup guacamole

1/4 cup of crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese

Chopped cilantro, for garnish


__Instructions:__

In a large bowl, add shrimp, olive oil, honey, Mule Sauce, orange, salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir to evenly coat shrimp, cover and refrigerate for one hour. 

In a large saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook over medium heat. Once pan is hot, add shrimp, working in 2 batches, careful not to overcrowd the pan.

Cook 2-3 minutes per side, depending on size of shrimp. Remove from heat.

__Assembly:__

Spoon or pipe 1 tbsp of guacamole into each phyllo cup. Top with shrimp, crumbled cheese and chopped cilantro and serve.

------------------------------

##Mule Tide

![bourbon drink hot sauce lime pineapple juice](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/de8552a7-5c38-42b3-a80b-ee4745618f91)

1.5 oz Bourbon

.75 oz Fresh Lime Juice

.75 oz Fresh Pineapple Juice

.50 oz Simple Syrup

.25 oz [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "spicy and sweet hot sauce") (1 packet)

2 dashes of orange bitters


__Instructions:__

Shake, strain serve in coupe, garnish with dehydrated lime

------------------------------

##Prancer’s Punch

2 oz Zero proof tequila (Jalisco 55 by Spiritless)

.50 oz Fresh Lime Juice

.25 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

.50 oz Agave Nectar

.25 oz Mule Sauce

5 Rosemary Leaves

__Instructions:__

Muddle the rosemary to release the oils, combine all the ingredients into a shaker tin with fresh ice, shake hard for 30 seconds, straining into a rocks glass and garnish with a fresh rosemary sprig and favorite edible flower

*For 10 guests*

20 oz or 2.5 cups Zero proof tequila

5 oz Fresh Lime Juice

2.5 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

5 oz Light Agave Nectar

2.5 oz or ten packets of [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "best hot sweet and spicy hot sauce")

.25 oz by weight or 5 full sprigs of Rosemary

__Instructions:__

Follow the original instructions, serve in your favorite punch bowl or pitcher

------------------------------	

##Buffalo Chickmas Dip 

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 cup bleu cheese crumbles

3/4 cup finely shredded cooked chicken breast

1 green onion, sliced (white and pale green part only)

2 tbsp [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "best hot sauce on the internet")

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 cup nuts (walnuts or brazil nuts)

2 tbsp finely chopped parsley

Carrots and pita chips, for serving

__Instructions:__

In a large bowl add cream cheese, cheddar and bleu cheese. Using a rubber spatula, fold to combine evenly. Add in chicken, green onion, Mule Sauce, salt and pepper. Continue to fold until all ingredients are incorporated. Turn mixture out onto plastic wrap and wrap completely, forming a ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.

Meanwhile, chop the nuts finely using a knife or food processor. Combine with parsley on a shallow plate. Roll the cheese ball into the nut mixture, coating all sides.

Place the cheese ball on a platter and arrange with carrots, pita chips or bread.

------------------------------

## All I Want For Christmas Is [Tof]u

![delicious tofu hot sauce tacos](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fa171a17-9b44-41d4-a091-ec1b455b4179)

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. plus 2 tablespoons for pan

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 tablespoon [Mule Sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "sweet and spicy hot sauce")

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 (14-ounce) block extra-firm tofu drained and patted dry

__For serving:__

Warm corn or flour tortillas.

Sliced avocado, chopped cabbage, salsa, and/or any of your favorite taco fixings

__Directions:__

In a large bowl, add olive oil, tomato paste, seasonings and Mule Sauce. Whisk to combine. Chop tofu into 1x1 cubes and toss in olive oil mixture to coat. In a large skillet over medium high heat, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to pan. Add tofu and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Place tofu in prepared taco shells with toppings of choice and enjoy.

------------------------------

With a little bit of creativity and the right hot sauce, you can add flavor and heat to your holiday recipes and impress your guests with some truly unique dishes. So don't be afraid to experiment and see what delicious creations you can come up with using this versatile and flavorful ingredient.

Try [Mule Sauce hot sauce](https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce "sweet spicy hot sauce") today and discover a new level of flavor in your cooking.

<ButtonCta text="Get a bottle of Mule Sauce today!" href="https://www.stickermule.com/mule-sauce" />



Delicious food and drink recipes featuring Mule Sauce hot sauce that will bring some extra spice to your holidays!

Custom stickers are taking over NYC!

Sticker Mule is on a mission to get out the word to New York City about where to get their [sticker printing](https://stickermule.com/ "custom sticker printing nyc") done. 

