How to skip proofing (and save time)

At Sticker Mule we’re always looking for ways to save you time. Now, when you upload perfect artwork, you can skip proofing to get your order even faster.

<WistiaVideo videoId="rwsjxpvji0" />

After checkout, we automatically scan the artwork in your order to estimate if a proof is necessary. If your artwork looks perfect we give you the option to skip proofing.

If you’re concerned about your artwork you can still request a proof as normal.

### What is perfect artwork?
If your artwork file is high quality and includes any necessary [cut line information](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-a-sticker-cut-line), we call that “perfect artwork.”

Some examples include:

- [Vector artwork](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/raster-vs-vector-images)
- [Template artwork](https://www.stickermule.com/templates)
- [High resolution images](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale)
- [Repurposed artwork](https://www.stickermule.com/support/reuse-artwork)
- [Redraw designs](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw)
- [Studio designs](https://www.stickermule.com/studio)

Skipping proofing is just one more way Sticker Mule helps you save time and get your orders faster. Upload perfect artwork and try it today.

<ButtonCta text="Shop custom products" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/custom-stickers" />

At Sticker Mule we’re always looking for ways to save you time. Now, when you upload perfect artwork, you can skip proofing to get your order even faster.

How to design the best custom bike stickers

Bike stickers, whether for your mountain bike, sports bike, dirt bike, or really any bike, are one of the best ways to customize your bike and make it feel like your own. Used by both teams and individuals, bike name stickers and other custom bike stickers are a unique way to distinguish your bike from others. Plus, they are designed to be durable and weather-proof, so your bike stickers will be able to withstand all kinds of weather and terrain. 

If you’re not sure how to design your bike sticker or what types of things you should be keeping in mind during the design process, our guide will help you design the best bike sticker ever.

## Why have a custom bike sticker?

The first thing to consider in the design process is establishing why you need a custom bike sticker. 

It might sound a bit obvious, but having a clear reason for why you need it informs the design process and makes expectations clear from the start. For example, if you’re designing a sports bike sticker for your team, you will need to consider how many people there are, whether any extras are required and whether you want just your logo, names, or a combo.

![A bike covered in stickers parked by a wall](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/e10cc9fad8105512c6719f40dbc9629a9beb6654)

If it’s just for you, you’ll want to consider what you would like to express with your bike sticker design. Is it just a matter of identification, or is it a representation of a hobby, interest, or thought? For example, some people like to get mountain bike stickers of their country’s flag or a street bike sticker with a funny sign or slogan. 

There are a lot of custom bike sticker designs out there that will be a good fit. But again, knowing what you want and having clear expectations will always be a good thing in this process. 

Why? Because this information, in turn, will help in designing the actual bike sticker because you will know exactly what needs to go on it right from the start. Custom bike sticker designs completed by a professional will usually offer free proofs, and you will go back and forth on the design. However, having clearly defined designs will help reduce the number of amends needed.

![Custom bike frame sticker](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7945d86260b08386b807a0088ba9f01429bfb0f4)

## What should my bike sticker design be?

We’ve touched upon this a little earlier, but it bears some more discussion. If you’re thinking about how to make bike stickers and how to design a bike sticker, there is a lot of inspiration out there. 

We’ve compiled some examples of the [best bike stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/bike-stickers) if you’re looking for inspiration, and here is some advice for the design to ensure you get the best look possible:

- Do you want it to stick invisibly or have a die-cut shape for your mountain bike sticker or BMX bike sticker? 
- Do you want a longer text phrase or something short like just your name or your team member’s names? And what kind of font would you prefer?
- If you’re going for a symbol or a logo of some kind, what kind of colors will look best for your custom bike stickers, and do you already have a design file that can be used for proofs?
- What is your timeline for the bike stickers? Do you need it before a specific day, and does anyone else need to approve the custom bike stickers? (i.e., other team members for custom mountain bike stickers, etc.)

In terms of how to design your bike stickers, there are a few ways to go about this. You could create your own design on programs such as Illustrator or other free alternatives, browse on the internet for examples, or use your team’s colors and logos. 

If you’re designing just for yourself, you can opt for bold colors to make your bike sticker stand out, or pick unique words and phrases and create a die-cut shape design for a cool look! 

### Custom bike sticker sizing

It’s also necessary to think about quantities and the actual size of the sticker. Size-wise, depending on your bike, dirt bike stickers, street bike stickers, and mountain bike stickers, among others, can start from 2x2 and go up to 5x5, so you can choose a small and subtle design or something larger and more eye-catching depending on your needs. 

Bear in mind that pricing for your custom sticker design will depend on the quantity you’re ordering, with higher quantities commanding a bit of a discount, which is great for teams. Even if you’re ordering individual stickers for yourself for your BMX bike or a dirt bike sticker, you’ll be able to find affordable options. 

## What are the best stickers for my bike?

Once you have a design picked for your bike sticker, what are some of the key things you need to look out for when you’re thinking about how to design your bike sticker?

![Personalized bike frame sticker](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a976e8af0421801c1ae995c4f5582576d43cee6d)

### Vinyl material

Generally, for the best results, you should use vinyl for stickers. This is the best material as it is durable and prints colors and designs well.

### Weather-proof 

Whether it’s a mountain bike sticker or a dirt bike sticker, or any kind of bike sticker, it needs to be able to withstand rough terrain and weather without being damaged! You should ideally be looking for vinyl stickers that are UV-resistant at the very least. The best stickers for your bike should also be scratch and rain-resistant.

### Durable 

How long will your custom bike stickers last? Most bike stickers can last for at least 5-7 years, especially if they are laminated and can resist damage from the elements.

