📮❄ Snowflakes & Stencils: DIY 3D Printed Christmas Cards With a Snowy Touch ❅

My kids and I had a blast creating these one-of-a-kind Christmas cards using 3D printed snowflake stencils and colorful paints. This project is not only fun but also easy to do, perfect for getting the whole family involved in the holiday spirit! Add a snowy touch to your cards and give them a personal flair that’s sure to bring a smile to anyone’s face this Christmas.

• 3D printed snowflake stencil (I created the design using Tinkercad, based on snowflakes from this website). You can also find my Tinkercad design here.

• Colored cards (red, green, white, etc.)—I cut the cards to DINA6 size from larger DINA4 pieces of 300g thick cardboard.

• Kids paint: white, gold, and silver

• Roller (for rolling paint over the stencil)

• Painter’s tape (to secure the stencil)

• Paper towels or scrap paper (for cleaning the roller)

• Cutter knife (for trimming the cards)

• Optional: Glitter or sequins for extra decoration

Start by designing your snowflake stencil! You can create your own design using a 3D design tool like Tinkercad or use pre-made designs like the ones I found on Printables. If you’re using Tinkercad, check out my own design here: Tinkercad Christmas Snowflakes. Customize the snowflakes to your liking, ensuring they are the right size to fit your DINA6 cards.

Once your design is ready, it’s time to print! I used my Snapmaker AT250 with the following settings:

• Filament: PLA (Filament Unger)

• Layer Height: 0.16mm per layer (for a detailed print)

• Infill: Solid, to make the stencil durable

• Print Speed: 60 mm/s

• No Supports Needed: The design was flat, so no additional supports were required.

Load your design into your 3D printer software (e.g., Luban for Snapmaker), adjust the print settings, and start the print. The snowflake stencil should take around 1-2 hours depending on your printer’s speed and settings.

Cutting the Cards to DINA6 Size:

Start by cutting your DINA4 cardboard into DINA6 cards. The standard DINA6 size is 105mm x 148mm. To achieve this, measure and mark the cardboard at 105mm and 148mm intervals, then use a cutter knife to cut along the lines. Ensure your cuts are straight and clean for a professional finish. 

Printing the Snowflakes:

Once your cards are cut, place your 3D printed snowflake stencil onto a card and secure it with painter’s tape to prevent shifting. Using a paint roller, apply a thin, even layer of white, gold, or silver paint over the stencil. Roll the paint in a smooth, consistent motion, ensuring full coverage of the snowflake design. For a vibrant result, you may need to apply multiple light coats, allowing each layer to dry briefly before adding the next. After the final layer, carefully remove the stencil to reveal the crisp snowflake pattern on your card. Let dry for a while.