Sticker vending machines may look simple, but they can be surprisingly money-making, especially for small shops, cafés, salons, and events. With low starting-up costs and high margins, this business is more and more attractive to many business owners.
Sticker Cost vs Selling Price
Let’s be more detailed. Most stickers cost as little as 0.10 to 0.30 dollars per piece. The detailed price will be related to the quantity you buy. Based on your audience and location, that same sticker can sell for one dollar or even more.
Example:
Buy 500 stickers at 0.10 dollars each = 50 dollars total cost
Sell them at 1 dollar each = 500 dollars revenue
Profit = 450 dollars
This kind of margin is very easy to cover machine costs and scale up quickly.
In the US, one of our clients placed a small sticker vending machine inside a nail salon. The stickers matched the vibe—think cute nail art, seasonal designs, and fun icons. People love the stickers and our clients need to restock twice in the first month. It really gave people something fun to chat about while waiting.
And in the UK, another client tested a machine at a weekend craft fair. Kids couldn’t get enough of it. At just £1 per go, the machine paid for itself in no time and added some extra excitement to the event.
In Japan, a Pokemon store put a themed sticker machine near their checkout counter. It was so popular that they bought another one very soon. Parents liked it, kids loved it—and sales showed it.
Let’s talk about profits
Let’s break down a simple ROI example:
Machine cost: 300 dollars（include shipping cost）
Initial sticker stock: 100 dollars
Total investment: 400 dollars
If you sell 500 stickers at 1 dollar each:
Revenue = 500 dollars
Profit = 100 dollars
Profit = $100 aound 30 days if located in a busy shop or weekend market
And this doesn’t include repeat purchases or added foot traffic.
How to Make the Most of Your Sticker Vending Machine
Choose high-traffic locations like cafés, schools, salons, or mall corners
Quick Tips to Make It Work
- Pick sticker themes your customers will actually love—think cute (kawaii), seasonal, funny quotes, or trending characters.
- Make sure your machine stands out. Use clear signs and eye-catching colors to grab attention.
- Keep things fresh by rotating themes regularly. People love to come back and see what’s new.
- Accept coins or tokens for simplicity. If your spot has more tech-savvy customers, consider adding mobile or contactless payment.
Final Thought
Sticker vending machines are a fun, low-maintenance way to make extra money. Whether you’re running a retail store or testing out a side hustle, they’re easy to set up, don’t take much space, and let you get creative with what you sell.
Curious what your setup could look like? Take a look at our sticker vending machine models or chat with us about getting started. It’s simpler than you think—and a lot more fun.
