Stickers are among the best loved embellishments that scrapbookers use. And no wonder! Today's stickers are truly awesome.

However, its easy to make your own stickers rather than purchase them. By making your own, you can personalize them using your photographs or clip art, or you can create your own unique sticker in your photo editing software. Other reasons for making your own stickers include the ability to obtain the exact color match for your layout or pictures or to obtain an image that just plain wasn't available in a ready made sticker.

A Xyron machine is a handy tool that allows you to apply adhesive to the back of card stock or paper. If you have a Xyron, you can print your stickers onto card stock or other paper then run them through the Xyron to apply the adhesive. You will have to cut the stickers out individually if you go this route.

Another way to make your own stickers involves printing on to ready made labels (such as Avery labels) and then laying out the label page in MS Word or MS Publisher. Avery provides templates that you can download from the web and install in a variety of software programs. The advantage here is that the labels are already coated with adhesive, and you do not have to cut them out individually since you can simply peel them off the release paper. The downside is that you are limited to the size and shape that the labels come in.

This link contains instructions telling how to make your own stickers using MS Word and a template.