Anniversary Cake Topper Templates
Anniversary toppers are number toppers with a wedding sensibility. The number is the focal point, the names sit underneath, and the whole thing usually needs to nod to the traditional colour for that milestone — silver at 25, ruby at 40, gold at 50.
Anniversary Cake Topper sizes
Two-digit numbers need noticeably more width than a name. Lay the number out first and fit the names to it, rather than the other way round — otherwise the "50" ends up cramped against the edge.
| What it is for | Finished size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Topper for a 6" cake | 3.5–4 inches | For a smaller family celebration. |
| Topper for an 8" cake | 5–5.5 inches | The most common anniversary cake size. |
| Topper for a 10" cake | 6.5–7 inches | For a large party. |
| Cupcake discs | 2 inches | Useful for a big anniversary party. |
They also tend to be made for people who were married before printed toppers existed, which is worth remembering when choosing a typeface. Something classical and legible lands better than something fashionable.
Traditional anniversary colours
- Silver for the 25th. A warm, slightly antique silver reads better on cake than a cold chrome grey.
- Ruby for the 40th. Deep red on ivory, not scarlet on white.
- Gold for the 50th. Warm gold rather than yellow — yellow prints unpredictably and looks cheap next to buttercream.
- Diamond for the 60th, usually rendered as white on white with a silver outline, which needs strong edge definition to read at all.
Metallic effects are printed, not foiled, so they read as a warm tone rather than a shine. A gold that looks flat on screen usually looks right on cake; a gold that gleams on screen usually prints muddy.
Anniversary topper wording
The two-date format — "1976 — 2026" — is quietly the most effective. It carries the milestone without spelling it out and it looks better set in a classical typeface than any phrase does.
What to print it on
- Cardstock at 300gsm on a food-safe stick. Anniversary toppers are frequently kept.
- Edible icing sheet if the topper sits flat on the cake surface.
- Print a spare. Milestone anniversary cakes are often transported to a venue.
Start from a template
Two interlocking bands above a gold laurel, built so the year number can take the full width of the centre.
See the golden years designFrequently Asked Questions
What colour should a 50th anniversary cake topper be?
Gold is traditional for the 50th — a warm gold rather than a yellow, which prints unpredictably. Silver is traditional for the 25th, ruby red for the 40th, and white with a silver outline for the 60th diamond anniversary.
What do you write on an anniversary cake topper?
The number and both names is the standard: "50 Years — John & Margaret". The two-date format, "1976 — 2026", is an elegant alternative that carries the milestone without spelling it out.
How big should the number be?
The number should be the largest element, with the names set beneath it at roughly half the height. Lay the number out first and fit everything else around it — two-digit numbers need far more width than people allow for.
What resolution should a printed cake topper be?
Export at 300 DPI. Below about 200 DPI the edges of text and artwork go soft once printed at topper size, and it is very obvious on a 3 inch disc held a foot from someone’s face. The editor exports at 300 DPI by default, so the main thing to watch is the resolution of whatever image you started from.
Other occasions
Wedding Cake Toppers
Design a printable wedding cake topper free. Add initials, names or the date, choose the size, and export a 300 DPI print sheet for card or icing sheets.
Birthday Cake Toppers
Make a printable birthday cake topper free. Add a name and age, pick the size, and export a 300 DPI print sheet for cardstock or edible icing sheets.
Photo Cake Toppers
Turn any photo into a printable cake topper. Upload, clean up the background, set the size, and export a 300 DPI sheet for edible icing sheets or card.