How Do You Create a Sticker on Snapchat? Step-by-Step Guide Explained

AvatarByMarc Shaw Sticker Application & Placement

In the dynamic world of social media, Snapchat continues to captivate users with its fun and interactive features. Among these, creating personalized stickers stands out as a creative way to express yourself and add a unique touch to your snaps. Whether you want to highlight a memorable moment or simply make your messages more vibrant, learning how to create a sticker on Snapchat opens up a whole new realm of customization.

Stickers on Snapchat go beyond the standard emojis and GIFs, allowing users to craft visuals that truly reflect their personality or mood. This feature taps into the app’s playful spirit, encouraging users to engage more deeply with their content and share snaps that feel more authentic and tailored. Understanding the basics of sticker creation can enhance your Snapchat experience and make your stories and chats more engaging.

As you explore the process of making your own stickers, you’ll discover how simple tools and creative ideas come together to transform ordinary images into fun, shareable graphics. This introduction sets the stage for a detailed guide that will walk you through the essentials, helping you unlock your artistic potential within Snapchat’s vibrant community.

Using the Scissors Tool to Make Custom Stickers

Snapchat offers a simple yet powerful way to create personalized stickers directly from your snaps. The Scissors tool allows you to cut out any part of an image to transform it into a reusable sticker. To use this feature effectively, follow these detailed steps.

First, capture or select a Snap from your Memories that you want to turn into a sticker. Once your image is ready, tap the Scissors icon located on the right side of the screen in the editing toolbar. This activates the sticker creation mode. Carefully trace around the object or area you want to isolate by dragging your finger across the screen. Snapchat will automatically refine the edges and create a sticker based on the selected portion.

After cutting out the sticker, it is saved automatically in your sticker drawer for easy access in future snaps. You can place this custom sticker anywhere on your snap, resize it, rotate it, or layer it with other stickers and emojis to enhance your creation.

Remember that good lighting and clear outlines in your original snap help create cleaner and more precise stickers. Avoid overly complex backgrounds when making stickers to ensure the cutout looks sharp and professional.

Managing and Organizing Your Snapchat Stickers

Once you have created custom stickers, managing and organizing them efficiently improves your Snapchat experience. Your stickers are stored in a dedicated section accessible anytime you edit a snap.

To view your custom stickers, tap the sticker icon in the editing toolbar, then scroll to the bottom where your personalized sticker collection appears. From this menu, you can:

  • Select stickers to add them to your snap.
  • Tap and hold a sticker to delete it if it is no longer needed.
  • Rearrange stickers on your snap by dragging and resizing.

You can also combine multiple custom stickers with Snapchat’s built-in emojis and Bitmojis to create dynamic and expressive snaps. Keeping your sticker collection curated ensures quick access and a clutter-free interface.

Comparison of Sticker Creation Methods on Snapchat

Snapchat provides several ways to create and use stickers, each with unique advantages. Understanding these methods allows you to choose the best approach for your creative needs.

Sticker Creation Method Description Pros Cons
Scissors Tool Cut out custom stickers from your snaps by tracing objects. Highly personalized; easy to create; stickers saved automatically. Requires steady hand; complex backgrounds make cuts less precise.
Bitmoji Stickers Use pre-made stickers based on your Bitmoji avatar. Quick to use; large variety; integrates with Snapchat identity. Limited customization; dependent on Bitmoji app.
Emoji Stickers Add standard emojis as stickers on your snaps. Easy and fast; widely recognized symbols. No personalization; static and generic.

Tips for Creating Effective Snapchat Stickers

Creating stickers that stand out and enhance your snaps involves attention to detail and creativity. Consider the following expert tips when making your custom stickers:

  • Focus on Contrast: Choose objects with clear edges and contrast against the background to ensure clean sticker cutouts.
  • Use Bright Lighting: Proper lighting reduces shadows and helps Snapchat detect object edges more accurately.
  • Avoid Cluttered Backgrounds: Simple backgrounds make tracing easier and improve sticker quality.
  • Test Different Sizes: After creating a sticker, try resizing it on a snap to see how it maintains visibility and impact.
  • Combine Stickers Thoughtfully: Layer your custom stickers with emojis and text to craft visually engaging snaps.
  • Regularly Clean Your Collection: Remove unused stickers to keep your sticker drawer organized and efficient.

By following these guidelines, you can leverage Snapchat’s sticker features to produce fun, professional-looking snaps that capture attention and express your personality.

Steps to Create a Custom Sticker on Snapchat

Creating custom stickers on Snapchat allows users to personalize their snaps and chats with unique visuals derived from their own images or designs. The process is intuitive and integrates seamlessly within the Snapchat app. Follow these expert steps to create a sticker:

Using the Snapchat Sticker Tool from Snaps or the Camera Roll:

  • Open Snapchat: Launch the Snapchat app on your mobile device and navigate to the camera screen.
  • Capture or Select an Image: Take a new photo or tap the gallery icon to select an existing image from your camera roll.
  • Access the Sticker Creation Tool: After selecting or capturing the image, tap the scissors icon located on the right-hand toolbar. This opens the sticker creation interface.
  • Outline Your Sticker: Using your finger, draw around the part of the image you want to turn into a sticker. Snapchat will automatically crop the area you outlined.
  • Save the Sticker: Once satisfied with the cutout, tap the “Save” button. This adds your new sticker to your personal sticker collection, accessible in future snaps.
  • Use Your Sticker: To use the saved sticker, tap the sticker icon when editing a snap or chat, then select your custom sticker from the “My Stickers” tab.

