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2024-05-29

Slack Emojis vs. Stickers: What's the Difference?

If you're using Slack for team communication, you've probably encountered both emojis and stickers. While they may seem similar at first glance, they serve different purposes and have distinct features. Let's clear up the confusion and help you understand when to use each.

The Quick Difference

Slack Emojis:

  • Small, simple icons used in messages or as reactions
  • Can be typed directly using colon syntax (:smile:)
  • Can be customized and added to your workspace
  • Appear inline with text or as small reaction icons

Slack Stickers:

  • Larger, more detailed images
  • Available through the Bitmoji integration or Slack apps
  • Meant to stand out as separate visual elements
  • Cannot be used as message reactions

When to Use Slack Emojis

Emojis are perfect for:

  1. Quick reactions to messages
  2. Adding emotion to text conversations
  3. Creating custom team symbols for specific projects or statuses
  4. Replacing common phrases (like 👍 for "I agree" or ✅ for "completed")

They're subtle, integrated into the conversation flow, and don't disrupt the reading experience.

When to Use Slack Stickers

Stickers work best when:

  1. Making a statement that stands out visually
  2. Celebrating big achievements or special occasions
  3. Adding personality to channel greetings
  4. Creating a stronger emotional impact than a simple emoji can provide

How to Access Emojis in Slack

Accessing the built-in emoji library is simple:

  1. Click the emoji icon in the message composition area
  2. Search for the emoji you want
  3. Click to insert it

For custom emojis:

  1. Type : followed by the emoji name
  2. Select from the autocomplete suggestions that appear

How to Access Stickers in Slack

To use stickers, you'll need to:

  1. Install the Bitmoji app or another sticker app from the Slack App Directory
  2. Click the "+" button next to the message field
  3. Select your sticker app
  4. Choose the sticker you want to share

Creating Custom Emojis vs. Stickers

One key advantage of emojis over stickers is customization:

  • Custom emojis can be created and uploaded by workspace members (with appropriate permissions)
  • Stickers are generally limited to what's available in the integrated apps

Usage Best Practices

Regardless of whether you choose emojis or stickers, remember:

  • Don't overuse either one, as they can become distracting
  • Consider your audience and workplace culture
  • Be professional in work-related channels
  • Use for clarity, not confusion

Conclusion

Both Slack emojis and stickers have their place in workplace communication. Emojis are perfect for quick, subtle reactions and expressions, while stickers make more dramatic visual statements. Understanding the difference helps you communicate more effectively in your digital workspace.

Want to create custom emojis for your Slack workspace? Try our emoji creator to design professional-quality emojis that reflect your team's personality!