Ultimately, when you’re thinking about how to design a bike sticker, your primary focus should be endurance. How long will it last, and how much does the bike sticker design resonate with you? You don’t want to pick something you’ll get bored of too quickly if it’s for your individual needs. If designing for a team, you want to ensure that your bike sticker looks professional and high-quality. 

If you’re not sure what bike sticker designs are best for your needs, or you just need a bit of guidance on how to design the best bike sticker, get in touch! At Sticker Mule, we’re experienced in creating unique bike stickers custom-designed for you, and we’re here to make your vision come to life.

<ButtonCta text="Shop bike stickers" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/bike-stickers" />


Custom bike stickers make your bike stand out. If you’re not sure how to design a bike sticker, here are some important considerations to keep in mind.

How to make custom bike stickers

Design Your Own VSCO Stickers

## What are VSCO stickers?
To understand VSCO stickers better, we first need to talk about VSCO kids! The name VSCO comes from the popular photography and photo editing mobile app that is used to apply filters to their photos. A VSCO girl or VSCO kid belongs to a subculture of Gen Z that emerged in 2019 and gained popularity on Instagram and Tiktok. They are known to dress and accessorize similarly, which make them distinguishable from everyone. Some notable VSCO kid styles are oversized t-shirts, Birkenstocks, friendship bracelets, scrunchies, and water bottles decorated with lots of stickers!

[VSCO stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/vsco-stickers) are known for their cute aesthetic with a pastel color palette, and hand drawn quality to them. Most VSCO designs are of animals, plants, nature, and inspirational quotes or funny statements. One distinguishable look that is associated with VSCO stickers is the white padding that borders around the design. 

## Where can you use VSCO stickers?

VSCO stickers are usually seen on:

-	Water bottles like hydroflasks
-	Phone cases
-	Laptops or laptop cases
-	Mirrors
-	Airpod cases
-	Lockers
-	Instax, Polaroid or other instant cameras
-	…or virtually anywhere with a smooth surface!

## Are VSCO stickers waterproof?
Different VSCO stickers are made of different materials. Some stickers are made with just simple sticker paper, which makes them lose their quality and adhesive when getting wet. Other stickers are made with differing qualities of vinyl. 

Vinyl stickers are sunlight damage resistant and they are able to keep their vivid, bright colors for a long time. Vinyl stickers are also waterproof, so you won’t have to worry about your stickers peeling off when you are washing your water bottle! 

## Where do I find VSCO stickers?
VSCO stickers are available online from a lot of major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and others. You’ll also be able to purchase VSCO stickers from popular marketplace sites like Etsy. There are a lot of artists and small businesses that offer their designs as VSCO stickers on their own websites. 

Bigger retailers sell huge bundles of stickers for cheap, while smaller businesses and independent artists sell their stickers at a slightly more expensive price point. While there are a whole lot of designs and sellers to choose from, most of these options do not offer customization or allow you to make your very own sticker design.

## How do you design VSCO stickers?
There’s a lot of ways to design your own VSCO sticker. You can design using programs like [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-remove-backgrounds-in-photoshop), [Illustrator](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-design-stickers), or [Studio](https://www.stickermule.com/studio). You can also draw your artwork digitally using apps like Procreate and Affinity. 

One stand-out feature of a VSCO sticker is its hand-drawn aesthetic, pastel color palette, as well as the white border that pads around the design. So, for this instance we will use Procreate to draw our own design:

### 1.	Create a new canvas in Procreate.
![Design VSCO stickers in Procreate](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b034616e8f19c433008fe932ee6fbb66dda9f62c)

### 2.	Draw your design and fill in all the colors.

![Draw VSCO design in Procreate](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/964bd426e8d593fbb7cfb0b62171c8449f6e2af7)

### 3.	Add in your text.

![Add text for VSCO stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/099aaeba3b1ecc2ce542e3f2d514ea5419d50a39)

### 4.	Hide the background color layer and create a new transparent layer for the white border under your drawing.

![Hide background color layer VSCO stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cb025829f5f2b1e5584012f73e260bf510f4be28)

### 5.	Draw and fill-in a white border around.

![Fill in white border VSCO stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/990714e75dbd198d5c9e97cba3b154773ec0c146)

### 6.	When you’re happy with your work, export and save! 

![Export VSCO stickers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/11fd37c9cbf8a1976f843d184dceda527ff8bda4)

You will now then be able to print your design from your device using your home printer and sticker papers! 

Keep in mind that when printing your own design using inkjet vinyl sticker paper, expect to get a lower quality sticker. Some inkjet printer ink does not adhere well to vinyl, ending up smeared on the paper. Stickers made this way are also not guaranteed as waterproof.

## How do you make VSCO stickers without a printer?
You can always purchase VSCO stickers from a lot of retailers like the ones mentioned above, but you will not have the option to personalize or use your own design. With Sticker Mule, you’ll be able to have your very own VSCO sticker design printed and cut! 
Getting your design uploaded to Sticker Mule is super easy! 

1.	On Sticker Mule’s homepage, select custom stickers. You will be then able to pick from a wide variety of sticker styles like die cut, round, rectangle, sticker sheets, clear, transfers, and even holographic! 

![VSCO stickers by sticker mule](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/3af8f2d887d218eea2873d438934e6df047c139d)

2.	Pick the type of sticker you like. 
3.	Select the size and quantity of stickers you want to order. 

![VSCO stickers select size quantity](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ffa5f222c576e006d8b95652e895f6b585772ce4)

4.	Upload your artwork. You will also be able to type in specific instructions if necessary.

![VSCO stickers upload artwork](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ecb950519397b9db5e4fd5d656b587cf711fd8e3)

5.	You’ll see your sticker design in your cart! Checkout and put all the necessary information needed, like your shipping address and payment information.

