How To Make Your Own Bumper Stickers

Lisa Conant, Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Reviewed by

Lisa Conant, Automotive Content Specialist

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Written by CarParts.com Research Team - Updated on October 28th, 2024

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Summary
  • Making a professional-grade bumper sticker is easy, and there are two popular methods: printing at home and making bumper stickers online.
  • If you own an inkjet printer at home, you can easily print your own bumper stickers on blank vinyl bumper sticker sheets. Be sure to use your own designs because using copyrighted or trademarked materials from the internet is considered intellectual property theft.
  • If you don’t have an inkjet printer, you can simply go to a website that allows you to either design a bumper sticker yourself or upload a design.

unique. However, your desired bumper sticker design might not be available from any manufacturer. Luckily, making a professional-grade bumper sticker is easy. If you’re really keen on making your own unique design, then this article will show you how to make a bumper sticker.

How to Make DIY Bumper Stickers

There are two popular methods when it comes to making your own bumper sticker.

Printing Your Own at Home

If you own an inkjet printer at home, you can easily print your own designs on blank vinyl bumper sticker sheets. Check your printer’s manual to determine the best type of paper to use. Inkjet sticker paper can only be used with inkjet printers, whereas laser sticker paper can only be used with laser printers.

You can make a lot of copies of your bumper sticker for a fraction of the cost compared to buying bumper stickers from a store. Aside from an inkjet printer and sticker sheets, you’ll also need fixative spray that will protect your bumper sticker from smudging. You’ll also need UV protection spray so that the colors don’t fade as the sticker is exposed to the sun.

You can use programs like Adobe Photoshop to make a bumper sticker design. You can also hand-draw your design and then scan it. If you want to make a good bumper sticker, you should try to create visual interest using good layout, spacing, and use of visual elements. Always make use of large, easy-to-read fonts and make use of high contrast between the font and the background so they’re visible. While paying a pro costs more than personally making your own bumper sticker, professional stickers usually look better than handmade accessories.

If you think you can’t design a good bumper sticker, you can always hire a professional.

Important Note: If you’re making your own bumper stickers at home, keep in mind that you can’t use copyrighted or trademarked materials from the internet and use them in your design. Doing so is considered intellectual property theft. Verify if an image or phrase is copyrighted or trademarked before using it. Otherwise, you might get into trouble if you go ahead with making your own bumper sticker using someone else’s materials.

Once you have a design, you should print it on a regular piece of paper to see if your design’s color, size, and alignment meets your standards. To avoid wasting vinyl paper, only print the design on vinyl paper once you’re satisfied with the test sheet. Once you’re happy, load the vinyl sticker paper with the vinyl side facing the printing surface.

After printing your design, wait 20 minutes before touching the vinyl paper to avoid smudging the ink. If this is your first time printing your design, print one copy and examine its print quality first before printing more.

To protect the stickers from weather, spray fixative onto the sticker in a well-ventilated area. Bumper stickers require one coat. Afterward, you can trim the stickers with a pair of scissors or a paper guillotine.

Make Bumper Stickers Online

Making your own bumper sticker has never been this easy. If you don’t have an inkjet printer, you can simply go to a website that allows you to either design a sticker yourself or upload a design. If you want to make a design online, websites like Canva can help you create your own bumper sticker design.

These websites make it easy for you to design your sticker because the site has an easy-to-use interface and built-in templates. You can click between existing designs, add your design elements, and alter the design’s front, words, and colors to your preferences.

They’ll ask for your desired number of stickers and their sizes. You can even choose between different sticker finishes. For example, one website can print your design in a matte, glossy, clear, or holographic sticker.

Once the stickers are printed, they’ll ship them to your address. However, these websites typically sell bumpers stickers at a marked-up price. The best way to get the most value when it comes to ordering bumper stickers online is by ordering a lot of copies and selling some of them yourself. If you only need one sticker for your vehicle, then we recommend printing your own sticker at home.

Aside from adding a bit of personality, bumper stickers can also help you and other people identify your vehicle, especially if it’s a popular vehicle model. Additionally, your vehicle’s rear is practically free ad space, so people also can use bumper stickers to show support for various causes, organizations, or products.

Get New Bumpers and Bumper Covers

After making your new bumper stickers, check the bumpers and bumper covers to determine their condition. The bumper stickers you worked so hard on won’t stick to a damaged bumper. Don’t worry, though, because you can get a replacement bumper and bumper cover that fits your car at CarParts.com.

At CarParts.com, it’s easy to find bumpers and bumper covers that meet your specific needs. Plug your vehicle’s year, make, and model into our website’s built-in vehicle selector, and you can browse our extensive catalog of parts and accessories for the right products. We source our bumpers and bumper covers from manufacturers trusted by drivers across the US, ensuring that the products deliver the performance they promised. And thanks to our strategically located warehouses, you won’t wait long for your new parts to reach your doorstep if you live in the continental US and submit your order before 12:00 pm ET.

So, what are you waiting for? Make CarParts.com your one-stop shop for bumpers and bumper covers, and enjoy long-lasting parts today.

About The Authors
Reviewed By Lisa Conant

Automotive Features Reviewer at CarParts.com

Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.

Written By CarParts.com Research Team

Automotive and Tech Writers

The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.

Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.