Stickers and Magnets

Who did it: Volunteer student team at University of Texas at Arlington Libraries

What they did: For Open Education Week, the team planned a “Sticker Shock” campaign that used stickers to direct students to a campus guide about open educational resources and affordable course materials.

Why it worked: The stickers were small, visible, and easy to distribute, making them a simple way to spark curiosity and connect students to more information about OER.

How to adapt it with this sticker and magnet set:

• • Choose designs that invite curiosity and conversation, especially for students who may be hearing about OER for the first time.
  • Pair the stickers with a QR code or short link that leads to your campus OER webpage, guide, or support office.
  • Hand out stickers during an awareness campaign, with a table labeled “Ask Me About OER” or “Open Education Starts Here”.

Who did it: Southern Oregon University and Clackamas Community College

What they did: As part of their faculty gratitude and recognition campaigns, they used materials such as thank-you letter templates, door posters, infographics, and stickers to promote textbook affordability efforts on campus and recognize faculty using OER.

Why it worked: The stickers and their template were part of a broader recognition effort that made faculty participation in OER visible and appreciated. They helped turn gratitude and advocacy into something concrete and shareable.

How to adapt it with this sticker and magnet set:

• • Include faculty-focused stickers or magnets in OER recognition packets, thank-you gifts, or celebration events.
  • Pair them with a note of appreciation, certificate, or short message recognizing an instructor’s work in creating, adapting, or using OER.
  • Use them at showcases, workshops, or departmental events to celebrate faculty who support affordable and open learning.
  • Choose designs that feel like small badges of pride that faculty can display in their office, on a laptop, or in a teaching space.

Sticker and Magnet Templates in Canva

Select a sticker or magnet design from the Canva links below to open the editable template. The templates are free to use and adapt, but you’ll need to create and sign in to a free Canva account to customize and download your sticker or magnet. To begin using the template, select View template. Once you sign in to your account, you may then be prompted to Open in Editor.

California Forest

• • StickerMagnet_Car Freshener
  • StickerMagnet_Aprender_BlueHikers
  • StickerMagnet_Forest_OER

California Seaside

• • StickerMagnet_SurfsUp_Orange
  • StickerMagnet_Poppy_OER

California Desert

• • StickerMagnet_Orange_Hiker
  • StickerMagnet_JoshTree_OER

All California

• • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_BeigeCircle
  • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_GreenCircle
  • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_BlueCircle
  • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_BlueSquare
  • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_GreenSquare
  • StickerMagnet_SoNorNoCost_BeigeSquare

 

Step 1. Open the sticker in Canva and choose how to use it.

Use the Canva template links above to open your sticker design in Canva. You’ll access the template in Canva first, then choose what you want to do next:

• • • Customize it.
    • Keep it as-is and just download it. (skip to Step 3).

Step 2. Adapt your sticker.

If you are adapting the sticker template in Canva, you might:

• • • Add your campus logo or program name
    • Add a QR code that links to your campus OER website or LibGuide
    • Adapt the language to fit your audience
    • Choose a different tag line that fits your campaign
      •  Examples:
        • Open Education Blooms Here
        • Ask me about OER
        • Share Freely. Teach Openly.
        • My Textbook Is Free (Because I Made It)
    • Remix visual elements for a related awareness series

You can also open the Growing Your OER Starter Kit in Canva to copy in colors, fonts, icons, and other design elements from the OER-California theme to further customize your postcard.

Need a QR code? You can create one with H5P KewAr Code if you want a free, open-source option, or with Canva’s QR Code tool if you are already editing the sticker in Canva.

Die Cut Stickers

The sticker templates are standard shapes such as circles, squares, or rectangles are simple, which is often less expensive to print. If you want to create a die-cut sticker you will need to remove the background from the design so that the sticker can follow the outline of the artwork.

Note: Background removal in Canva is not available in the free version. If you want a die-cut sticker, you will likely need:

• • • Canva Pro
    • Another design tool that allows background removal
    • A print vendor that can help create the die-cut shape from your uploaded file

Step 3. Download your file.

When you’re ready to print, download your sticker from Canva. To download, select the Share button at the top right of the screen [1] and then select Download [2].

From the File type drop-down menu, select PNG [3].

From the Select pages drop-down menu [4], select the page of the sticker you wish to download.

Then, select Download [5], and your file will be downloaded to your device.

 

Step 4. Print your stickers.

You are now ready to print. Choose the option that fits what you’re using:

Option A. Print your stickers on sticker paper.

If you are printing on a personal printer, you will need to purchase full-sheet sticker paper that is compatible with your printer. Some sticker paper is made for inkjet printers, some for laser printers, and some can be used with both [Example]. Check the packaging to make sure it matches your printer.

