Yes, you can create your own custom stickers to use in Facebook comments, Messenger, and News Feed posts. Facebook allows users to upload custom sticker packs that they have created. This gives people the ability to express themselves in creative ways using unique sticker designs.
What are Facebook stickers?
Facebook stickers are decorative images that you can add to photos, videos, statuses, messages, and comments. When you post a sticker, it appears overlaid on the media content. Stickers come in a variety of styles, including pop culture references, animals, food, activities, emotions, celebrations, and more.
Stickers became available on Facebook in 2011. Initially, Facebook created its own sets of stickers that users could add to posts. Over time, Facebook has allowed users and third parties to create custom sticker packs that can be uploaded and shared.
Types of Facebook stickers
There are a few main types of Facebook stickers:
- Official Facebook sticker packs – These are stickers designed by Facebook.
- Third-party sticker packs – Popular brands, media properties, artists, and others can create sticker packs that users can download.
- User-created sticker packs – Any individual user can make their own sticker pack and upload it to Facebook.
Facebook offers thousands of official and third-party sticker packs spanning different categories and interests. These sticker packs can be downloaded for free from the Facebook sticker store.
User-created stickers function just like the official sticker packs. They appear in the sticker tray and can be used anywhere stickers are allowed on Facebook. This gives people a way to personalize their Facebook presence with fun, unique designs.
Benefits of custom Facebook stickers
Here are some of the benefits of making your own custom sticker packs for Facebook:
- Personalization – Custom stickers let you share your own art, designs, characters, interests, and personality.
- Uniqueness – Your homemade stickers will stand out compared to the default stickers.
- Self-expression – You can use stickers to convey emotions and reactions in a more nuanced, visual way.
- Branding – Artists, businesses, content creators, and public figures can design stickers to promote their brand identities.
- Engagement – Interesting, funny, or cute stickers may get more reactions and shares from your friends.
In short, custom stickers allow you to make your mark on Facebook in a fun and original way. Just like custom emoji, they give you a chance to showcase your own creativity within Facebook’s platforms.
Requirements for Facebook sticker files
If you want to make a sticker pack for Facebook, you need to follow these requirements for the sticker files:
- File format: PNG or PSD
- Max file size: 100 KB per sticker
- Image dimensions: 128×128 pixels
- Transparent background
The files must be in .png or .psd format. Each individual sticker needs to be 128×128 pixels. Facebook recommends using a transparent background for stickers. The sticker pack must be under 100MB total in size.
Follow these guidelines when designing your stickers to ensure they work properly on Facebook:
- Make sure stickers are relevant, appropriate, and follow Facebook’s rules.
- Test how your stickers appear small (128×128 pixels) when uploaded.
- Include a variety of expressions and actions in your sticker pack.
- Use bold, contrasting colors that stand out.
- Optimize your files to keep sizes low.
How to create Facebook sticker files
You can use any image editing software to create your Facebook sticker files. Here are some popular options:
Adobe Photoshop
Photoshop is the top professional image editing software. While complex for beginners, it offers powerful tools to make high-quality stickers.
To make stickers in Photoshop:
- Create a new 128×128 pixel document at 72 PPI resolution.
- Design your stickers with layers, shapes, typography, etc.
- Export each sticker as a PNG with a transparent background.
Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator is a vector graphics editor, perfect for creating simple and geometric sticker designs.
To make stickers in Illustrator:
- Design each sticker on a 128×128 artboard.
- Use vector shape tools to create your illustrations.
- Export each artboard as a PNG.
GIMP
GIMP is a free, open-source raster image editing app. It has many of the same capabilities as Photoshop.
To make stickers with GIMP:
- Create a new 128×128 pixel image.
- Use layers, selection tools, brushes, and filters to design stickers.
- Save each one as a PNG file.
Online sticker makers
Some websites like Sticker Mule, Canva, and Zazzle offer online tools to create custom stickers. While they may not be formatted specifically for Facebook, they provide quick and easy ways to make your own stickers.
The advantage of online sticker makers is that you don’t need to install any specialized software. They provide templates, graphics, and text tools to create stickers through your web browser.
How to upload a Facebook sticker pack
Once you have created your sticker files meeting Facebook’s specifications, you can then upload them to Facebook:
- Go to your Facebook App Settings.
- Under Products, choose Stickers.
- Click “Create Sticker Pack.”
- Enter a name and description for your pack.
- Upload your sticker PNG files.