![VSCO stickers checkout](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/551b9e4de12be509316870e18318a2d82b4b399a)

6.	Review your proof shortly after checkout and request changes until you’re happy. Sticker Mule’s proof approval process lets you work directly with them to ensure your stickers will look exactly how you want.
7.	You will get your die cut stickers with 4 day turnaround and free shipping!
Sticker Mule is the easiest way to get your VSCO stickers printed! You’ll be able to order prints of your custom stickers in any shape or size (yes, even holographic!) on premium vinyl that is durable and weather resistant. Sticker Mule’s custom stickers feature a special laminate that protects them from exposure to sunlight and water. You will also rest easy knowing that you can put your sticker-filled water bottle in the dishwasher and still have the stickers looking brand new after washing! 

<ButtonCta text="Print VSCO stickers" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/vsco-stickers" />

Learn how to design and print your own personalized or customized VSCO stickers in this step-by-step guide! 

DIY car window stickers

Consider the clothing that you’re wearing now. Apart from their obvious function of covering your essential nakedness, clothes are your statement to the world. They express your mood, your disposition, your individuality. When it comes to your vehicle, this type of self-expression can be tricky to exhibit. A paint job can be monotonous, if not downright expensive. Kitschy car accessories like fuzzy dice or dashboard dogs are just too gimmicky. If you want to extend your self-expression to your automobile, there is a simple answer: car stickers.

Car stickers come in numerous varieties, but today we’re going to zone in on car window stickers, the perfect accessories for style and self-expression. Car window stickers may not seem like much, but they have plenty of advantages.

## Benefits of Having Car Stickers

__1. Car stickers are great for branding.__

There’s no better and more cost-efficient way to declare—and spread—your brand to the world than via your vehicle. Car stickers are ideal giveaways, whether you have an event, handing out stuff curbside, or offering freebies. Stick on your logo, your emblem, your signature color and let others do the same. 

__2. Car stickers informative.__

Vehicle stickers have long been used as promotional material and through them, you can advertise your business address, contact information, and even operating hours.

__3. Car stickers can share some good wisdom.__

Everyone loves a bumper sticker, but more than that, from tattoos to stickers, everyone loves a good quote or mantra that they can apply to daily life. Put an encouraging statement for the potential road-rager in front of you. Stick on a funny joke for some traffic jam entertainment. The possibilities are endless.

__4. Car stickers can serve as a warning.__

New driver? Baby on board? Make sure other drivers know so they can be extra cautious around your vehicle.

__5. Car stickers are decorative.__

Put your face on your vehicle—and quite literally, too. Whether you want to stick on a self-portrait or an actual photo on your window, the point is, you can with car stickers. You can put your favorite characters, a random symbol, even your own customized doodle. It’s your quick, fun, affordable, and even temporary way to show off your personality when the outside world can’t see you inside your vehicle. 

__6. Car stickers can show off your affiliation__.

Uber driver? You can display the iconic U on the corner of your windshield. Slap on your business logo, too. Whether you’re riding a company vehicle or your own personal automobile, car stickers can help you spread your businesses and affiliations around.

__7. Stickers are generally fun.__

We’ve all collected stickers back in the day and they’ve always been good fun. There’s just something personable about it, light and easy. Of course, you can’t go overboard stickering your car (the law is different per country), but even if you just have an inconspicuous sticker on a small corner of the rear window, it’s still a fun throwback to the good old days.  

## Kinds of Car Window Stickers

What kind of stickers would be good for your car? The problem is there are too many varieties to choose from that it can get confusing. We’ll quickly break it down for you so you can make the proper decision based on your needs and design.

__1. Clear stickers__

Make your design stand out with clear stickers. The margins are transparent to make the design look seamless against the window, but the colors are backed with white ink to really make it pop. They’re made with a special vinyl that can be printed and cut to your exact specifications.

__2. Front adhesive stickers__

These window decals have adhesive on the front of the design to be applied on the inside of a window, virtually making it perfectly protected and weather-proof.

__3. Transfer stickers__

Transfer stickers are probably the easiest to install, especially for designs with complex and multiple pieces. The sticker is attached to a transfer tape which you can then stick to your preferred surface. You can use your hands or a piece of fabric to apply pressure on the decal, making sure that it’s properly sticking. You may also run a credit card over it to reinforce the adhesion. Remove the tape slowly so that you don’t actually peel the sticker back.

__4. Static Clings__

Designed to firmly hold against the glass without an adhesive component, static clings are preferred for temporary or seasonal graphics that don’t require a lot of commitment. What we love most about static clings is that it’s reversible, either side sticks well on glass surfaces.

__5. Vinyl lettering__

Ideal for text designs, vinyl lettering stickers uses the same transfer-type system as transfer stickers, making it easier to apply long or multiple words or letters.

__6. Die cut stickers__

The end-all, be-all of stickers, die cut stickers are weather-proof and fool-proof. It uses an incredibly thick vinyl that is resilient against scratches, water, and sunlight. It’s the ultimate sticker.

