DIY place cards: easy, elegant plaster ideas for every occasion

TL;DR: The most elegant DIY place cards are made with plaster: pour Aqua Resin into small silicone moulds, demould after 30 minutes and write each guest's name the next day. In a single afternoon you can make place cards for weddings, christenings, birthdays or the Christmas table, and your guests can take them home as a keepsake.

Introduction

Looking for DIY place cards that don't look like a school craft project? Folded card gets dog-eared and ends up in the bin by the end of the meal. A porcelain-effect plaster place card, on the other hand, stands out on the table, holds each guest's name and becomes a small gift to take home. In this guide you'll find 8 easy place card ideas, the method for making them in batches and tips for writing names without smudges.

Contents

• Key points
• What you need
• How to make place cards: step by step
• 8 DIY place card ideas
• Place cards for every occasion
• How to write the names
• Matching table decorations
• Common mistakes
• Recommended products
• FAQ

Key points

• Ratio: 100 g of Aqua Resin for every 30 g of cold water; demould after 30 minutes, fully dry in 24 hours.
• Small silicone moulds (initials, hearts, flowers, mini candles) let you cast dozens of place cards in just a few hours.
• Aqua Resin is not an epoxy resin: it is a premium alpha plaster, non-toxic and water-based.
• A plaster place card doubles as a favour: guests keep it as a memento.

What you need

• Aqua Resin: white porcelain-effect alpha plaster
• Small silicone moulds: letters, hearts, flowers, mini candles (no release agent needed)
• Scales, mixing container and spatula
• Acrylic or metallic markers for the names
• Aqua Pigment for pastel colours and Aqua Metal for gold details (optional)
• Ribbons, twine, dried flowers or small sprigs to finish

How to make place cards: step by step

1. Work out the quantities. Count your guests and make a few spares in case of breakages. To find out how much mix you need, fill one mould with water and weigh it.
2. Mix. Use 30 g of cold water for every 100 g of Aqua Resin: water first, then sprinkle in the powder, and stir slowly until you have a smooth cream.
3. Pour. Fill the moulds and tap them on the work surface to release the bubbles. If the place card will be tied to a napkin, insert a piece of drinking straw where you want the hole.
4. Demould after 30 minutes by flexing the silicone. With several moulds you can do more than one round in the same morning.
5. Leave to dry for 24 hours, then write the names and finish with ribbons or dried flowers.

Pro tip: mix in small batches, one per round of moulds: you only have a few minutes of working time before the plaster starts to set.

8 DIY place card ideas

1. The guest's initial

Use the Alphabet mould to cast each guest's initial: the simplest and most popular place card, lovely in plain white or with a touch of gold.

2. A name in vintage letters

For a top table or an intimate dinner, spell out the full name with the letters from the Vintage Alphabet mould and rest it on the plate.

3. Mini candle place card

A small flower- or heart-shaped candle holder with a tealight inside and the name tied on with a ribbon. Use the Flower Candle Holder mould or the Modern Heart. You'll find more ideas in our guide to DIY candle holders.

4. Place card favour

A flower keyring with the name engraved on the back: it marks the place and becomes the favour. The Flower Keyring mould already has the hole for the ring.

5. Scented plaster stone

A small plaster stone with a few drops of essential oil added to the water, tied to the napkin with twine: it scents the table and then your guest's wardrobe. The full method is in our guide to scented plaster stones.

6. Leaf imprint

A real leaf placed in the bottom of the mould leaves its veins in the plaster: ideal for autumn lunches and country weddings. See our tutorial on leaf crafts.

7. Mini tray with the name

A small heart-shaped trinket dish with the name written in gold: on the table it holds the menu card, at home it becomes a jewellery dish. Try the Heart Trinket Tray mould.

8. Christmas place cards

Little trees, stars and gingerbread mini candles for the festive table: you'll find four projects in our article on Christmas place cards.

Place cards for every occasion

• Wedding: white porcelain effect with gold details, initials or mini candles. Dedicated ideas are in our guide to wedding place cards.
• Christening and First Communion: pastel shades with Aqua Pigment, hearts and flowers. See our personalised place cards for christenings.
• Birthday: bright colours, initials tinted right through, and a small scented plaster stone as a keepsake.
• Christmas: festive shapes and gold and silver finishes with gold leaf.

How to write the names

• Acrylic or metallic marker: the cleanest method. Only write on plaster that has dried for 24 hours, otherwise the ink bleeds.
• Engraving: once the plaster has started to set, before demoulding, engrave the name with a cocktail stick. It works well on flat, smooth surfaces.
• Tied tag: if guests change at the last minute, write the names on small tags and tie them to the place card with a ribbon.

To protect the lettering, you can brush Aqua Shield over the finished piece: it is clear, but it leaves a glossy finish and may slightly alter the colour.

Matching table decorations

Use the same mix to complete the table: DIY coasters, table numbers, menu holders and small decorations to place on each napkin. You'll find every shape in the moulds and accessories collection.

Common mistakes

• Writing on damp plaster. The ink leaves halos: wait for the full 24 hours of drying.
• Mixing everything at once. The plaster starts to set before you've filled all the moulds: work in small batches.
• Demoulding too early. Before 30 minutes, thin parts such as letters will snap.
• Forgetting spares. Always make a few extra place cards for last-minute guests.

Recommended products

• Aqua Resin — the white alpha plaster for porcelain-effect place cards
• Alphabet mould — an initial for every guest
• Flower Candle Holder mould — mini candle place cards
• Aqua Pigment — for pastel shades
• Aqua Metal — for gold edges and details

FAQ

How do you make easy DIY place cards?

The simplest way is to pour Aqua Resin into small silicone moulds (initials, hearts, flowers), demould after 30 minutes and write the name after 24 hours with an acrylic or metallic marker. You can make them days before the event.

What do you use to write names on plaster place cards?

Acrylic markers, gold or silver metallic markers or calligraphy pens, on completely dry plaster. Alternatively, engrave the name with a cocktail stick once the plaster has started to set, before demoulding.

How far in advance can you make place cards?

Even weeks ahead: Aqua Resin place cards do not warp and do not expire. Store them in a box with tissue paper until the day of the event.

Can plaster place cards double as party favours?

Yes. A keyring-shaped place card, a mini candle or a scented plaster stone marks each place at the table and stays with the guest as a keepsake of the event.

How much Aqua Resin do you need for place cards?

It depends on the size of the mould: fill one with water, weigh the water and use that figure as a guide for the weight of the mix (the full method is in our guide on how much Aqua Resin to use for your moulds). The ratio is always 100 g of powder for every 30 g of cold water.

Ready to set your table?

Choose your moulds, mix up a batch and in one afternoon all your place cards are ready, each with a guest's name. Find the right shape in the moulds and accessories collection.
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