Stickers in Telegram stopped a long time ago be just funny pictures - they have become a way of self-expression, inside jokes for loved ones, and even a branding tool. But few people know that you can create your own sticker pack from personal photos directly on your smartphone Android - without a computer, without plugins and without payment. This instruction will reveal all the nuances: from preparing images to publishing stickers in the cloud Telegramso that not only you, but also your friends can use them.

We will look at the official method through a @Stickers-bot, alternative applications like Sticker Maker, as well as the secrets of optimizing pictures to suit your requirements platforms. We will pay special attention to the typical mistakes of beginners - why stickers turn out pixelated, how to avoid cutting off important details, and what to do if the bot refuses to accept the pack. All steps have been tested on current versions Telegram (9.0+) and Android 12-14.

Telegram requirements for stickers: what you need to know before you start

Before converting photos into stickers, study the technical limitations of the platform. Telegram sets strict requirements for the format, size and quality of images - failure to comply will lead to the bot rejecting your pack or the stickers will look ugly.

Main parameters:

  • 📏 File size: up to 512 KB for static ones stickers and up to 1 MB for animated ones. This is the main reason why photos from a phone camera (weighing 3-5 MB) need to be compressed.
  • 🖼️ Resolution: 512×512 pixels is the optimal size. Less - it will be pixelated, more - the bot will automatically crop it.
  • 🎨 Format: only PNG with a transparent background (alpha-channel). JPEG or WebP will not work.
  • 🔄 Number of stickers in a pack: from 1 to 120. The minimum quantity for publication is 3 stickers.

Important: if you plan to add stickers to existing pack, check its current settings through the bot @Stickers. Some packs have a fixed size (for example, 512×512), and you won’t be able to load stickers of a different resolution there.

📊 How often do you use stickers in Telegram?
Every day
Several times per week
Rarely
Never
Parameter Telegram requirements Consequences of non-compliance
File format PNG with transparency The bot will reject the download
File size up to 512 KB Stickers will not download or will lose quality
Resolution 512×512 px Automatic cropping or stretching
Transparent background Required White background around the sticker
⚠️ Attention: requirements for stickers may change with updates Telegram. For example, in 2023, the maximum size of static stickers was increased from 300 to 512 KB. Before creating a pack, check the current limits with the bot @Stickers command /help.

Preparation of photos: cropping, background and optimization

The most time-consuming part of the process is converting ordinary photos into stickers. The main task: cut out the object, remove the background and bring the image to a format PNG 512×512 with transparency. This can be done either manually (longer, but more accurately) or using automatic tools.

Ways to remove the background:

  • 🎨 Manually: applications PicsArt, PhotoLayers or Background Eraser. Suitable for complex objects (hair, fur).
  • ⚡ Automatic: services Remove.bg (there is a mobile application) or Adobe Express. Fast, but may leave artifacts.
  • 🤖 AI tools: Canva (Remove background function) or Fotor. Often require registration.

After removing the background:

  1. Crop the image so that the subject occupies 80-90% area (leave some space around the edges for shadows or effects).
  2. Increase the canvas to 512×512 px (most editors have a function Resize Canvas).
  3. Export to PNG with transparency enabled (alpha-channel).

Remove background (manually or automatically)

Crop the object along the contour

Change the canvas size to 512×512 px

Save as PNG with transparency

Check file weight (up to 512 KB)-->

Tip: if the photo is too dark or light, adjust contrast and saturation before cropping. Stickers on a white background Telegram look better if the object stands out clearly.

⚠️ Attention: avoid stickers with text in small font — when compressed to 512 KB the inscriptions will become unreadable. If text is necessary, use a font size of at least 24 pt and bold.

