Sleepy Sleeper - Stare down the Eye

StickUp Supply: Thank you for taking the time to chat with us today! Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about Sleepy Sleeper and what got you into making stickers?

Sleepy Sleeper: Thanks for having me! I’m Sleepy, and I started Sleepy Sleeper as an outlet for the darker, more surreal side of my creativity. My work is heavily inspired by the night—those quiet, eerie hours when everything feels a little more alive in the shadows. Graffiti’s always been a huge influence too. It’s raw, unfiltered, and lives in the grit of the city, and that’s exactly where I like to take my art. Stickers felt like the perfect way to bring that blend of urban grit and nighttime surrealism to people’s everyday lives.

StickUp Supply: What’s the creative process like for you when you design new stickers? Do you have a specific theme or style you like to stick to, or does it change with each project?

Sleepy Sleeper: The vibe stays pretty consistent. I’m always chasing that feeling of wandering through the city at night, where things feel a little distorted, mysterious, and gritty. I start with sketches—usually inspired by strange, fragmented visuals I’ve picked up from late-night walks or graffiti textures I’ve come across. I then bring those sketches into the digital realm, where I add some grime and surreal touches, like warped faces or melting shapes. I want each piece to feel like it’s part of a dream you can’t quite wake up from, but also rooted in the rough edges of the street.

StickUp Supply: Where do you draw inspiration from for your designs? Are there any artists, places, or trends that influence your work?

Sleepy Sleeper: A lot of my inspiration comes from the streets after dark—graffiti on cracked walls, alleyways bathed in neon light, the way shadows play tricks on your mind. I’m drawn to artists who work in street art and surrealism, like Basquiat for his raw energy and the way he used the city as his canvas. But I’m also into the subtle beauty of decay, like how paint chips away or how light flickers at night. It’s about finding art in the things most people overlook, the beauty in the roughness.

StickUp Supply: What materials do you use to make your stickers, and how do you decide on the quality or type of sticker? Do you prefer vinyl, paper, or something else?

Sleepy Sleeper: I lean towards vinyl because it’s durable enough to survive the elements, especially if people are slapping them on street poles or skateboards. I want my stickers to feel like they belong in the urban environment—like they could’ve been part of a wall for years. I’ve been experimenting with matte finishes lately too, since they have this gritty, almost weathered look that fits the nighttime, worn-down vibe I’m after.

StickUp Supply: How do you balance making stickers that are visually appealing with making sure they’re durable and functional?

Sleepy Sleeper: The key is making sure that the designs don’t just look good on a screen but can hold up in the real world. I like to think about how the stickers will age—will the gritty textures stay intact? How will the darker tones hold up in harsh light or rain? I test them out on surfaces around the city, see how they interact with the urban environment. Durability is part of the art for me—it’s like seeing how long something can survive in the wild.

StickUp Supply: Are there any challenges you face in the sticker-making process, whether it’s design, production, or getting your products to customers?

Sleepy Sleeper: One challenge is keeping that gritty, raw feel intact when transferring from screen to print. There’s always a risk that something will get lost in translation, especially the subtle textures I add to give that weathered, street look. Another challenge is balancing demand — I don’t want to overproduce and lose that sense of exclusivity. My designs are meant to feel like they could disappear tomorrow, just like graffiti that gets painted over, so I’m careful about how much I put out there.

StickUp Supply: Do you have any tips for someone just starting out in the sticker-making business or creative process?

Sleepy Sleeper: My biggest tip is to stay true to what feels raw and real to you. Don’t chase trends—create from what you know, what you feel. Let your work have rough edges; perfection can kill the soul of a piece. Also, don’t skimp on quality. Your stickers are going to live in the real world, so make sure they can survive it. Lastly, be bold. The streets don’t hold back, and neither should your art.

StickUp Supply: What are your plans for the future of Sleepy Sleeper? Any exciting new designs or projects you’re working on?

Sleepy Sleeper: Right now, I’m working on a new series inspired by nocturnal creatures and graffiti that looks like it’s part of the city’s soul. I’m also exploring some more interactive designs—stickers that respond to light or touch, almost like they come alive after dark. I want to keep pushing that boundary between the dream world and the gritty reality of the city.

StickUp Supply: Lastly, where can people find your work and connect with you?

Sleepy Sleeper: You can find me on Instagram @SleepySleeper, and my shop is always up with the latest designs. I’m always down to hear from people, especially those who vibe with that nighttime, gritty energy. Hit me up anytime!