## How to Customize Your Car Stickers

There’s a simple reason why you should customize your vehicle stickers: because it’s just so easy. [Sticker Mule](https://www.stickermule.com/), for example, makes it a cinch. Once you have your graphic finalized, you just need to visit stickermule.com and the good folks there have everything set up for you:

1. Select the type of sticker you want from the aforementioned.
2. Choose the size—Sticker Mule has standard sizing and custom cuts—as well as quantity. Remember, the more you order, the cheaper the cost.
3. After uploading your design, Sticker Mule staff will come back to you with proofs within eight hours. This way, you can check how your graphic will look before printing. If you need to make edits, just send a message and Sticker Mule will do the modifications for free.
4. Wait four days for your order to arrive. Have fun stickering!

## Why it’s fun to use stickers on your car 

- Stickers reflect your personality and you’ll realize that the only way to truly capture that that is to customize everything all the way. This way, your choices are reflected in every step of the production process. Buying car stickers from stores are okay, but you might find everyone else doing the same.
- You know what will fit your vehicle. A pimped-up ride definitely needs something custom to go with it. You want it in a very specific corner of your rear window? You got it. You want it to fit your side window exactly? Done. Every millimeter, your design.
- You can go crazy with your creative juices. Seriously, let loose. We’ve mentioned earlier that the possibilities are endless and that’s because they really are. Your car stickers are only limited by your imagination and, of course, the requirements of the law. 

## Frequently Asked Questions About Car Window Stickers

__Are car window stickers removable?__

Yes, they absolutely are. Static cling stickers don’t use any adhesive so they are very easily transferable, without leaving any gucky residue. As for the traditional type of sticker, Sticker Mule suggests using a [good adhesive remover](https://www.stickermule.com/support/what-s-the-best-way-to-remove-old-stickers). Sticker Mule utilizes only the best and most durable materials, so you can bet that when you do peel off your sticker, if won’t rip apart into pieces, making the job even harder.

__Do car window stickers go on the inside or the outside?__

Both! Sticker Mule, for example, offers [front adhesive stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/car-window-stickers) that you can stick on the indoor side of the car window, protecting it from the elements. However, their die-cut stickers, which you can stick on the exterior side, are virtually everything-proof.

__How to apply car window stickers?__

It’s not that difficult to stick on car window stickers, but you have to be extra careful. Though application depends on the type of sticker you have, all of them require you to start with a clean and dry window. Dirt and moisture will tamper with the adhesive qualities of the sticker.

Make sure to mark the area where you want your sticker. You can even put placeholders first to see how it would look before attaching the actual thing. When you’re in the right position, start with one corner first then ease in the rest of the sticker. Watch out for air bubbles; this, again, could also affect the quality of your sticker. 

Once you’ve fastened the sticker, rub it smooth with your fingers. For varieties like transfer stickers or vinyl lettering, you need to further run through the sticker with a credit card (or something similar) to let out tiny excess air bubbles that got away and ensure that it has properly adhered onto the surface.

__Where to buy car window stickers?__

You need to find a place that can address your needs, offer a wide range of car sticker types, and make the entire process seamless. Sticker Mule does all of this and more via their website. In fact, they make it so effortless and fun, you might get hooked on stickering your vehicle.

<ButtonCta text="DIY Car Stickers for $27" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/car-stickers" />

Discover the different types of stickers and decals for your car. Create your own car window stickers by following these steps!

How to resize images without losing quality

We live in a digital era. With this in mind, it should come as no surprise that the manipulation of digital images is quite a big part of the digital ecosystem.

From resizing the image, to changing the resolution, to simply editing the image without losing quality as you do so, these processes have become, faster, easier and better at giving great results.

Keep on reading to find out how to resize images online for free using [Upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale), without losing quality: no Photoshop required!

## Why resize an image online?

The most common reasons for resizing images online are simple: people want to use images on their websites, social media platforms, or digital brochures., but can’t find the right image at the size they need. 

Opting to resize an image online is a great route to take for those who don’t have access to professional tools like Photoshop – or lack the professional skill to use them properly. 

Online image resizing is faster, easier, and with [Upscale](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale) it’s totally free. 

## Resizing images online to boost website performance

Image size can affect your website’s performance. Remember, the larger the files, the more work your web page has to do; larger images will lead to slower web pages. 

Each pixel in an image takes a certain number of bytes to encode, so the fewer pixels in an image, the smaller the file size will be. Find out what size your website displays images at, and resize them according to the requirements. 

Fun fact: it is always a better idea to resize images to be a little bigger than the intended display size. If you resize images, it will eliminate the unnecessary pixels while cutting down on file size significantly.

Now, you may be wondering, what if you have a small image size that needs to be bigger? Is it even possible to make an image bigger in scale without losing quality? 

## Resizing smaller images to make them bigger

How many times have you found the perfect image for that newsletter, website or sticker, only to find the image itself is impossibly tiny. 

Fret not, there is an answer to your problem: upsizing! 

Before we get into more details about upsizing an image, let’s first explore a few reasons why upsizing may be a necessary step.

## Resizing images for print

If you need to print an image, or you want to turn a photo into a sticker or poster, it can turn out extremely blurry, undefined and pixelated if the image isn’t resized correctly.

The good news is that resizing an image is not very complicated. It’s quick and easy to learn how to resize an image without losing quality, and the right tools make it possible in a heartbeat. 

## Is it possible to upsize images without losing quality?

Yes, it is! As mentioned earlier, these days it’s pretty easy to resize images without losing their quality. Before we get into the upsizing process, you have to understand the basics behind the resizing of an image's pixels.

## The technical bit: how an image resizer works

Have you ever zoomed in really close on an image before? If you have, you probably saw those small squares inside the image; those squares are called pixels. Pixels have assigned colors and positions on an image – this is where the name Bitmap comes from!

There are various image file formats used online. Image types like JPEG and PNG tend to be the most common; both of these file types are technically Bitmap files, consisting of thousands of tiny pixels. 

