Making wavesBirthdays · Free template
Under the sea
Shells, starfish and soft waves in seafoam and coral. 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
The wave lines along the bottom are the whole reason this design works: they give a circular topper an up and a down, so it cannot be placed on a cupcake the wrong way round and look wrong. Everything else is arranged around that. Seafoam and coral is a deliberate two-colour scheme rather than the full rainbow most under-the-sea artwork uses — two colours reproduce predictably on a cheap inkjet, six do not.
What to put in the centre
The blank centre is the point of the design. These are three that work, and why:
- “Making waves”
- Two short words sit above the wave lines without crowding them.
- “Nell is 4”
- Name and age, centred. The safest option at 2.5 inches.
- “Splash!”
- One word at full size, for a cupcake box where the cake carries the name.
Sizes for this occasion
The reliable rule for a flat disc topper is roughly two thirds of the cake diameter. Anything larger and you lose the border of buttercream or fondant that makes it read as a decorated cake rather than a printed circle stuck on top.
| What it is for | Size |
|---|---|
| Topper for a 6" cake | 3.5–4 inches |
| Topper for an 8" cake | 5–5.5 inches |
| Topper for a 10" cake | 6.5–7 inches |
| Standard cupcake disc | 2 inches |
| Mini cupcake disc | 1.25 inches |
The birthday cake toppers guide covers the palettes, wording and materials for this occasion in full.
Printing it
Two short words hold their shape better here than one long one, because the waves crowd the lower third. Keep lettering above them.
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?
Topper for a 6" cake takes 3.5–4 inches, and topper for an 8" cake takes 5–5.5 inches. The reliable rule for a flat disc topper is roughly two thirds of the cake diameter. Anything larger and you lose the border of buttercream or fondant that makes it read as a decorated cake rather than a printed circle stuck on top.
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?
The wave lines are the first thing to disappear if you scale below 2 inches — they are fine strokes by design. At 1.5 inches or smaller, use one of the shell-only designs instead.
