Welcome to My Creative Lab: From Printing Stickers to Product Photography and So Much In Between

Hey! I’m James, a maker, designer, and visual storyteller who turned a passion for creating into a full-on creative lab. From printing different types of stickers and pressing buttons to embroidery, product photography, and digital art, I do a bit of everything, and I wanted a space where I could not only document what I’m doing, but also help other creators avoid some of the headaches I’ve already figured out. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to level up your workflow, I hope my blog becomes a bookmark-worthy part of your creative journey. This blog is a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, the tools I actually use, the tricks I’ve picked up, and the honest wins (and fails) along the way.

What You’ll Find on This Blog

I’ve learned a lot through trial, error, and way too many late-night experiments—and now I want to share the best of it with you. So, whether you’re a fellow creative, a small business owner, or just someone curious about how all this gets made from home, this blog’s for you. Here’s what you can expect:

• How I make custom stickers (holographic, waterproof, glossy, matte, vinyl—you name it)
• Tested setups for Cricut and Silhouette machines, plus what papers and printers work best
• DIY product photography for your shops or trying to get into the professional world using natural light, budget-friendly gear, and editing tools to build your portfolio
• Behind the scenes of my digital art process—my favorite styles and go-to tools
• Embroidery tips, plus how I digitize and stitch my own designs, and set up multicolor designs for a one-thread machine
• Using Printify for print-on-demand and making your designs fit their templates like a glove
• Editing techniques and creative tricks in Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and Illustrator

These are real tips pulled straight from hands-on experience—usually with a fair share of trial and error along the way and a lot of research and late nights.

   

Sticker Production 

Button Production

Product Photography 

 

Why I’m Starting This Blog

I’ve always loved experimenting, learning, and figuring out how to make things look and feel their best, whether that’s a single sticker sheet or a full product shoot. Over time, I’ve collected a mountain of lessons that could save others time, money, and guesswork. This blog will also allow me to learn more and share new experiences so we can grow as creatives together.

I have always learned everything on my own through trial and error, but along the way, I've helped different artists I’ve met grow their skills, or helped in a project, or just as a teacher in some capacity. I love being able to help others achieve their creative goals or help get an idea they have in their head made in real life.

This blog is my place to share what works (and what really doesn’t), showcase creative projects, and connect with others who love making cool things, too. If I make any digital tools that I feel will be helpful for others, I will also provide a downloadable file to make sure others can use them.

Let’s Create Together

If you’ve got questions, want to see a specific tutorial, or have creative tips of your own, I’d love to hear from you. Drop a comment, send me a message, or reach out on [Instagram/TikTok/Email/etc].

This isn’t just about what I make—it’s about how we can keep learning, experimenting, and building together.

Coming Up Next…

In my next post, I’ll walk you through how I make my holographic stickers from digital design to printer settings, cutting machines, and sealing techniques that really make them pop.