FCH - Sticker – SCOPES-DF
More Options

Lesson Details

Subjects *
Arts, Mathematics
Age Ranges *
8-11, 11-14, 14-18, 18+, All ages
Fab Tools *
Vinyl Cutter, Computers, Classroom Materials
Author
Julia Teeninga
Additional Contributors
NURIA ROBLES

Author

Julia Teeninga
Julia Teeninga

Summary

The “Sticker” activity is part of the FabConnectHer project, which helps young women build creativity and confidence in science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM). In this lesson, students design their own stickers on the computer and cut them out using a vinyl cutter.

 

The activity teaches students the basics of working with design software, preparing files, and using the vinyl cutting machine safely. They also learn how to finish their stickers by removing excess vinyl and adding transfer tape, so the stickers can be applied to different surfaces.

 

This lesson is suitable for students from intermediate school to adults, working in small groups. It combines art and technology, giving learners the chance to express their ideas in a practical product. By the end, each student has created a custom sticker and gained hands-on experience with digital design and fabrication, opening the door to future projects such as textile vinyl for fabric designs.

What You'll Need

Materials Needed:

 

  • Vinyl cutting machine
  • Computer with software (for example Inkscape)
  • Paper, if students want to draw out their ideas
  • Rulers and markers
  • Tweezers

 

Learning Objectives

  • Learn how to design a simple image or text using computer software.
  • Prepare a file in the correct format for vinyl cutting.
  • Understand how to safely use a vinyl cutting machine.
  • Practise finishing techniques such as removing excess vinyl and adding transfer tape.
  • Create a personalised sticker that can be applied to different surfaces.
  • Build confidence in combining creativity with digital technology.
  • Explore how sticker-making can lead to other projects, like textile vinyl designs.

 

Reflection

This activity gives students a simple and fun introduction to digital design and fabrication. By creating their own stickers, they see how an idea on the computer can become a real product they can take home. The process combines creativity with technology, showing that digital tools are easy to learn step by step.

 

Students gain confidence as they work through the design, cutting, and finishing stages, while also practising patience and attention to detail. Sharing their stickers with the group encourages pride in their work and sparks ideas for future projects. In the end, students not only leave with a custom sticker but also with new skills they can use in bigger projects, such as designing for textile vinyl or other creative applications.

The Instructions

Designing (30 min.)

Students use design software to create their own text or image, check the size and cutting lines, and export the file as a PDF for the vinyl cutter.

  • Students open up the computers and either make their own text (here is a good time to talk about copyright material)
  • Provide students with information on how to navigate inside the design program.
  • Make sure they have the cutting lines and measurement correct
  • Proseed to make a pdf document
  • Move to Vinyl cutter

 

Cutting (20 minutes)

Students choose their vinyl, learn how the vinyl cutter works, and safely cut out their designs using the machine.

  • Select your vinyl material
  • Learning opportunity here to learn how the vinyl cutter works
  • Demonstrate the proper and safe use of the vinyl cutting machine.
  • Use the vinyl cutting machine to cut out the designs 

 

Finishing Touches (30 minutes)

Students remove the extra vinyl from their design, apply transfer tape, and learn how to place their finished sticker onto a surface.

  • Show the student how to remove the excess vinyl material using tweezers or other useful tools the lab has.
  • Show the student how to put transfer tape on
  • Explain how they transfer the sticker on a surface when they come home

 

Wrap- up & reflection

Students share their finished stickers, reflect on the process and challenges, explore creative future uses like textile vinyl, and clean up the workspace.

Review and Showcase (15 minutes)

  • Have students share their finished stickers with the group.
  • Discuss the process and any challenges faced.
  • Encourage students to think of other ways to use the stickers creatively and also the possibility of making design out of textile vinyl.

 

Cleanup (10 minutes)

  • Ensure all materials and tools are properly cleaned and stored.
  • Make sure the workspace is tidy.

 

Extension activities

Students can extend the activity by creating their own digital or hand-drawn designs and exploring textile vinyl to apply designs onto fabric.

This activity can be a great start start to spark interest in vinyl cutting. Next steps would be to design their own image in a computer software or to draw it on paper and transfer over to the computer. Moving the designs to textile vinyl can also be an interesting evolution progress.

 

Lesson Feedback

Contact us

Having trouble? Let us know by completing the form below. We'll do our best to get your issues resolved quickly.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
Email*
↑ ?