Self-made/printed stickers? best practices?

[CorporalDwayneBricks]

Hey everyone, this is my first thread on here!
The LEGO bug recently bit me to the point I did a forum search for topics about self printed stickers but could not find one.
So are there any good resources/tips on that?

• Are there Photoshop sheets to print for common brick/plate sizes?
  I saw a Youtube video of .svg files for brick borders and that gets picked up by a professional cutting machine?
• Are most "normal" folks using common paper and then wrapping that with Tesa tape top and doublesided tape bottom or are there other techniques?
• If sticker paper is used, are there most often used brands? what about transparent ones? (I own a Samsung color laser printer, pretty cheap model but it does its job)
• Also are there sites that offer sticker clipart from already existing sets?

Thanks for any pointers!

[deraven]

Welcome to EB, CorporalDwayneBricks!

I don't have time now to go into detail, but I'll note that for simple things (since you have a laser printer) there's an easy technique where you print on regular paper and then use clear packing tape to lift the toner and use that as a sticker.  That works well for me for most basic needs.  Here's a quick result I googled on the same technique:  https://thegraphicsfairy.com/diy-packing-tape-transfers/

Also, FYI, if you just google for:

site:eurobricks.com custom stickers

you'll find plenty of topics that way with lots of good info for you.  Happy building, and sticker/decal-ing!  

[zux]

On 5/2/2018 at 11:30 PM, CorporalDwayneBricks said:

• Also are there sites that offer sticker clipart from already existing sets?

There are sites with scanned sticker sheets as well as LEGO sets instructions. However those aren't perfect. Since sticker sheets for old sets are quite expensive most of the time there is a market for aftermarket sticker sheets - just google for LEGO set number +"stickers"

[knotian]

I print on Avery transparent label stock and then apply.

[CorporalDwayneBricks]

Thanks for the replies guys. Didn't even know there was something like that Avery transparent label stock!

[dr_spock]

Depending on what you're printing, Avery transparent works pretty good.

Multi-Purpose Machine by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

Other times, printing on white label paper may work better.

Baldwin DR-12-8-1500/2 Centipede by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

A Brother p-touch label maker could be used for white text on clear.

Day 140 of 365: Train Coupling Danger by dr_spock_888, on Flickr

 

[Ghost Onyx]

I was just discussing with a friend of mine about custom print stickers and I stumbled across this thread and I find it super useful.

Thanks so much for the suggestions! 

[Frostbricks]

This is what has worked for me -

That's printed at my local print shop, on standard printer paper, then cut to size using a scapel and metal ruler (perfectly straight)  and attached using a glue stick.

I know, incredibly lo-fi, but easy, repeatable, and cheap.

But, the trick is all in the setup of the file. The art was done in Illustrator, colours matched to the LEGO (CMYK) palette using the peeron list. And of course, sized right.

Now yes, you could certainly do far more, and no, that's not going to stand up to play, but it'll absolutely get you started for the basics. And again, I can't understate how useful http://www.peeron.com/inv/colors is for matching the colours, and how important that is.

[LuxorV]

I seem to have missed this thread till now...

You know, if you are looking for customisation tips and such you should really check our very own Minifig Customisation Workshop, which actually includes all kinds of customisation, decals and stickers, too.

I'll move this thread there now.

[meepinater]

On 5/13/2018 at 4:15 AM, CorporalDwayneBricks said:

Thanks for the replies guys. Didn't even know there was something like that Avery transparent label stock!

I use the white stuff, just becuase i draw my decals. not great for quality, but it's cheap.