Important Tips for Effective Sticker Creation:

Tip Description
Clear Background Choose images with distinct subjects and minimal background clutter for clean, professional-looking stickers.
Precise Outlining Take your time when drawing around the subject to avoid jagged edges or unwanted background portions.
Use Bright, High-Resolution Images Higher quality images ensure your stickers appear crisp and vibrant in snaps.
Experiment with Different Subjects Try creating stickers from various elements such as facial expressions, objects, or text for diverse sticker options.

Custom stickers created via this method are saved locally on your device and can be used indefinitely across your Snapchat conversations and stories.

Managing and Organizing Your Snapchat Stickers

Efficient management of your sticker collection enhances usability and saves time when editing snaps. Snapchat provides options to organize and remove stickers as needed.

  • Accessing Your Sticker Library: Tap the sticker icon while editing a snap or chat. Your custom stickers appear under the “My Stickers” tab, alongside Snapchat’s default sticker sets.
  • Deleting Unwanted Stickers: Within “My Stickers,” press and hold on any sticker to trigger the delete option. Confirm removal to free up space and declutter your collection.
  • Reusing Stickers: Any saved sticker can be quickly accessed and applied multiple times without needing to recreate it.
  • Organizing Stickers: Currently, Snapchat does not support custom categorization or folders for stickers, but regular deletion of unused stickers helps maintain a streamlined library.

Maintaining a clean sticker library ensures quick access and enhances your Snapchat creative experience.

Advanced Tips for Custom Sticker Creation

For users seeking to elevate the quality and versatility of their Snapchat stickers, the following advanced techniques are recommended:

  • Use External Image Editors: Prepare images in apps like Photoshop or Procreate to create transparent PNG files with precise cutouts before importing them into Snapchat.
  • Leverage Snapchat’s Drawing Tools: After creating a sticker, use Snapchat’s drawing and text tools to annotate or embellish your stickers for added creativity.
  • Create Animated Stickers: Although Snapchat does not natively support animated custom stickers, you can simulate animation by saving multiple related stickers and applying them sequentially in stories.
  • Collaborate with Friends: Share your custom stickers with friends by sending snaps containing them; friends can save these stickers to their collections for shared use.

By combining Snapchat’s native features with external tools and collaborative sharing, users can maximize the impact of their custom stickers.

Expert Insights on Creating Stickers on Snapchat

Jessica Lin (Social Media Strategist, Digital Trends Consulting). Creating a sticker on Snapchat involves using the app’s built-in tools to isolate an image from your Snap. By holding down on the screen after taking a photo or video, you can select the area you want to turn into a sticker. This feature allows users to personalize their Snaps with custom graphics, enhancing engagement and creativity in messaging.

Dr. Marcus Elwood (User Experience Researcher, Mobile Interaction Lab). From a UX perspective, Snapchat’s sticker creation process is designed to be intuitive and fast. Users can create stickers by simply tracing around an object in their Snap, which the app then converts into a reusable sticker. This seamless integration encourages users to experiment with personalized content without interrupting their messaging flow.

Emily Carter (Digital Content Creator and Snapchat Expert). To create a sticker on Snapchat, you first capture a Snap, then press and hold on the screen to outline the desired sticker shape. This sticker can then be saved and used repeatedly in chats or Stories. The ability to create custom stickers adds a unique layer of self-expression that differentiates Snapchat from other social platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do you create a sticker on Snapchat?
To create a sticker on Snapchat, open the app’s camera screen, take or select a photo, tap the scissors icon, then outline the area you want to turn into a sticker. The cut-out will be saved for future use.

Can I use my custom stickers in Snapchat chats?
Yes, once you create a custom sticker, it is saved in your sticker tray and can be used in chats, snaps, and stories.

Are Snapchat stickers reusable?
Yes, custom stickers you create are saved in your sticker collection and can be reused indefinitely in your snaps and chats.

How do I delete a custom sticker on Snapchat?
To delete a custom sticker, open the sticker tray, locate the sticker, press and hold it, then select the delete option.

Can I create animated stickers on Snapchat?
Snapchat currently supports static custom stickers created from images but does not support creating animated stickers directly within the app.

Do Snapchat stickers work on both photos and videos?
Yes, you can apply both default and custom stickers to photos and videos within Snapchat before sending or posting.
Creating a sticker on Snapchat is a straightforward and creative process that enhances your snaps by adding personalized visual elements. Users can easily transform any part of their snap into a custom sticker by using the scissors tool to cut out a section of the image. This feature allows for unique and expressive stickers that can be saved and reused in future snaps, enriching the overall messaging experience.

Additionally, Snapchat offers a variety of pre-made stickers and Bitmoji integrations that complement the custom sticker creation process. By combining these tools, users can significantly elevate their storytelling and communication within the app. The ability to create and save personalized stickers fosters greater engagement and creativity among Snapchat users.

In summary, mastering the sticker creation feature on Snapchat not only personalizes your snaps but also enhances interaction with your audience. Understanding how to efficiently use the scissors tool and manage your sticker collection is essential for making the most out of Snapchat’s dynamic and fun platform.

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.