Before drawing, I first decide the theme of the sticker.

Greeting-based everyday conversation stamps such as “good morning” and “thank you” have the advantage of being easy to use and make.

 

You can also try making stickers for people in certain fields by using an unusual word or a technical term, or even making stickers without any words in them. Let’s try to come up with a variety of themes.

 

In this lesson, I will create a sticker with the phrase “Thank you very much (ありがとうございます).”

 

Note:

Words that are too hard to use, related to sexual or violent imagery, religious words, etc. are subject to rejection and may require reworking so make sure you check the stickers guidelines carefully and avoid what is not recommended.

 

2.1 Rough draft

First, I click the [Layer] palette > [New Raster Layer] button to create a new layer. Then, I double click the layer name and change it to “Rough Draft.”

Note: I will use a “Vector layer” for the line art, but for now I draw the rough draft on a raster layer. I recommend using different layer types for your rough draft and your line art. Line art becomes harder to edit later down the line if you only use raster layers.

 

I draw the rough draft.

 

In my rough draft, I use the purple [pencil] tool > [dark pencil] with the opacity lowered, but you don’t have to use my method, use the method and settings that fit you.

 

If you want to draw rough drafts in black, apply a [Layer Color] from the [Layer Properties] palette to make it easier to see.

Note: In the initial settings, [Layer color] is set to light blue, but you can change it to any color you like.

 

2.2 Drawing on a vector layer

After finishing the rough draft, I will draw the line art on a vector layer.

I click the [New vector layer] button on the [Layer] palette to create a new vector layer.

I draw the line art on the vector layer based on the rough draft.

 

This time, I drew the line art using the [Pen] tool > [Marker pen] > [Magic] sub tool.

 

 

 

■ Useful feature of vector layers 1: Erase up to intersection

 

If you draw on vector layers, you can use the [Eraser] tool > [Vector] sub tool to erase up to where the lines intersect.

If you draw on any lines that extend over an intersecting line with the [Vector] sub tool, the line will disappear up to where the lines intersect.

 

 

 

■ Useful feature of vector layers 2: Connect vector line, Simplify vector line

 

You can connect two separate lines by touching both lines with the [Connect vector line] sub tool located under the [Correct line] tool.

 

In addition, you can smoothen lines by tracing them with the [Simplify vector line] sub tool also located under the [Correct line] tool.

 

If you want to make the line thicker after drawing, use the [Correct line width] sub tool. If you want to only move certain parts of a line, use the [Pinch vector line] sub tool. All of these tools allow you to edit lines as you wish.

 

Note: For details on vector layers, refer to the following article.

 

Note:

You can also make detailed adjustments using the [Control point] tool.

By using the [Figure] tool and the [Control point] tool, you can easily and effectively create illustrations even if you do not consider yourself to be able to draw pictures.

▲ This was created using only the Figure tool!

 

Note: In addition, a bezier curve can be used with the [Continuous curve] of the [Shape] tool. For detailed information, please refer to the following article.

 

2.3 Inserting Text

First, I select the [Text] tool.

 

Then, I select the font I want to use from the [Tool Property] palette > [Fonts].

 

Fonts installed on your computer may or may not be available for commercial use.

Since LINE stickers are categorized as commercial use, please check and make sure you only use fonts available for commercial use.

 

Note:

If you often use certain fonts, you can create a list of fonts from [Open dialog of settings of font list] > [Create new font list].

 

This makes it easier for you to find the fonts you want to use.

Note: For details on how to use the font tools, refer to the following article.

 

I click where I want to insert text and add it.

Black letters will not be visible on black backgrounds, so I add edges using [Layer Property] > [Border effect].

Clicking the border effect icon will add a white border around the letters.

 

After finishing the line art, I then hide the rough draft layer.

 

Note: For detailed information on the text tool, please refer to the following article.

・The basics article explains how to input text, etc.

・The settings article explains how to set the Line space, Reading, etc.

 

In the next lesson, I will color the line art and finish the illustration. I will also introduce useful features when painting or creating image varients.