Sticker artwork is the file you send us to print, and it decides whether your label looks sharp or blurry. Today most customers make their own artwork with AI tools, and we are happy about that. We are not against AI: we help customers use it well. The problems we see are rarely about the printer. They are usually about a logo that is too detailed, an image that is too small or a phone number that is too small to read.
This guide is part of our series on small batch stickers in Nigeria. Last updated: 16 October 2026.
This guide gives you the whole picture in one place, and points to a detailed guide for each part. Work through it in order and your file will print well the first time.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
The three most common sticker artwork problems
- Too much detail. Complicated logos with flowers, brush strokes, thin lines and tiny details disappear on a small sticker.
- Low quality. A screenshot or a small image from social media looks fine on a phone but prints blurry.
- Tiny text. A phone number or handle in very small letters cannot be read once printed.
All three are easy to fix before printing, and fixing them is the cheapest part of getting good sticker artwork.
Step 1: Decide the size and shape of your sticker artwork
Measure your container with a ruler and decide the sticker size and shape. If you are unsure, the mini range of about 2 to 3 inches fits many containers. See how to measure a container for a sticker and custom shape stickers.
Step 2: Prompt your AI tool properly for sticker artwork
Tell the AI the shape you want, such as a perfect circle or a vertical oval, ask for a flat, simple mark in one or two colours, and add a negative prompt that leaves out excessive detail, floral decoration, brush strokes and extra icons. Our guide on AI prompts for sticker logos has ready-to-use prompts.
Step 3: Resize and check the quality of your sticker artwork
A design made at one size can be resized proportionally to any other size, but it should never be stretched or squashed. Download the largest version of the image, and check that it is sharp enough for the size you need. See how to resize an image for stickers.
Step 4: Make the words in your sticker artwork readable
Your phone number should be bold, high-contrast and as large as the label allows. Keep text away from the edge. See readable text on small labels.
Step 5: Send the file the right way
- Format. A PDF or a high-quality PNG is best. For logos, send the vector file if you have one.
- Background. Use a plain white background, or a transparent one if the tool supports it.
- Size and shape. Tell us the sticker size and the shape you want, and the unit you used, centimetres or inches.
- Send as a document on WhatsApp. If you send it as a photo, WhatsApp compresses it and the quality drops. Choose “Document” instead.
- Say the quantity in your message, so we can check the file against your order.
For a longer checklist, see our guide to the print-ready PDF.
A note on AI, ownership and branding
Be careful about one thing: who owns an AI-made logo. The US Copyright Office page on AI has said that works produced purely by AI, without enough human authorship, may not be protected by copyright, so a logo you cannot protect may be copied. Add your own text, your own layout and your own colours, and keep the original files and prompts.
If you want a logo that is truly yours and works everywhere, our design services can turn your idea into a clean, professional logo. See the brand identity checklist.
What we do when your sticker artwork is not right
If you send a file that will not print well, we tell you what is wrong and how to fix it: a better prompt to try, what to add to the negative prompt, how large the image should be, or a bolder font for the number. Then you send it again and we print it. If you would rather not deal with it, choose “With Design” on the product page.
What file should I send for stickers?
A PDF or a high-quality PNG, or a vector file for a logo. Send it as a document on WhatsApp so it is not compressed.
Why does my sticker look blurry after printing?
Usually the image was too small, was a screenshot, or was compressed by WhatsApp. Download the largest version and send it as a document.
Do you accept sticker artwork made with AI?
Yes. If the file is not suitable, we explain what to change and how to prompt the AI better.
Can I send a photo of my design?
It is better to send the original file. A photo of a screen or a screenshot prints blurry.
Can you design the sticker for me?
Yes. Choose “With Design” on the product page.
Not sure if your file will print well?
Send it on WhatsApp as a document with the size, shape and quantity, and we will tell you if it needs fixing.
Send your fileOrder stickersRectangular stickersAbout the author: This guide was written by the Lampmediatouch team in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, from day-to-day experience designing and printing labels, stickers and branding materials for small businesses across Nigeria. Contact us with questions about your own labels.