Method 1: creating stickers through the official @Stickers bot

The most reliable and universal method is to use the built-in bot @Stickers. It works directly with servers Telegramso stickers are published instantly and without restrictions. Instructions:

Steps:

  1. Open Telegram and enter @Stickersin the search bar. Select the official bot (with a blue checkmark).
  2. Send the bot a command /newpack and follow the prompts. Come up a short name for the pack in English (for example, MyCatsStickers).
  3. Upload the first sticker (file PNG 512×512 with transparency). The bot will offer to add an emoji, which will be displayed next to the sticker in the keyboard.
  4. Repeat step 3 for the remaining stickers (minimum 3 pieces).
  5. After downloading all the stickers, send the command /publish. The bot will ask you to come up with public name of the pack (visible to all users) and select icon (one of the downloaded stickers).
  6. Confirm publication. In 1-2 minutes, your pack will become available in Telegram via a short link like t.me/addstickers/PackName.

Advantages of this method:

  • ✅ There are no restrictions on the number of packs (you can create hundreds).
  • ✅ Stickers are stored in the cloud Telegram and synchronized on all devices.
  • ✅ You can edit the pack after publication (add/remove stickers).
💡

If a bot @Stickers does not respond, check that you have the latest version Telegram. Sometimes restarting the application or clearing the cache in the phone settings helps (Settings → Applications → Telegram → Memory → Clear cache).

Limitations:

  • ❌ You cannot change the order of stickers after publication.
  • ❌ The name of the pack cannot be changed (only deleted and created again).
  • ❌ Animated stickers are created through another bot - @AnimatedStickersBot.

Method 2: applications for creating stickers (without a bot)

If working with a bot seems difficult, you can use specialized applications. automate the process: remove the background, change the size and even offer templates. Consider the top 3 free tools for Android:

1. Sticker Maker (from Bona App)

  • 🔹 Removes the background in one tap (uses AI).
  • 🔹 Automatically crops images under 512×512.
  • 🔹 There is a built-in gallery for managing packs.
  • 🔸 Minus: adds a watermark on the free version (removed after publication in Telegram).

Instructions:

  1. Select a photo from the gallery.
  2. Click Remove Background (remove background).
  3. Adjust the cropping manually (if necessary).
  4. Click Create Sticker Pack and follow the prompts.

2. Stickers (from Sticker.ly)

  • 🔹 Integration with Telegram i WhatsApp.
  • 🔹 Effects library (shadows, strokes).
  • 🔸 Minus: requires registration to save packs.

3. Sticker.ly (official application)

  • 🔹 Hundreds of ready-made templates for stickers.
  • 🔹 Ability to create animated stickers from videos.
  • 🔸 Minus: some functions are paid (for example, removing the background in HD quality).
How to remove a watermark in Sticker Maker?

In the free version, the watermark is added only to the preview in the application. After publishing stickers in Telegram via a bot @Stickers the watermark disappears automatically.

Application Removing the background Export to Telegram Advertising
Sticker Maker Automatic (AI) Via bot Yes
Personal Stickers Manual/auto Direct export No
Sticker.ly Automatic Direct export Yes (in the free version)

Important: when using third-party applications always check permissionsthat they request. Some apps (for example Sticker Camera) require access to the camera and microphone, although this is not necessary to create stickers.

Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users encounter problems when creating stickers. Here are the most common mistakes and their solutions:

1. The bot does not accept the sticker

  • 🔍 Reason: incorrect format (not PNG) or file size > 512 KB.
  • 🛠️ Solution: convert via TinyPNG or reduce the quality when exporting.

2. Stickers turn out pixelated

  • 🔍 Reason: the original photo is too small, and you stretched it to 512x512.
  • 🛠️ Solution: use photos with a resolution of at least 1024×1024 px.

3. The background is not transparent (white or black)

  • 🔍 Reason: when saving in PNG it was not included alpha-channel.
  • 🛠️ Solution: in the editor, select the option Save with Transparency.

4. Stickers are cut off at the edges

  • 🔍 Reason: the object is located too close to the borders of the outline.
  • 🛠️ Solution: leave an indent 10-15 px from the edges.

5. The pack is not published

  • 🔍 Reason: the name of the pack is already taken or contains prohibited characters (spaces, Cyrillic).
  • 🛠️ Solution: use the Latin alphabet and numbers (for example, MyStickers2026).
💡

Before publishing a pack, always check the stickers for background transparency. To do this, open the PNG file in any viewer (for example, Google Photos) and see if the background is displayed as a chessboard (a sign of transparency).

