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Beginner’s Guide to Stunning Cake Toppers: Tools, Tips & Supplies
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Demi Blue profile picture
Demi Blue
I’ve been creating cake toppers for over three years, and one of the biggest questions I get asked is, “What do I need to get started?” This guide brings together the best tools, cardstock, adhesives, and finishing touches I use daily when making top...
Here you’ll find: 
-Essential tools and machines for cake toppers 
-The best cardstock and paper supplies (including what GSM to choose) 
-Adhesives and sticky solutions that actually work 
-Extra decorations and creative embellishments to elevate your designs 
Plus, my tips for choosing the right products so you don’t waste money on the wrong materials.
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Sections
7
 
Tools & Machines for Cake Toppers
 
Cardstock & Paper Supplies
 
Adhesives & Sticky Solutions
 
Creative Extras
 
Embellishments & Finishing Touches
 
Design Software & Digital Files

Tools & Machines for Cake Toppers

Having the right tools makes all the difference when creating toppers. A good cutting machine such as a Cricut or Silhouette ensures crisp, clean cuts every time. Pair it with sharp blades and reliable cutting mats for accuracy. Don’t forget essentia... 
Pro Tip: Keep spare blades handy. A dull blade will tear your cardstock and ruin your design.

 
Demi Blue profile picture
Cricut have numerous machines to use from and are all fine for creating cake toppers, sop if you're on a budget something like the Cricut Joy may be more suited to you. If you plan on doing bigger projects then you may look at the Joy Xtra or Cricut ...
Cricut Shop
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Demi Blue profile picture
A good set of tweezers will be needed, not just for the fiddley bits but to keep your out of the way and to attempt to not get them too sticky.
MORGLES Stainless Steel Precision Tweezers
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This is an absolute must for any cake toppers that are going directly onto the buttercream. It comes with a backing you can peel off so it never touches your mat.
Pack of 10 Art Studio Plain Acetate
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Demi Blue profile picture
Cricut mats cost a fortune, these mats are much cheaper and do the job as good.
Lya Vinyl 8 Pack Cutting Mats for Cricut
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Demi Blue profile picture
Opt for acrylic over wood, they look much better if anything needs to be left out. They also don't end up with splinters like some of the wooden skewers can.
Abeillo 50 Acrylic Lollipop Sticks 6 Inch
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Demi Blue profile picture
I upgraded from a Hp printer to this one very recently! I am made up with it! The print speed is faster, it does back to back printing and borderless printing! Pro Tip: When printing you need to edit the printer settings each time you print to ensu...
CANON PIXMA TS8751 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer
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Cardstock & Paper Supplies

Cardstock is the backbone of every cake topper. For strong, professional results always use 200–300gsm paper. Glitter card, mirror card, and smooth coloured card are perfect for layering and creating depth. 
Why GSM matters: 
Under 200gsm = flimsy, bends easily 
200–300gsm = sturdy, stands upright on a cake 
Over 300gsm = too thick for most machines 
Pro Tip: Choose non-shed glitter card for a clean, food-safe finish.

 
Demi Blue profile picture
Using metallic cardstock can help to add an extra dimension to your cake toppers. This pack is good as it has an array of colours to choose from and you're not having to buy the colours indivdually.
A4 Mixed Color Mirror Cardstock, 60 Sheets
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This is the only glossy cardstock I will buy, this is perfect for all of your printed images.
KOALA A4 Glossy Inkjet Photo Paper 100 Sheets
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One of the best Non Shed Glitter Cardstocks out there. I've used several colours of this.
Italian Options: Card Stock
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A nice simple, easy to use plain white cardstock. I use this a lot
House of Card A4 250gsm White Card 100pcs
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Demi Blue profile picture
So, this is another product that I haven't purchased, mainly because I bought a heap of cardstock years ago and still getting through. But here is why I would buy this product if I were starting out. 
When looking for cardstock one of the main things I am interested in is the GSM. I've found that you really want to be starting around the 230gsm mark to ensure you have a sturdy cake topper. Not only that you get 100 pieces with an array of colour. ...
LIEASYKE A4 Coloured Card 230gsm 100 Sheets
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Demi Blue profile picture
This is the other glitter card stock I use, this one is slightly thicker than the Italian Options ones.
Dovecraft A4 Glitter Card Pad 24 Sheets
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Adhesives & Sticky Solutions

Strong adhesives are the secret to toppers that hold together. Foam pads or double-sided tape give depth and dimension, while tacky glue works well for small details. Hot glue can be handy for bigger embellishments, but avoid it on thin cardstock as ... 
Adhesives to try: 
Double-sided foam tape (for 3D layering) 
Precision tacky glue (for small details) 
Glue gun (for heavier items) 
Pro Tip: Keep a fine-tip glue bottle for tiny cuts and letters.

