How Do You Add Stickers on Snapchat? A Step-by-Step Guide

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Application & Placement

Snapchat has revolutionized the way we communicate by blending instant messaging with fun, creative visuals. One of the platform’s most popular features is the ability to personalize your snaps with a variety of stickers. Whether you want to add a touch of humor, express your mood, or simply make your snaps more visually appealing, stickers offer a playful way to enhance your messages and stories.

Adding stickers on Snapchat is a simple yet powerful way to elevate your snaps beyond just photos and videos. These digital embellishments can range from emojis and Bitmojis to location tags and custom graphics, allowing users to tailor their content to fit any occasion or vibe. As Snapchat continues to evolve, stickers remain a key tool for self-expression and engagement within the app’s vibrant community.

Understanding how to add stickers effectively can transform your Snapchat experience, making your snaps stand out and resonate more with friends and followers. Whether you’re a casual user or a Snapchat enthusiast, mastering this feature opens up new creative possibilities that can make every snap uniquely yours. In the sections ahead, we’ll explore how you can easily add stickers on Snapchat and unlock their full potential.

Using Snapchat’s Built-In Stickers and Emojis

Snapchat offers a variety of built-in stickers and emojis that users can easily add to their snaps to enhance the visual appeal or convey emotions. Once you have captured a photo or video, follow these steps to access and apply these elements:

  • Tap the sticker icon, which looks like a folded square, located on the right side of the screen.
  • A panel will open displaying a collection of stickers categorized by themes such as Bitmoji, emojis, and Snapchat’s own stickers.
  • Scroll through the categories or use the search bar to find specific stickers or emojis.
  • Tap on the sticker you want to add, and it will appear on your snap.
  • You can move the sticker by dragging it, resize by pinching or expanding with two fingers, and rotate by twisting with two fingers.
  • To remove a sticker, drag it to the trash icon that appears at the bottom of the screen.

This intuitive interface allows users to quickly personalize their snaps with expressive visuals without needing to leave the app.

Creating Custom Stickers from Your Snaps

Snapchat also enables users to create custom stickers directly from their snaps, offering a more personalized and creative way to communicate. The process involves selecting portions of your snap to convert into stickers:

  • After taking a snap, tap the scissors icon on the right toolbar to enter sticker creation mode.
  • Use your finger to trace around the part of the snap you want to turn into a sticker. The app will automatically cut out the selected area.
  • Once you release your finger, the cut-out becomes a new sticker that is saved to your sticker collection.
  • You can add this custom sticker multiple times to the current snap or future snaps.
  • To manage your custom stickers, tap the sticker icon, then the “My Stickers” tab where all your created stickers are stored.

This feature allows for unique and highly individualized content, enabling users to reuse favorite elements without capturing them repeatedly.

Adding Stickers to Snapchat Stories and Chats

Stickers on Snapchat are not limited to snaps alone; they can also be incorporated into Stories and chat conversations, enhancing interactivity and expression.

For Stories:

  • When posting a snap to your Story, follow the same sticker addition process.
  • Stickers added will be visible to all your Story viewers.
  • You can layer multiple stickers, emojis, or Bitmojis to create dynamic visual effects.

For Chats:

  • Open a chat conversation with a friend or group.
  • Tap the sticker icon at the bottom of the chat window.
  • Select from pre-existing stickers or your custom creations.
  • Tap the desired sticker to send it instantly within the conversation.
  • Snapchat also supports animated stickers, which can be sent in chats for added fun.

This flexibility across different Snapchat features encourages users to express themselves vividly and maintain engaging communication.

