WhatsApp stickers have become extremely popular for expressing emotions and enhancing conversations. While WhatsApp offers many default sticker packs, you can also create your own custom stickers using your photos and images. Making custom WhatsApp stickers on a computer is easy if you follow the right steps.
What are WhatsApp Stickers?
WhatsApp stickers are larger versions of emojis and emoticons that you can send in chat conversations on the messaging platform. They come in packaged sets called sticker packs which can contain up to 30 sticker images.
Stickers help convey emotions and reactions more vividly than plain text. WhatsApp provides a number of default sticker packs like Playful Piyomaru, Chummy Chum Chums, and Bright Days. But you can also add custom sticker packs created using your own images and photos.
Why Make Custom WhatsApp Stickers?
Here are some of the benefits of making your own WhatsApp stickers on a computer:
- Express your own style and personality with unique, customized stickers.
- Make stickers for specific occasions like birthdays, holidays, events, etc.
- Use your own photos and images to convert special memories into stickers.
- Create meme stickers for inside jokes with friends and family.
- Send branded and promotional stickers to connect with customers and followers.
- Learn new design skills and get creative with digital art and editing.
Requirements for Creating WhatsApp Stickers
To make custom stickers for WhatsApp on a desktop or laptop, you need the following:
- A computer with Windows or MacOS
- A graphics editor like Photoshop, GIMP, InDesign etc.
- The image files for the stickers in PNG format with transparent backgrounds
- The Sticker Maker Studio app for WhatsApp (free download for Windows and Mac)
- A WhatsApp account set up on your mobile phone
Step 1: Design the Sticker Images
The first step is to create the visual images that will become your custom WhatsApp stickers. For best results, follow these tips:
- Each individual sticker image should be 512×512 pixels in size.
- Save images in PNG format with transparent backgrounds.
- Use high quality images and bright, appealing designs.
- Make images like doodles, cartoons, logos, text, memes, etc.
- Ensure important details fit within a 310×310 pixel safe frame.
- Design at least 10-12 images for a full sticker pack.
You can make stickers from scratch using a graphics editor. Or edit existing photos and images to the right specifications for WhatsApp sticker images.
Sticker Design Ideas
Here are some sticker design ideas to spark your creativity:
- Cartoon caricatures of yourself, family and friends
- Icons, logos, symbols relating to your interests and hobbies
- Hand-drawn doodles, frames and decorative elements
- Inspirational quotes, affirmations and text phrases
- Emojis, expressions and reactions used frequently in chats
- Special occasion and holiday imagery like birthdays, Christmas etc.
- Photos of memorable vacations, events, pets converted into stickers
- Popular internet memes and viral trends
Step 2: Download and Install Sticker Maker Studio
Once your sticker images are ready, you need the Sticker Maker Studio app to compile them into a WhatsApp sticker pack. Here’s how to download and install it on Windows or Mac:
On Windows:
- Go to https://stickermakerstudio.com/ on your browser.
- Click on the Download for Windows button.
- Open the .exe file and follow the setup prompts to install Sticker Maker Studio.
- The app shortcut will appear on your desktop once installation is complete.
On Mac:
- Visit https://apps.apple.com/app/id1443326857 on your browser.
- Click on View in Mac App Store.
- Click the Get button and then Install App.
- Open Launchpad and click the Sticker Maker Studio icon to launch the app.
The Sticker Maker Studio app has a free version with all the necessary features to create and export your WhatsApp stickers.
Step 3: Import Sticker Images
Launch the Sticker Maker Studio app on your desktop. Follow the steps below to import your sticker images:
- Click on the Create New Sticker Pack button.
- Enter a name for your sticker pack.
- Click on the + icon to import images. Select all the PNG images you designed.
- The images will appear in the app as individual stickers.
- Reorder or delete any unwanted stickers at this stage.
You can import up to 30 images for each WhatsApp sticker pack.
Step 4: Add Emoticons
WhatsApp requires stickers to have emojis or emoticons associated with them. This helps categorize stickers into the relevant emoji category for easy selection. Here’s how to add emoticons:
- Click on the emoticon icon next to each sticker.
- Select a relevant emoji that matches the sticker meaning from the emoji picker.
- The selected emoji will appear on the sticker icon.
- Do this for all of your imported sticker images.
Make sure to pick suitable emoticons that represent each sticker’s emotion or meaning.
Step 5: Publish Sticker Pack
Once your stickers and emoticons are set up, you can publish and export the sticker pack file. Follow these steps:
- Click on the Publish Sticker Pack button in the app.
- Enter name, author, email, website, privacy policy, etc. This info will be visible to WhatsApp users.
- Check the agreement box and click Publish.
- On the next screen, click on Add to WhatsApp. The sticker pack file will be exported.
Your custom WhatsApp sticker pack is now ready to be added on your mobile!
Step 6: Add Stickers on WhatsApp Mobile
To use the stickers you created on WhatsApp Web, you need to import them into the WhatsApp mobile app using these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android or iOS phone.
- Go to Settings > Stickers > Add New Sticker Pack > (+ sign).
- Tap on ‘My Stickers’ and select the sticker pack file you exported.
- The sticker pack will be added to your WhatsApp account.
You can now access this new sticker pack from the stickers tray in any chat and share your custom stickers!
Extra Tips
Keep these extra tips in mind when creating your own WhatsApp stickers on the computer:
- Use Sticker Maker Studio’s editing features to add text, emoji or effects to stickers.
- Create multiple sticker packs with different themes.
- WhatsApp allows adding up to three custom sticker packs.
- Stick to simple designs as intricate details may not render well as small stickers.
- Make relatable stickers with popular references for greater engagement.
- Promote your sticker packs by sharing directly on WhatsApp status or chats.
Troubleshooting Guide
Follow this troubleshooting guide if you face any issues while creating or adding WhatsApp stickers from the computer:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Sticker Maker app crashes | Update to the latest version of the app. Relaunch and try again. |
| Can’t import certain image files | Make sure images are in PNG format and less than 100KB size. |
| Stickers not displaying properly | Re-export stickers in low resolution (512×512). Clear WhatsApp cache and try again. |
| WhatsApp says sticker pack limit reached | Delete an existing sticker pack to add the new one. Limit is 3 custom packs. |
| Stickers importing as documents | Make sure to export file from Sticker Maker in correct WhatsApp sticker format (.wasticker). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make WhatsApp stickers on iPhone and iPad?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not allow creating custom stickers directly on iOS devices. You will need to use a desktop app like Sticker Maker Studio on a Windows PC or Mac to make stickers.
Do I need to pay for the Sticker Maker app?
No, you can download and use the free version of Sticker Maker Studio to design and export WhatsApp sticker files on desktop. There are no charges for creating or sharing stickers.
What image formats can I use to make stickers?
For best results, your sticker images should be in high quality PNG format with transparent backgrounds. JPG, SVG, PSD files may not export properly into WhatsApp stickers.
Can I make animated stickers for WhatsApp?
Unfortunately animated stickers are not yet supported by WhatsApp on desktop or mobile. Stickers have to be static images for now.
Is there a size limit for WhatsApp sticker packs?
Yes, each WhatsApp sticker pack can have a maximum of 30 static stickers and minimum of 3 stickers. The individual sticker size should be 512 x 512 pixels.
Conclusion
Creating custom WhatsApp stickers on your computer is easy and fun with the right tools. Simply design high quality PNG images, use Sticker Maker Studio to compile them into packs, and import the finished stickers into your WhatsApp account. Personalized stickers help you express yourself in conversations and make chatting more entertaining. Follow this guide to make your own WhatsApp stickers from your desktop or laptop.