You may have recently seen 2016 trending all over the internet and social media. People are yearning for simpler times and nostalgia is everywhere. What’s old is new again, and in the world of stickers, that means one thing: sticker vending machines are making a big comeback.
Once a nostalgic staple of arcades, grocery stores, and roller rinks, these machines are now popping up in coffee shops, tattoo parlors, record stores, art markets, and even boutique retail spaces. But they’re not just vintage eye candy, they’re a clever way to sell art, build brand loyalty, and spark curiosity in the age of short attention spans. They are fun because they can gamify your stickers and give users a randomized game to play while they peruse your booth or are on their way out of a boutique.
Let’s talk about why sticker vending machines are back in style, and how you can get in on the trend.
Why Sticker Vending Machines Are Trending
1. Nostalgia Sells
Sticker vending machines tap into a powerful sense of nostalgia—especially for millennials and Gen Z who grew up feeding quarters into machines for a random prize. People might be carrying quarters less than they were in the past but they love old school games like this just as much as they did when they were kids. Today, in a world full of algorithms and predictions, that thrill of the unknown is back, with a modern twist.
2. Low-Cost, High-Impact Retail
They’re small, self-serve, and require very little maintenance. A well-placed vending machine can earn passive income in a high-traffic space, while also giving artists and small brands a physical sales channel without the cost of a full storefront. Some people are using them for events like weddings too. In Richmond, VA there is even a service by Woz Here, Co. that allows you to rent a sticker vending machine for your next event! There are so many possibilities with these machines because they are relatively small and a unique way to display your products in a world where all of the displays are starting to look the same.
3. Perfect for Pop-Up Culture
Sticker vending machines work great at events, craft fairs, and music festivals. They draw attention, add interactivity, and are an easy upsell item, especially if your machine is filled with limited-edition or mystery designs. Additionally, due to the nature of these machines, they offer a lot of advertising space on the sides and front of the machines. You can paint them, cover them in stickers or wrap them in vinyl to brand them and make them unique.
Christina Davis, an Austin-based graphic designer created a start up with this idea in mind. She calls it ‘Stick Around’. She offers a sticker vending machine for your event that will have 6 custom sticker designs she makes when you hire her. This is a low-cost alternative to things like photo booths and simply just really fun!
Who's Using Sticker Vending Machines?
- Independent artists selling mini sticker packs
- Tattoo shops offering flash art designs in sticker form
- Boutique stores adding a fun point of sale experience
- Nonprofits using them for fundraising and awareness campaigns
- Sticker collectors and enthusiasts running machines as a side hustle
They’re also popular in school campuses, museums, and tourist destinations, places where small, affordable keepsakes are in demand.
What to Put Inside
Most sticker vending machines use 1-inch or 2-inch round capsules, but you can also adapt flat machines for sticker envelopes or pouches. Here are some ideas:
- Die-cut logo stickers
- Illustrated character series
- “Mystery sticker” packs
- ‘Misprints’ or ‘Imperfect’ stickers on a discounted sale
- Seasonal or holiday designs
The goal? Make it collectible, fun, and shareable. It’s like seeing a claw machine when you are leaving a restaurant. It’s hard to not peak inside and wonder what you would win if you had a dollar to try it out.
Pro Tip: Use sticker materials that stand out. Metallics, Neon, Chrome, Holographic and Glitter vinyls make for a memorable sticker and feel nostalgic too. They recall stickers that were popular in childhood for millennials like Lisa Frank stickers.
How to Get Started
- Find a machine – Look for refurbished capsule vending machines online, or check out local sellers on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Some artists even refurbish and repaint them for aesthetic appeal. It places like ArtVend you can even order fully customized machines! And the fact that you can order a fully customizable sticker vending machine tells you everything you need to know about how successful this trend is.
- Design your stickers – Keep them small enough to fit in the capsule (usually under 2” x 2”) if your machine requires a capsule. At CarStickers.com, you can create custom small scale die cut stickers, small kiss cut stickers or die-cut designs perfect for vending.
- Package them up – Use clear capsules, tiny envelopes, poly bags or folded card stock to hold your sticker(s) inside. The method you choose will depend on the machine you are using. Be sure to test your stickers before you make a bulk purchase. You can order as little as one sticker here at Car Stickers, so this is great way to test out stickers for new ventures!
- Pick your location – Find a venue that aligns with your brand or customer base—coffee shops, tattoo parlors, art collectives, or even your own studio or event booth. We’ve recently seen vending machines at some of our local restaurants, boutiques and food truck lots that are filled with local artist and maker products. They have been seen in airports too! If you’re worried about inventory you can make it a collaborative effort too and get other artists involved and sell a combination of sticker art from various artists.
- Promote it! – Make it Instagrammable. Add a sign. Put your social media information on the machine along with your company hashtags so people can easily find you and post about you. Post on social media yourself too! Use it to build hype around new designs or exclusive releases.
Something to note: You don’t have to rely on quarters and change. We live in a world where a lot of people have ceased to use change entirely. Some machines can operate on tokens. This way you can have customers pay you at your art booth for example with a card and purchase tokens to use, similar to how an arcade operates! Or you can order a ‘free booth’ to use for events if you’re just looking for a fun alternative way to display free items rather than an upsell.
Join the Sticker Vending Revival
Sticker vending machines aren’t just a fun throwback—they’re a smart, low-cost way to get your art or brand in front of more people. Whether you're an artist looking for a new sales channel or a business wanting to add a memorable touch to your space, these machines bring a sense of play, creativity, and real-world engagement that digital can’t replicate.
Want to start creating designs for your own sticker machine? Check out our custom sticker options and start building your capsule-ready creations today.
