Creating your own set of stickers in the messenger is not only a way to express individuality, but also an excellent creative process. Previously, this required a computer and specialized apps, but today make stickers in Telegram it is possible directly from an Android smartphone. The whole process takes only a few minutes if you know the correct algorithm of actions and requirements for images.
The main tool for this task is the official bot @Stickers, which is built into the platform. You don't have to look for third-party generator apps, which often contain ads or watermarks. All you need is prepared images and access to the Internet. In this article, we will look in detail at how to prepare graphics and upload them to the messenger.
The result of your efforts will be a personal pack that you can use yourself or share with friends. The technical side of the issue is extremely simplified by the developers, so even a beginner can cope with the task without special design skills. The main thing is to comply with the technical parameters of the files.
Requirements for images and preparation of graphics
Before contacting the bot, you need to prepare the source material. Telegram has strict requirements for file sizes and formats, ignoring which will result in an error when downloading. The ideal image should be square or vertical, but not horizontal.
The key parameter is resolution. One of the sides of the image should be exactly 512 pixels, and the other should not exceed this value. For example, the size could be 512x512 or 512x400. If your photo is larger, you will have to crop or scale it in any graphic editor on your phone.
- 🖼️ The file format must be PNG with mandatory support for a transparent background (alpha channel).
- ⚪ Around the picture itself you must leave a white outline several thick pixels.
- 🌑 There should be a shadow under the image to create a volume effect and separation from the chat background.
For photo processing on Android, applications like PicsArt, PhotoRoom or the built-in gallery editor, if it can work with layers, are perfect. First remove the background, then add a white stroke and shadow, and only then save the file in the desired resolution. Remember that a JPEG with a white background will not work - you need a transparent PNG.
Use applications with the AI Background Remover function to quickly separate an object from the background without manually tracing with an eraser.
You should not try to upload the image “as is”, hoping for automatic processing. The bot can't cut out objects or add strokes for you. The quality of your stickers directly depends on how carefully you prepare the files in the gallery before sending.
Launch the official bot for creating stickers
When the graphics are ready, we move on to the main stage. Open the Telegram app and use the search bar at the top of the screen. Enter the bot's name @Stickers and select the account with the blue verification checkmark. This is the only official tool for managing sticker packs.
Click the button Run (or Start) to activate the dialogue. The bot will offer a list of commands. To create a new set, we need the option /newpack. Enter this command in the message input field or select it from the list of prompts to the right of the input line.
⚠️ Attention: If the bot responds that you have reached the limit of created packs (usually 10 pieces), you will have to delete one of the old sets through the command /delpackbefore creating a new one.
After sending the command, the bot will ask you to come up with a name for your sticker pack. This name will be visible to all users, so choose something memorable. The name can be in any language and contain emoji. Send the name by text message.
The process of downloading stickers one by one
Now the most important stage begins - downloading files. The bot will ask you to send an image. Important: you need to send the file exactly as photoand not as a document, unless you use specific scripts for animation. Click on the paper clip icon in the input field and select “Gallery”.
Select the first prepared file from the phone memory. Telegram will automatically compress the image to the desired size if you have the proportions correct, but it is better to control this in advance. After sending, the bot will ask you to select an emoji that will correspond to this sticker.
Emojis are needed to quickly search for a sticker in the recommendations panel. For example, if there is a laughing cat in the picture, send an emoji 😺 or 😂. You can send up to three different emoji for one picture to expand the context of use.
- 🔄 Repeat the procedure of sending “Picture + Emoji” for each image in your set.
- 📸 You can upload stickers in batches, sending several photos at the same time, but the bot will still ask for an emoji for each one in turn.
- ✅ After loading all the pictures, the bot will confirm the addition of each element to the pack.
Don’t be afraid to make a mistake with the order. You can always change the sequence of stickers later or remove unsuccessful options without deleting the entire pack. The download process is fully interactive and is accompanied by prompts from the bot at every step.
☑️ Ready to download
Publishing the set and activation in chats
When all the images are uploaded and linked to emoji, it is necessary to finalize the process. Send the bot a command /publish. If you are creating a static pack (not animated), the bot may immediately suggest creating a link.
