Make Your Own Stickers
Time 2.5 hrs

Difficulty Intermediate
Prerequisites How To Print
Vinyl Cutting 101
Departments Human Technologies
Authors Sandra Kuipers
Groupings Individual
Pairs
Threes
Minimum Year Group None

Blurb

Make Your Own Stickers

License

This work is shared under the following license: Creative Commons BY-SA

Outline

Resources
What is needed to run this unit?
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Cross-Curricular Links
Do not try and force this. What areas of other subjects might this reflect and/discuss language. For IB, links with ToK.
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Teacher Reflection
What was successful? What needs changing? Alternative Assessments and Lesson Ideas? What other Differentiation Ideas/Plans could be used?
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Credits
Any CC attribution, thanks, credit, etc.
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5 mins
Introduction
The Pitch
  • Who doesn't love stickers?!
  • In this unit, you'll be designing, printing, and cutting your own stickers.

  • You'll use a vector graphics program to design the stickers, then a laminator to add a protective layer of plastic to the stickers, and the Cricut to cut the stickers out.
  • There are a number of steps in this unit, be sure to read the instructions carefully and follow each step in order.
20 mins
Images
Getting Started
  • Icons and illustrations work best for stickers because they are colourful and have neat shapes!
  • Since our goal is to learn about the Cricut and make good use of it, we don't really want to creating boring square stickers from photos.
  • So, where can you find neat icons and illustrations?
  • Check out the following sites that offer free PNG and Vector files:
  • Several of these sites offer premium content, so be sure to use the search filters to only find free images and avoid clicking on the ads (which are cleverly disgused as part of the site).

  • Be sure to choose school-friendly themes for your stickers and avoid using copyright material such as logos and images from media and games.

  • Many of the images you find online may have a solid background, or may have a "fake checker-board" transparent background, which isn't actually transparent.
  • For these images, you can try the Remove.bg tool, which uses algorithms and AI to try and remove the background automatically.

  • In the above example, the sushi image has a grey background. The remove.bg tool has removed the background, but it has also removed some of the sushi.
  • You can Edit the result and use the erase/restore tools to refine the image, in this case erasing the extra white text and restoring the parts of missing sushi and shoyu sauce.
  • Be sure to test your image on multiple different coloured backgrounds to see that it is transparent and that you have removed any unwanted parts:
  • The end result should be a clear transparent image that can be turned into a sticker:
60 mins
Design
Step 1
  • You already have some experience with vector graphics from previous units.
  • To get started, load up Vectr and create a new image using A4 dimensions.
  • You can have as many stickers as you can fit onto a single A4 sheet. Pretty cool!
  • For the best results, your stickers should be on a transparent background, with at least 0.5cm space between each sticker.
  • Try to arrange your stickers to you can get as many as you can on a sheet while still leaving a gap between each sticker.

  • Try not to create boring square blocks for stickers. Find some designs with interesting shapes!
  • If your PNG images don't have a white border don't worry, you can add one later before cutting out the stickers using the Cricut software.

  • When you're ready, export your sticker sheet from Vectr as a PNG. Then create a new email, add a subject line, attach your file and email it to design@ichk.edu.hk
5 mins
Upload
Step 2
To continue, you'll need to switch from using your own laptop to using the dedicated Cutting Machine laptop. Check to see if it is available.
  • Using this laptop, open Gmail using Firefox, which should automatically be logged into the design@ichk.edu.hk account.
  • Check the inbox, find the email you sent, and download your attachment. Make sure your attachment has a recognizable name!

  • Open the Cricut Design Space application if it's not already open (cmd+space to open spotlight, then type Design).
  • On the left hand sidebar, click New to create a new project.
  • Then, click the Upload button, as seen below:

  • Find and upload your file. You can drag-and-drop it from Finder, or use the Browse button to find it in the downloads folder:

  • You'll see a preview of your stickers. Check to see that everything looks good. Choose "Complex" for the image type.

  • Note: After upload, if it takes you to a Background Remover page, just click Apply & Continue in the bottom right.
  • Be sure to choose "Print Then Cut Image" from the next screen. This will let us print the stickers on a special sheet of sticker paper, then use the Cricut to cut out the stickers.
  • Finally, click Upload and then select and add your stickers to your current project.
  • Once uploaded, your stickers may be larger or smaller than an A4 size. Be sure to select your stickers and change the width to 16.45.
  • If your stickers don't already have a white border we can outline them using the Offset tool. This is an essential step, as it smooths out and rounds your stickers so that any small details aren't too jagged.

