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Cupcake Topper

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Paper Cupcake Toppers

Paper cupcake toppers are the latest trend in cupcake decorating.

There is a large assortment of paper cupcake toppers you can create ranging from a simple topper to more elaborate designs. This page will cover the basic cupcake topper which consists of a shaped image matted on shaped cardstock. The cupcake topper is then attached to a toothpick or lollipop stick and inserted into your decorated cupcakes. It is that easy!

Many scrapbooking techniques such as paper punching and matting are used when creating these paper cupcake toppers, however, you don't need to be experienced in scrapbooking to make these. The supplies you need to create these paper cupcake toppers can be found at your local craft store, office supply store or online.

Want to save some time? I have also featured a large selection of cupcakes toppers below that are available for purchase. These completed paper cupcake toppers come in many popular themes so you are sure to find the perfect topper for your party cupcakes.

Paper cupcake toppers are perfect for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers, Holiday cupcakes, and more. Whether you make your own cupcake toppers or purchase them, they are sure to be a hit at your next celebration!

photo credit: The Original World of Pinatas. To purchase these cupcake toppers, please visit the links below.

Cupcake Topper Poll

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M & M Cupcake Toppers

for my daughter's M & M Party

We just made these paper cupcake toppers for my daughter's M & M theme birthday party last month. They came out so cute!

To make these toppers, we used M & M bottle cap images which we purchased on Ebay. The bottle cap images were 1" in diameter and printed on photo paper. We simply matted them on Bazzill cardstock which we punched out using a 1 1/2" scalloped paper punch. Once the paper cupcake toppers were finished, we attached them to toothpicks and inserted them into the finished cupcakes.

Please visit my M & M Party page to purchase the M & M bottle cap images and to view the finished cupcakes!

Angry Birds Cupcake Toppers

created using printed images attached to lollipop sticks

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These Angry Birds paper cupcake toppers were created using Angry Birds images printed, cutout and then attached to lollipop sticks.

Angry Birds Party Ideas

Tweety Cupcake Toppers

made using Tweety images printed on photo paper

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I made these paper cupcake toppers for my daugther's school birthday celebration.

Tweety Birthday Party Supplies

Club Penguin Cupcake Toppers

also created using images printed on photo paper

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I surrounded my daugther's Club Penguin birthday cake with cupcakes topped with handmade paper cupake toppers.

Club Penguin Party Supplies

Space Planets Cupcake Toppers

created using stickers attached to cardstock

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I made these Space cupcakes using Planet stickers for my son's 6th birthday party.

Space Party Cakes & Cupcakes

Cupcake Toppers

from the Original World of Pinatas

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How To Make a Paper Cupcake Topper

step-by-step instructions to create a basic paper cupcake topper

type=textSupplies Needed:
Scissors or Paper Punches
Cardstock
Photo paper or round label sheets
Glue, double-stick tape or pop-up glue dots
Lollipop stick, toothpick, Popsicle stick or wood skewer
Computer and printer

Paper Cupcake Topper Instructions:

  • Find an image or images you would like for your cupcake toppers. Print them out onto photo paper or cardstock. *You can also print your images onto round labels. If you use this method, you can skip the next step.

  • Punch out or cut out your images using scissors into whatever shape you would like. The most popular cupcake topper shapes are circles, scalloped, rectangle and square.

  • Select cardstock for your background and punch out or cut out that as well. *The background needs to be slightly larger than your image. So, if your image is 1", your background paper needs to be 1 1/2" or larger.

  • Attach a lollipop stick, toothpick, Popsicle stick or skewer using glue or foam dots to your cupcake topper. You can attach the stick to the back of the cardstock or in between the cardstock and image.

  • Optional: Embellish your paper cupcake toppers with ribbon, gems, die cuts shapes, cut outs, etc. Instead of two layers of matting, add 3 or more. The ideas are endless!

    • photo credit: The Invitation Chic. To purchase these cupcake toppers, please visit the links below.

    Cupcake Toppers

    from The Invitation Chic

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    Round Printer Labels and Photo Paper

    for your Cupcake Topper Images

    Pop-Up Glue Dots

    gives a great 3-D look to your cupcake toppers

    Glue Dots 1/2 Inch Adhesive Dots-72PK/Double Sided

    Glue Dots 1/2 Inch Adhesive Dots-72PK/Double Sided

    Amazon Price: $2.19 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    Mini Glue Dots are double-sided adhesive dots for permanently bonding tiny items like buttons charms fibers intricate die cuts jewels ribbons and sequins. Glue Dots bond to most surfaces including paper metal wood foam textiles and more. Use for crafts of all kinds school projects round the house in the office or anywhere you want a quick strong bond.

    What is matting?