Comparison of Sticker Types and Their Uses

Understanding the different sticker types available on Snapchat can help users choose the most suitable option for their needs. The table below summarizes the main sticker categories, their characteristics, and typical use cases:

Sticker Type Description Use Case Customization Options
Built-In Stickers Pre-designed static or animated stickers provided by Snapchat Quick decoration, expressing moods or reactions Limited to selection; no modification
Emojis Standard emoji icons integrated within the sticker panel Simple emotional expression or emphasis Change size, rotate, and position
Bitmoji Stickers Personalized avatar stickers linked to your Bitmoji account Personal branding and expressive communication Limited to available poses and expressions
Custom Stickers User-created stickers made from snap cutouts Unique content reuse, personalized messages Create, resize, rotate, and save for future use

This comparison helps users navigate the sticker options effectively to enhance their Snapchat interactions.

Tips for Effective Sticker Use

To maximize the impact of stickers on Snapchat, consider the following best practices:

  • Use stickers sparingly to avoid cluttering the snap and distracting from the main content.
  • Combine stickers with text captions or drawings for layered storytelling.
  • Leverage custom stickers to highlight unique elements or inside jokes with friends.
  • Pay attention to sticker placement to maintain visual balance and avoid covering important parts of the snap.
  • Regularly update your custom sticker collection to keep your snaps fresh and engaging.
  • Experiment with animated stickers in chats to add dynamic flair to your conversations.

Applying these tips will help you create snaps and chats that are visually appealing and communicatively effective.

Adding Stickers on Snapchat

Snapchat provides a dynamic way to enhance your snaps through the use of stickers. These graphical elements allow you to personalize your photos and videos creatively before sharing them with friends or adding them to your Story.

To add stickers on Snapchat, follow these steps:

  • Capture or select a Snap: Open Snapchat and either take a new photo or video by pressing the capture button or select an existing image or video from your Memories.
  • Access the sticker menu: Tap the sticker icon located on the right side of the screen. It resembles a square with a folded corner.
  • Choose your sticker type: Snapchat offers various sticker options including:
    • Default stickers: Static or animated graphics categorized by themes such as emotions, holidays, or weather.
    • Bitmoji stickers: Personalized stickers featuring your Bitmoji avatar.
    • GIF stickers: Animated GIFs powered by GIPHY, searchable via keywords.
    • Location stickers: Geotags based on your current location.
  • Add the sticker to your Snap: Tap the sticker you want to add. It will appear on your Snap, where you can drag it to reposition.
  • Resize and rotate: Use pinch gestures to resize the sticker and two-finger rotation to adjust its angle.
  • Layer stickers: Add multiple stickers by repeating the steps and arrange them by dragging them to desired positions.
  • Finalize and send: Once satisfied, tap the send button to share your Snap or add it to your Story.

Using Custom Stickers and Creating Your Own

Snapchat also allows users to create custom stickers from their own Snaps, increasing personalization and creativity.

To create and use custom stickers:

  • Open a Snap: Capture or select a photo or video from Memories.
  • Select the scissors icon: Tap the scissors icon in the vertical toolbar to enter sticker creation mode.
  • Outline the desired sticker area: Use your finger to trace around the object or element you want to turn into a sticker. Be as precise as possible for best results.
  • Save the sticker: Once traced, Snapchat automatically saves the cut-out as a custom sticker available in your sticker drawer under the “Custom” tab.
  • Reuse and manage custom stickers: You can tap on saved stickers to add them to any Snap. To delete unwanted custom stickers, press and hold the sticker in the drawer, then select the delete option.

Tips for Effective Sticker Use on Snapchat

Incorporating stickers effectively can elevate the visual appeal and engagement of your Snaps. Consider these expert tips:

Tip Description
Use Stickers to Convey Emotion Choose expressive stickers that complement or amplify the mood of your Snap for greater impact.
Maintain Visual Balance Avoid cluttering your Snap with too many stickers; prioritize placement to keep the composition balanced.
Leverage Location and Event Stickers Utilize geofilters and event-specific stickers to provide context and relevance to your Snaps.
Combine Bitmoji Stickers for Personalization Integrate your Bitmoji avatar into your Snaps for a personal touch that resonates with your audience.
Experiment with Animated Stickers Use GIF stickers to add movement and attract attention, especially in video Snaps.

