By Lesa 
Most of the stickers on Instagram look the same. You’ve seen them a hundred times. If you’ve ever thought they were kind of boring, you’re not wrong. Some people started making their own. Photos cut out into shapes, little graphics, quick things that look more real. It makes a difference, even if it’s small.
Instagram has a tool now that lets you turn part of a photo into a sticker. It’s fast. You tap a few things, and it’s saved. That’s it. If you want to make something from scratch, there are apps for that too. Canva works. So does Procreate if you know how to draw. But you don’t have to use either.
You don’t need to be creative. You just need to want something that doesn’t look like everyone else’s story. That’s the point.
Why Make Your Own Instagram Stickers
Most people tap through Instagram stories without thinking. One after another. Same filters. Same stickers. Same layout. It all blends together. But once in a while something catches the eye. A sticker that clearly wasn’t made by Instagram. Maybe it’s a little drawing. Maybe it’s a cutout from someone’s photo. It feels different. That’s usually enough to make someone stop.
Here’s why that matters:
- It makes your content look original without doing much
- It gives your stories or reels something people recognize
- It shows effort and attention without needing design skills
- It can be reused and shared which grows reach over time
- It builds brand feel without needing a logo on everything
You don’t need expensive tools. You can use Canva. You can make them in Procreate. Or just use Instagram’s cutout tool straight from your camera roll. The point isn’t to make something perfect. It’s to make something that looks like it came from you. That’s what makes people remember it.
How to Make Instagram Story Stickers
There’s more than one way to make your own stickers. Depends on what you want and what tools you already use. Some people like to draw. Others just want to cut out parts of a photo. Either way works.
If you want something fast:
- Use Instagram’s cutout tool
- Open your camera roll through stories
- Tap on a photo and hold
- Pick the part you want to turn into a sticker
- It saves automatically and shows up in your sticker tray
This is the easiest method. It works best with simple photos that have a clear subject. No editing. No extra app.
If you want something more custom:
- Open Canva or Procreate
- Create a square canvas with a transparent background
- Add your design, doodle, logo, text, whatever you want
- Save it as a PNG
- Send it to your phone
- Copy and paste it into a story or use it through the photo sticker option
Want your stickers to show up in the Instagram search bar for everyone to use? You’ll need to go through Giphy:
- Create a Giphy account and apply for a brand or artist profile
- Upload at least five stickers as animated GIFs with transparent backgrounds
- Tag them clearly so they’re easy to find
- Once approved, your stickers will be searchable in stories
You don’t need to do all of these. Pick what fits. Some people just use the built-in cutout tool and stop there. Others make a whole sticker set and post them every week. Both are fine. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about adding something that feels a little more like yours.
Instagram Sticker Ideas That Actually Work
Once you know how to make them, the next question is what kind of stickers should you even create. That depends on what your account is about. But there are a few types of custom Instagram stickers that work for almost anyone.
Here are some ideas to start with:
- Logo stickers
Great for businesses or creators with a brand. Keep it simple. Transparent background. Upload it once and reuse it on every story without feeling repetitive. - Cutouts from real photos
Your face. Your product. Your pet. Anything that feels real. These work well with Instagram’s cutout feature and make stories more personal. - Text stickers in your brand font
Phrases you always say. Calls to action. Even something like “New Post” or “Link in bio” in your own style can make a story feel more put together. - Mood or reaction GIFs
Animated stickers made in Canva or Procreate can show emotion without saying anything. These are good for engagement and easy to use across different kinds of posts. - Seasonal or niche packs
If you post about food, create food stickers. If you do fitness, create workout icons. If you run a holiday sale, make themed sticker sets. These can be reused across campaigns or shared with followers.
Custom Instagram story stickers don’t need to be fancy. The best ones are often the simplest. What matters is that they fit your style and show up consistently. That’s how people start to notice them. That’s how people remember you.
How to Save and Reuse Your Stickers
Once you make a good sticker, you don’t want to start from scratch every time. Luckily, Instagram saves any cutouts you create. You’ll find them in your sticker tray under the cutouts tab. Just tap and use.
For PNGs or designs from Canva or Procreate, save them to your phone’s photo library. Then copy and paste them into your story when you need them. If you post often, it helps to keep all your custom Instagram stickers in one folder so they’re easy to grab.
The more you use them, the more they become part of your visual style. That’s what makes your content feel consistent without needing to say much.
Start Small and Keep Using Them
You don’t need a full sticker pack on day one. Start with one. A logo. A word. A cutout from your last photo. Use it in a story. See how it feels. That’s the best way to get into it.
The goal isn’t to look like a professional designer. It’s to add something real to your content. Custom Instagram stickers do that. They make posts feel less generic. More like you.
Once you’ve made a few, keep them saved and ready. Use them often. That’s how people start to notice. That’s how your stories stop looking like everyone else’s.
A Quick Tip
If you’re trying to get ideas for your own stickers, it helps to see what other accounts are doing. Tools like Profilegazer let you view Instagram Stories anonymously, which can be useful when you want to look around without showing up in someone’s viewer list.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to overthink this. One sticker is enough to start. If you’re consistent with it people will notice. That’s how small things turn into part of your brand without you even planning it.
Whether you’re using Instagram’s cutout tool or designing something in Canva it’s the same idea. Make something that looks like it came from you. Use it often. Let it grow over time.
That’s it. No rules. Just a few quiet details that help your stories stand out without needing to say a word.