INTRODUCTION
Welcome! I'm Carina Kaplan, a 2025 Elon Kickbox recipient majoring in strategic communications.
- Sponsor: Amber Moser, Director of Internships for the School of Communications
- Contact: ckaplan3@elon.edu
- Website: kaplancarina.com
THE PROBLEM
I originally designed frogs in Silhouette Studio to be cut using Silhouette Cameo. These designs were cut on vinyl sticker paper, where I would have to manually layer them together. In 2024, I became a Kickbox recipient and revised my sticker process to a print-and-cut method. Now, as a 2025 Kickbox recipient, I have been revising my sticker process to include design advancements and branding.
PROTOTYPES
Terminology
- Silhouette Studio is a graphic design software.
- Silhouette Cameo is the cutting machine.
- A kiss cut only cuts through the sticker layers, leaving the backing intact
- A full cut cuts through all layers.
Iterations
Iteration: Sticker Material
- PPD Matte Self Adhesive Vinyl Sticker Paper (PPD)
- JANDJPACKAGING Printable Vinyl Matte White Sticker Paper (IPL)
- Online Labels Waterproof Sticker Paper (OLP)
I tested out three different sticker material as pictured below. My favorite material ended up being PPD, which I decided to use for the remainder of my project.
Iteration: Lamination
I tested out two different laminates types: hot and cold. I bought the Buyounger Laminator, which is a hot and cold laminating machine. The hot laminate I tried out was Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches, and the cold laminate I tried out was Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets.
- Don't put cold laminate through the hot setting of the laminating machine. It heavily warps the laminate and the sticker sheet underneath.
- I found the Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches to peel off later, which could be user error.
- Overall, I liked the Avery Self-Adhesive Laminating Sheets the best, which is the same brand that I have been using for the past year.
Iteration: Sticker Sheets
I began to design and create sticker sheets through Silhouette Studio. I later began experimenting with sticker sheets created using the art app Procreate and assembled on Silhouette Studio.
MATERIALS & TOOLS
Software:
- Silhouette Studio
- Procreate
Machines:
- Silhouette Cameo 3
- Silhouette Cameo 5
- Color printer
- Hot & Cold laminating machine — link
Materials (sticker paper)
- PPD Inkjet Matte Vinyl Sticker Paper — link
- JANDJPACKAGING Printable Vinyl Matte White Sticker Paper — link
- Online Labels Waterproof Sticker Paper White Matte Vinyl-Like — link
Materials (laminate)
Materials (tools):
- Brayer, Rubber Roller (Cricut) — link
- Micro Safety Cutter (Slice) — link
- Silhouette America SILH-Blade-AUTO — link
Materials (display + packaging):
- Wooden Trays — link
- Kraft Envelopes A7 5"x7" — link
- Self Sealing Cellophane Bags 5"x7" — link
- Clear Plastic Reclosable Zip Bags 2.5"x3" — link
RESOURCES
Watching "How to Make Waterproof Stickers" by Sundrop Studios gave me the idea to cold laminate my stickers. I also found sticker materials from the multiple Amazon Lists compiled by Sundrop Studios.
Watching "How To Make Stickers and Sticker Sheets" by neonshiba helped me navigate how to design sticker sheets on Procreate to later be compiled in Silhouette Studio.
The article "Best Laminate for Vinyl Stickers" by Rosie informed me about hot and cold laminates.
Watching "How to Start a Sticker Business" by Zaccura gave me the idea to purchase cellophane bags and kraft envelopes to package my stickers.
Watching "What You Need to Start a Sticker Business" by Sticker Guru gave me the idea to purchase and try out Online Labels Weatherproof Matte Sticker Paper.
Watching "Sticker Making Supplies" by Tabs Art Shop gave me the idea to purchase and try out the JANDJPACKAGING Premium Printable Vinyl Sticker Paper and the Scotch Thermal Laminating Pouches.
Reading "Which Sticker Material is Right for You?" by StickerYou Blog helped me better understand which sticker material type is best suited for the desired outcome (multiple design pages, kiss-cut singles, die-cut singles, etc).
FURTHER EXPLORATION
I plan to continue making new frog sticker designs, which can be viewed in the Frog Gallery on my website, CK Studios.
- I will find a combination of vinyl sticker paper and laminate that can be consistently cut using Silhouette Cameo.
- I will continue to refine the sticker sheet designs, whether that be sizing, layout, sticker variety, and sticker themes.
- Once I am confident in the consistency and quality of the stickers I make, looking at starting an online shop and/or side sticker business will be my next major step forward!
Credits:
Created with an image by yavdat - "Color neon gradient. abstract blurred background. silver paper with a holographic effect. close up Shot"