How to Create Telegram Stickers: Complete Tutorial 2025

Telegram has established itself as one of the most sticker-friendly messaging platforms in existence. With over 800 million active users exchanging billions of stickers daily, the platform offers creators an unparalleled opportunity to share their art with a global audience. Unlike other messaging apps that restrict sticker creation to approved developers, Telegram welcomes anyone to create and publish sticker packs freely.

The openness of Telegram's sticker ecosystem has fostered a vibrant creative community. Artists, designers, and casual creators alike have published millions of sticker packs covering every imaginable theme, style, and emotion. From professional illustration to personal photo stickers, from static images to complex animations, Telegram supports creative expression at every level.

What makes Telegram particularly attractive for sticker creators is the combination of zero publishing costs, built-in discovery features, and direct connection with users who actively seek new sticker content. This guide will walk you through every step of creating and publishing Telegram stickers, from understanding technical requirements to building an audience for your creations.

Understanding Telegram Sticker Types

Telegram supports multiple sticker formats, each with distinct characteristics and use cases. Choosing the right format for your creative vision ensures your stickers look their best and function as intended. Understanding these options before you start creating saves time and prevents frustration.

Static stickers represent the simplest and most common format. These are single images—typically stylized illustrations or processed photos—that display as-is when sent. Static stickers load instantly, work reliably across all devices, and require the least technical expertise to create. For most creators, especially those just starting out, static stickers offer the best balance of impact and accessibility.

Animated stickers use Telegram's TGS format, which is based on the Lottie animation framework. These vector-based animations are incredibly smooth and file-efficient but require specialized tools and animation knowledge to create. Programs like Adobe After Effects with the Bodymovin plugin, or dedicated apps like Lottie Editor, are typically needed.

Video stickers represent Telegram's newest format, allowing short video clips as stickers. These WebM-format videos can capture complex motion, real footage, or effects that vector animation cannot easily replicate. The format bridges the gap between static images and full animations, though file size constraints require careful optimization.

Each format serves different creative purposes. Static stickers work for expressive portraits, detailed illustrations, and quick creation. Animated stickers excel at character expressions, motion effects, and eye-catching reactions. Video stickers shine when you need real footage, complex transitions, or effects beyond vector capability.

Technical Requirements and Specifications

Getting technical specifications right from the start prevents frustrating rework later. Telegram enforces strict requirements, and stickers that don't meet them simply won't upload. Taking time to understand and follow these specifications ensures smooth publishing.

All Telegram stickers must be exactly 512 pixels on at least one side. For square stickers, this means 512×512 pixels. Non-square stickers can have the other dimension smaller than 512, but one side must be exactly 512 pixels. This consistency ensures stickers display properly across all devices and screen sizes.

Transparency is essential for all Telegram stickers. Unlike some platforms that allow white or solid backgrounds, Telegram requires true transparency so stickers float naturally over chat backgrounds. This means saving files with alpha channels—PNG during editing, then converting to WebP for upload.

File size limits vary by format and exist to ensure quick loading across all connection speeds. Static stickers allow up to 512 KB, which is generous for optimized images. Animated TGS files must stay under 64 KB, requiring efficient vector design. Video stickers have a 256 KB limit, demanding careful compression.

The WebP format Telegram uses offers excellent compression while maintaining quality and transparency. Most image editing software can export WebP directly, or you can convert from PNG using free online tools. For best results, create and edit in PNG, then convert to WebP only at the final export stage.

Creating Your First Static Sticker

Let's walk through creating a static sticker from start to finish. This process applies whether you're starting with a photo, illustration, or design—the core workflow remains consistent. We'll cover each step in detail so you can follow along with your own content.

Start with a high-quality source image. If you're creating from a photo, choose an image with good lighting, clear focus, and an expressive subject. If you're illustrating, work at high resolution and scale down only at the end. The quality of your source directly impacts your final sticker's appearance.

Background removal is typically the most important step for photo-based stickers. AI-powered tools like NanoPic can handle this automatically, detecting subjects and removing backgrounds with impressive accuracy. For complex images or when you need perfect control, manual masking in Photoshop or GIMP provides more precision.

