Are you looking for a creative and fun way to give gift cards? Want to make them stand out? How about if it’s quick and easy too? Want to use your Cricut or cut by hand? I have you covered. 

I am sharing a FREE printable gift card holder with you all today. It’s a birthday themed gift card holder with an added bonus – a fun back to give it some extra pizazz.

Looking for more designs? Check them out in my shop. This tutorial applies to those purchases made from my shop and the free printable.

How To Print and Cut by Hand

No Cricut or Silhouette, no problem. In my purchased files on Etsy, I include a version of the printable card that is easy to cut out by hand. No Cricut needed (shhhh, don’t tell my Cricut that). Just be sure you open the files that say Cut By Hand.

You can use free software such as Canva or Inkscape to print these cards.

These files have no hanging hole at the top. If you would like one, you can use a hole punch to put one in. They also are outlined in black so you can easily see where to cut. And you can easily write in your dollar amounts or special notes.

Why are there SVG and PNG Files?

You will notice if you purchase one of my files you will get PNG (printable) files and a SVG (cutable) file. Why include the SVG file?  I include it so my customers have every possible option.

PNG – Printable File: You can quickly print and cut using the PNG.

SVG – Cutable File: If you want more dimension you can cut all the pieces out and assemble them using the SVG file and your cutting machine (Cricut or Silhouette).

PNG / SVG Combo: You can also do a combination of those two – save a little time by printing then cutting most of it, but make the card pop with some cut out elements.

First, we are going to focus on the printable PNG file and how to use it.

Materials

• FREE Happy Birthday Gift Card Holder Printable
• Gift Card Pouches
• Bearly Glue
• Brayer
• Teckwrap Cutting Mats
• Cricut Maker 3
• Cardstock of Your Choice (I use Recollections 65lb white for my printable and glitter cardstock for the back)

Featured Video

Watch me make the gift card holder or if you prefer written instructions, keep reading.

How to Create the Gift Card Holder in Cricut – Printable Version

• Download and save the above FREE PNG files onto your computer or download your purchase from Etsy and save to your computer. 
• Log into Cricut Design Space. 
• Upload the file of your choice into Design Space.
  • To do this select the Upload button.
  • On the upload screen, select the Upload Image Button.
  • Search for where you saved the files you downloaded. Bring in the printable PNG file first. (We will use the blank back file later).
  • Highlight the file and select the Open button.
• You will see your image with three options next to it. Simple, Moderate, Complex. I always go with Complex.

• Next, you are brought to the background remover screen. Don’t remove anything, just select the Apply & Continue button.

• You will now be at a screen with two options, the one on the left says “Cut Image” and the one on the right says “Print Then Cut Image”. We want the “Print Then Cut” image.  Select and hit the Upload button.

• Now you will see it under Recent Uploads, select your file and hit the Add to Canvas button.

Step 2: Print Then Cut in Design Space

 The files are .png files. That means in Cricut we will treat it as a print then cut file. Using the file as a print then cut saves so much time. If you are new to Print then Cut, I will walk you through how to do it. I also have a video tutorial (above) which might be helpful to see it step by step. 

• If you notice, on the design, there is a little blank circle at the top. This is the intended space for the dollar amount of the gift card. I left it blank because people will include different amounts. Before you print then cut, you should add your dollar amount. There is also a place at the bottom to add “To” and “From” information.

• To add the dollar amount, select Text. Enter your amount and select your favorite font. 
• Next, pull the dollar amount on top of the circle, resize it to fit and change it to whatever color you prefer. 
• Repeat this process with the “To” and “From” information.
• Now you have multiple separate layers (right side), the text you just added the card itself. We need to get these into one print then cut piece. To do this, select all layers. You can either highlight them all on the layers panel or drag your cursor over all of them to select. 
• With all your layers selected, hit the Flatten button. Now you have one piece ready for Print then Cut.

• Select the Make It button.
• Select Send to Printer button. 
• The Print Setup box pops up. Select your printer from the drop down. Hit Print.

• Important note: Make sure your printer is set to High Quality for the best possible print. 
• Once your card is printing, select your materials. I am using 65lb cardstock for the front, so I selected Medium 80lb cardstock.

• Attach your printed card to your mat. I always use a brayer to make sure the paper is attached well. 
• Send it through your Cricut.
• Remember, when removing the cardstock from the mat, always flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the paper so your paper doesn’t curl.

Add a Fun Backing to the Gift Card Holder

I like adding a backing to my gift card holder. I usually use glitter or metallic cardstock. I think it serves two purposes.

1. It adds a pop of fun.
2. It makes the card feel more substantial. 

• Upload the back / blank template file into Cricut Design space. Follow the same steps as above with the birthday file.
• However, when you get to Upload Type screen, you can select Cut Image instead of Print then Cut.

• If you do select Print then Cut you can easily change it to Cut once it’s on your Design Space canvas. To do this go to the Operation drop down and select Basic Cut.
• Make sure it’s sized correctly to fit on the back of the happy birthday gift card holder. 

• Select the Make It button.
• Make sure you change your material to Glitter Cardstock if that is what you are using. I usually change my pressure to more as well since I have an older blade on my Explore Air right now. On my newer Maker 3 blade, I don’t have to. 
• Again, once it’s cut, flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the cardstock to prevent curling.

Assembling the Gift Card Holder

The assembly piece of this is quick and easy. The key is to use a glue that dries clear so you don’t see it through the clear plastic gift card pouch. I love Bearly glue. It adheres quickly and dries clear. 

• Glue the back (glitter side showing) to the happy birthday gift card holder.

• Put your gift card in the pouch. Apply glue around the edges of the pouch. 
• NOTE: You do not have to use a gift card pouch. If they are out of stock or you are making a last minute card and don’t have any on hand, you can just stick the gift card onto the card holder with glue dots or tape.

• I like to smear it so it evenly coats the edges and looks better once it dries.

• Adhere the pouch to the front of the card right over the rectangle at the bottom. 

Way to go! You have quickly created a super fun and cute way to make giving gift cards more fun. Your gift card will definitely stand out!