- Medium
- 30–45 minutes
- 3D shape
- about 2.5 × 1.3 in (6.4 × 3.4 cm)
Nothing beats a cozy cottagecore craft, and this smiling butter dish is pure sunshine on your desk. Beneath a floral ceramic lid with a flower handle, a rosy-cheeked butter block peeks out against yellow gingham walls and a sweet Squish Facts label on the back. Grab the free butter paper squishy template in US Letter or A4, complete with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank net. Pair it with our bread paper squishy for a full breakfast set!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your butter dish sheet at 100% on plain printer paper and make sure “fit to page” is turned off. Check the scale bar in the corner—it should measure 2 inches (or 50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the daisy petals, gingham checks, and happy butter face now before adding any tape.
2Tape the motif
Lay strips of wide clear packing tape across the entire butter dish design, making sure to cover all the yellow and blue tabs too. Smooth each strip outward from the center without stretching it so the glossy ceramic lid and gingham sides look super shiny and wrinkle-free.
3Cut it out
Cut carefully along the solid black outer line all the way around the T-shaped net, keeping every glue and tape tab attached. Take your time around the angled corners of the tabs, and never cut into the dashed inner fold lines.
4Pre-fold every tab
Line up your ruler along every dashed line and trace over it firmly with an empty pen to score the paper. Fold every single tab and box edge inward toward the blank white side once, then unfold it again—pre-creasing now makes the taped butter dish much easier to assemble.
5Make the walls
Fold the gingham wall panels into a rectangular ring with the cute butter face and Squish Facts label facing outside. Put a dab of glue on the yellow tab at the end of the strip, press it inside to connect the ring, and seal that seam from the outside along its full length with clear tape.
6Close the bottom
Spread glue onto the 3 yellow tabs surrounding the polka-dot bottom panel. Fold the bottom flap shut and reach inside the open box to press those tabs tightly against the gingham walls. Leave the top flower-lid panel with the blue tabs open for stuffing.
7Tape the bottom
Because glue alone will pop right off the shiny packing tape, reinforce the polka-dot base now. Run strips of regular clear tape along every bottom edge from the outside, covering the full length of each seam so the dish stays sturdy.
8Stuff it
Push small, loose scrunches of plastic bag or tiny puffs of fiberfill through the open top. Tuck the filling gently into the corners first, then fill the center lightly so the rectangular butter dish stays crisp and boxy instead of rounding out.
9Close it
Fold the 3 blue tabs inward and bring the floral butter dish lid down over the top opening. Hold the lid flush with the walls and tape every top edge from the outside with clear tape, sealing the entire perimeter.
10Squish!
Your kawaii butter dish is ready—measuring about 2.5 × 1.3 in (6.4 × 3.4 cm)! Give the floral lid a gentle squeeze and watch the happy butter block puff right back up. If you want a slower rise, prick one tiny pinhole in a corner seam to let air escape gradually.
Free Butter Dish Squishy Template
- Color
- Coloring page
- Blank, design your own
- Step-by-step guide
One free PDF: the template in three versions (pages 1–3) and the step-by-step guide (pages 4–6). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- Keep the dish corners sharp. A rectangular butter dish looks best with crisp edges, so score every dashed line firmly with a ruler and empty pen before folding.
- Keep tape strips wrinkle-free. Use shorter strips of packing tape across the smiling butter panel and lay them on without pulling so the glossy finish stays smooth.
- Avoid overstuffing the rectangle. If the gingham walls bulge out like a pillow, pull a little stuffing back out so the flat ceramic lid sits neatly on top.
- Fix a lifting lid edge. If a top edge pops open after squeezing, press it down and run a fresh strip of clear tape along the full length of that seam.
Questions
How do you make a paper butter squishy step by step?
Simply print the template on regular printer paper, laminate the front with clear packing tape, cut out the one-piece net, and score all dashed lines. Fold and glue the yellow tabs to build the box, reinforce every seam on the outside with clear tape, stuff it lightly, and tape the top lid shut.
What paper works best for a butter squishy template?
Plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock becomes way too stiff once covered in packing tape and won’t squish nicely.
Can I make this butter paper squishy with only glue?
No, glue only holds the yellow tabs in place for a moment while you assemble the shape. Because glue cannot bond permanently to slick tape, you must seal every seam from the outside with clear tape.
What should I put inside my paper butter squishy?
Plastic grocery bags rolled into loose scrunches give a fun crinkly bounce, while fiberfill feels super plush and quiet. Either way, stuff lightly so the 2.5 × 1.3 in box keeps its flat sides.
Can I make a whole butter collection or craft with a group?
Yes! Plan about 45 minutes for a classroom or party by pre-cutting tape strips so kids can color while you help score and tape. To craft a matching set, try our strawberry butter squishy next.
More paper squishies to make
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