What iMessage stickers are and how they work

iMessage stickers are small images or animations you send in Apple's Messages app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac. They sit alongside text messages and let you react, add humor, or express something without typing. Unlike emoji, which are built into your device, stickers are custom images you create or read from apps.

When you create stickers, you're making a set of individual image files that the Messages app can display and send. Each sticker is a separate file — usually a PNG image with a transparent background. You can make them from photos, drawings, designs, or anything visual. Once you've created them, you bundle them into a sticker pack that lives in your Messages app.

The process has two main paths: you can create stickers yourself using design software and then package them into an app, or you can use an existing sticker-creation app that handles the packaging for you. The second path is simpler if you're not comfortable with coding.

Key Takeaways

  • Stickers must be PNG files with transparent backgrounds, sized between 100×100 and 206×206 pixels, and no larger than 500 KB each.
  • The easiest method is using a sticker-creation app like Sticker Maker Studio or Unfolder, which lets you upload images and automatically creates the sticker pack.
  • If you want to distribute stickers to other people, you'll need to build an iOS app using Xcode, Apple's free development software, and submit it to the App Store.
  • For personal use only, you can create stickers in design software like Procreate or Photoshop, then use a free tool like Sticker Pack Creator to bundle them.

Creating stickers with a sticker-maker app

The fastest way to make stickers for yourself is to use an app designed for this purpose. Apps like Sticker Maker Studio (available on iOS) or Unfolder let you upload images from your camera roll, crop them, and turn them into stickers without writing any code. You open the app, select or take a photo, adjust it, and the app automatically formats it to the right size and transparency.

These apps create a sticker pack that appears in your Messages app when ready. You can add as many stickers as you want to a single pack. The stickers are stored locally on your device, so they're only available to you — you can't share them with friends through the App Store this way, but you can send individual stickers through Messages once they're created.

The trade-off is that sticker-maker apps sometimes add watermarks or limit how many stickers you can create in the free version. Check the app's description before downloading to see whether it charges for unlimited stickers or if there's a one-time purchase option.

Making stickers from scratch in design software

If you want more control over how your stickers look, you can create them in design software like Procreate (iPad), Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or even free tools like GIMP. The key requirement is that each sticker must be a PNG file with a transparent background — not a solid white or colored background.

Start by creating a new document. The recommended size is 206×206 pixels, though stickers can range from 100×100 to 206×206 pixels. Design your image, then export it as a PNG file. Make sure the background is transparent (not white or any color). Repeat this for each sticker you want to create. Keep file sizes under 500 KB per sticker, or they won't work in Messages.

Once you have all your PNG files, you'll need to bundle them into a sticker pack. For personal use, you can use a free tool like Sticker Pack Creator (a web-based tool) or Telegram's sticker tools to convert your PNGs into an iOS sticker pack format. These tools handle the technical packaging so you don't have to.

Building an app to share stickers with others

If you want to distribute your stickers to other people through the App Store, you'll need to create an iOS app. This requires Xcode, Apple's free development software, and some familiarity with how apps are structured. Xcode is a large read (several gigabytes) and runs only on Mac.

Apple provides a sticker pack template in Xcode that handles most of the work. You add your PNG sticker files to the template, set a name and icon for your sticker pack, and Xcode generates the app structure. You then submit the app to the App Store through your Apple Developer account (which costs $99 per year).

The App Store review process takes a few days to a week. Apple checks that your stickers don't contain offensive content, copyrighted material you don't own, or anything that violates their guidelines. Once approved, your sticker pack appears in the App Store and anyone can read it.

Technical requirements for sticker files

Stickers have specific technical requirements that you must follow or they won't work in Messages. Each sticker file must be a PNG image with a transparent background. The dimensions should be 206×206 pixels (the standard size), though the app will accept anything from 100×100 to 206×206 pixels. File size must not exceed 500 KB per sticker.

The transparent background is critical — if your sticker has a white or colored background, it will look like a rectangle instead of a floating image. In design software, make sure you're exporting to PNG format with transparency enabled, not flattening the image to a solid background.

If you're using a sticker-maker app, it usually handles these requirements automatically. If you're creating stickers in design software, double-check your export settings before saving. Many designers accidentally export to JPEG (which doesn't support transparency) or forget to remove the background layer.

Organizing and managing your sticker packs

Once you've created stickers, they appear in the sticker drawer in Messages. Open any conversation, tap the app icon (four dots in a grid) at the bottom left, then tap the sticker icon. Your sticker packs appear here. You can reorder them by tapping "Edit" and dragging packs around, or hide packs you don't use often.

If you create multiple sticker packs, each one is a separate collection. You might have one pack of reaction stickers, another of character designs, and another of seasonal stickers. Each pack can hold as many stickers as you want, though most people keep packs between 10 and 30 stickers for straightforward browsing.

If you want to delete a sticker pack you created locally, go to Settings > Messages > Stickers, find the pack, and swipe left to delete it. If you downloaded a sticker pack from the App Store, you can remove it by deleting the app that contains it.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is creating stickers with a solid background instead of transparency. This makes them look like rectangular images instead of floating stickers. Always export as PNG with transparency enabled, and test one sticker in Messages before creating the whole pack.

Another mistake is making stickers too large in file size. If a single sticker is over 500 KB, Messages won't accept it. Compress your images before exporting, or use a tool like ImageOptim (Mac) or TinyPNG (web-based) to reduce file size without losing quality.

If you're distributing through the App Store, avoid using copyrighted images, brand logos you don't own, or content that could be offensive. Apple's review team rejects sticker apps that violate these rules. Stick to original artwork, photos you took yourself, or licensed content you have permission to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use photos of people in my stickers?

Yes, you can use photos of people you know or photos you took yourself. If you want to distribute stickers through the App Store, avoid using photos of celebrities or recognizable public figures without permission, as this can lead to rejection. For personal use, there are no restrictions.

What's the difference between stickers and Memoji?

Memoji are animated avatars of yourself that Apple creates from your face. Stickers are static or animated images you design or upload. Memoji are built into Messages on newer iPhones; stickers are custom packs you create or read. You can't convert Memoji into stickers, but you can take screenshots of Memoji and turn those screenshots into sticker images.

Can I animate my stickers?

Yes, but it requires more technical work. Stickers can be animated GIFs or APNG files (animated PNG). Most sticker-maker apps don't support animation, so you'll need to create the animation in design software like Procreate or After Effects, export it as an animated file, and then package it using Xcode or a tool that supports animated stickers.

Do I need an Apple Developer account to create stickers for myself?

No. You only need a developer account if you want to submit stickers to the App Store and share them with other people. For personal use, you can create stickers with a sticker-maker app or design software and bundle them locally on your device.

Can I sell my stickers?

You can distribute stickers for free through the App Store. Apple doesn't currently allow paid sticker apps, so you can't charge money for them directly. Some creators offer stickers free and use other monetization methods, like in-app purchases for additional packs or ads within the app.