Next, the system will ask you to come up with a short name for the link (URL). This name must be unique within the entire Telegram and consist of Latin letters, numbers and underscores. It is through this link that friends will be able to find and add your pack.
Example of a short name: my_cool_cats_2026If the selected name is busy, the bot will report an error, and you will have to come up with another option. After successfully entering the name, the bot will generate a link like t.me/addstickers/your_name. Click on it to go to the preview page.
On the preview page you will see a large button Add stickers (Add Stickers). By clicking on it, you will activate the set in your account. Now, when you open the sticker panel in any chat, your new pack will be available for sending.
The short link name (URL) must be unique and in Latin - this is your identifier in the global Telegram sticker database.
Creating animated stickers on your phone
In addition to static pictures, Telegram supports animated stickers that look like live video stickers. To create them on Android, the file requirements are different. The format is used instead of PNG .TGS (compressed Lottie vector) or .WEBM for video stickers.
Creating a .TGS file directly on your phone is quite difficult, since it requires specific export tools from apps like After Effects. However, the WEBM format is more accessible. You can shoot a short video, trim it and convert it to WEBM with a transparent background.
| Option | Static (PNG) | Video (WEBM) | Vector (TGS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max. size | 512 KB | 64 KB (for old) / 256 KB | 64 KB |
| Duration | — | up to 3 seconds | up to 3 seconds |
| Background | Transparent | Transparent | Transparent |
| Resolution | 512x512 | 512x512 | 512x512 |
To convert video into a suitable format, you can use online converters in the Chrome browser or specialized applications like Video to WebM Converter. The main requirement is that the video must be without sound, looped and have transparency.
The process of loading animation into the bot @Stickers is similar to static, but the command is used /newvideo or selecting the appropriate type during creation. The bot itself will determine the file format and tell you if the parameters are not suitable.
The secret of perfect animation
Make animation on a black background in the editor, and when converting to WEBM, specify black as the key color for transparency (chroma key), if the editor does not directly support the alpha channel.
Editing and management ready-made pack
After publication, the set is not set in stone. You can add new stickers to an existing pack, delete old ones, or change their order. For this purpose, the bot @Stickers provides separate control commands.
To add new pictures to an already created pack, use the command /addsticker. The bot will ask you to select an existing set from the list of those you created, and then the process will proceed in the same way as during the initial download: sending a photo and selecting an emoji.
To delete a specific sticker, use the command /delsticker. You will need to send the bot the sticker itself from your set that you want to remove. This is convenient if the picture turns out to be of poor quality or has lost its relevance.
⚠️ Attention: The bot's interface and commands can be slightly updated by Telegram developers. If the command does not work, check the list of available commands by clicking on the menu icon (four bars) in the text input field next to the bot.
You can also change the icon of the entire set by selecting one of the stickers as the cover through the command /setpackicon. This will make your pack more recognizable in the general list of stickers among friends.
If you want to make the pack public and searchable by all users, make sure that there are no privacy restrictions in the bot settings (command /stats), although by default new packs are often available via a link.
Is it possible to create stickers without a computer, only with phone?
Yes, absolutely. The entire process from photo processing in the editor (PicsArt, PhotoRoom) to uploading through the @Stickers bot is performed exclusively in the Telegram mobile app on Android or iOS.
Why doesn’t the bot accept my photo?
Most likely, the technical requirements are violated: the file is not in PNG format, there is no transparent background, the size exceeds 512 pixels on the largest side, or there is no white outline with shadow.
How many stickers can be in one pack?
One set can contain up to 120 stickers. If you need more, you will have to create a second pack and link them thematically.
Can other people use my stickers?
Yes, if you send a link to the pack to a friend or publish it in a channel. Any user who follows the link t.me/addstickers/... will be able to add them to themselves.
Do I need to pay to create stickers?
No, using the @Stickers bot and storing stickers on Telegram servers is completely free. You only need to pay for Internet traffic or a subscription to graphic editors if you use their premium functions.