 

Before you print:

• 1. Check your printer manual or paper tray labels to make sure your printer can handle label or sticker paper.
  2. Print one test page first on plain paper to confirm the size and placement.
  3. Hold the plain-paper test behind the sticker sheet to make sure the design will print where you expect.
  4. If your printer tends to jam on thicker paper, feed one sheet at a time.

When you are ready to print on sticker paper:

• • Open the file and choose Print.
  • Set the paper size to Letter (8.5″ × 11″), unless your sticker paper is another size.
  • Choose Best or High Quality print settings.
  • Choose Color printing.

In paper settings, choose the closest match to sticker paper, such as:

• • Labels
  • Glossy photo paper
  • Matte photo paper
  • Heavy paper

Print one sheet first.

After printing:

• • Let the sheet dry fully before touching it, especially if you used an inkjet printer.
  • Trim the stickers carefully with scissors, a paper cutter, or a craft knife.
  • Test one finished sticker before printing more.

Option B. Send the file to a campus or commercial printer.

If you want a larger batch or a more polished result, a campus print shop or commercial printer may be the better choice.

When you send the file, include these details:

• • Finished size: about 2.5″–3″ wide
  • Shape: use the sticker’s existing shape from the template
  • Print in full color
  • Material: sticker paper or adhesive label stock
  • Finish: matte or semi-gloss
  • Quantity: how many copies or sheets you want
  • File type: PNG unless the printer asks for something else

 

Step 1. Open the magnet template in Canva and choose how to use it.

Use the Canva template links above to open your magnet design in Canva. You’ll access the template in Canva first, then choose what you want to do next:

• • • Customize it.
    • Keep it as-is and just download it. (skip to Step 3).

Step 2. Adapt your magnet.

If you are adapting the magnet template in Canva, you might:

• • Add your campus logo or program name
  • Adapt the language to fit your audience
  • Choose a different tag line that fits your campaign
    •  Examples:
      • Open Education Blooms Here
      • OER: Ask me more
      • Share Freely. Teach Openly.
      • My Textbook Is Free (Because I Made It)
  • Remix visual elements for a related awareness series

Magnet design tips

Keep in mind that magnets are often viewed at a glance, so it helps to keep the design simple and bold. Magnets often work best when they feel a little like mini signs or badges.

A few things to keep in mind:

• • Use short phrases
  • Make text large enough to read easily
  • Keep contrast strong
  • Avoid cluttering the design with too many elements
  • Use illustrations or icons that support the message without overwhelming it

You can also open the Growing Your OER Starter Kit in Canva to copy in colors, fonts, icons, and other design elements from the OER-California theme to further customize your postcard.

Step 3. Download your file.

When you’re ready to print, download your magnet design from Canva. To download, select the Share button at the top right of the screen [1] and then select Download [2].

From the File type drop-down menu, select PNG [3].

From the Select pages drop-down menu [4], select the page of the sticker you wish to download.

Then, select Download [5], and your file will be downloaded to your device.

Step 4. Make your magnets.

Once you have downloaded the magnet design, choose whether you want to print the magnets yourself or send the file to a campus or commercial printer.

Option A: Print your own magnets on printable magnetic sheets.

If you want to make a small number of magnets yourself, you can use printable magnetic sheets or flexible magnet paper.

1. 1. Before you begin:
      • Check the packaging to make sure the magnetic sheets are compatible with your printer. Some are made for inkjet, some for laser, and some may work with both [Example].
      • Check your printer manual to make sure it can safely handle thicker specialty paper.
      • If your printer tends to jam on thicker paper, feed one sheet at a time.
      • Print one test page on plain paper first.
      • Hold the plain-paper test behind the magnet sheet to confirm the size and placement.
      • Make sure the text is readable and the design feels balanced at the final size.

2. When you are ready to print:

• • Open the file and choose Print.
  • Set the paper size to Letter (8.5″ × 11″), unless your magnetic sheet is a different size.
  • Choose Color printing.
  • Choose Best or High Quality print settings.
  • In the paper settings, choose the closest match to your material, such as:
    • Labels
    • Heavy paper
    • Matte photo paper
    • Glossy photo paper

3. After printing:

• • Let the sheet dry fully before handling it, especially if you used an inkjet printer.
  • Trim the magnets carefully with scissors, a paper cutter, or a craft knife.

Option B. Send the file to a campus or commercial magnet printer.

If you want a larger batch or a more polished finish, you can send the magnet file to a campus print shop or commercial printer.

When you send the file, include these details:

• • Finished size: 3″ × 2″ or 3″ × 3″
  • Print in full color
  • Material: flexible magnet or printable magnet stock
  • Finish: matte or semi-gloss
  • Quantity: how many magnets you want
  • File type: PNG unless the printer asks for something else

Before making a full batch

Whether you print the magnets yourself or use a printer, test one sample first and check that the:

• • Wording is easy to read
  • Color is clear
  • Layout feels balanced
  • Magnet works well at the final size
  • Finished magnet holds properly on the surface where you plan to use it