SHOP RESOURCES

[pandaiiji]

Hello Every-bun! 🐰❤ 

After doing some thinking, I've decided to start compiling a list of resources that I've personally used and tested since I opened my shop in March 2021. It's been a lot of trail and error, but these are the things that I've used along with my own thoughts on the experiences. I sincerely hope that this guide (if I an call it that) will be of use to anyone who wishes to utilizes it! ✨✨✨

This will most likely be updated over time, so I will be sure to include a "last modified" indicator at the very bottom if this information ever becomes outdated. ❤️

🍎 Outsourced Manufacturing 🍎

🍓 Canva: I've only used Canva a few times but I absolutely adore their service and platform! I look forward to using their printing options more outside of the Thank You and business cards that I made. If you aren't graphically inclined (like I am 😅), I've had little to no difficulty creating designs on Canva. It's actually how a lot of my visuals have been made!

✏️ Sticker Paper ✏️

🍓 Online Labels Standard Matte: One of the first papers that I ordered and have enjoyed using! It's a basic white paper and extremely affordable (in my opinion). I have yet to make sticker sheets using this paper, but it's definitely something I would love to do in the future! I've also noticed that others tend to use a matte laminant on top of this paper in order to make it more water resistant and durable.

For a more Eco Friendly option — there is the 100% Recycle White option. If you want an matte option that doesn't have a permanent adhesive, the Removable White Matte is something to consider. Keep in mind that both options cost a little more that the Standard Matte variant.

🍓 Online Labels Weatherproof Matte ( Inkjet ): Without a doubt my FAVORITE sticker paper that I've tried so far!! 🥰❤️❤️ It's my favorite but also the most costly, so the best time to get this is when the company sends out a discount code via email.

The paper has a really nice thickness and softness that almost feels like velvet to the touch. This particular paper is weatherproof, not 100% waterproof. You really have to be careful with this paper if it becomes soaked with water; the paper can get scratched and damage your design.

• ** Online Labels also has a free tester option where you can choose a few sheets of paper to do a trial run on to see if you will enjoy them or not.
  
• *** You can also customize the amount of paper that you would like to order from a standard order. There are preset sheet amounts on the site, but you can also choose your own!

🍓 Zicoto Vinyl Matte: I love the feeling of this paper, but it's entirely too thin for full sized stickers... The gloss version also suffers from this problem. Although the paper feels buttery to the touch and plays delightfully well with vibrant colors, it's thin and has branding on the back of the paper that might be a bit of an eyesore for some.

This paper might be better suited for sticker sheets if you want a more premium feel.

🍓Zicoto Vinyl Gloss: It's incredibly glossy, reflective, and bright colors really pop on this paper! Though it doesn't do well with really dark colors — at all in all my trial runs..... 

If you consider this paper you might have to apply an additional glossy laminate in order to prevent darker colors from smudging. I want to love this paper more...but the smudging issue is frustrating to deal with. 😅

• ** Please keep in mind that my issues with Zicoto could also be an issue with my current printer (at the time of making this guide).
  
• *** Zicoto is more on the costly side, but there is also a mixed paper bundle where you can get 10 Matte and 10 Glossy sheets.

🖨️ Hardware 🖨️

🍓 HP Envy 6055: For a starter printer this does what I need it to do! Though I can't deny that I've had some on and off grievances with this particular printer and will eventually upgrade to an Epson EcoTank.

If you are going to utilize the HP InstantInk option — make sure you are actively utilizing the service and the ink. The service is presented in a way that makes it seem like you will only be charged whenever an ink cartridge is empty, but the reality is that you are charged monthly regardless of how little ink you used. So when I wasn't printing I was still being charged each month for the service. So PLEASE keep that in mind before wasting money like I did for months while my shop was closed.... Learn from my mistake.

This printer is also prone to going offline and often requires a reboot or a complete system check. If you don't use it often that's when the problems tend to occur (from what I've noticed).

🍓 Silhouette Portrait 2: I fell in love with this machine the moment I saw review videos for it. 🥰❤️❤️ At first I considered a Cricuit, but the amount of restrictions and hacking required to bypass it's limitations seemed like too much of a hassle. I've only had a handful of misaligned cut issues with my Silhouette, but there are plenty of resources available if you ever get stuck using it. Without a doubt one of my best investments with my store!