When you click and drag an image to make it larger, the individual pixels are stretched and expanded, resulting in a blurry, pixelated image. 

Modern image resizers, like Upscale, use intelligent solutions to create new pixels, padding out your image to the size you want without compromising on quality. 

## How to resize an image online with Upscale

Thankfully, you can get your hands on our top-rated free image resizer, called Upscale, which you can use to take all the work out of resizing images. Using the power of artificial intelligence, you are now able to make your image bigger, without losing quality.

### How to resize an image using Upscale

__Step 1:__
[Create your Upscale account](https://www.stickermule.com/upscale) to resize an image online for free.

__Step 2: __ 

Upload any image and Upscale will convert your image to a variety of high resolution outputs.

__Step 3: __

Magic! Your image will be up to two times bigger than its original size. You can now download the image in your preferred specs.

Upscale will not make your pixels bigger – it makes your image bigger. Its clever technology analyzes your image to create brand new pixels. Just upload your image and within a few seconds, you will be able to download your upgraded, larger image.

The best part of it all? Upscale is a free online image resizer that you can use quickly and easily whenever you need to. 

<ButtonCta text="Resize your image with Upscale for free" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/upscale" />


Wondering how to resize an image without losing quality? Learn how in our step by step guide: all online, no Photoshop required!

How to customize your address label

It’s your wedding. Christmas. Your thirtieth birthday. Maybe you just want to throw a big party. Now imagine yourself at your writing desk, repeatedly writing down your return address on the invitation envelopes. It’s okay for the first fifteen, but by the twentieth, you notice that your handwriting is getting a bit shaky. 

Soon, you can barely move your fingers and you notice that your address is getting shorter and shorter. You could always print it out on your computer, but there’s just no personality in the Times New Roman text. Then there’s that whole mess with glue and tape. The easy answer? [Customizable address labels](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/address-labels).  

Think of a personalized address sticker as a kind of signature to your letter or gift. It inadvertently speaks about the thought you put in it. And while writing in longhand does share a touching sentiment, you can convey the same emotion effortlessly with your own fun return address labels. 

## Where can you use address labels?

![address-labels-1](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/01d853b09fd8e2657c80e3191d25e9900b03957a) 

### Mail

This seems like a fairly obvious choice, but snail mail is making quite a comeback. You don’t even have to send letters over post to use a fun custom address label. Simply stick them on your envelopes and parcels instead of a signature. You can even use them as gift tags.

### Commerce

Selling something? Mailing labels are simple and concise and they get the message across with ease. Stick them at the back of your product to let customers know how they can reach you—for feedback, more orders, and just a general question.

### Labeling

Apply these stickers to your personal items. Trust us, you’ll never confuse that stapler with your colleague’s ever again. Lent a book to a friend? He will definitely return it because it has your name on it in a big, beautiful, conspicuous label.

### Branding

Do you have a personal logo or symbol that you simply want to own? There’s no better way to establish your brand than by sticking it everywhere—on your things, on everything where you can put your name. 

### Give them to someone

Beautifully laid-out name stickers would make the perfect gifts for everyone, from excited newlyweds to that friend who’s finally been promoted to your compulsive aunt who loves to label everything. 

## Quick tips on designing your address labels

Here’s the first thing to remember: stand out. Make sure your envelope or box sticks out from the pile in the mailing room with the right design.

### Keep it short and simple

Decide on the text you want to include. Address labels have to be a certain size, that is, don’t make them too big. There’s only a certain amount of stuff you can pile on. If you want your mailing label to be conspicuous, try not to crowd the space with text. Do you want to highlight your name? Your full name? Your entire address complete with a zip code?

If you’re using your letter stickers for business, you might want to be succinct and formal with your full name, position, and address, but if you’re designing it for friends and family, then you have a little more leeway for fun. 

### Mix and match the colors

By nature, address labels are quite small, maybe four inches wide at most (although Sticker Mule can definitely adjust the size and shape of your sticker label to your preferences). Make sure to choose the complementing colors for the text and background so that each detail could still be seen. Remember: your address sticker has to be legible. 

### Go with a theme

If you’re not really savvy with design, going with a theme will help you streamline your ideas. It can also help convey your brand. Are you earthy and holistic? Go for warm tones with nature elements. Are you flamboyant and a little flashy? Bright colors are the way to go. Having a template, even a free ready-built one will make things easier for you on the design side. 

### Add extra visual elements

Do you have a logo handy? You might want to put that in there to strengthen your brand. Are you using these labels as gift tags? Make it a touch more sentimental by inserting a photo of your family or dog. 

### Proofread!

It’s easy to get lost in the excitement of designing custom address labels, but don’t forget the essentials. Read your text. Make sure you’ve dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s. Check for typos, misspellings, loose punctuation. Is your house number correct? Yes? Then, it’s time for printing.

## How to get customized address labels?

Everything is smooth sailing once the design is done. At Sticker Mule, you can get your custom labels as fast as four days, which means that in less than a week, you’ll be attaching your name on everything. Seriously, they can print as many as 10,000 labels (and you’ll be saving 95% in the bill). 

### Specify your size and quantity

This is the very first step, which is easy enough because you already have your template ready. Sticker Mule offers stickers in square shapes, but they also accommodate custom sizes. You can have as few as a 50-piece roll, but it’s always more advisable to buy these things in bulk.

### Upload your design

You already have it. Just send it out. If you’re having design hesitations, Sticker Mule even allows you to skip this step until you are ready to dive in and make that commitment.  