 
Demi Blue profile picture
I switched to using these foam strips this year, and honestly it was the best thing I did. You can cut them down easily, without getting too much sticky residue on your scissors. You can choose a size that suits you. All in all, i just find them so m...
Sticky Foam Strips Double Sided 3D Tape 500 Pcs
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I've just started to use this glue, now it does have a little bit of an odour, and can be a little stringy (just how the hot glue gun would be) but I like using this for larger areas that need gluing. Meaning I can save a little on the more expensive...
3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue 118.56ml Clear
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Demi Blue profile picture
Now this is not the specific hot glue gun I use, as i've had mine for so long that I don't even know where i got it from. But you absolutely need one. From adhering your acrylic sticks to sticking down slightly heavier aspects of your toppers.
Tilswall 50W Mini Hot Glue Gun Kit with 75 Sticks
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Demi Blue profile picture
Now this is what I call the OG of glues. Whilst on the pricey side. This is hands down the best glue I have EVER used. No strong smell, there is a little time to allow adjustment. And it comes with a super fine tip. I've just started using another gl...
Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue - Clear, Flexible
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Creative Extras

If you're wanting to add some extras, these are some options,
but not a necessary purchase for your cake toppers.

 
Demi Blue profile picture
These types of design pads are a good way to add patterns in to your toppers. There loads of them out there. Definitely not a necessity, but could add such a lovely touch.
Wildflower Design Pad: 12 x 12 Inches
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These lamination sheets can add a little sparkle over your printed images or even cardstock. Such a little lovely touch to make your toppers stand out.
TECKWRAP Holographic Sticker Paper 28 Sheets
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These add an interactive aspect to your cake toppers, I have put ghosts on these, spiderman, bees. The kids love them.
CYFUN 60pcs Action Wobbles Mini Springs Set
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Embellishments & Finishing Touches

Once you’ve layered your topper, you can add decorations to make it stand out. Rhinestones, ribbon bows, metallic card layers, and acrylic accents all add extra sparkle. Ideas: 
Rhinestones or pearls for sparkle 
Ribbon bows for birthdays or baby showers
 Acrylic stars, hearts, or shapes for a modern look 
Pro Tip: Less is more. A couple of well-placed extras look elegant, whereas too many can overwhelm your design.

 
Demi Blue profile picture
Rhinestones can help add some extra sparkle to your Cake Topper to help it stand out even more.
Zealer 4200 Clear Nail Art Rhinestones, 6 Sizes
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Design Software & Digital Files

Before you cut, you’ll need a design. Cricut Design Space is beginner-friendly and free, but you can also buy SVG templates online or create your own in Canva or Procreate. Having digital files makes your workflow faster and gives consistent results....

 
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Creative Fabrica supplies lots of different SVG and PNG files that will help to create your cake toppers.
Creative Fabrica
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Etsy have lots of different SVGs and PNGs starting from around £1 that will help you create custom cake topper designs.
Etsy
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You can sign up to use Design Space, but you can also just use the free version, if you feel comfortable creating your own designs.
Cricut Design Space
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For me Canva is an absolute must. There additional fonts, images and features that you can use for free, or the options expand if you pay for the subscriptions.
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
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Storage & Organisation

Keeping a tidy and organised space allows for easy work flow. It also speeds up time when trying to collect everything you need. Having some storage for your cardstock is a necessity, and somewhere to easily store things like scissors, tweezers etc. 
Pro Tip: Store cardstock flat to stop it bending

 
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This storage tower has help me keep my card stock split into colours, meaning i'm able to access it quickly, when collecting everything I need to make my cake toppers.
Really Useful Rainbox Storage Tower - 8 x 7 Litres
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