• ** HEADS UP!!! The adhesive grip on the standard Silhouette mat is incredibly strong, so you will have to find ways to decrease the stickiness of it. I personally used a towel to dab on the mat because it tore the back of my sticker paper. That's how strong it is.
  

🍓 Pen + Gear Laminator: Budget friendly and can handle 3mm and 5mm laminating sheets. There's also an option for cold lamination if you don't want to risk the heat discoloring the images on your sheets.

🐰 Packaging 🐰

🍓 Azaza A7 Kraft Envelopes ( 5.25 x 7.25in ): These envelopes have survived being sent to various corners of the United States and even to Canada without taking too much of a beating. The paper weight is 148gsm, so I find it to very durable without being too bulky. My sticker orders are sent via standard letter mail, so these have worked perfectly!

🍓 Quotidian Glassine Bags ( 4 x 6in ): What I use to package all of my sticker orders! I wanted an option that was more Eco Friendly and budget friendly. These bags are very versatile, easy to store, and aren't made of plastic (which is the best part!)

🍓 Various Washi Tapes

🍓 Pink Packaging Paper ( that can be found in the party planning aisle at stores, very cheap and versatile! )

🫐 Miscellaneous 🫐

🍓 MagicWater Supply 22pt Lightweight Chipboard: If you're looking for stability with flexibility and minimal bulk, then I definitely recommend this lightweight chipboard! I don't make prints as often as I used to, but applying the print paper to this chipboard made them feel more premium and durable. Like mounting a painting!

🍓 Nicapa Standard Grip Cutting Mats ( 3 pk ): I CANNOT sing the praises of these Silhouette replacement mats enough!!! 🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️ The grip on these mats is SIGNIFICANTLY lighter and nowhere near as damaging as the mat that is provided with the Silhouette machine. The mat is also thicker, so you might have to adjust your cut settings to make up for the change in thickness.

🍓 Slice Micro Ceramic Blade: Need a way to cut the back of your stickers when they don't have easy pull tabs on them? Then this tool is perfect for that!!
You might have to do some trial runs to find what amount of pressure works best for you. You want to aim for something that's light enough to cut a notch on the adhesive WITHOUT pressing hard enough to cut through the front of the sticker. This is a safety cutter, so it won't nick your fingers (but be careful regardless!)

🍑 Currently Untested 🍑

🍓 We R Memory Keepers Mini Guillotine
🍓 Mini Skater Clear Luggage Loops ( 6in )
🍓 Ronyes Lifescience 3 x 15mm Hole Puncher
🍓 Outus Holographic Overlay Sheets
🍓 GSSUSA Sakura Pink Bubble Mailers ( 4 x 8in )
🍓 Phomemo 4 x 6in Thermal Shipping Label Printer

And that's everything!! ❤️

I know that this post is pretty long, but I truly thank you for sticking around until the end! If you found this to be helpful, please feel free to share it along with someone you think might be able to benefit from the resources. I personally believe in sharing what works and what doesn't work for someone. Gatekeeping in creative communities has been on the rise, so I hope to ease that even if only a bit.

If you also have any questions or need clarification about something — please ask! I will respond as quickly as I can! 🥰❤️❤️

Until next time,

Daiji 🍓 

Comments

[tempural]

it's really good to see your process and compare what i'm doing! Very similarly printing stickers at home... i'll look into your suggestion for mats since i also have the problem with them being so sticky they rip the paper :p

I didn't know Canva had printing options, that's something fun to look into for me.

[pandaiiji]

It's definitely been a LOT of trial and error since I didn't have anyone to personally ask about their experience with stickers. And it doesn't help that a lot of sticker makers gatekeep the things they use... So I decided to compile my experiments for others to reference. :')

Oohhh! I used a towel to make my original mat less sticky. It helped out a lot, but eventually reached a point where it wasn't tacky enough to keep the paper on for cutting. Which is why I love my new mats so much!! Just the right amount of sticky and no paper damage. 😭❤️

One thing I need to add is the Oraguard 210 laminant for stickers. One artist I know uses the matte version to weatherproof her stickers and it looks really nice!

Mmhm! Canva does print services and you don't even need to have a pro account to utilize it. Which is really nice!!