OneFirst birthdays · Free template
One little year
A balloon arch in peach, honey and sage above a clear centre. Open it in the editor, replace the sample message and choose the size for your cake or cupcakes.
Use this templateNo account needed to edit. Sign in to download.
- You can change
- Text, size & shape
- You download
- A 300 DPI PNG
- You print on
- A4 or US Letter
Why this design works
On a first birthday the number is the subject, not the greeting, so the artwork is pushed out to the rim as a garland and the whole middle of the disc is left empty. That is the opposite of most first-birthday designs, which put a large “1” in the centre and leave you nowhere to put the child’s name. The peach, honey and sage palette was chosen for buttercream: pastels on white icing lose their outline, which is why the disc carries a gold ring around the edge.
What to put in the centre
The blank centre is the point of the design. These are three that work, and why:
- “One”
- The default. A single numeral at full size is what a cake smash photograph needs.
- “Ivy is 1”
- Name and age on one line. Fits comfortably at 3 inches, tight at 2.
- “12.03.26”
- For the keepsake copy. Dates survive being looked at again in ten years.
Sizes for this occasion
Numbers read differently from text. A "1" occupies far less horizontal space than a "10", so if you plan to reuse the layout for later birthdays, lay it out for two digits from the start and the single digit will still centre correctly.
| What it is for | Size |
|---|---|
| Main cake topper (6" cake) | 3.5–4 inches |
| Smash cake topper | 3 inches |
| Number-only topper on a stick | 3–4 inches tall |
| Cupcake discs for the party | 2 inches |
The 1st birthday & number cake toppers guide covers the palettes, wording and materials for this occasion in full.
Printing it
Built for a first birthday, where the number matters more than the greeting. Put the age in the centre and add the name on a second line below it.
Choose A4 or US Letter and download a 300 DPI PNG. Print at 100% / actual size. Use a normal printer for paper decorations, or dedicated edible printing equipment for edible toppers. Materials and printing are not included.
You can edit before signing in. A free account includes two clean downloads per UK calendar day, shared across sheets and single toppers. Baker removes the daily print limit for £4.99/month. Compare plans
Frequently Asked Questions
What size should this first birthdays topper be?
Main cake topper (6" cake) takes 3.5–4 inches, and smash cake topper takes 3 inches. Numbers read differently from text. A "1" occupies far less horizontal space than a "10", so if you plan to reuse the layout for later birthdays, lay it out for two digits from the start and the single digit will still centre correctly.
What can I personalise?
Change the name, message, lettering colour, size and shape in the editor. The illustration itself has a fixed palette. You can edit before signing in, and a free account includes two watermark-free 300 DPI downloads per UK calendar day.
What do I print it on?
Cardstock at 250–300gsm for a paper topper on a stick, or an edible icing sheet if it will sit directly on buttercream and be eaten. Edible printing needs a printer dedicated to edible ink — you cannot use one that has had regular ink through it. Print at 100% or "actual size", never "fit to page", which silently shrinks the topper.
Anything to watch when printing this design?
Print two and keep one flat in a folder. First-birthday cakes get handled by more people than any other cake, and the topper is usually the thing that gets bent.
