How to Make Holographic Stickers

Holographic stickers are stickers that dance with the light and transform ordinary surfaces into magical displays of color and movement—ever wanted to capture the beauty of the rainbow, to shift and shimmer as you move around them? Here’s your chance!

In this DIY article, we will give you a step-by-step guide to making holographic stickers easily. As you prepare to hold a piece of magic in your hands, let’s begin with understanding what holographic stickers are.

Holographic stickers are stickers that seem to change color when viewed from different angles, reminiscent of the rainbow, and based on some of the same properties of light like refraction. This effect is created using holographic materials that reflect light in varying ways to produce different colors.

Although this may seem complex, you don’t need to worry about making the holographic material. Instead, DIY enthusiasts can take advantage of the following two methods:

These are specialized printable holographic paper such as vinyl-based holographic sheets that have a special coating to accept ink without smearing. They have a subtle rainbow effect that won't interfere with your printed design, but still gives that magical shimmer you're after. The best ones will feel slightly textured and have a white base that helps your colors pop. You can find them in online stores or even in craft stores near you.

Holographic overlays give you more room to be creative with the holographic stickers. You can choose transparent holographic films that have more dramatic rainbow effects since you won't be printing on them directly. These work beautifully when layered over existing prints or artwork.

The most versatile options are self-adhesive holographic sheets that have a strong reflective quality—they create stunning effects when placed over bold, dark designs. You might especially love the galaxy-style holographic overlays that create a deep, multidimensional effect with their color-shifting properties. You can buy them in physical craft stores or online stores.

There are two simple methods you can use to create holographic stickers at home:

We will go over each method in detail, but also keep it as simple as possible so you follow along!

Before we start to make holographic stickers with printable holographic sticker paper, make sure you have the following tools:

Upload your design by clicking the upload option, then upload the image, and finally Browse to select the image from your desktop.

Select the image type as complex and then select continue.

Then select the upload type as Print Then Cut Image and then select the Upload button. Repeat this step if you are uploading more than one image.

Once your images have been uploaded, select the images you want to use to make a sticker. Then select Add to Canvas to add to your Design space and separate them to make it easier to edit them.

Select the image, then go to the menu bar on top and select the Create Sticker option.

Select the Kiss Cut method which will allow the Cricut Machine to cut through the sticker paper and not through the backing so that you can peel your stickers from the backing. Set the Kiss Cut settings; select the border to custom at 0.121 inches.

Then select the border color to white and select the Die cut edge which will allow the Cricut machine to cut through the sticker paper backing. Once you are all set, click Apply. The inside line will use Kiss cut and the outer line will use Die cut. Repeat the same for all your images.

Click the Make option and you will see how your design will look on a Cricut mat. Then select Continue to head to the app’s printing page. 

Here, select Send to Printer to set the app’s printing settings; select your printer, set Add Bleed to off, select Use System dialog on, and select Print to open your printer’s settings.

In the printer’s printing settings, set media quality to Best and then select Print.

After printing, you will need to proceed to the next step of Set Base Material. Select Printable Waterproof Sticker Set - Transparent setting with a 300 cut pressure, set the Kiss cut pressure to Default and Die cut pressure to More. You are now ready to prepare the Cricut mat and your design to be cut.

Carefully line your printed holographic sticker paper on the Cricut mat and use a brayer tool to press the sticker paper on the mat to avoid smearing the ink.

Load the Cricut mat into the Cricut machine and click the arrow button to push your design in and then press the cricket/start button to start cutting your holographic stickers. It will first read the registration lines, cut the kiss cuts first, and then the die cuts. After the cutting is down, press the arrow button again to remove your cut holographic stickers.

Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the paper residue.

Then you can start removing the sticker paper from the mat. If the mat is very sticky, turn it around so as to have an easy time removing the stickers.

Your holographic stickers are now ready. You can peel off the outer edge when you want to use your holographic stickers.

As you get ready to use the holographic overlay to make your holographic stickers, ensure you have these materials with you:

Print your designs on vinyl sticker paper. Add the printed vinyl on your Cricut mat to make it stay still for when you will be adding the holographic laminate on it. 

Mark the holographic sheet with a pencil so as to make the sheet within the registration marks when you place it in the Cricut machine. Cut the sheet to size with a paper cutter. 

Peel 2 inches off the top of your holographic sheet and fold the backing sheet under. Line the holographic sheet between the registration marks and use the felt side of your scrapper to stick it down. 

Flip the Cricut mat to the side, pull the backing paper from underneath, and use the felt scrapper to push the holographic sheet for about 4 inches.

Then you can use the felt scrapper to push the holographic sheet without pulling the backing.

Use matte tape to cover the registration line to make it easier for the Cricut machine to read the lines.

Then load the mat onto the Cricut machine, press the arrow button and start button for the machine to start cutting.

When the Cricut machine is done, press the arrow button to remove the mat. Peel the holographic stickers to use them.

If you don't own a cutting machine, making stickers by hand could be a fun alternative.

Have fun with it. Place your holographic sticker under different light sources and watch how they beautifully transform from fluorescent to sunlight to LED. When you stick your holographic stickers on your notebook or phone case, you will not only be adding decoration to them but also adding a personalized slice of technological artistry. Each new angle reveals another secret, another dimension of this light-bending wonder!