Cricut Thanksgiving Place Cards: 3 Easy Ways to Make Them
The easiest way to make Cricut Thanksgiving place cards is Print Then Cut: print a place card design on 8.5x11 printable cardstock, let your Cricut cut it out, then score and fold it into a little tent with each guest's name on the front. No printer? Cut the same design in layers from smooth cardstock and glue it together. Either way, set the middle fold line to Score so the card doesn't cut in half.
I made these turkey place cards on my printable cardstock, and a place card is one of the quickest ways to make a table feel special. Below are three ways I'd make them, the exact settings I used, and the one mistake that trips almost everyone up the first time.
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3 ways to make Cricut Thanksgiving place cards
Pick the one that fits your supplies and how much time you have before the big day.
- Print Then Cut (fastest): print a full-color design on printable cardstock and let the Cricut cut around it. This is how I made mine.
- Layered cardstock (no printer): cut each color from smooth cardstock and glue the layers together. It takes longer, and it has that handmade, dimensional look.
- A glowing table tent: my Turkey Luminary Table Tent holds a flameless tea light and works as a place card too. Write the guest's name on the back.
What you'll need
- The Turkey Place Card SVG (it comes with a layered SVG and a 300 dpi PNG for Print Then Cut)
- Printable cardstock 8.5x11 and a home printer, for the Print Then Cut version
- Or smooth cardstock in tan, white, black, red, yellow, orange, and brown for the layered version. The Thanksgiving Cardstock Variety Pack gives you a whole fall palette in one order.
- Double sided craft tape or craft glue
- A scoring stylus or scoring wheel for the fold
- A StandardGrip mat and your Cricut
How to make Thanksgiving place cards with Print Then Cut
Step 1: Upload the design
In Cricut Design Space, upload the PNG from the download. If you'd rather start from the SVG, upload it and flatten it so it prints as one image.
Step 2: Add the names
Type each guest's name with the Text tool and place it on the white panel. Select the name and the card together and click Flatten, so the name prints right onto the card. Duplicate the card for every seat at your table.
Step 3: Change the fold line to Score
This is the big one. The line across the middle of the card is the fold, and it comes into Design Space as a cut line. Select it, change the operation from Cut to Score, then attach it to the card. If you skip this, your Cricut cuts every place card in half.
Step 4: Print, then cut
Print on printable cardstock with your printer set to Cardstock (or Heavy or Matte Paper). Let the ink dry, place the sheet on a StandardGrip mat, choose the Cardstock setting, and cut. Run a small test cut first if it's your first time with the paper.
Step 5: Fold and set the table
Fold along the score line and stand each card up. At full size the card is about 4.8" x 7.8" flat, and it folds in half into a tent with the turkey peeking over the top.
How to make layered turkey place cards without a printer
Upload the SVG instead of the PNG. Each color comes in as its own layer, so Design Space will put each one on its own mat. Cut every color from smooth cardstock, then glue the turkey together from the back layer forward. The fold line still needs to be switched from Cut to Score on the card base.
Write names by hand on the white panel, or use your Cricut with a pen if you'd like them to match. I like double sided tape for the flat layers because it doesn't warp the paper the way wet glue can.
Want a simpler shape? The Turkey Cutout SVG is a single turkey silhouette. Cut it from glitter or mirror cardstock and glue it to a plain folded tent card for a quick, shiny place card.
Best cardstock for Thanksgiving place cards
- For Print Then Cut: my printable cardstock is the same smooth white 67 lb (about 180 gsm) cardstock as my 12x12 sheets, cut to letter size so it feeds through a home printer.
- For layered cards: 67 lb smooth solid-core cardstock. It folds without cracking, and the color goes all the way through, so cut edges don't flash white.
- For a little shine: add a gold or brown specialty sheet or a glitter accent. The Thanksgiving collection has the colors I'd reach for.
Tips for place cards that look store bought
- Score, then fold: a scored fold sits flat and stands straight. An unscored fold buckles.
- Print one test page: check your colors and name spelling before you print the whole table.
- Make a few extras: somebody always brings a plus one.
- Turn them into food labels: the same card works on the buffet for "Mashed Potatoes" and "Pie."
Want to see every step of how I made mine? My printable cardstock post walks through it with photos, and the turkey luminary post shows the glowing version.
Frequently asked questions
How do you make Thanksgiving place cards with a Cricut?
Upload a place card design to Design Space, add each guest's name, change the middle fold line from Cut to Score, then cut it from cardstock. Fold along the score line and stand it up as a tent card.
Why did my Cricut cut my place card in half?
The fold line came into Design Space as a cut line. Select it, change the operation to Score, and attach it to the card before you cut.
What cardstock should I use for Print Then Cut place cards?
Use 8.5x11 printable cardstock so it fits your home printer. Mine is smooth white 67 lb cardstock. Let the ink dry, then cut on a StandardGrip mat with the Cardstock setting.
Can I make place cards without a printer?
Yes. Upload the SVG instead of the PNG, cut each color from smooth cardstock, and glue the layers together. Write the names by hand or with a Cricut pen.
How big are the turkey place cards?
About 4.8" x 7.8" flat. They fold in half into a tent place card, and you can resize the design to fit your table.
Happy Thanksgiving from my table to yours
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If you make one, tag me at @ashleeyfalco. I want to see your table.
xo, Ashlee