I'm so happy when I create a sticker sheet that cuts well! Designing a sticker sheet from start to end can take quite a lot of testing and reworking.
Pros
One thing I really like about manufacturing my own stickers is that I can test and experiment with products without having to place orders for small batches which cost a lot more per unit!
I'm one of those people who often can't make a decision about a thing unless it's in front of me physically. Also, for physical goods like stickers it's always good to have a proof copy so I can check the colours which always look different printed out vs on screen. Things also look different under holographic laminate, so I like being able to check that everything looks right.
With these random bird stickers I found that the laminate I was using didn't look good over some dark blues and obscured the details too much, so I switched to using it only on light-coloured designs and using a simpler holographic laminate for darker colours. Sometimes it works though, you can't always tell unless you see it.
Sometimes I'll also just leave a design until I feel like I'm not blind to it anymore, like in the case of the bee hummingbird below... I think it's too detailed! It took me a while to get the spicy rufous hummingbird right too, the mascot of my store which is hilarious. I think because there's more pressure to get hummingbirds right :)
I did it tho! And I'll probably never make sticker packs with that many tiny stickers in them again, because pulling those off the cutting mats, sorting and packing them took absolutely forever. It was crazy and again, something you only learn by going through the process!
The other benefit to making my own stuff is that knowing more about a process helps me make design decisions and learn new things. Which means that if I ever got to the point where I was able to buy a print shop level piece of equipment, I would be able to use my troubleshooting experience to work with that type of machine faster.
Being able to make small batches of things also lets me gauge how popular something might be without having to invest in too much product and change things on the fly.
I've just upgraded my Flower Friends sticker sheets to matte vinyl to showcase the super detailed intricate cuts like the tiny little bee antennae.
The print quality is great on both the paper and vinyl stock I'm using but I prefer the vinyl for fine details as it's stronger.
I think for designs like these it gives better results for my customers. I use Online Labels matte weatherproof vinyl for this sheet and some others (I've seen it referred to as 'unicorn paper' (because it's so smooth and velvety) and it's nice and thin so it doesn't add a lot of bulk to my planner pages.
For most of my line of credit-card sized planner sticker sheets I decided to use clear matte vinyl as it kind of has a washi tape feeling, but stronger - I like the way it sits on lightweight papers like Tomoe River in Hobonichi Techo planners, and it feels better for tiny little mini micro planner icons so they don't become bulky to the touch. It's also quite water-resistant although I wouldn't get it wet.
So satisfyingly tiny and colourful!
Cons
Manufacturing takes up quite a bit of time. And it's just me doing everything, not a big print house employing a bunch of people. There's been a lot of steep learning curves! I've spent a couple of years getting to know how to really use my cutting machines, the software etc.
I also have to purchase materials and the equipment and this all adds up pretty fast. I also just resigned myself to the costs of experiments and mistakes, as it's part of the process and you'll have mistakes at some point along the way, or MANY points :)
Can't count the number of times I've wanted to throw my cutting machine, printer etc out of the window!
At some point I hope I'll have the problem of needing to finally outsource some of my printing and cutting so that I can spend more time drawing new designs!
Having said that, when I get to the final stage and I make something that fulfils my original vision, it's really rewarding, and to have people buy something I made entirely by myself is honestly one of the most special feelings in the world. I'm touched and grateful to all my customers and supporters!