Styling transforms a simple cutout into a proper sticker. The most common technique is adding a white stroke around the subject, typically 2-4 pixels wide. This outline helps stickers stand out against any chat background. Some creators also add subtle drop shadows or apply artistic filters for distinctive looks.

After styling, resize your canvas to 512×512 pixels. Position your subject with some breathing room around the edges—stickers that extend to the very edge of the canvas can feel cramped. Use high-quality resampling (bicubic or Lanczos) to maintain sharpness during resizing.

Export your finished sticker as WebP with transparency. Most modern image editors support WebP export directly. If yours doesn't, save as PNG and convert using free tools like Squoosh or CloudConvert. Verify the file size stays under 512 KB—if it exceeds this, reduce quality or simplify the image.

Publishing with the Stickers Bot

Telegram uses a dedicated bot called @Stickers to manage sticker pack creation and publishing. This bot-based system might seem unusual if you're used to web interfaces, but it's straightforward once you understand the workflow. The bot guides you through each step with clear prompts.

Start by opening a chat with @Stickers in Telegram. You can find it by searching "Stickers" in the app or navigating directly to t.me/stickers. The bot presents various commands for different actions—creating packs, adding stickers, editing existing packs, and more.

To create a new pack, send /newpack to the bot. It will ask for a name for your pack—this is the display name users see. Choose something descriptive and memorable. Next, the bot asks for a short name, which becomes part of the pack's URL (t.me/addstickers/yourshortname). This must be unique across all Telegram sticker packs.

After naming your pack, send your first sticker image as a document (not as a photo—use the attachment menu and select "File" rather than "Photo"). The bot will process it and ask you to assign emoji that represent the sticker's emotion or content. These emoji help users find your sticker when typing emoji in chats.

Continue adding stickers one by one, assigning emoji to each. When you've added all your stickers, send /publish to make the pack live. The bot provides a shareable link that anyone can use to add your pack. Congratulations—your stickers are now available to Telegram's hundreds of millions of users!

You can update your pack anytime using /addsticker to add more stickers or /delsticker to remove existing ones. The /ordersticker command lets you rearrange the order stickers appear in the pack, useful for putting your best or most-used stickers first.

Creating Animated Telegram Stickers

Animated stickers capture attention in ways static images cannot. The motion draws the eye, expressions become more dynamic, and the overall impact increases significantly. However, animated stickers require more technical skill and specialized tools to create.

Telegram's animated stickers use the TGS format, which is essentially compressed Lottie JSON. Lottie is a vector animation format developed by Airbnb that renders After Effects animations in real-time. This vector-based approach allows complex animations to stay under the strict 64 KB file size limit.

Adobe After Effects with the Bodymovin plugin remains the most popular tool for creating Lottie animations. Design your graphics in Illustrator or directly in After Effects, animate using keyframes, then export via Bodymovin. The plugin generates the JSON that Telegram converts to TGS format.

For creators without After Effects access, alternatives exist. LottieFiles offers an online editor for simple animations. Haiku Animator provides a dedicated Lottie creation tool. These options have limitations compared to After Effects but can produce quality results for simpler animations.

Design considerations differ for animated versus static stickers. Keep graphics simple and vector-based—complex gradients and effects increase file size dramatically. Use solid colors when possible, limit the number of layers, and avoid filters that don't translate well to Lottie. Test exports frequently to catch file size issues early.

Animation should loop seamlessly since Telegram stickers play continuously. Design your keyframes so the ending state matches the beginning state, creating smooth infinite loops. A common technique is easing both into and out of keyframes to prevent jarring transitions.

Building Your Audience on Telegram

Creating great stickers is only half the equation—people need to find them. Telegram offers some built-in discovery, but proactive promotion significantly increases your pack's reach. Building an audience around your stickers creates sustainable success rather than one-time downloads.

Start by sharing your pack in relevant Telegram groups and channels. Many communities exist specifically for discovering new stickers, and members actively seek new content. Search for sticker-sharing groups in your language and niche, and share your pack according to each group's rules.

Creating a dedicated Telegram channel for your sticker creations centralizes your audience. Post pack announcements, previews of upcoming stickers, and behind-the-scenes content. Channels allow unlimited subscribers and provide a direct line to your most engaged fans.