    Matting adds a touch of color and helps to highlight your images. It is a simple procedure, yet it adds a custom look to your cupcake toppers.

    Paper Punches for Your Cupcake Toppers

    round ~ scalloped ~ square ~ rectangle

    type=textThere are many paper punches on the market that would be great to use to make your paper cupcake toppers. As I stated above, the common shapes used are circle, scalloped, square and rectangle. The average sizes used for cupcake toppers range from 1"-3" depending on how large you want your toppers to be and whether you are serving standard size cupcakes or jumbo cupcakes at your birthday party.

    Justin Bieber cupcake topper image displayed courtesy of Manny Toppers. To purchase these cupcake toppers, please visit the links below.

    More Paper Punches

    Clever Lever punches from Uchida

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    Cupcake Decorating Books

    Hello Cupcake ~ Martha Stewart

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    More Cupcake Toppers

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    Cardstock for Cupcake Toppers

    many colors, textures and designs

    type=textWhile you can use any heavy weight cardstock for your cupcake toppers, Bazzill is my favorite cardstock to use.

    Bazzill cardstock is available is so many colors so you are sure to find the perfect colors to coordinate with your topper image and party decor. What I love about Bazzill cardstock is that it is available in many different textures.

    This textured cardstock really adds great dimension to your cupcake toppers.

    Click here to view all of the Bazzill Cardstock

    Cupcake Toppers

    from Get Sprinkled

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    Save Time with Pre-Cut Images

    1" circle images in many party themes

    type=textSeller Fizz Bottle Caps and Jewelry sells custom made pre-cut 1" round images. The images are printed on high quality photo paper and cut to perfect 1" circles. All you need to do is glue these images to cardstock and punch with a 1 1/2" or 2" scalloped circle punch and you are done!

    There are many party themes available and each theme comes with a variety of different images. So, not only does purchasing these images save on time, you also get many different images which will add more fun to the look of your cupcakes.

    Circle Images for Your Cupcake Toppers

    great time saver!

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    Scalloped Scissors for Your Cupcake Toppers

    from Fiskars

    Fiskars Paper Edger Scallop

    Fiskars Paper Edger Scallop

    Amazon Price: $4.75 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    Instead of using a scalloped paper punch, you could also use a pair of scalloped scissors. Simply matte your image onto a piece of square or rectangular cardstock and then cut around the border with these scalloped scissors.

    Cupcake Topper Stickers

    another great idea for your paper cupcake toppers

    type=textStickers would also make a great image for your paper cupcake toppers. Simply place the sticker onto your cardstock and punch out or cut out the image. Then, place the finished image and cardstock onto a stick.

    You could also place the sticker onto colored cardstock, punch it out and then place the finished piece onto round scalloped cardstock. This way your cupcake topper will be double-matted.

    The sticker pictured here is from Brooklyn Party Supply. The images measure 1.63" and come 24 to a sheet. You can purchase these stickers below.

    More Stickers for your Cupcake Toppers

    Cupcake Topper Stickers

    from Brooklyn Party Supply

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    Personalized Cupcake Topper Stickers

    many designs to choose from!

    Zazzle carries a large selection of 1 1/2" birthday stickers. Below is just a small sample of the birthday stickers available. Many of the stickers can even be personalized. These stickers would make a great addition to your cupcake toppers. Simply place the sticker on cardstock and punch out with a 2" scalloped circle punch. You can also double-matte these stickers by placing the sticker onto cardstock and punching it out. Then attach the finished image to round scalloped cardstock.

    Minnie Mouse Circle Sticker sticker Cute Monkey Sticker sticker Sweet Sixteen Sticker sticker Cupcake Sticker sticker Pink Ladybug Cupcake Toppers sticker Cupcake Topper Stickers sticker Princess Party Sticker sticker Happy Birthday Hippie Stickers sticker Happy Birthday Circles sticker Boy's Birthday Stickers sticker Westie Birthday sticker Pirate 1st Birthday T-shirts and Gifts sticker

    Cupcake Topper Supplies

    toothpicks ~ lollipop sticks ~ skewers

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    Our Paper Cupcake Toppers

    Club Penguin Cupcakes

    type=textHere are some paper Club Penguin cupcake toppers I put together for my daughter to take to school to celebrate her birthday.

    These were done very last minute, but still came out great. All of the kids loved them. Many of my daughter's classmates put their Club Penguin toppers in their lockers to use as a decoration.

    The cupcake toppers were made by printing out the Club Penguin iimage on heavy cardstock and then matting it on Bazzill cardstock. The completed image was cut using a paper cutter. I then attached a lollipop stick.

