How to Make DIY Face Cupcake Toppers for Birthdays & Parties (Step-by-Step)

Turn a favorite portrait into a personalized cupcake topper for a birthday, graduation or party. You can make a small batch with scissors, or use a cutting machine for matching sets. The face cutout is free; paper, printing and sticks are separate supplies.

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Step 1: Cut out your face, party hat and tiara

Original photo

FaceConfetti cutout

Open FaceConfetti and choose a sharp, front-facing photo. Wear a party cone hat or tiara in the original photo if you want it in the topper — FaceConfetti does not add one automatically. Processing happens in your browser, without an account or uploading the photo to a server.

• Keep the whole hat or tiara inside the photo, with clear contrast against the background.
• Check the cutout. Use Touch Up → Restore for missed accessory details and Erase for stray background.
• Add a white border to leave a little room for trimming; adjust Neck Cutoff for a face-only shape.
• Download your transparent PNG.

Step 2: Print on matte sticker paper

Place several copies of your PNG in a document or design app. About 1.5–2 inches wide is a starting point for a standard cupcake; test the size next to your actual cupcakes. Leave space between faces for cutting and print a plain-paper test before using a label sheet.

L LIKED matte printable sticker labels are a paper option to consider. Choose full-sheet labels for custom shapes and check the exact listing: the paper must explicitly support your inkjet or laser printer. Inkjet-only paper should not go into a laser printer.

• Use the media setting recommended by the paper and printer makers. Feed one sheet at a time if the instructions call for it.
• Let ink dry fully before touching or cutting. Matte paper reduces glare but is not automatically waterproof.
• For sturdier hand-cut toppers, stick the printed labels to thin cardstock before trimming.

Step 3: Choose your cutting method

Option A: Scissors or a craft knife

For a few cupcakes, trim around the white border with small scissors. Turn the paper as you cut rather than twisting the scissors. Use a precision craft knife on a cutting mat for tight corners around a tiara; an adult should handle sharp tools.

Option B: Silhouette CAMEO 5α for batches

The Silhouette CAMEO 5α smart cutting machine is an optional choice for larger sets. Its Print & Cut workflow uses your separate printer to print the faces, then reads registration marks to align the cuts — the cutter itself does not print.

1. Import the PNG into Silhouette Studio. Trace the outer white border or prepare an outline cut path.
2. Duplicate the faces, enable registration marks and keep designs outside the marked exclusion areas.
3. Print from Studio at the intended scale without “fit to page,” keeping all registration marks visible.
4. Load the sheet on a compatible cutting mat, select settings for your exact paper and blade, and make a test cut.

For peelable labels, use a kiss cut that leaves the backing intact. For standalone toppers, a full cut can go through the sheet and backing; confirm the settings with a test before cutting the whole batch. Leave cardstock reinforcement until after machine-cutting unless your tested material settings support the extra thickness.

Step 4: Attach sticks and decorate

Peel each sticker onto a small cardstock backing if needed. Tape a clean toothpick or food-safe lollipop stick to the back, or sandwich the top of the stick between two backed cutouts for a double-sided topper.

Keep the printed paper, ink and adhesive above the frosting. Only the food-safe stick should touch the cupcake. These are decorations, not edible prints; remove all toppers before serving, and keep sharp toothpicks away from young children.

Arrange the toppers at slightly different heights and your personalized cupcake tray is ready for the party.