### Check out

Check your sizing, quantity, and make sure you’ve uploaded the proper file. You’ll be asked to pay upon checkout. Remember, and we can’t emphasize it enough, the more you order, the more you save. You can even purchase other kinds of stickers, apart from address labels to avail special discounts. 

### Check the proofs

In a matter of hours, you’ll receive the proofs of your design. At this step, you get to check how your design will look against the sticker paper. There might be subtle changes to your colors and fonts and minor adjustments may be required. 

### Sticker away

Happy labeling!

<ButtonCta text="Get 50 labels for $45" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/address-labels" />

Customized address labels are a fun way to personalize your letters, gifts, packaging! Here are our step-by-step instructions on how you can design your own.

Creating weatherproof labels for your products

Labels are much more than stickers used to identify products and packaging. 

Designed with aesthetics in mind, they look attractive and appealing. If used on products at point of sale, they can play a major role in attracting the attention of shoppers and persuading them to buy.

## Why is label design important?

A wide variety of types of labels are commonly used as a vehicle for branding, and they can be a very effective vehicle too! Branding defines your products and prompts customers to choose them over other similar products, even if yours are more expensive. It is more than just the name of one product. It’s an identity! 

Labels are used to identify what products are and what packaging contains – often at a glance – with just a name and single-sentence description. Whether in the form of a wrapper, a box, or some other type of container, it’s a form of [packaging](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-packaging-design). 

When goods are shipped, another layer of tough packaging is commonly used to protect the product. A label designed for this will typically include the name of the person the goods are being shipped to, for identification, and might incorporate the name of the product and manufacturer, and a definitive logo. 
Labels are also used to display information about products. Typically they display the ingredients, measurements and/or quantities, directions for use, any cautionary (or hazard) details, and the manufacturer’s contact information. If there is a trademark, it will also be shown on the label. 

When designed for the packaging that contains a product for shipping, there may be less information on labels, but the information presented plays a vital role in terms of identification. If the packaging contains the product at point of sale, there will likely be more information as well as all important branding. 

Wherever they are going to be used, you need to create designs that are fit for purpose, and labels that will withstand wear and tear when products are being transported, displayed, or when they are in use. This is why weatherproof labels and waterproof stickers are so popular. 

## Why should you use weatherproof labels?

Many factors need to be considered when creating designs and labels for products. The primary function of the label and its intended use is paramount. 

For instance, if the label is for liquid or semiliquid products including drinks, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, and hand soap, or they contain oil or chemicals, then it’s a good idea to make waterproof stickers that will withstand drips, spills, and moisture. If products or packaging are likely to be used or even stored outdoors, even undercover, [waterproof stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/waterproof-stickers) are a must.

Even products that are used inside, whether in homes, factories, or offices, will benefit from weatherproof labels that last longer and are considerably stronger and resistant to scratching and fading than run-of-the-mill paper labels. 

Thick, scratch-resistant vinyl is an ideal material for weatherproof stickers and labels, especially those manufactured with a heat-proof adhesive that will resist rain, dirt, and sunshine. 

High-quality vinyl stickers are printed with inks that ensure they are weatherproof and can stand the test of washing. 

They can be printed and cut to your exact specifications and used on a multitude of different surfaces.

Waterproof labels can also be cut to size and in just about any shape. The preferred material is durable [biaxially orientated polypropylene (BOPP)](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/what-is-bopp), a type of plastic film that is stretched in two directions when it is produced to improve its flexibility and strength. 

Available as an opaque or transparent material, BOPP is considerably thinner than vinyl and it can be printed using chemical or water-based inks. Tough and incredibly long-lasting, it is resistant to water and most chemicals and it withstands UV light so it doesn’t fade when exposed to sunlight. 

### Shapes and sizes of waterproof labels

Designing weatherproof labels for your products can be an enormous challenge, partly because there is so much choice. 

Before you even work out what should be included on the labels in terms of a logo, images, and wording, you need to decide on shape, size, and colors, if any, that will be used. 

The most common shapes are square, rectangular, oval, or perfectly round. But custom weatherproof and waterproof labels and stickers can also be die-cut to the exact shape of a unique design. This adds interest and character and makes a product, whether in a bottle, can, sachet, tube, or box, stand out from its competition on the shelf or in print. 

The size will be determined by the product (or container) you are labeling as well as the sizes your supplier manufactures. They could be as tiny as 25 mm x 25 mm (1 in x 1 in) or as big as 254 mm x 254 mm (10 in x 10 in) or more, depending entirely on the item you are sticking the label onto. Most, including die-cut labels and stickers, come on a roll. 

Of course, size will also be affected by the volume of information that needs to be incorporated. Sometimes it’s necessary to compromise, and you might decide to put more info on the packaging than on the product itself. Alternatively, you might choose to add an insert with the packaged product. 

### Colors used for weatherproof labels and stickers

Whether you opt for thick vinyl weatherproof labels or high-quality, ultra-tough waterproof labels, your color options are virtually limitless. But colors are often determined by branding requirements, typically starting with a logo. At the same time, branding is much more than a color and/or logo. It has to do with the company mission and vision, and whatever it is you and your products stand for. It communicates your commitment to providing a consistent product or products that your customers can rely on. 

Branding is what helps to grow a business and a brand or brands within the business. Color elicits emotions and you can use it to evoke different responses in people. 

This is why it’s important to choose colors carefully, and wisely, when you make waterproof stickers and labels. 

As a rule of thumb, less is usually more, and if you choose a color theme for your business, you can run this right through your entire product range, even if the products and their labels are quite different from one another. 

