How to Make Stick and Stitch Embroidery Stickers
Stitching is the fun part—but if you're like me, transferring embroidery patterns can feel like a bit of a hassle, especially when you're eager to jump right into a project. Tracing detailed designs can also strain your eyes and take more time than you'd like. That’s why I put together a blog post covering several ways to transfer embroidery patterns, including my favorite method: using sticker paper with my home printer. It's a simple trick that makes the whole process quicker and more enjoyable.
In that post, I also briefly mentioned stick and stitch paper—a dissolvable stabilizer that makes transferring embroidery designs even easier. These sheets let you print or draw your design directly onto the surface, then stick it right onto your fabric. After stitching, you simply rinse it away with water. It’s one of the simplest ways to get clean, accurate designs onto your fabric without the hassle of tracing.
I use this method all the time to make my own stick and stitch embroidery stickers, which I sell in themed packs. Since it’s worked so well for me, I wanted to share the entire process with you—from the supplies you’ll need to the steps I follow and the tips I’ve picked up along the way. Whether you’re making designs for yourself, putting together handmade gifts, or even thinking of selling your own patterns, you’ll find everything you need here to get started. I’ve also included a list of pros and cons to help you decide if this transfer method is right for you.
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What Are Embroidery Stickers?
Embroidery stickers are pretty much exactly what they sound like—stickers designed to help with embroidery. You might also hear them called sticky stabilizer or “stick and stitch.” These handy tools are thin sheets of stabilizer with a sticky back and a pre-printed embroidery design. They make the whole process easier, especially if you’re not a fan of tracing designs by hand. Just peel off the backing and stick the design right onto your fabric. That’s it—you’re ready to stitch without wobbly lines or messy transfers.
There are a couple of types available, but the main two are tear-away and water-soluble. I personally only use the dissolvable kind—the ones that disappear in water after you're done stitching. Tear-away versions work okay for simple patterns, but they often leave behind rough edges that are hard to remove. I prefer a cleaner finish, and the water-soluble type just feels more polished and hassle-free. Just make sure to keep it away from liquids while you’re working.
When I first started making and using stick and stitch embroidery stickers, they weren’t as popular as they are today. Back then, the selection of brands was limited. I originally used Sulky Fabri-Solvy Sticky Stabilizer (which is quite a mouthful), but I’ve since switched to Brothread’s Sticky Stabilizer, which came out last year. At first, I tried their rolls, but they had to be cut and flattened to fit my printer, and the early batches had some quality issues. Now I use their precut sheets—and I absolutely love them!
Brothread 8.5x11in Sticky Water Soluble Embroidery Stabilizer
How to Use Embroidery Stickers
First, gather your basic supplies. The most important one is your stick and stitch paper. You can find it on Amazon and at craft stores like Michaels. You’ll also need scissors and something to draw or print your designs with. You can sketch directly onto the paper, or print from a computer. I prefer a laser printer, but inkjet can work too.
To create your stickers, either draw your design right onto the sheet or layout your artwork in a program like Canva or Photoshop. These programs let you resize, duplicate, and place multiple designs on a single sheet, which helps you make the most of each page. The paper can be a little pricey, so using every inch wisely is a good idea. Of course, you can simply print your image and save the rest of your embroidery sticker paper for hand-drawn designs in the future.
If you're printing several designs on one sheet, leave enough room between them for easy cutting. A little breathing room also helps prevent accidentally clipping into your artwork. Before printing on your actual stick and stitch paper, I recommend doing a test print on regular paper. This helps you double-check the design size, spacing, and line thickness so everything comes out just right.
Once you’re happy with your layout, print it onto the stick and stitch paper. Carefully cut around each design, leaving a small border. That’s it—you’ve made your own embroidery stickers! Just stick them onto your fabric and start stitching.
Making your own stickers is a fun and creative way to personalize your embroidery projects. Head over to my Stick and Stitch Tips post for even more helpful info!
Tips for Making Embroidery Stickers
Over the years, I’ve learned a few things about making embroidery stickers. Here are my top tips to help you avoid the mistakes I made early on:
Test your pen or marker first. Try it in the corner of the sheet to make sure it doesn’t bleed. To go a step further, draw a small test design, peel and cut it out (leaving the backing intact), then stitch and dissolve it in water to see if the ink bleeds. If it does, switch to a different pen or marker.
Separate the sheets before printing. They sometimes stick together at the edges and can jam your printer. Gently peel them apart beforehand.
Use small margins. I use 0.25-inch margins to fit more designs per page. This helps stretch each sheet further.
Inkjet printers can cause the print to bleed through and leave ink on the backing which can smear, especially if the ink hasn’t dried. Stick with thinner lines and let the sheet dry fully before handling. This is why I prefer to use a laser print as this isn’t an issue with toner.
Clean your scissors regularly. The sticky backing builds up and gets annoying. Keep rubbing alcohol and cotton balls nearby to wipe them clean. Let them dry before cutting again.
Avoid lotion on your fingers. It likely won’t dissolve the paper, but it can leave residue that affects how well the sticker sticks.
Store sheets carefully. Keep them in their original plastic bags and away from drinks and spills. During use, place drinks on a different table to prevent water damage.
Control humidity. If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier or fan can help you keep the sheets dry and crisp as you’re handling them.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Convenience: Just peel, stick, and stitch. No tracing or transferring required, which saves time.
Precise transfer: Get crisp lines and professional results without the mess.
Customizable: Easily turn your sketches or digital art into embroidery designs.
Saves Fabric: No permanent ink marks or tracing errors on your fabric.
Water-Soluble: Stick, stitch, dissolve in warm water, then rinses away clean, perfect for delicate projects. Easy!
Cons
Can Be Pricey: Stick and stitch paper isn’t cheap, especially if you use a lot or waste sheets. But if you’re making a lot of small designs you can get a ton of use out of them.
Not reusable: These embroidery sticker sheets aren’t reusable which means you’ll always need to purchase more.
Sticky Scissors: You’ll need to clean your tools often to avoid buildup.
Sensitive to Moisture: Water-soluble paper can dissolve if exposed to humidity or spills.
Making your own stick and stitch embroidery stickers is not only fun and practical—it also opens the door to customizing every project. Whether you're creating designs just for yourself or dreaming of selling your own patterns like I do, it’s such a rewarding process.
If you found this blog helpful and decide to try any of the recommended supplies through my affiliate links, there’s no extra cost to you—it’s just a simple way to support my small business.
Thank you so much for being here!