My apologies if you guys notice weird audio in a small section of the video, KZread found copyrighted music in that area so we muted the background sound, ironically KZread doesn’t seem to mind all the animal crossing music though out the video 😅

@Wingedcanvas

8 күн бұрын

KZread do be difficult like that.

THIS is the kind of stuff we need! I feel like so many people gate-keep this information. Thank you for putting together this video and sharing! Could consider going a bit more in-depth on specifically the Alibaba-type process (stickers, enamel pins, magnets, prints/vines/booklets, cards, standees, etc.,), in the future? I think many of us would love to learn from it! My main concern regarding Alibaba would be how to approach the sellers, red flags to look for, how to look for 'quality', and are there any sellers out there that you'd recommend! I would also be interested in knowing what the Alibaba sellers expect from the artist so that we could prepare our files properly ahead of time, much like how you went over it in this video (what DPI is standard, what layering they would want for special cases like foiling or holographic stuff, etc.). Do you know of any sellers that are willing to produce smaller amounts (x20/x50/x100)? Any that are willing to produce samples (free or paid) before commitment? Do any provide videos of samples if they don't want to send a sample to you? I have so many questions lmao. I've been wanting to produce merch for cons maybe 5 years now, but I always chicken out because I'm small and don't have anyone to ask. I'm really afraid of making an investment and it going wrong on the first step or just wasting money on a red flag that I should've known about. Thank you again for such an in-depth video!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Great suggestions, I’ll keep them in mind for the next one

Silhouette is a good alternative for Cricut machines. some of their models are a bit cheaper, and they do the trick. If you're cutting with scissors, my best tip is to hold the scissors in place and move the sticker around. I've been told that some of my early stickers looked machine cut, despite being cut with scissors. Another big tip is to print out the cut-line at a very low opacity, so you know approximately where to cut and end up with more even results

@Inkwell

5 күн бұрын

Great insights, thanks you!

Great guy for beginner artists? Critically underrated. Why is it always like this. Also thank you for the information I think this is a great way for people to figure out how to get started if they don't know where to start.

@NoelleFerne

7 күн бұрын

I was saying this to someone recently. There's so much bunk 'get rich quick on Etsy' info from so many who aren't actually selling yet raking in views and money, but here's this guy, actually making a good living, actually living proof of his advice, and he doesn't get the recognition he deserves.

Great video! the sharing of info and sources within the artist community can never be enough. Would love to see another one of these videos on Enamel Pins!

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

I made one on enamel pins last year, feel free to check it out.

@Ch-ob6zv

9 күн бұрын

@@Inkwell oh snap awesome! I’ll definitely check it out

That delivery driver just dumping that package 😂 wtf

I never realized how popular making stickers would be! They don’t bring in a ton of profit, but people seem to love them. I do a similar thing when planning out stickers, but usually focus on size and color and if I’d like holographic or not. I also try to think how that design can be used in different products like keychains, prints, etc. When I first started, I used sticker mule which aren’t the best and they are a problematic company. I didn’t realize that years ago. I’ve also used sticker bunnies which are great, but they have a slow turn around time as they’re a small business!! But they have affordable pricing and no minimum quantity. A year or so back, I decided to get a cricut and do it myself. While that can be a challenge I can test what designs sell that way.

Vograce is excellent for stickers! They have a low MOC and low price but great quality. I just received some recently and they're gorgeous.

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Good to hear! I hadn’t used them before but a lot of people has suggested them to me

This is incredible! The magic fish bag looks awesome. Will you ever make a video covering the process of making a product like that? Thanks for sharing your expertise!

Thank you Dustin for another great info. video. Very impressive sticker illustration/design. I have used Sticker Mule with success. My designs were simple, and they matched the colors, as the colors appeared on my screen. Prices were comparable to other manufacturers, and they arrived on time. They also offer weekly deals on their other products. Communication was fantastic.

Literally was just pricing out my first sticker line this morning.

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Hell yes! Best of luck!

Great video and straight to the point! Would love to see another video on manufacturing other products like pins, plushies, etc. 🎉

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Made one for pins already! Plushies would be cool tho

@bennettpisek5566

5 күн бұрын

Plushies would be a great info. video.

loving all the Frieza! thank you for the insights!