    If you are hosting a Club Penguin birthday party, please visit my Club Penguin Birthday Party page for party ideas including personalized invitations, party favors, birthday cake ideas, party activities, decorations and more.

    Paper Cupcake Toppers also popular among celebrities

    Stella's 2nd Birthday Party

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    Tori Spelling and Dean McDermott hosted a very pink party for their daughter Stella's 2nd birthday. The pink party cupcakes featured scalloped paper cupcake toppers with 'Stella' printed on them.
    Read more about Stella's 2nd birthday party!

    More Cupcake Decorating Books

    Betty Crocker ~ The Cake Mix Doctor

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    Our Pink Skull Cupcakes using Edible Cupcake Toppers

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    We recently had a Pink Skull party for my daughter's 9th birthday. The cupcakes were decorated with Edible Cupcake Toppers which coordinated with the party supplies perfectly!

    Pink Skull Birthday Cakes & Cupcakes

    More Fun Cupcake Toppers

    Edible cupcake image toppers

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    Cupcake Decorating Supplies

    sprinkles ~ baking liners ~ frosting ~ cupcake picks & rings

    type=text The Party Works carries a full line of cupcake decorating supplies. Some of the items they carry include:

  • Cupcake Picks & Cupcake Rings
  • 3D Sugar Shapes and Flowers
  • Cupcake Baking Liners
  • Candy Confetti, Jimmies & Sprinkles
  • Cupcake Decorating Packages
  • Frosting, Color Sprays, Sparkle Gel & Shimmer Dust
  • Cupcake Decorating Books
  • and more!

    • Paper Cupcake Topper Tutorials

    get great ideas and inspiration

    How to make cupcake toppers
    So you want to buy a PDF/Printable/Print-At-Home Party set off of Etsy but you're not sure what to do with it? Fear no I'm here to help! For example - how do you make cute cupcake toppers like this out of what a seller sends you?
    Valentine Day Paper Cupcake Toppers
    What's better than glitter, hearts, cupcakes and Valentine's Day? A cupcake topped with glitter and hearts FOR Valentine's Day, that's what.
    Cupcake Toppers
    These cute cupcake (or really, anything) toppers are from the folks at Pikme. They have about 60 different images you can choose from, but if you don't see something you like or want something more personal, it's just as easy to create your own.
    Cupcake Topper » How To | Cut Out + Keep
    Cupcake Topper Tutorial: peptogirl's step-by-step craft tutorial - Make yours in 15 minutes (18 steps). One of thousands of tutorials!

    Cricut Cake Decorating Machine

    create beautiful shapes for your cupcake decorating

    Cricut Cake Personal Electronic Cutter, Kitchen Red

    Cricut Cake Personal Electronic Cutter, Kitchen Red

    Amazon Price: $179.95 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The Cricut Cake Personal Electronic Cutter is specifically designed for decorating professional-looking cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and confections in no time at all. Just choose a shape, a size, and press CUT. Decorating like a professional has never been faster or easier. Bon Appetit.

    This page is a member of The Cupcake Club

    You can join in. It's free and lots of fun... and yummy.

    The Cupcake Club on SquidooThe Cupcake Club on Squidoo is an ever-growing collection of the best cupcake recipes ever. It's also home for cute and unique decorating ideas, debates about chocolate vs. vanilla frosting, recommendations for the best kitchen gadgets, cupcake sightings at hot bakeries around town, colorful cupcake photography... If you've got a sweet tooth for cupcakes, you're in the right place. You can make pages for your favorite cupcakes (and even earn money from them).



    Click the big cupcake you see at the right to learn more and get started.

    Where else can you find The Cupcake Club?

    Our blog, HQ on Squidoo and Facebook Fan Club.

    The Cupcake Club: The Blog
    All of the cupcake recipes and decorating ideas you'll find here are coming to you through the magic of Squidoo.com.Squdioo.com allows its users to create web pages free-of-charge about anything they like. The Cupcake Club will be spotlighting Squidoo pages featuring the best cupcake recipes, super creative cupcake decorating ideas, helpful cupcake baking tips and everything else you'll need to create and enjoy the very best homemade cupcakes possible.
    The Cupcake Club: Facebook Fan Club
    This is where we have all our tasty discussions, weekly celebrations, and share our lenses back and forth.
    The Cupcake Club: Make your own cupcake page on Squidoo
    Where you can go to make your next cupcake page for the club. For free.

    Cupcake Topper Chat

    I'd love to hear what you think of my cupcake page.


    Birthday Party Supplies

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    P.S. About the author of this page

    In other words: me

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    by

    Janet21

    Hi, my name is Janet and I a married WAHM with 3 beautiful kids. My interests include Kid's Birthday Parties, Novelty Gifts and Scrapbooking. I hope you... more »

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