Cross-promotion with other sticker creators multiplies reach efficiently. Find creators with complementary styles or audiences and propose featuring each other's packs. This collaborative approach benefits everyone involved and builds community within the sticker creator space.

Social media amplifies your Telegram presence. Share sticker previews on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and other platforms, directing interested users to your Telegram packs. Visual content naturally performs well on these platforms, making stickers easy to promote.

Track your pack's performance using the /packstats command with @Stickers. This shows installation numbers over time, helping you understand what resonates with users. Analyze which packs perform best and create more content in similar styles or themes.

Monetization Options for Telegram Stickers

While Telegram doesn't directly pay sticker creators, several indirect monetization paths exist. Understanding these options helps you generate income from your creative work if that's your goal. Many successful Telegram sticker creators earn meaningful revenue through these channels.

Patreon and similar platforms let fans support you directly. Offer early access to new stickers, exclusive packs for supporters, or behind-the-scenes content. Promote your Patreon through your sticker packs and Telegram channel. Even small per-creator amounts add up with enough supporters.

Commission work provides direct income for custom creations. Many businesses, communities, and individuals want personalized sticker packs. Advertise commission availability in your packs and channel. Custom work often commands premium pricing since clients receive exclusive content.

Cross-platform publishing expands your revenue potential. Designs created for Telegram can often work on LINE Creators Market, which does pay creators through revenue sharing. Adapting your work for multiple platforms multiplies income from the same creative effort.

Physical merchandise creates additional revenue streams. Print your popular digital designs as physical stickers, selling through Etsy, Redbubble, or your own shop. Fans of your digital stickers often want physical versions for laptops, water bottles, and personal items.

Building an email list provides direct marketing capability independent of any platform. Offer something valuable—a free exclusive sticker pack, early access, or resources—in exchange for email signups. This audience becomes valuable for announcing new packs, products, or services.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learning from others' mistakes accelerates your progress and prevents frustration. Many common pitfalls affect new Telegram sticker creators, but all are avoidable with awareness and proper preparation. Let's examine the most frequent issues and their solutions.

Incorrect dimensions cause immediate upload failures. Remember that 512 pixels must be the exact size of at least one side—not approximate, not close, exactly 512. Double-check dimensions before uploading, and resize carefully using proper resampling methods to maintain quality.

Sending stickers as photos instead of files compresses them inappropriately. Telegram's photo compression destroys quality and transparency. Always use the file/document attachment option when uploading to @Stickers. This preserves your carefully crafted images exactly as intended.

Missing transparency produces stickers with ugly white boxes around subjects. Verify your exports include alpha channels by checking in an image editor or testing against dark backgrounds. If you see any background color, your transparency isn't working correctly.

Poor emoji associations reduce discoverability. When users type emoji in Telegram, matching stickers appear as suggestions. If you assign random or irrelevant emoji, users won't find your stickers when they need them. Choose emoji that genuinely represent each sticker's emotion, object, or action.

Oversized files fail to upload entirely. Check file sizes before attempting upload, especially for animated and video stickers with stricter limits. Optimize aggressively—users won't notice slightly lower quality, but they will notice if the sticker doesn't exist because it failed to upload.

Conclusion

Telegram offers one of the most accessible and rewarding platforms for sticker creation. The combination of zero publishing costs, massive user base, and creator-friendly tools makes it ideal for both hobbyists and professionals. Whether you're creating for personal expression or building a creative business, Telegram welcomes your contributions.

The technical requirements might seem detailed, but they quickly become second nature. Remember the essentials: 512 pixels, WebP format, transparency required, appropriate file sizes. Master these specifications and the creative process becomes your only focus.

Building an audience takes time and consistent effort, but the rewards compound. Each new pack adds to your catalog, attracts new followers, and establishes your creative identity. Successful Telegram sticker creators have built genuine communities around their work, complete with dedicated fans and sustainable income streams.

The tools for creation have never been more accessible. AI-powered background removal, intuitive animation software, and helpful online communities reduce barriers that once limited sticker creation to design professionals. Your unique creative vision is the only ingredient that cannot be automated or outsourced.

Ready to create your first Telegram sticker pack? Start by preparing your images with NanoPic's AI sticker tools, then follow this guide to publish through @Stickers. Your creations could be brightening conversations around the world within the hour.