### Opaque vs. transparent product labels 

Remember that you can design and make waterproof stickers from an opaque or transparent material. This choice will also affect the colors you decide to use on your labels as will the surface that the labels will be stuck to. 

For instance, if you’re labeling a product in a glass jar or plastic bottle, an opaque label or sticker will hide whatever is in the container. But if you opt for a transparent label, the color of whatever is in the container will show through. So you’ll need to take this into account. 

![weather-proof-labels-6](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/cb8d148f81a8cf41232c322663f56a1d0ddc1d55)

## How do you choose the best weatherproof and waterproof labels for your products?

When you create and make waterproof stickers or weatherproof labels you want a product you can rely on that will withstand wear and tear and, depending on circumstance, also the harsh elements of nature. 

Sticker Mule manufactures thick, hardy, [vinyl labels and stickers](https://www.stickermule.com/uses/weatherproof-stickers) that are oil and scratch-resistant and dishwasher safe. (Yep you read that right! You’re getting it straight from the Mule’s mouth!) 

Our waterproof labels are from high-quality BOPP material that won’t tear or fade! It is also resistant to fading and exposure to water. Did we mention it is dishwasher safe? (Even automatic ones!) 

## How do you order weatherproof labels?

__Step 1:__ Submit your design! Don’t forget all the pointers we mentioned above!

__Step 2:__ Get a quote online according to the size and quantities you want to order. 

__Step 3:__ Patiently await your free online proof to check how it turns out. You can continue to make changes to your design until you’re happy with the labels you have ordered. 

Sticker Mule also ships worldwide for free. Once you’ve ordered, you’ll get an estimated date of delivery which will depend on where you are in the world. And then you can get sticking! 

<ButtonCta text="Try waterproof labels" size="large" variant="secondary" align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/uses/waterproof-labels" />

Want to create weatherproof labels for your products? In this post, we’ll give you a few pointers on designing your waterproof label. 

Convert any image to vector with Redraw

[Redraw](https://www.stickermule.com/redraw) is a brand new service that upgrades any image into a high resolution vector format.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="nr7tGu9yKh4?modestbranding=1&rel=0" />

Have you ever had an image that was too small, too blurry, or too pixelated to do anything useful with it? With Redraw you can convert your low quality artwork into an infinitely scalable vector graphic.

## What is a vector graphic?
There are 2 types of digital artwork: [raster and vector](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/raster-vs-vector-images).

Raster images are made up of a bunch of tiny pixels. As you enlarge a raster image, the pixels begin to be noticeable causing the image to appear pixelated.

Meanwhile, vector images are made from mathematical paths. As you enlarge a vector image, the shapes and colors never lose their clarity.

This makes vector images an ideal format for web or print.

## How does Redraw work?
Redraw works with all types of images: logos, illustrations, and even photos. Each Redraw can be ordered for a flat rate of $14, regardless of the difficulty.

Simply upload your artwork and checkout. Within a few hours we’ll send a proof showing how your new artwork will look. You can request changes to the proof for free until you’re happy (or cancel if you’re not happy).

Upon approval, your artwork will be available to download. You can also use the artwork to order custom stickers, magnets, and more.

<ButtonCta text="Order a Redraw for $14" href="https://www.stickermule.com/redraw" />

Redraw is a brand new service that upgrades any image into a high resolution vector format.

How to design sticker sheets in Adobe Illustrator

This tutorial is going to show you how to create an awesome sticker sheet using Adobe Illustrator.

<YouTubeVideo videoId="5xnVfAY3W18?rel=0" />

A [sticker sheet](https://www.stickermule.com/products/sticker-sheets) is a page with several peelable stickers, most commonly grouped in a theme. These are great for promotion or showing off artistic flair.

With Sticker Mule, designing your own sticker sheet is completely optional. 

You can send us a zip file of the individual designs and we'll lay it out for you. Or you can have total control over the final look by designing the sticker sheets yourself. 

## Step 1: Set up your sticker sheet artwork
For an easy start, we recommend [downloading one of our sticker sheet templates](https://www.stickermule.com/template/sticker-sheets).

Once you have the template open in Adobe Illustrator, make sure you are in the ‘Artwork’ layer.

![Sticker sheet template layers](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/eff2b65ccc39327978d88015661badad8ef56a55)

To find layers go to Window > Layers

Now you can start dropping the designs onto the sheet. 

![Sticker sheet artwork setup](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d149cff938301b1201b91f7acef4500fc9e822dc)

From here, you're free to scale, position, or rotate your designs any way that you feel necessary, as long as it's within the sticker sheet box. 

Each sticker must be at least one inch by one inch and have a space of at least a quarter-inch around it measured from the sticker cut lines and not the artwork itself. 

## Step 2: Outline any text
If you're working with text, [make sure it's outlined](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wBuY6KQR24) before you print. 

To do this, right-click on the text and press ‘Create Outlines’. 

![Creating outlines in Adobe Illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/7e019c69ea1c8e8d19151fb4b030b09141941b45)

## Step 3: Specify your cut lines
Now you can specify cut lines using a one-point stroke. 

A quick way to do this is to select all of your designs, copy them, and paste them on the cut line layer.

![Specifying cut lines in Adobe Illustrator](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/a2bdfaf3ca680fabbb47c627789f405d9fb09810) 

Then use the unite function in the pathfinder window. 

![Using the Unite function to create a cut line](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/635bc4247ba7f290f321e13697baf701d660c719)

Once that's done, just apply the cut line swatch as a stroke, and we'll know exactly how to cut your stickers once sent to production. 

If no cut lines are specified, we will automatically determine them for you. You will review this during proofing before print. 

