Everything we know about what makes stickers perform well — and how to make yours stand out. No secrets, just helpful guidance to set you up for success.
These are the technical specs your files need to meet. If something's off, you'll see a friendly heads-up before uploading.
Users browse fast. They're building collections that express who they are. Here's what we've learned about stickers that perform well:
Your sticker will often be seen at 80px or smaller. Can someone tell what it is at a glance? Bold shapes and strong contrast help.
Fuzzy, uneven edges from sloppy background removal look amateur. Take time to get crisp, intentional edges.
Users have different page backgrounds. Your sticker should pop whether it's on white, dark, colorful, or patterned.
The best stickers represent a clear interest, vibe, or identity signal. "I love this band." "I'm into this hobby." "This is my aesthetic."
Nothing cut off awkwardly. The whole subject is visible and intentionally framed within the sticker shape.
Users build collections. Imagine your sticker next to 14 others on a page. Does it fit into a visual story?
White borders can help stickers pop on busy backgrounds, but it's your call — both die-cut and bordered styles work great.
The most common issue we see is messy edges from quick background removal. Here's what to look for:
If you see a faint outline when you place your sticker on a dark background, you've got fringing. Zoom in and clean up those edges before uploading.
Stickers should feel intentional — illustrated, graphic, or stylized artwork that was created to be a sticker. A photo with the background removed isn't a sticker, it's a cutout.
There's no single "Stickerbook style" — variety is good. But all stickers should share these qualities:
Step-by-step for popular tools. Click one to expand.
Go to photopea.com (free, no signup needed)
File → New — Set width and height to 1024px. Make sure Background is set to Transparent (checkerboard icon).
Create your artwork, or drag in an existing image. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the background, then press Delete.
Zoom in and check edges. Use the Eraser tool to clean up any leftover fringing.
File → Export As → PNG — Make sure the background preview shows checkerboard (transparency). Download your file.
File → New — Set dimensions to 1024×1024px. Set Background Contents to Transparent.
Create your artwork or paste in an existing image.
To remove background: Select → Subject (AI selection), then Select → Inverse, then Delete. Or use Remove Background in the Properties panel.
Refine edges: Select → Select and Mask — Use the Refine Edge brush for hair or complex edges.
File → Export → Export As — Choose PNG format. Make sure Transparency is checked. Export.
Create a new canvas: Tap +, set custom size to 1024×1024px.
Draw your sticker. Keep the background layer empty or deleted.
In Layers panel, make sure the background layer (usually white) is unchecked/hidden or deleted entirely.
Tap the wrench icon → Share → PNG. This exports with transparency preserved.
Create a frame: Press F, draw a 1024×1024 frame. Leave the fill empty (no background color).
Design your sticker inside the frame.
Select the frame. In the right panel under Export, click +.
Set format to PNG. Export at 1024px minimum (use 2x scale if your frame is smaller).
Click Export [frame name]. Transparency is automatic when there's no background fill.
Create a custom design: 1024×1024px.
Design your sticker. Don't add a background — leave it as the default transparent/white grid.
Click Share → Download.
Select PNG format. Check the Transparent background box (requires Canva Pro).
Free Canva tip: Export as PNG, then use remove.bg to remove the white background for free.
File → New — Set artboard to 1024×1024px.
Create your vector artwork. No background shape needed.
File → Export → Export As — Choose PNG format.
In the PNG Options dialog, set Background Color to Transparent. Set resolution to 72 PPI for web.
Click OK to export.
Put what you've learned into practice.
Go to Creator Studio