The new year is a time of celebration, reflection, and fresh starts. For many, decorating with festive new year’s decor helps ring in the next year. Stickers are a fun and easy DIY new year’s craft that can be used to decorate cards, scrapbooks, planners, laptops, water bottles, and more. With the right supplies and techniques, you can design custom new year stickers that will spread cheer and happiness throughout the start of the new year.
What You Need
To make custom new year’s stickers, you will need:
- Sticker paper – This is a specialty paper made specifically for stickers. It comes in sheets and has an adhesive backing.
- Cardstock – Regular paper can work but cardstock gives a nice thickness for stickers.
- Scissors or a paper cutter
- Markers, colored pencils, paint pens
- Stencils – Premade lettering or shape stencils help make neat designs.
- Glitter glue, sequins, gems – For added sparkle and texture.
The key supply is sticker paper. This has an adhesive back yet peels off its backing easily to stick. Sticker paper comes in glossy and matte finishes. Try experimenting with different brands and adhesives to see what works best.
Choosing Happy New Year Images
The imagery you choose will set the tone for your happy new year sticker. Consider bright colors, uplifting words, fun shapes and festive icons. Here are some happy new year motifs to include:
- Fireworks – These bursts of light represent hope and new beginnings.
- Stars – Twinkling stars symbolize bright futures.
- Confetti – Showers of confetti represent celebration.
- Sparkles – Sprinkling sparkle shapes connote joy.
- Party hats and horns – These festive items represent merriment.
- Champagne glasses – Bubbly glasses cheers to new adventures.
- Glitter shapes – Glittery flourishes signify shimmering optimism.
- Flowers – Fresh florals signal growth.
- Hearts – Hearts denote love and friendship.
- Sunrises – Sunrises mark new days.
Incorporate words like “celebrate”, “hello”, “happy”, “joy, “smile”, “laugh”, “fun” to reinforce a positive message. Use bright primary colors like yellow, light blue, pink and green for a cheery look.
Making Custom Stickers
Now for the fun part – creating your own custom happy new year stickers! Follow these steps:
Step 1: Design a Template
You can hand draw designs or use digital software like Canva to create a template. Keep the designs simple with clean lines and solid fill areas. Remember, you’ll have to cut out the shapes.
Some template ideas:
- A circle or oval frame with fireworks inside
- A champagne glass with bubbly shapes
- A party hat with stars
- A heart frame with the numbers of the new year
If adding words, use a thick bold font. Make sure the designs take up most of the sticker space. Print out the designs onto sticker paper or cardstock.
Step 2: Cut Out the Shapes
Use sharp scissors or a paper cutter to neatly cut out the template shapes. Cut slowly on the inside edge of the lines so no white edges show. For corners and points, make small cuts inward first rather than rounding the shape.
Some other cutting tips:
- Use a ruler as a guide when cutting straight lines.
- Change blades frequently for optimal cutting.
- Work on a cutting mat to protect your work surface.
- Cut basic geometric shapes out first, then do detail areas.
Carefully cut out any interior openings as well. Cut slowly for the best results.
Step 3: Decorate the Shapes
Once your base shapes are cut out, it’s time to decorate them! Here are some happy new year embellishment ideas:
- Add patterns with markers, paint pens and glitter glue.
- Glue on sequins, beads or gems for shine.
- Use metallic pens to draw stars, dots and lines.
- Apply glitter pens to key areas like words or firework bursts.
- Stencil on shapes, symbols or phrases using paint markers.
Add color and visual interest, but don’t overcrowd the design. Focus embellishments on main image areas so the sticker design remains clear. Apply all adhesives fully before attaching sequins so they don’t fall off.
Step 4: Stick Your Stickers
Once your happy new year sticker designs are complete, peel off the sticker backing and adhere them to surfaces. Here are some ideas of where to stick them:
- Laptops, phones and tablets
- Notebooks, planners and journals
- Greeting cards and envelopes
- Gift bags and wrapping paper
- Water bottles and thermoses
Get creative with where you place your stickers! Crisp edges show best on smooth surfaces, while textured areas like wood or fabric can add an artsy look.
Happy New Year Sticker Ideas
Making your own new year’s stickers allows for endless design options. Here are more suggestions:
Holiday Word Stickers
Stenciled or hand-lettered words work well for stickers. Try phrases like:
- Happy New Year
- Cheers to 2023
- Hello 2023
- Out with the Old, In with the New
Use dimensional paints, glitter pens and metallics to make the words pop.
Resolution Stickers
Make stickers featuring typical new years resolutions like:
- Exercise More
- Save Money
- Eat Healthy
- Reduce Stress
- Travel More
Decorate these with applicable symbols like dumbbells, cash, fruits, etc. These make great journal or planner stickers to track goals.
New Year’s Eve Party Stickers
For a festive look, try party-themed stickers with:
- Champagne bottles and glasses
- Party hats
- Noisemakers
- Confetti
- 2022 and 2023 numbers
Glitter, metallics, gems and sequins work nicely for a glam party vibe.
Midnight Celebration Stickers
To specifically celebrate the new year arrival, design stickers with:
- Fireworks
- Clocks striking midnight
- Sparkling lights
- Party horns and favors
These dramatic midnight stickers are perfect for new year’s cards.
Benefits of Making Your Own Stickers
Designing your own custom stickers has many advantages:
- Creativity – You can let your imagination run wild and make stickers as unique as you are.
- Customization – Personalize stickers for your specific holiday uses.
- Affordability – DIY stickers are much cheaper than buying pre-made ones.
- Flexibility – Make stickers in any size, color, or design you want.
- Fun – It’s enjoyable to dream up and craft sticker concepts.
Handmade stickers also make thoughtful holiday gifts and homemade decor. Simple supplies and techniques make DIY stickers accessible for beginners too. Unleash your creativity and get sticker-happy this New Year’s!
Conclusion
Welcoming each new year with positivity and high spirits is always in style. By making your own custom new year’s stickers, you can spread happiness during the holiday in a crafty, memorable way.
Start by brainstorming festive yet simple motivational imagery and phrases. Choose complementary colors and decorative items like glitter, sequins and gems. Use specialty sticker paper and carefully cut out your designs. Embellish with pens, paints and other embellishments for eye-catching visual interest. Peel off the backing and adhere your stickers anywhere you want to see fun pops of new year cheer.
The new year offers a fresh canvas full of hope and promise. Let your homemade stickers reflect the optimism, excitement and joy you feel for the year ahead. Here’s to a happy, prosperous and healthy 2023!
