- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 4.5 × 2.7 in (11.4 × 7.0 cm)
Rows of glossy pink, yellow, and sky-blue sugar dots frame a sparkly-eyed kawaii face on this sweet candy buttons sheet, while the back shows 3 full rows of colorful dots. Grab the free printable candy paper squishy template in US Letter or A4 with 3 versions: full color, a coloring page, and a blank outline. The rounded rectangle finishes at about 4.5 × 2.7 in (11.4 × 7.0 cm) and pairs adorably with our popping candy squishy.
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your chosen sheet at 100% scale on plain printer paper, making sure to turn off the “fit to page” setting. Check the scale line in the top corner—it should measure exactly 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page, color the rows of sugar dots and rosy cheeks now, then let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Laminate only the 2 rounded rectangular candy button pieces with wide clear packing tape rather than covering the entire page. Lay each strip down gently and smooth it from the center face out toward the rounded corners without stretching—stretched tape will wrinkle later. The tape gives the sugar dots a glossy shine and makes the paper strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Use your scissors to cut out the front and back candy button sheets along the solid outer black line. Take your time around the smooth, rounded corners and be sure to keep the narrow white border all the way around both rectangles.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back piece (the one with 3 full rows of dots and no face) printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip into this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper so the little flaps can curve cleanly around the corners.
5Join front and back
Lay the smiling front piece right on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides together, lining up the rounded rectangles. Fold the sticky tape flaps over the front edge one by one and press them down firmly. Leave a 4.5 cm (1¾ in) gap open along one side (shown by the pink line in the illustration) for stuffing.
6Stuff it
Tear your plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small pieces and push them inside through the open gap. Tuck the filling into the far rounded corners of the candy sheet first, then fill the center until the pillow feels soft and puffy. Stop before it gets too tight, as overstuffing can make the taped seams pop open.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the stuffing gap and secure the opening with an extra strip of regular clear tape. Run your finger firmly along all straight sides and rounded corners to press the tape border down well so no air escapes.
8Squish!
Your retro candy buttons pillow is ready! Give the smiling sheet a big squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you prefer a slow-rising paper squishy, gently prick 1 tiny pinhole in the back piece so the air releases slowly.
Free Candy Buttons 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 4–5). Print the template at 100% on plain printer paper.
Tips for the perfect squish
- My squishy feels too hard. A wide rectangular shape like this candy sheet gets stiff quickly if overfilled. Gently peel open the stuffing gap, pull out a few pinches of filling, and tape the edge shut again.
- The tape wrinkles on the dots. Wide packing tape can bunch up across the broad front piece if you pull it tight. Use slightly shorter strips and lay them down loosely from the middle outward without stretching.
- A rounded corner splits open. Curved corners take the most pressure when you squeeze the pillow. Place a fresh short strip of regular clear tape right across the split corner, overlapping the old flaps.
- The candy colors smeared. Bright pink and blue markers need a moment to set on plain paper before you laminate them. Let marker ink dry completely before taping; printer ink is ready right away.
Questions
What paper works best for a printable paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) works best because it stays flexible once covered in packing tape. Heavy cardstock makes the candy sheet too stiff and it won’t squish nicely.
Can I use glue instead of tape to seal the edges?
No, glue will not stick to the slick tape-covered paper, so your seams would pop open when squeezed. The snipped tape border folded over the edge holds the pillow together best.
What can I stuff my candy paper squishy with?
You can use torn plastic grocery bags for a light and crinkly feel, or cotton balls and fiberfill for a plush pillow. Small pieces of memory foam also work well if you want a slow-rising squish.
What are some fun candy paper squishy ideas for a set?
You can print the coloring page version of this template to design rainbow or pastel flavor rows, or pair it with our gumball machine squishy to build a whole sweet shop collection. If you want a jumbo sheet, print the page at 120% so both pieces scale up together.
Can I make this craft with a classroom or party group?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per kid and pre-cut the clear tape strips before you start. Kids can color their candy buttons while you help with the taping, and the project takes about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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