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

I had no idea you used a thermal printer for all those small business labels! Ima look into that!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

They are great, very low maintenance too!

Perfect timing (early bird yay! 🥳) cause I wanna start selling stickers and then slowly expand to more merch like charms, standees and print etc.

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

exciting! best of luck to you

Yay! I have been looking forward to a sticker episode.

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

🙏😈🙏

32k ??!! Omg congratulations I’ve been following for a year when your 3 video was at like 10k great content well deserved

@Inkwell

5 күн бұрын

Thanks for sticking around!

I wanted to print some stickers for myself and was trying to research yesterday. So glad you posted this!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Hope it helps

5:52 Yes, folks, it's true. The artist life is always rainbows and fun times, 🤣. Ok, seriously! Inkwell is blowing off steam, Incredible Hulk style - "Inkwell SMASH!!!"

Thank you for making a sticker video that’s less than 30 minutes long. Greatly appreciate it. Also! I’d love to see a video from you on packaging because yours is beautiful and I want to hear all about it

Great and informative video. And great stickers, Sang!

I loved the lowkey Frieza themed video lol Also thank you for mentioning using a thermal printer. I feel pretty slow for not realizing I could also use my printer to make little freebie stickers for my products...

I love these insights!! And beautiful work on the sticker! Thank you for sharing such helpful info 💛

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Thanks 🙏

I just finished some sticker designs too perfect timing

Thank you for this useful information! I was recently thinking of doing some stickers for me and my friends, so this video comes super handy!

I had no idea you had a youtube channel, amazing video and amazing art!

Inkwell , thanks for your amazing videos as always !!!! ❤❤❤❤ We need one on printing art on clothing and fashion !!! 😊

@Inkwell

7 күн бұрын

I have little experience in that department but maybe I can find a good guest on the topic

@zy2239

7 күн бұрын

@@Inkwell that works out as well ! Your guests are always refreshing and knowledgeable to watch 🙌

Thank you for making this video! I'm trying to get my sticker designs off the ground and stuff like this really helps!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Best of luck!

Thanks, This was helpful. 😊 Your sticker is so cute!

Awesome as always 😊

Great value on this video :D ! Very useful information.

Thanks for the information on the stickers! I've been trying to find a good manufacturer at a decent price so this was a great source. I would love to see how you went about getting your custom bags created, contacting a manufacturer and all that, and I see another comment as I'm writing this about enamel pins I would also like to second that c: Thanks for always sharing great information with people looking to start artist alley or their online shops it's been super helpful to me and my journey so far! :3

Just gotta say, love your videos and art!

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Thank you 🙏

Thank you for the informative video as someone that is looking into starting artist ally it is very helpful XD

The timing of this video is hilarious 😂😂 I got a printer yesterday for making stickers and gaddamn janky is the right way to describe cutting these fkers by hand 😂 (I’m too small and poor to always manufacture - it’s expensive to get stuff to Australia and the Australian ones are expensive af and got a grant for the printer)😂

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

😅😅😅 oh no, you will be a master sticker cuter by the end of this!

@Un_Elysian

8 күн бұрын

@@Inkwell arthritic hands means I’m definitely saving for a cutting machine 😂😂 or my partner will become the master cutter - even better!

Me personally I’d like to see a video on how you make cards. Like pokemon cards

Nice sticker collections you got there

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Mid tier really 💙

this video is very helpful! i would love a video on the process of making a bad/purse!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Planning on one!

@boo.buggaboo

8 күн бұрын

@@Inkwell LETS GOOO!!!

Commenting to push the algorithm and also to let you know your sticker is pretty cute! ✨

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Thanks dad!

Thank you for this! I was just about to start stocking up on product for my first artist alley, which will be mostly stickers. I was going through StickerMule and I was less than satisfied with the quality some of the samples I've been getting back from them. StickerApp actually looks to be cheaper per unit and does way more materials, so I'm going to give them a shot!

