Xyron Create a Sticker

By Christina VanGinkel

Xyron has created a line of sticker machines that works with various sized media, including 1 1/2 inches, 2 1/2 inches, and five inches. Xyron also makes larger format machines, but those create other consumables in addition to making stickers, such as magnets, and they laminate. The Xyron Create a Sticker machines are for straightforward sticker making and are both easy and economical to use.

The first time I was introduced to a Xyron Create a Sticker machine, it was the Xyron 150, often just referred to as the X. It comes with one roll of adhesive installed, either repositionable or permanent, each twenty feet long, and it does accept refills, which also come in the two choices of either repositionable or permanent. Taking out an empty cartridge and inserting a refill is quite easy to do, and most will not find it takes no longer, than a few seconds do, to complete the exchange.

The uses for the Xyron Create a Sticker machines are more prolific than I ever imagined. If you do any sort of paper crafting, such as card making or scrapbooking, imagine never having to try to get just the right amount of adhesive on a small or delicately cut title or die cut. As long as the height of the object is no more than the size limit of the particular Xyron Create a Sticker you are using, the length can be just about anything you want it to be, again only limited to the length of the roll of the adhesive (20 feet when full).

To use the Xyron Create a Sticker, you start with cutting out or otherwise creating whatever it is you want to turn into a sticker. This could be a picture you print from the computer, a photograph, a stamped image, a die cut, lettering, a pre-made item, a punch out, just about anything as long as it will fit into the Xyron Create a Sticker machine. You never have to deal with drops or splats of adhesive in the wrong spots or using too much. With the Xyron Create a Sticker machines, you always have just the right amount of adhesive. I have even used it on objects that are somewhat 3D in nature. While the machines will not accept thick objects, they will accept layered items. I even have run through the individual layers of a stacked die cut, and assembled as I went, running the whole thing through when done, turning the final product into a dimensional sticker.

For basic use, the Xyron Create a Sticker could not be easier. Measure whatever it is you want to transform into a sticker width wise, making sure it will fit the machine you have, then simply slide one end into the machine and if you are using the Xyron 150 (X), just pull the strip through from the opposite end you inserted the image. When you have pulled the image all the way though, tear it off using the serrated edge. Place on a flat surface with the clear side up and rub to ensure the transformation has occurred. To use the finished sticker, simply peel off both the clear top and bottom, and adhere to whatever and wherever you would any sticker. If you are using the Xyron 250 or 500, after you feed the object you want to transform, into the machine, simply turn the handle to progress the material through, and trim when complete.

If you use various sizes of media, it is best to match the width to the proper machine, to make the most out of the adhesive film. For this reason, it is no surprise that once you try one, you will find that you will want the other sizes too. Finished stickers can be stored as is, as they come out of the machines, making it simple to create ahead of time, whenever the creative mood might strike, or if you are going to a crop and want to bring your unique creations along.

All of the Xyron Create a Sticker machines are portable though, so you might find it just as simple to take them with you when you scrap or craft away from home. They do not require any electricity, or batteries, and because they produce no heat, they are suitable for all ages to use.