⚠️ Attention: if you create stickers s people's faces, make sure that you have their consent to publish. Telegram can block the pack due to a complaint about rights violation.

How to add your stickers to the chat and share with friends

After publishing the pack, you need to attach it to your keyboard in Telegramto quickly send stickers in chats. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: via link

  1. Open a dialogue with the bot @Stickers.
  2. Find a message confirming publication - there will be a link like this t.me/addstickers/PackName.
  3. Follow the link and click Add stickers.

Method 2: through search

  1. In any chat Telegram click on the sticker icon (emoticon in a square).
  2. At the bottom of the screen, click + (Add stickers).
  3. In the search bar, enter the name of your pack and select it from the results.

To share stickers with friends:

  • 🔗 Send them link to the pack (for example, t.me/addstickers/MyCatsStickers).
  • 📱 Or ask them to find the pack by name in the add stickers menu.

Important: if you have updated the pack (added new stickers), users who have already added it previously need refresh the cacheto do this, just restart Telegram or manually delete and re-add the pack.

Secrets of professional stickers: shadows, strokes and animation

To make your stickers look not like amateur cuts, but like professional work, use these techniques:

1. Adding a shadow

  • 🌑 In most editors (for example, PicsArt) there is a function Drop Shadow.
  • 🎨 Settings: Opacity 30-50%, Blur 5-10 px, Color #000000.
  • 🔹 Effect: the sticker will look voluminous, as if it “comes off” from the background.

2. Outline outline

  • ⚪ Add a thick white outline 1-2 px around the object.
  • 🔹 This will help the sticker stand out better against any background in the chat.

3. Animated stickers

  • 🎬 To create, use the bot @AnimatedStickersBot.
  • 📹 Source: video length 1-3 seconds v format MP4 or WEBM.
  • 🔧 Requirements: resolution 512×512, weight up to 1 MB, transparent background.

4. The "eyes" effect (for memes)

  • 👀 In the editor PhotoLayers you can add animated eyes that follow the cursor.
  • 🔹 Suitable for stickers with faces or animals.

Example commands for bot @AnimatedStickersBot:

/newpack - create a new pack of animated stickers

/addsticker - add a sticker to the pack


/publish - publish the pack

💡

For animated stickers, use video from transparent background. You can make such a video in the application CapCut (Remove background function for clips) or KineMaster (chromakey).

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to make stickers from photos without a transparent background?

Technically yes, but they will look unprofessional. Telegram automatically overlay such stickers on a white background, and when sent to chat they will look like stickers on a piece of paper. For best results, always remove the background.

How many stickers can be added to one pack?

Maximum - 120 stickers. However, we recommend limiting 20-30so that the pack does not seem overloaded. Users rarely scroll to the end of long collections.

Is it possible to edit a published sticker pack?

Yes, but with restrictions. Through the bot @Stickers you can:

  • Add new stickers (command /addsticker).
  • Delete stickers (command /delsticker).
  • Change the order of stickers (command /ordersticker).

But you cannot change the name of the pack or its icon after publication —you will have to create a new pack.

Why do my stickers look worse than in other packs?

There are several reasons:

  • The original photo was low resolution.
  • You compressed the PNG too much (loss of quality).
  • You did not remove the background or left artifacts around the edges.
  • You did not add a shadow/stroke, which is why the sticker “merges” with the chat background.

Solution: use source files of at least size 1024×1024 px and export to PNG with quality settings 90-100%.

Is it possible to make money on your stickers in Telegram?

There is no direct monetization of stickers in Telegram no, but there are indirect ones ways:

  • 💰 Donations: place in the pack description a link to Boosty, Patreon or YuMoney.
  • 🛒 Paid orders: offer to create personal stickers to order (for example, for business).
  • 📢 Advertising: if your pack gains popularity, you can agree on the placement of stickers with brand logos.

Officially Telegram does not pay creators stickers, but popular packs can generate passive income through donations.