Textbook Stickers

Who did it: Colorado State University Bookstore.
What they did: CSU uses green tags with QR codes in the store so students can scan and access online course materials with a smartphone.
Why it worked: The tags meet students where they are already looking for course materials and give them a fast, mobile-friendly way to access information.
How to adapt it with this textbook sticker set:

• • Use the sticker near places where students are already making decisions about course materials or support resources.
  • Pair the sticker with a short phrase like “Scan to Read” or “Open This Textbook.”
  • Make the QR code large enough to scan easily from a phone.
  • Use one sticker per book so the link stays clear and direct.

Who did it: North Idaho College OER Committee in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

What they did: The OER Committee created textbook stickers and provided them to faculty creators and departments at the completion of textbook creation as both a celebration and an immediate promotional tool.
Why it worked: The stickers gave faculty and departments something tangible to share right away. They helped mark the completion of the OER project, made the textbook more visible, and invited others to ask questions about the resource.
How to adapt it with this textbook sticker set:

• • Share the stickers with faculty creators when a new OER is published.
  • Place them in department offices so students and colleagues can pick one up and scan the book.
  • Use them as part of a small celebration or launch for a new OER.
  • Pair them with a short explanation of the book and where it is being used.

Textbook Sticker Template

Select the textbook sticker template from the Canva link below to open the editable template. This template is free to use and adapt, but you’ll need to create and sign in to a free Canva account to customize and download your textbook sticker. To begin using the template, select View template. Once you sign in to your account, you may then be prompted to Open in Editor.

The sticker sheet template is a Word doc template for creating sheets of printable textbook stickers. When selected, the template will open and you can choose to Download the template or Edit a copy.

• • • TextbookSticker_Templates
    • Sticker Sheet Template

Step 1. Open the Textbook Sticker template in Canva and choose your template.

Use the first Canva link above to open your textbook sticker template and begin customizing your own textbook stickers.

Choose one of the template’s textbook stickers to replace with your own textbook image, QR code, and URL pieces, or select Add page at the bottom of the screen to create yours from scratch.

Step 2. Create your combined image.

Upload textbook cover image.

To upload your textbook cover image, select Upload from Canva’s left-hand menu [1] and then select Upload file [2]. Find and select the textbook cover image on your device and select Open. The file will be uploaded to your Canva Uploads folder.

Upload or create your QR code.

If you have already created a QR code for your OER textbook, upload a screenshot of the QR in the same way you uploaded your textbook cover image.

If you do not yet have a QR code, use Canva’s QR Code Generator tool by selecting Elements from Canva’s left-side menu [1] and then using the search tool to search for “QR code generator” [2]. Select the QR code generator, paste in your OER textbook’s URL [3], and select Generate code [4]. A QR code will appear on your image.

Add your URL.

Select the URL text in the template you are using or copy/paste the URL text from one of the templates into your page. Select the text and type in the URL for your OER textbook.

 

Arrange the pieces.

If you are using a template, delete the placeholder textbook cover image. Select Uploads from the left-side menu and select your uploaded textbook cover image [1]. Resize your textbook cover image by dragging the edges to fit the template [2].

If you have uploaded a screenshot of your QR code, retrieve the QR code image from your Uploads in the same way you did the textbook cover image.

Resize and arrange the QR code and URL and tuck them into the cover image, ensuring they do not cover key parts of the cover such as the main image, the title, and perhaps the authors. The QR code still needs to be large enough to scan on a mobile device. You may also need to adjust the URL color depending on the cover background.

Tip:  If you find the URL is still difficult to read, select the Square shape found in the left-side Elements menu, and place it behind the URL text. Change the color of the shape using the color dropper tool to match colors in the cover image. If you still want to see some of the cover image behind the square shape, drag the Transparency tool line to reveal a little of the background.

A Note About Digital Stickers

When downloaded as PNG or JPG files, these textbook sticker images can be used as digital stickers, allowing anyone to identify and access the textbook using the QR code or URL. However, you will want to ensure your stickers you share digitally are accessible. Use the Accessibility Guidance in the Appendix to ensure your marketing materials are as accessible as possible.

Step 2. Download your textbook sticker images.

When you’re done designing your textbook sticker, download the image 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 textbook sticker you wish to download.

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

Step 3. Place the image into the sticker sheet template.

Open the sticker sheet template above. Replace the first placeholder image with your saved cover image by right-clicking on the image and selecting Change Picture > This Device. Choose the image with the QR code and URL you just downloaded. Then, copy and paste it into the remaining cells. Save the file as a new sticker sheet so you preserve the original template.

Step 4. Print your Sticker Sheet.

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. (Here is the sticker paper we used.)

Before you print:

1. 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. Use a mobile device to make sure:
      • The QR code scans correctly
      • The QR code leads to the correct OER
      • The URL is readable enough to serve as a backup

Adjust the QR code size or placement if needed before final printing.

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:

• • What it is: a sticker sheet with both a color cover image, and a QR code
  • Print in full color
  • Paper: sticker paper or adhesive label stock
  • Sheet size: usually 8.5″ × 11″, unless your template uses a different size
  • Finished sticker size: note the approximate size of each sticker
  • Quantity: how many sheets you want
  • Finish: matte or semi-gloss
  • File type: PNG

Tip: Ask for a test print first so you can confirm that the colors look clear and the QR code still scans reliably.