Creating personalised stickers is by no means a native WhatsApp feature, and like with many things, Facebook has decided to sneakily nab the idea from other messenger apps (like Telegram and WeChat), and add it to its own messaging app. It’s still an awesome feature though. And will likely replace standard stickers altogether one day.
WhatsApp stickers have just started to roll out for Android and iOS. And although the excitement is real, they’ve only launched the feature with 12 sticker packs. Which doesn’t bother us — because everyone can make their own. Here’s how to get started.
What you will need
Users can download third-party sticker apps as well as make their own. And you don’t have to be an award-winning graphic designer to make silly stickers of your pets. Believe us.
You’ll also need some third-party apps to make personalised stickers happen, and unfortunately those in Apple land will have some trouble here. Currently there is no third-party app for iOS to make personalised stickers.
We’ve tested a few sticker-production apps, and will take you through the pros and cons of each. Keep in mind that you need the latest version of WhatsApp, and an internet connection for this to work.
How to go about it
There are two distinct ways to make your own stickers — the one includes downloading multiple third-party apps, but it will produce higher-quality stickers, while the other is much simpler, but the stickers won’t look as good.
It’s up to the user to decide what they prefer — quality or effectiveness.
Method 1: Easy, but for novice croppers
First, we’ll walk you through the easy method. For this method, you’ll need to download ‘Sticker maker for WhatsApp’ on the Google Play Store. This app will allow you to quickly create personalised stickers and automatically import them into WhatsApp.
Tap on the Create a new sticker pack option, and make up a sticker pack name and author. Apparently this is just for labelling purposes, and your stickers won’t be accessible to other WhatsApp users. We still advise you don’t make stickers of things you don’t necessarily want the internet to see…
Now, tap New List and you’ll be greeted with an empty stickers tray. Here you’ll have to add the sticker pack’s icon. Simply tap on each tray to add stickers to them.
When you tap on an empty tray, you’ll have to import the chosen picture and cut it out on-screen with a single, connected line. This could prove a bit of a challenge, especially if you want perfectly-cut-out stickers. If your OCD is kicking in, check the second method.
If you’re happy with the badly-cropped version of your doggo, tap Save and add more stickers to your pack. And when the sticker pack is sufficiently filled with badly-cropped doggos, tap on Publish Sticker Pack.
The app will ask you if you’d like to add the stickers to your WhatsApp app, just accept and head to the WhatsApp app and you’ll find your new stickers neatly located in the sticker drawer.
Method 2: Me likey the deep-etch
From the cropping capabilities of a two year old, to those of a highly qualified art director of Stuff Magazine, where do you crop up? Here are a few options depending on your cropping skills.
For the novices who are looking for top-notch stickers, go to the Google Play Store and download a background removing app. We used an app called ‘Background Eraser‘, but there are lots to choose from. Now, you’ll be able to edit each picture at your own pace, leaving as much detail as you want and making sure that every nook and cranny is covered.
The degree- or diploma-level graphic designers can make an informed decision as to what to do here — go ahead and deep-etch a few doggo pics in your preferred editing software and import them to your phone.
You’ll have to edit at least three stickers, as that’s the minimum WhatsApp allows to be imported.
When you’re set with a bunch of A-grade doggo stickers (or kitty stickers), go back to the Google Play Store and download ‘Personal stickers for WhatsApp‘. This app will allow you to import the newly edited stickers directly to WhatsApp.
Simply open the app, find the stickers you’ve created, and tap Add. The stickers should be in your WhatsApp sticker drawer now.
Spam your friends with badly-made stickers now
Find your stickers in the sticker drawer by opening, which is located in the ‘Emoji’ tab. Tap on the emoji in the bottom left corner, tap on the small square (which apparently resembles a sticker), and you’ll find your stickers here.
Although WhatsApp is pretty late to the party, and definitely lacks a wide range of unique sticker packs. At least they do make it very easy to create and add your own stickers. Something that users will either love or pay no attention to. You can only guess how we feel about personalised stickers. Woof!