Expert Insights on Adding Stickers on Snapchat

Jessica Tran (Social Media Strategist, Digital Influence Group). Adding stickers on Snapchat is a straightforward yet powerful way to enhance your snaps. After capturing your photo or video, simply tap the sticker icon on the right-hand side of the screen. From there, you can choose from a variety of pre-made stickers, Bitmojis, or even create custom stickers by selecting part of your snap. This feature allows users to personalize their content creatively and engage more effectively with their audience.

Dr. Michael Lee (User Experience Researcher, Mobile App Innovations). The sticker functionality on Snapchat is designed with intuitive user interaction in mind. To add a sticker, users tap the sticker button, which opens a categorized library including emojis, GIFs, and location-based stickers. Dragging and resizing the sticker on the snap is seamless, providing a tactile and enjoyable experience. This ease of use encourages frequent sticker application, enhancing communication through visual storytelling.

Emily Carter (Digital Content Creator and Snapchat Expert). To add stickers on Snapchat effectively, it’s important to explore the diverse sticker options available after capturing your snap. Beyond the default stickers, Snapchat allows users to create personalized stickers by cropping parts of their images, which adds a unique flair to snaps. Mastering this feature can significantly boost the appeal of your stories and make your snaps stand out in a crowded social media environment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you add stickers on Snapchat snaps?
To add stickers on Snapchat, take or upload a snap, then tap the sticker icon on the right side of the screen. Browse or search for stickers and tap one to add it to your snap. You can resize or move the sticker by pinching or dragging it.

Can you use custom stickers on Snapchat?
Yes, Snapchat allows you to create custom stickers by selecting an object in your snap using the scissors tool. This cut-out becomes a personalized sticker that you can reuse in future snaps.

Are Snapchat stickers free to use?
Most Snapchat stickers are free and included in the app. However, some special or branded sticker packs may require a purchase or be available only during specific events or promotions.

How do you find specific stickers on Snapchat?
Use the search bar within the sticker menu to type keywords related to the sticker you want. Snapchat will display matching stickers, including emojis, Bitmoji, and themed packs.

Can you add multiple stickers to a single Snapchat snap?
Yes, you can add multiple stickers to a single snap by tapping the sticker icon multiple times and placing each sticker individually. You can adjust the size and position of each sticker independently.

Is it possible to save stickers for later use on Snapchat?
Yes, Snapchat automatically saves your created custom stickers and recently used stickers in the sticker menu for easy access in future snaps.
Adding stickers on Snapchat is a straightforward process that enhances the visual appeal and expressiveness of your snaps. Users can easily access a wide variety of stickers by tapping the sticker icon after capturing a photo or video. Snapchat offers both standard stickers and Bitmoji options, allowing for personalized and creative additions to your content. Furthermore, users can search for specific stickers, resize, rotate, and place them anywhere on the snap to suit their preferences.

Understanding how to effectively use stickers on Snapchat not only improves user engagement but also allows for more dynamic storytelling. Stickers can be combined with other creative tools such as text, filters, and drawing features to produce unique and captivating snaps. Additionally, Snapchat regularly updates its sticker library, providing fresh and seasonal options that keep the user experience exciting and relevant.

In summary, mastering the use of stickers on Snapchat is essential for anyone looking to maximize the platform’s creative potential. By leveraging the diverse sticker options and customization features, users can communicate more vividly and make their snaps stand out. This functionality contributes significantly to the overall enjoyment and personalization that Snapchat offers its community.

Author Profile

Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw
Marc Shaw is the author behind Voilà Stickers, an informative space built around real world understanding of stickers and everyday use. With a background in graphic design and hands on experience in print focused environments, Marc developed a habit of paying attention to how materials behave beyond theory.

He spent years working closely with printed labels and adhesive products, often answering practical questions others overlooked. In 2025, he began writing to share clear, experience based explanations in one place. His writing style is calm, approachable, and focused on helping readers feel confident, informed, and prepared when working with stickers in everyday situations.