![custom stickers new york city subway sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/f021b894-a2a9-4a3e-a18c-3d3574d3881f)

If you are in NYC or anywhere in the [tri-state area](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tri-state_area), you may notice a big increase to the amount of mules (like Herman below) you’ll see around in the next few weeks. 

![herman sticker mule mascot mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/aba1d9d6-45e1-4856-992b-408fdd891331)

That’s because we’ve committed to spreading awareness through the magic of [omnichannel advertising](https://blog.hubspot.com/service/omni-channel-experience) throughout the northeast United States. We are advertising some of our favorite videos, including our hugely popular [10 for $1 sticker ad](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4EHHB176OU) that includes some of the best animation you’ll ever see on your silver screen. In addition to TV, we will also advertise on radio, streaming services, in subways, on expressways, and everything in between!

Our biggest (at least physically) ads are in Times Square and tower over 30 ft spreading sticker goodness to all the people of New York City. This is in addition to dozens of other billboards on major highways and highly trafficked areas in New York.

![new york times square custom sticker ad](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/5b4a169c-9f3c-4073-9c4a-6f9d9de448ed)

Since our creation in 2011, we’ve strived to provide the [best quality custom printing service online](https://stickermule.com "print stickers at sticker mule"). But it doesn’t just stop at our printed products, our entire company is committed to going above and beyond. From our top-rated customer support to launching new products like [t-shirts](https://www.stickermule.com/products/custom-t-shirts "custom shirts printing") or even new technology like the happy social network, [Stimulus](https://www.stimulus.com/ "the happy social network stimulus"). We’ve aimed to be the best with everything we do and hopefully we can spread this knowledge to the New York area and beyond! 

If you are in the Albany or New York area, hopefully you’ll see some of our ads out in the wild. But don’t worry, if not, this is just the beginning of big things for Sticker Mule and we can’t wait to share more in the near future. 


Staying safe

All bad things come to an end. We will continue investing and improving until this meets its end too. It’s frustrating that aspects of the outbreak are outside of our control. The good news is we already naturally do a lot of things right to protect our staff. Specifically:

1. Our factories are in quiet, uncongested and rural towns where “social distancing” is natural.
2. We already overbuy floorspace to maintain a comfortable factory environment and expanded spacing to keep people further distanced.
3. We have stringent cleanliness standards and regularly disinfect the workplace. Last week, we trained all staff to disinfect their workplace at more frequent intervals.

Additionally, we increased paid leave for all factory employees so everyone can comfortably stay home when sick and still get paid.

Outside the factory, Sticker Mule has been a remote company from day one. Going remote is a recommended action that many companies are just now taking. Luckily, we did not need to make any adjustments to go remote. It’s already the way we do things.

My #1 desire is to keep everyone positive and happy. Everyone in the world is thinking about how to solve this problem and we will get through it together.


How we're positioned to operate safely during the COVID-19 outbreak.

10 years of Sticker Mule

10 years ago Sticker Mule was born out of frustration. No one treated customers or employees as good as we felt was possible. We wanted to do better and set out to build the best way to shop and work. 

10 years later we beat all expectations. Sticker Mule is fast becoming a standard for what it means to be a great company. Businesses all over the world copy us and that's great. 

Many people laughed when we said we'd build a mega-brand selling stickers. Luckily, we love to be underestimated.

They said it's rare to build a successful company on your first try. We did. 

They said it's impossible without high profile investors. We have none. 

They said you can't build a big brand from a small rural town. We did. 

They said you need "experienced" people with fancy degrees. We don't. 

They said manufacturing is too hard for a startup. It’s not.

They said you need to run massive losses to grow fast. We don't. 

Sticker Mule is a story for the underdogs. The people who the “experts” say can't make it. Ignore the experts. Believe in yourself. 

10 years ago, a 70 year old that never used a computer before cofounded Sticker Mule after seeing the Internet for the first time. When asked "are you sure we can do this?" He calmly replied, "we never failed at anything and we won't at this." Today we make it a habit to do the impossible. 

Our new goal is to make the next 10 years happier for everyone. Financial “success” as a never-ending goal is a crazy thing. We started Sticker Mule with a plan to be fast, simple and fun. It’s time to focus on fun.

10 years ago Sticker Mule was born out of frustration. We wanted to do better and set out to build the best way to shop and work.

New: Opt out of freebies

Surprises are one of the ways we make our customers happy. That’s why we include fun freebies in every order. Typically, you’ll get a few cute Sticker Mule stickers and maybe a button, coaster or magnet too. Our freebies change periodically to make them more surprising, fun and collectable too.

