Printing is another important factor of sticker making whether you're printing your own stickers or using an online source.
Choosing a Printer
Choosing a printer is one of the most important decisions you will need to make as you prepare to open your own Etsy sticker shop. Generally speaking, there are only two factors that determine the quality of your final product: the print quality and the sticker paper. To achieve success, it is crucial to find a reliable printer that is capable of producing consistent, high quality results.
(image from blog.nelizabeth.com)
First and foremost, I would like to mention that even low-end printers are capable of producing beautiful results. Although there are noticeable differences in quality between the lowest-of-the-low and highest-of-the-high printers, there are plenty of printers on the market nowadays that cost less than $100 which are more than sufficient to make planner stickers.
That being said, I do still recommend you purchase the best printer that is within your budget. Cheap printers are not made to be as durable as their more expensive counterparts. This means that you may end up needing to replace the machine sooner than anticipated, especially if you use the machine frequently. Additionally, cheaper printers are not as cost efficient in the long run; the ink/toner in lower quality printers is actually more expensive than the ink/toner in more expensive machines. If you intend on running your Etsy shop for more than a year, you might actually end up saving money by purchasing a higher quality machine up front.
Regardless of whether you are looking at low-end or high-end printers, there will always be one question you will need to answer… laser or inkjet?
(article by blog.nelizabeth.com)
Laser vs Inkjet
Laser Printers: Pros:
Cheaper cost per page
Gold foil compatible
Very good print quality
Cons:
More money upfront
Harder to write on the stickers
The heat can curl some types of papers
Inkjet Printers: Pros:
Less money upfront
Best print quality
Able to print on more materials
Cons:
More expensive cost per page
Wide selection and easy to find in retail stores
(chart from blog.nelizabeth.com)
Online Printing Services
If you don't want to worry about printing your own stickers, you can use another print service. From here, you have to decide whether or not you want another site to host your stickers, or if you just want them to print them.
An example of a hosting website is Redbubble, it allows you to upload your files to an account. Whenever someone purchases your sticker design, the company handles the printing and shipping for you. The only downside is that you can't access your funds whenever you want, since you have to sell a certain amount.
Another example of an online printing service is StickerGiant. They talk to you about the process, you upload your file, and then they'll let you know how much the print job will cost. Once you approve your stickers, they'll send them to you.
If the internet scares you, you can also go to a local printing store and ask about their options there.