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Sticker mule is definitely on the pricier side, I use to use them back in the day but switched as there wasn’t a benefit for that extra price

Finally a new video

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Truly years late 😅

the delivery lmao

Professor artist alley Inkwell 😮😎💛🍑🌎

I have been watching your videos with the hope of soon next 2 years bc im out of the USA to create my own artis shop and universe but i wanted to ask for a video where you budget he production cost of your items for a start or first time shop , like for example right like how many stickers would you make for a alley week end and what ecentials do we need like the lable printer you showed here where do you get your boxes how many items do you recomend like a high value item and cheaper alternatisves like like if you where starting again and you wanted to produce something with decent quality how much would it all cost you .. ???

Amazing video! I’m just now getting into making stickers and prints. Is it wise to work in a CMYK or RGB color profile when initially designing your product? Or does it really matter? Thanks 😊

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

depends on what type of printer you're using, converting an image to CMYK never hurts tho.

I've only just started my etsy shop... Like, week 2. I am using Printify because I'm new, want to focus on creating art, and because I am being of hatred. It fills me with rage. It is not a website for common design sense... Oh, we have a horizontal format fridge magnet template. What? You need it formatted in the same dimensions but vertical, complete with thumbnails in vertical? "I'm afraid I can't do the, Dave". Even the kiss cut sticker situation seems broken because when I fill an area with white to create a transparent space on a see through sticker it fills in as opaque white in spite of the tool tips telling me it will be designated a see through zone. It gives me hope, seeing other options though. If I step up the sticker game I will look into the manufacturers you've recommended here. I still prefer POD as mailing from Canada is not viable. Our postal service is medieval and mythical creatures are devouring our post pigeons mid flight, packages and all.

Hi, your work is stunning🥹. Please may i ask, which company do you use for custom packaging for items bigger than stickers? The gold foil on the black box for your card set on etsy was really elegant.

People say PING file? I've always just said P-N-G haha

Can u make a video on poster printing and it’s costing ?

Loveee thisss. I want to try through alibaba but “negotiating”? That’s worried me a bit 😅, how much correspondence is necessary when it comes to Alibaba manufacturers?

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Depends on you really, I always get multiple quotes from different companies on there and then use those that negotiating with the one that I think will do the better job. But that’s not necessary. You can often request for sample to be made first so depending what your making seeing who dose it better can be smart. Normally do have to pay for a sample tho

Thank you for this! What software do you use 01:13

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

Procreate and clip studio for file prep

Planning a heist to get your sticker stash ✨

How important is it to you how weatherproof/scratchproof the material is? I've gone through several manus and make stickers at home too, but I never really know what finish is "okay enough" to sell as vinyl stickers, yknow. Will the customer assume outdoor usage is OK? If they can't put it on their water bottle and run it through the dishwasher, should I state that on my display? Wonder if you've ever had any complaints or customer remarks about this, or like... What your strategy is. I love what stickerapp can do with their different materials, but found them to wear down relatively fast compared to other manus, for example, and with that in mind I find their pricing hard to justify.

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

I think waterproof is important, personally I wouldn’t consider making a sticker that isn’t somewhat water proof, you end up cutting out to many customers without it. But it also depends what price point you’re trying to fill in your catalog.

Great video! I’m planning to level up my sticker game for 2025 cons (lol i know we still have half of this year) so this video is perfect for me! Thank you! 🎣 #fishscout

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Hell yeah! best of luck to you!

Poggers

Wow I’m early

What's the video where you destroy that canon printer

@Inkwell

7 күн бұрын

It’s from my where to get prints made video

Asking for a vtuber friend do you know where to get dakimakuras made

I manufacture and sell srtickers full time and I just want to point out that cricut is one of the worst cutters out there. Its unreliable and its software only cares about trying to sell you stuff. I personally use a sister juliet. It's a little pricier but it gives you more controlover designs and has some material saving features. Manufacturing stickers is tricky but really fun! I love how much control I have over my designs and the fact I can have as many as I want on demand. I even figured out a how to print my information on the back of my stickers, so I can hand them as business cards.

@Inkwell

9 күн бұрын

Thanks for the information! Good to know!

@hikarii-kun2698

7 күн бұрын

Why would you say manufacturing is tricky? Very curious! I felt it wasn't really highlighted, aside from wait time and finding the right manufacturer.

i cant understand the alibaba website, its confusing as to what am i paying for

@Inkwell

8 күн бұрын

I only every use it for custom stuff, so I find a listing that is kind of similar to what I want and then I just contact that seller and ask if they can do the custom thing I need