Use case guide
How to Create Telegram Stickers from Any Image (Free)
Telegram stickers need to be exactly the right format: a transparent PNG, up to 512 × 512 px, under 512 KB. Get any of those wrong and Telegram rejects the upload. Here is the full process — from any image to a working sticker pack in four steps.
Telegram sticker requirements
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Format | PNG with transparency |
| Max dimensions | 512 × 512 px (one side must be exactly 512) |
| Max file size | 512 KB |
| Background | Transparent (no white background) |
Step 1: Remove the background
Telegram stickers require a transparent background. Use PNGmaker's background remover to strip the background from any photo or illustration in seconds. The AI detects the subject automatically — no masking or selection tools needed. Download the result as a PNG with a transparent background.
Step 2: Add a white border with PNGmaker Sticker Maker
Classic Telegram stickers have a white border that makes the subject pop against any chat background — dark or light. Use PNGmaker's Sticker Maker to add a clean white outline around your cutout. A border thickness of around 5% of the image width (about 25 px on a 512 px image) looks sharp on mobile screens. The sticker remains a transparent PNG after adding the border.
Step 3: Resize to 512 × 512 px
Telegram requires that at least one side of the sticker is exactly 512 px. Use PNGmaker's PNG Resizer to resize to 512 × 512 px while keeping the transparent background intact. Make sure the file size stays under 512 KB — most PNG stickers come in well below that after resizing.
Step 4: Upload to @Stickers bot on Telegram
Open Telegram and start a conversation with @Stickers (the official Telegram bot for sticker packs).
- Send
/newpackto create a new sticker pack - Send the pack name when prompted
- Upload your PNG file (512 × 512, transparent)
- Send an emoji to associate with the sticker
- Repeat steps 3–4 for additional stickers
- Send
/publishto finalize and share the pack
Tips for great Telegram stickers
- Use simple, bold images. Stickers are displayed small in chat — fine details disappear. Strong silhouettes and high contrast work best.
- Border thickness ~5%. About 25 px on a 512 px image. Too thin and it disappears; too thick and it looks chunky.
- Avoid photos with messy backgrounds. The AI background remover works best on subjects with clear separation from the background — portraits, objects on plain surfaces, illustrations.
Try it with PNGmaker
Use the tool flow directly from this guide. The idea is simple: understand the workflow, then get to the result fast.