Make a wishBirthdays · Free template
Over the rainbow
Soft rainbow arcs and space for a name or age. 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
Pastel rainbow arcs give you a first birthday design that is not pink and not blue, which is the brief more often than people admit. The arcs sit at the top of the composition rather than encircling it, which leaves an unusually generous clear area underneath — enough room for a large number and a name below it, which most circular borders cannot accommodate.
What to put in the centre
The blank centre is the point of the design. These are three that work, and why:
- “One”
- Spelled out, set large. The arcs frame it without crowding.
- “ONE — Ava Rose”
- Number above, name beneath. The layout this design was drawn for.
- “Make a wish”
- For any birthday, not just a first.
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
Personalise with a name and age. The 2.5-inch setting is a useful starting point for cupcakes; check it against your actual bake.
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 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?
Lay the number area out for two digits even if you only need one. Come back for a 10th or an 18th and the layout will still centre correctly instead of needing rebuilding.