For a more detailed explanation of this, check out our tutorial on [how to create sticker cut lines](https://www.stickermule.com/blog/how-to-create-a-sticker-cut-line).

## Step 4: Start your sticker sheets order
Once everything is looking good, you can save your Illustrator file, upload it, and start your order. This tutorial is complete!

![Completed sticker sheets design](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/da1c082d190a904e3cabb46b603a021d700e38a2)

## Further tips for designing an awesome sticker sheet:

- Design first and adjust later. Focus on getting your sticker designs laid out roughly and then if you decide that a certain sticker needs to be bigger or spaced further apart, it will be a simple adjustment. 
- Consider making your stickers full bleed. If your designs allow for it, you can make your stickers full bleed by extending your artwork an eighth of an inch beyond the cut line. Keep in mind that whatever is outside of the cut lines will remain on your sticker sheet when the individual stickers are removed. 
- Make the sticker sheet beautiful itself by adding non-sticker elements. A colorful background or a logo can add a really nice touch to the sheet once it's printed.

<ButtonCta text="Order sticker sheets" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/products/sticker-sheets" />

Design an awesome sticker sheet or label sheet template using Adobe Illustrator with this guide.

Sticker sheet template design in Adobe Illustrator

How to remove backgrounds in Photoshop

In this easy-to-follow tutorial, we show how to remove the background from any image using [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop.html). 

Before you start, take a look at Trace, [our new background remover tool](https://www.stickermule.com/trace). It erases backgrounds from photos instantly, and could save you a lot of time. 

<YouTubeVideo videoId="71o67pJxqLw?rel=0" />

__For best results:__

- Find a high resolution image; the more pixels, the more accurate you can be.
- Make sure the subject stands out from the background and they do not share too many similar colors or textures.

### Step 1
Open your photo in Photoshop and create a new background layer. 

![new-layer](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/1c967ad5325b23d084f0a473fe2f0624c3d1b2f5)

On this new background layer go to edit, fill, and then select white for the contents. 

![Fill](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d5c5edc5c7483000e47c57540d03333b8c468aab)

Place this layer below your photo so that as we remove the original background the white one is revealed underneath. 

If your photo is a locked background layer you won't be able to drag another layer below it. All you need to do is double click on it, give it a name, and press enter to convert it to a normal layer so that you can move things below it. 

### Step 2
Grab the quick selection tool and start dragging over the part that you want to keep. 

![selection copy](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8f3c7408bf85ecc9a334afb40bb098aaa308b85b)

The size of your brush determines how much is grabbed with each click or each drag of the mouse. To change it, use the open and closed square brackets to make the brush larger or smaller depending on how accurate you need to be. 

It's likely that as you're making your selection you're gonna highlight areas that you don't wish to. When this happens simply hold alt while using the tool and it will subtract from the selection instead of adding to it. 

The magic wand tool as well as the object selection tool can also come in handy here. Check those out if needed.

### Step 3
Once you've done a fairly good job of selecting your subject from the background we're gonna refine it by going to select and then select and mask.

![select and mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/45c0b25643fe2e2478ac4cf6a949af74157940aa)

Make sure that transparency is set to 100%. This will show you how your current selection is going to look once masked out from the original background. 

Also make sure that the high quality preview is on.

![transparency](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/b333056a545ea8ea9065ac61ed974d4461756b45)

Now you can see the temporary white background you made showing through behind. 

If you see a slight gray outline, this is some background elements you picked up when using the quick selection tool. 

To remove this, use ‘shift edge’. This will expand your selection or pull it in. Negative numbers shift edge in, and positive shift it out.

![shift edge](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/229485dcfddda414514ab5a7a9e80221fa1229a0)

### Step 4
Do not shift edge too much. For places with intricate details like hair or fur, use the ‘refine edge’ brush tool. 

![refine edge](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/fbf21470da64f1c4acc03b514edbeb89f98dd3d8)

Drag along the edges where the details are present. You will lose a bit of that background and it will look more like a correct crop. Just as with the quick selection tool, you can change the size of this brush with the square bracket keys. 

Lastly if you're finding that overall your selection is looking a bit jagged or there's too many sharp edges, you can use smooth or feather to fix that. 

![smooth](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/ab9efdf42d63bba0f7e7fd22384c1213258fc6ee)

Just be careful not to add too much as you still want your selection to look crisp rather than blurry around the edges. 

At any point while you're in select and mask mode you can press P to toggle between what you started with and where you're now at. 

Press okay. 

### Step 5
Rather than actually delete the background around your subject, mask it out. 

With your selection still active, go into your layers menu and press add layer mask.

![add mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/8824d13bcf9680bd481241645e6f5af941efae1a)

Layer masks work in black and white: black means hide this part, white means show this part. Right now we want to show the subject (white) and hide the background (black).

At any point, if you want to make the same selection just do Cmd + click  or Alt + click on the layer mask.

You should now be able to move this layer around. Your subject is now separate from their original background. 

### Step 6 (optional)
If you think there are a couple problem areas you want to clean up, you can click on the layer mask in your layer panel and add or remove some of the original background. Use the paintbrush tool in black or white to remove or add details.

![layer mask](https://storage.googleapis.com/sm-content/blog/d61850f7eec6b53748c1b27ab3bb5c077ce4a531)

That is the end of the tutorial!

If you want an easier and faster way to remove backgrounds check out our new tool Trace. Trace is free to use and works instantly.

<ButtonCta text="Try Trace for free" size="large" variant="secondary"  align="center" href="https://www.stickermule.com/trace" />

An easy-to follow tutorial on removing backgrounds using Photoshop

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