![freebie-opt-out](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/6ff5bb1dd69fd4bec52cd1e203868e7e8cf1180d)

Sticker Mule freebies end up on Instagram, Twitter and laptops worldwide, but some customers, especially frequent purchasers, ask not to receive them. To address this request, we are happy to introduce freebie opt-out. 

You can now opt out of freebies in [your account settings](https://www.stickermule.com/account) (or opt back in).

While most people enjoy the free swag, we recognize it can be wasteful – especially if you order frequently.

<Tweet tweetUrl="https://twitter.com/sarahdayarts/status/1176924428078407682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" />

Freebie opt-out was designed 100% based on customer feedback. Hope you enjoy it!

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Introducing 100 days of giveaways

We’ve secretly been plotting the biggest event in Sticker Mule history…

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Introducing [100 days of giveaways](https://www.stickermule.com/100days) on Instagram!

Starting today, we are running the biggest giveaway Instagram (and possibly the Internet) has ever seen! For the next 100 days, we’ll be running a different giveaway everyday through our Instagram account ([@stickermule](https://www.instagram.com/stickermule)).

Here’s how it works:

1. We’ll make a post, announcing the prize of the day on Instagram.
2. The post will include instructions on how to enter the giveaway. Each day will be different, so read carefully!
3. We’ll randomly select the winner(s) and DM them the next day on Instagram.

We’re keeping the full prize list a secret for now, but some prizes will include vacation packages, Apple and Google products, gift cards, gaming consoles, and, of course, free [stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers).

The fun begins today, May 1, and runs through August 8.

Sign up for notifications and learn more at [stickermule.com/100days](https://www.stickermule.com/100days)

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We've secretly been plotting the biggest event in Sticker Mule history. Beginning on May 1, we're running a different giveaway for 100 days straight.

How we prioritize at Sticker Mule 

![How we prioritize at Sticker Mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ba5c4d01ca146f185c128428987c56840bda9d81)

Organizations are the sum of their decisions. Those that prioritize well prosper and those that don’t falter. At Sticker Mule, prioritization is the most important thing we do. Our growth accelerates as we prioritized better, but there's always room to improve. 


## What prioritization is *not*

Most literature on prioritization is terrible. It leads you to believe prioritization is about [time management](https://hbr.org/2015/04/time-management-training-doesnt-work) or how to use to-do lists. This way of thinking neglects that priorities are what make or break businesses.

Consider that Amazon started as a bookstore in 1994 and grew to $147 million within 3 years. Today they employ 500,000 people who handle $200 billion in revenue. They picked the right projects and grew at an extraordinary pace.

Other retailers had different priorities and either failed or are much smaller. Walmart could be Amazon, but they did not prioritize the Internet and now they are worth half as much. 

## What prioritization is

Prioritization is picking the right tasks to maximize impact. That means finding high impact tasks and avoiding low impact ones. Usually the highest impact tasks are elusive. We don’t know the highest impact projects we could pursue right now.

Prioritization might sound stressful, but it’s not. Most tasks won’t affect us. Consequently, we shouldn't stress about the backlog of tasks we “need” to do. We need to keep our minds free to pursue high impact ideas, when they present themselves, by neglecting low impact ones.

## Prioritization categories

It’s unproductive to precisely categorize every task, but it’s useful to roughly classify them in your mind. Prioritization improves with practice and thinking about these categories helps us improve.

### Growth vs. costs
It’s generally better to use our time to grow revenue than reduce costs. Time is finite. Cash isn’t. 

### High vs. low impact

High impact is better, but completing lots of low impact tasks can be worthwhile if we complete them quickly.

### Enduring vs. temporary

Tasks that provide enduring value are preferable to those that deliver value temporarily.

### Definite vs. potential

It’s better to pursue improvements with definite benefits than those with potential.

### Short vs. long term results

Quick wins are preferable, but you can build competitive advantage pursuing ideas that yield results in the long term since others tend to neglect them.

### Related vs. unrelated tasks 
Sometimes related tasks are completed more efficiently when grouped together. For this reason, we often do low impact tasks that pair well with high impact ones.

### Estimated time to complete

All else equal, tasks that can be completed faster are preferable.


## Questions

Ask yourself these questions periodically to improve your ability to prioritize:

1. What’s the most impactful thing you can work on?
2. Did you correctly identify the problems you are facing?
3. Do you know the most important problem to solve next?
4. Can you replace any planned tasks with better ones?
5. Can you delete any especially low impact tasks entirely?

## Conclusion

We aim to embed a passion for prioritization into our culture. If you think similarly and want to join our global team, [we are hiring](https://www.stickermule.com/careers?ref=blog). 

At Sticker Mule, there's always room to improve. Consequently, prioritization is the most important thing we do. 

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