Acrylic vs Cardstock Cake Toppers: Which One is Right for Your Celebration? 🎂✨
When it comes to cake toppers, the choices are endless! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, a wedding, or just a Tuesday (because who doesn’t love cake?), the right topper can take your bake from basic to breathtaking. But which is better: acrylic cake toppers or cardstock cake toppers?
Let’s break it down in a fun, lighthearted way—because choosing a cake topper should be just as enjoyable as eating the cake itself! 🍰
🎨 Design & Customisation: The Battle of Creativity
Acrylic Cake Toppers:
Perfect for sleek, modern designs.
Can be personalised using vinyl, sublimation, or UV printing.
Available in numerous colours and fonts creating an elegant finish.
( Remember there are paddle acrylic (shapes) and personalised acrylic (names and numbers).
Cardstock Cake Toppers:
Ideal for layered, playful, and intricate designs.
Allows for more detailed characters, 3D elements, and interactive features.
Great for cartoon-style toppers and lively children’s party themes.
👉 Click here to explore some different styles of cake toppers.
♻️ Durability & Reusability: Which One Lasts Longer?
If you’re the type who loves keeping mementoes from special occasions, this is important!
🔹 Acrylic Toppers:
Durable & reusable—wipe clean and store for future celebrations.
Water-resistant, meaning no damage if the cake is a bit too moist (we’ve all been there!).
Perfect for keepsakes, especially for weddings, anniversaries, or milestone birthdays.
🔹 Cardstock Toppers:
Can be reused with care, but they’re more delicate.
Susceptible to wear and tear if not stored properly.
Ideal for one-time events where a fresh new topper is needed each time.
🛠️ Crafting Time & Complexity: Are You Ready for Some DIY Fun?
Creating cake toppers can be a labour of love, but some take more effort than others.
🖤 Acrylic Toppers:
Generally quicker to produce, especially if you have a cutting machine and vinyl.
Sublimation printing requires specific tools but creates stunning, high-quality finishes.
🎉 Cardstock Toppers:
Requires more layering, cutting, and assembling.
Offers room for handcrafted, intricate designs that give a unique touch.
Takes longer, but the result is often more detailed and playful.
Over on TikTok, I will be posting ideas for different types of toppers. Here is a Valentines Day one I created. Click Here to view it.
🖨️ Printing Capabilities: Let’s Talk Image Complexity
Acrylic cake toppers are amazing, but they do have some printing limitations.
🔍 Acrylic Toppers:
Unless you have UV or sublimation printing, intricate images (like cartoon characters) can be tricky.
Works best with silhouettes, names, and simple designs.
🖌️ Cardstock Toppers:
Can handle detailed, full-colour prints with no special equipment.
Allows for more colour blending and shading.
Perfect for recreating popular characters or highly decorative themes.
👉 Where to insert an image: A comparison of a name cut in acrylic vs a detailed character cut in cardstock.
🎈 Aesthetic & Theme Considerations: What’s the Vibe?
What mood are you going for?
✨ Acrylic Toppers:
Sleek, minimal, and modern.
Ideal for weddings, elegant birthdays, and corporate events.
Gives off a luxury, high-end feel.
🎨 Cardstock Toppers:
Fun, vibrant, and playful.
Best for children’s parties, quirky celebrations, and themed events.
Adds an element of whimsy and creativity.
💡 For my cardstock toppers where I’m required to print an element, I swear by this printer card. Watch this video to make sure you are making the most of your printer settings.
🐾 Interactive & 3D Elements: Let’s Have Some Fun!
One of the coolest aspects of cardstock toppers is their ability to be interactive.
🎭 Cardstock Toppers Can:
Feature movable parts (think spinning wheels or bobble heads!).
Have 3D layers that create depth and texture.
Include shimmer, glitter, and embellishments like faux gems.
Acrylic toppers, while sleek and sophisticated, don’t offer the same interactive features. If you want a topper that kids will love playing with, cardstock is the way to go.
💬 Need Help Choosing? I’ve Got You!
Still unsure which topper is right for your event? Don’t worry—I offer personalised consultations! Whether you need help picking the perfect design or want a custom order, I’m here to make your cake extra special. 🎂✨
💡 Final Call-to-Action:
Ready to order SHOP NOW
Are you wanting to enter the world of crafting but not sure where to start? Join my private Telegram group. ‘Crafting Outside of the Lines’
🎉 The Final Verdict: Which One Wins?
Both acrylic and cardstock cake toppers bring their own unique charm to the table (or, in this case, the cake!). The right choice depends on your style, budget, and how long you want your topper to last.
💡 Quick Recap: ✅ Want a durable, reusable, and sleek topper? Go for acrylic. ✅ Need detailed characters, layers, and interactive elements? Choose cardstock. ✅ Can’t decide? Get both! Mix and match for a hybrid look.
No matter what you pick, your cake is guaranteed to be a showstopper! 🍰✨
Happy crafting, and may your cakes always be extra delicious! 🎂💕
