Creating your own set of stickers in the messenger is a great way to express your individuality or promote your personal brand. Users often underestimate the ease of this process, believing that it requires programming skills or access to a computer. In fact, the entire production cycle can be implemented directly on a mobile device running an operating system Android.
You do not need complex graphic editors or paid subscriptions. All you need is an account in the messenger, a couple of applications for image processing and an official bot from the platform developers. We will analyze each stage: from preparing the source code to publishing the finished set that your friends and subscribers can install.
Before proceeding with the technical steps, it is important to understand the basic requirements of the platform. Ignoring file format specifications will cause the bot to reject the download. Therefore, carefully study the conditions that the service imposes on graphic content in order to avoid unnecessary rework.
Technical requirements for images
The first thing the user encounters is strict restrictions on file parameters. The messenger automatically checks each uploaded image, and if it does not meet the standards, the creation process is interrupted. The key parameter is resolution pictures.
One of the sides of the image should be exactly 512 pixels, and the other should not exceed this value. For example, acceptable sizes are 512x512 or 512x400. The save format is also critical. The system only accepts files with the extension .png or .webp.
Pay special attention to the transparency of the background. Stickers should not have a white or colored background, otherwise they will look unnatural in the chat. In addition, each image should have a white outline and shadow for better visibility on different backgrounds of the correspondence.
Use the "Save for Web" function in image editors to reduce the weight of the file without losing the quality of the transparent channel.
⚠️ Attention: If you draw stickers from scratch, immediately create a canvas measuring 512x512 pixels. Scaling the finished image often leads to the appearance of “soap” and artifacts on the contours.
It is also important to observe the limit on the number of elements in one pack. You can add up to 120 images to a static set, and up to 50 to an animated one. Exceeding this limit will require creating a second set.
Preparing graphics on a smartphone
There are many tools for processing photos or drawing directly on your phone. The choice of a specific application depends on your skills: some are more comfortable working with raster graphics, while others prefer vector editors.
If you want to make a sticker from a photo, you will need a background removal function. Many modern applications do this automatically using artificial intelligence. After removing the background, you need to add a white border about 3-5 pixels thick.
For those who draw by hand, the following tools are suitable:
- 🎨 Ibis Paint X — a powerful editor with support for layers and export to PNG.
- 🖌️ Sketchbook —an intuitive interface for quick sketching.
- ✂️ Background Eraser —a specialized application for quickly cutting out objects.
- 📐 PicsArt —a combine for adding strokes and shadows in a couple of clicks.
After finishing drawing, make sure that you save the file as an image and not as an editor project. The bot will not accept files in the formats .psd or .ibp . Export your work to the device gallery in the required resolution.
Working with an official bot
The central element of creation is a special service account. Find a bot with the name @Stickersin the messenger search. It should have a blue verification checkmark, which guarantees the safety and relevance of the instructions.
Start a dialogue with the bot and click the button Start or send a command /start. In response, you will receive a menu with available commands. To create a new set of static images, use the command /newpack.
The bot will ask you to come up with a name for your set. This name will be visible to users during installation, so choose it carefully. Avoid special characters and emojis in the name, use only letters and numbers.
/newpackAfter sending the name, the bot will ask you to upload the first image. Send the file as a document rather than a photo to maintain the transparency of the feed. If you send it as a photo, the messenger will compress the picture and add a white background.
☑️ Check before loading
Emoji settings and publishing
After loading the image, the bot will ask you to attach any emoticon from the standard set to it. This is necessary so that the sticker is suggested in tooltips when entering the corresponding emoji. You can select one or more symbols.
Repeat the procedure of loading and linking emoji for all prepared pictures. When all images have been added, send the command /publish. At this stage, the system will offer to set up a short link for your pack.
You need to come up with a unique link name consisting of Latin letters. For example, my_super_stickers. If the name is taken, the bot will ask you to choose another one. This link will be used to distribute your creativity.
| Stage | User action | Expected bot response |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sending command /newpack | Requesting the name of the pack |
| 2 | Downloading a sticker file | Requesting an emoji link |
| 3 | Sending an emoji | Confirming or requesting the next file |
| 4 | Command /publish | Requesting a short link (URL) |
The final step is to set the cover for the set using the command /setthumb. The cover must be square (100x100 pixels) and also have a transparent background. Without a cover, the set will look unfinished in the catalog.
Creating animated stickers
Animation adds life to your stickers, but requires additional rules. For such sets, the format .tgs (Lottie) or .webmis used. It is more difficult to create them directly on the phone, but it is possible with the help of specialized applications.
The process is launched by the command /newanimated. The file requirements here are stricter: the duration of the animation should not exceed 3 seconds, and the file size should be 64 KB for the TGS format. The frame rate is usually 60 FPS.
Where can I find an animation converter?
There are online services and applications like "Lottie Files" that allow you to convert videos or GIFs to .tgs format, compatible with Telegram.
If you are using the WebM format, make sure that the video is encoded with the VP9 codec and does not have an audio track. Sound in stickers is not supported and will result in a loading error. Visually, the animation should be looped or have a clear beginning and end.
⚠️ Attention: The bot interface and available commands may be periodically updated by the developers. If any command does not work, check the list of available options through the bot menu or the hint button.
Common errors and their solutions
Even if all instructions are followed, users sometimes encounter problems. The most common mistake is trying to upload a file that is too large. Optimize your graphics before sending.
Another problem is incorrect transparency. If the sticker looks fine on a black background, but in the chat there is a white square around it, then the alpha transparency channel was lost when saving. Resave the file in a reliable editor.
Sometimes the bot responds with the message “Invalid images provided.” This means that the aspect ratio or size is off. Check the file properties in the gallery. One side must be strictly 512 pixels.
The main reason for bot failure is file size mismatch or lack of transparent background. Always check these two parameters first.
If you get an error when creating a link, try adding numbers or changing the word order. The link must be unique across the entire platform. Do not use the names of well-known brands to avoid blocking for copyright infringement.
Promotion and distribution of the pack
After successful creation, you have a link in your hands like https://t.me/addstickers/NamePack. You can send it to friends or publish it on social networks. The more people install your set, the higher it will rise in the popularity ratings.
To manage the set, use the same commands in the dialogue with the bot. You can add new stickers with the command /addsticker, delete old ones via /delsticker or change the order of elements. Editing is available to the creator at any time.
Remember that deleting a set with a command /delpack is irreversible. All stickers will disappear for users who installed them. Use this function only in extreme cases when you need to completely restart the project.
Is it possible to create a sticker pack without a computer?
Yes, absolutely all stages, from drawing to publishing, can be completed on a smartphone with Android OS. A computer is only needed for complex animation or batch processing of hundreds of files.
How much does it cost to create your own stickers?
Using the official bot @Stickers is completely free. You only need to pay for the services of third-party artists or premium functions in graphic editors, if you do not draw yourself.
Why doesn’t the bot accept my picture?
Most likely, the technical requirements are violated: the size is not 512px, there is a background instead of transparency, or the file format is JPG instead of PNG. Check the image properties before sending.
Is it possible to make a sticker from a video?
Directly from a video - no, only through conversion to an animated sticker format (WebM or TGS). Static stickers only support images.
How to add stickers to favorites?
After clicking on the installation link, click the "Add stickers" button. They will automatically appear in the list of your sets when you call the sticker panel in any chat.