The Tools I Use to Make Stickers, Magnets, Tote Bags (and more!) at Home
In this post, I’m breaking down the main tools and materials I use to make my merch at home — from cutting machines to papers and finishing supplies. This is a practical look at what’s worked best for me, especially if you’re an artist interested in producing your own merchandise.
MERCH & SMALL BUSINESS
One of my favorite parts of being an artist is turning my artwork into physical products people can actually use and enjoy. Over time, I’ve built a small but efficient at-home setup that allows me to create stickers, prints, magnets, keychains, and tote bags without outsourcing everything.
Cutting Stickers & Magnets with a Cricut Machine
At the center of my setup is a Cricut cutting machine, which I use to cut out stickers and magnets. It allows me to get clean, consistent edges and save a huge amount of time compared to cutting everything by hand.
To use a Cricut properly, you’ll also need:
Sticker paper (for printable stickers)
Magnet paper (for printable magnets)
Cutting mats / cutting boards for your sheets to rest on inside the machine
These materials work together to make sure everything feeds through smoothly and cuts accurately.
I keep all of the sticker and magnet-making supplies I use listed here:
👉🏽 https://amzn.to/49giarc
Printing Your Designs at Home
To print my designs, I use a laser printer. A laser printer is important because it works better with certain papers and processes (especially when durability matters).
I don’t currently have a specific product link for my printer, but it’s an essential part of my workflow and something to plan for if you’re serious about producing your own merch at home.
Making Keychains (Resin, Flats & Hardware)
For keychains, I use a combination of resin and keychain flats. The flats act as the base for the design, while the resin adds durability and a professional, finished look.
You’ll also need:
Keychain rings
Mixing tools for resin
A protected work surface
This process takes a little practice, but it’s incredibly rewarding once you get comfortable with it.
All of the resin supplies and keychain hardware I use can be found here:
👉🏽 https://amzn.to/3LI2kN1
Creating Tote Bags at Home
Tote bags are one of my favorite merch items because they’re functional and showcase art beautifully. To make tote bags at home, you’ll need:
Blank tote bags
Heat transfer paper
A heat press or iron
Once your design is printed on heat transfer paper, it’s applied to the tote bag using heat and pressure, permanently bonding the image to the fabric.
The exact tote bags, heat transfer paper, and heat press I use are linked here:
Why I Make My Merch at Home
Producing my own merch allows me to:
Maintain creative control
Test designs quickly
Keep quality consistent
Experiment with new product ideas
Having the right tools makes the process smoother and far more enjoyable, especially when juggling multiple product types.
A Note About the Tools I Share
I get a lot of questions about how I make my merch, so I keep my tools organized in one place for anyone who wants to explore them. The links included are simply there as a convenient way to find the products I use.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I personally use as part of my art and merch-making process.
✨ Thanks for reading, and happy creating.