- Click “Create” to submit your pack for review.
Facebook will review your sticker pack to make sure it follows their content policies and terms of service. If approved, your custom stickers will become available for any Facebook user to download from the Sticker Store!
Tips for making great Facebook stickers
Here are some tips for creating sticker packs that people will love using:
- Study popular stickers – See what common styles and themes people are using.
- Make sure your stickers are recognizable and expressive when small.
- Include a range of sentiments – Positive, happy, silly, etc.
- Use bold outlines and bright colors for high contrast.
- Add special effects like gradients, highlights, or shadows.
- Credit other creators if you incorporate their work.
The more appealing and fun your sticker designs are, the more likely people will be to download and share your sticker pack!
Facebook sticker ideas
Looking for inspiration for your Facebook sticker designs? Here are some popular ideas:
- Animals – Cute pets or wild animals
- Food – Appetizing meals or drinks
- Faces – Expressive or silly faces
- Emojis – Turn popular emojis into stickers
- Sports – Balls, equipment, or fan gear
- Holidays – Decorations, gifts, or scenes
- Occupations – Doctors, construction workers, chefs
- Personalized – Names, monograms, photos
You can also base your stickers off of popular TV shows, movies, video games, comic books, or other media franchises. Just make sure to avoid copyrighted material or trademarked logos.
Are there Facebook sticker apps?
Yes, there are many apps available for creating Facebook stickers:
Sticker Maker Studio
This app allows you to make custom stickers with imported images, shapes, text, and more. It has specific Facebook sticker templates.
Sticker.ly
Sticker.ly has tools to design unique Facebook stickers from scratch. It also features stickers and clipart to incorporate.
Facemoji
Convert selfies into virtual avatars with Facemoji. Then turn them into fun personalized Facebook stickers.
PicsArt
The PicsArt app has robust photo and image editing tools to stylize your photos into sticker designs.
Procreate
Use Procreate on your iPad to hand draw or paint sticker art with its illustration and painting tools.
These apps make it easier to create professional looking stickers, apply effects, and export properly formatted files for Facebook. Look for apps with templates sized for Facebook’s 128×128 pixel sticker specs.
Selling Facebook sticker packs
Can you make money selling your custom Facebook stickers? Unfortunately, Facebook does not allow users to directly sell or monetize user-generated sticker packs on their platform at this time.
However, designers and brands may be able to use quality Facebook sticker packs as part of their marketing strategy to promote their business or products. The stickers can help increase visibility and engagement with potential customers.
Some possible approaches for monetizing Facebook stickers include:
- Selling sticker packs on other marketplaces linked from your Facebook Page or account.
- Offering stickers for free but selling related physical merch.
- Using stickers to advertise or showcase products that you sell.
- Building an audience that you can market to through Facebook ads.
While you cannot directly charge for custom stickers, they can become part of a broader brand awareness and revenue strategy if designed effectively.
Facebook sticker policies
If you create Facebook stickers, be sure to follow Facebook’s policies. Stickers cannot contain:
- Hate speech, bullying, or harassment
- Sensitive topics like politics or tragedies
- Violence, gore, or nudity
- Illegal or recreational drugs or alcohol
- Trademarked or copyrighted IP
- Misinformation or hoaxes
Stickers also cannot be used to facilitate illegal, dangerous, or dishonest behavior. Facebook reviews all sticker packs to ensure they meet content policies before approval.
Facebook sticker ideas
Here are some example ideas for fun, original Facebook sticker designs:
| Category | Sticker Ideas |
|---|---|
| Food | Pizza slices, tacos, doughnuts, popcorn, milkshakes |
| Animals | Cats, dogs, unicorn, dragon, elephant |
| Emoji | Laughing face, heart eyes, blowing a kiss |
| Sports | Baseball, soccer ball, basketball, football helmet |
| Reactions | Clapping hands, double thumbs up, jaw drop |
Get creative with your own original stickers or put a unique spin on classic images. Just be sure to follow Facebook’s guidelines.
Conclusion
Creating and uploading your own stickers is a fun way to express yourself and customize your experience on Facebook. Follow the technical requirements for sticker files and packages. Use high quality, original designs with variety and personality. Avoid inappropriate content or copyrighted material not owned by you.
Well-designed custom sticker packs allow you to showcase your creative skills to friends in a meaningful way. They give you a direct pipeline to share your art and designs across Facebook’s massive global audience. With the right approach, you can help your custom stickers go viral!