  • If you're adding an offset, follow these instructions:
    • After you select offset it will apply a default value.
    • The offset tool will take some time to calcuate each time you make a change, so be patient!
    • A good offset for stickers is 0.2, seen above. Change this, wait for it to update, then click Apply.
    • After you click Apply, the offset will turn black, don't worry: this is just so that it's easy to see.
  • Adding an offset will create a separate layer in your project. You must flatten this layer before continuing:
    • Select the newly created offset layer and change the colour to white using the top bar.
    • Then, select both layers on the right-hand sidebar, with the sticker layer on top and offset layer on the bottom, and select the Flatten button.
    • Once flattened, select your stickers and change the width to 16.45
  • Click Save to ensure that your design is saved before continuing.
  • When you're done click the big green Make It button in the top right of the screen.
5 mins
Save a PDF
Step 3
  • Now it's time to print your stickers!
  • You'll do this in two steps: first, by creating a PDF, then by going to the Library to print your PDF.

  • If you haven't already done so, click Make It to prepare your sheet for printing, then click Continue to go to the next step.

  • Then click the green Send to Printer button.
  • When printing your sheet, be sure that Library is selected as the printer.
  • Then, turn off the Add Bleed option and turn on the Use System Dialog option.
  • Click Print and wait a moment.


  • The system print dialog with appear BEHIND the current window. You'll have to move the Cricut Design Space window down to see the print box.
  • Then, look for the PDF option in the bottom left corner of the print window, and choose Save to PDF.

  • Save your file to the downloads folder.
  • Then, go back into Gmail and find your email in the inbox.
  • Click Reply and attach your PDF file, and Send your message back to yourself.
20 mins
Print your PDF
Step 4
You will need to go to the Library and use the printer there to print your stickers. Be sure to let your teacher know before you leave the room.

You will also be using the bypass tray on the printer for the next step. Locate the How to use the Bypass Tray Free Learning guide that is near the Library printer. Follow the steps on the guide to print your sticker sheet.
  • Once you're in the Library, you'll need to use the skills you learned in How to Print to login to the computer and find your PDF file in your inbox.
  • Download your PDF file and double-click on it to open it using Preview.
  • Then click Print.
  • Follow the instructions on the How to use the Bypass Tray guide. Make sure to select the bypass tray and quality before printing.

Note: Ask the librarian for help if you get stuck. She can help you learn how to use the bypass tray.
  • When you've set all the settings, click Print. Watch the printer and grab your printed sheet of stickers.
  • The heat of the printer may curl the sticker sheet. Gently flatten it back out.
  • Please close the bypass tray before leaving the Library and returning to class.

15 mins
Laminate
Step 5
Ask your teacher to use the Free Learning laminator. It is kept in a bin near the vinyl cutting supplies. Then, locate the How to use the Laminator Free Learning guide that is kept with the laminator. Follow the steps on the guide to laminate your sticker sheet.
15 mins
Cut
Step 6

  • Align your laminated page with the top left corner of the mat. Be sure to align the white page itself, not the plastic laminated border.
  • Press your sheet down to ensure that it is stuck to the mat. If it's not, it could get snagged and misaligned during printing.

  • If your design is not already loaded in Cricut Design Space, you can open it, select Make, and then choose "I have already printed" to skip to the cutting step.
  • Select Heavy Cardstock for the material type, and More pressure.
  • Once you press Play on the Cricut, it'll first use a sensor to detect where the black borders are on your sheet. These are called registration marks, and will help the Cricut line up where the images are.
  • It'll begin cutting the stickers as soon as it has finished reading the registration marks. Watch carefully for the first couple stickers to see that it's cutting around the edges of the stickers.
  • If it's not cutting in the right place, quickly press the Pause button on the Cricut. Otherwise, don't touch anything until it has finished it's cutting and the Load/Unload icon is flashing.
  • Once it's done, press the Load/Unload icon and it will release your sheet of stickers.

  • After your sheet of stickers is printed it'll still be stuck to the mat. You'll need to carefully peel up the stickers without peeling them off of their protective backing.
  • Ask the teacher and use one of the weeding tools to help you gently lift your stickers from the mat.
  • Try not to touch the mat! We want to keep the mats as sticky as possible, so work carefully so you're avoiding touching the mat.
  • Don't worry if it doesn't cut all the way through, you can still peel the stickers off your sticker sheet.
5 mins
Your Stickers!
Evidence
  • Arrange your stickers on a table or sheet of paper and take a picture (you don't need to stick them!)
  • Create a new Google Doc and add your name to it.
  • Add a screenshot of what your digital sticker design looked like.
  • Then, add a photo of how your final stickers turned out.
  • Submit your doc as evidence of your learning in this unit.

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