- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.2 × 4.5 in (8.1 × 11.4 cm)
Nothing completes a pretend diner meal quite like a glossy red squeeze bottle with a happy, blushing tomato on the label! This ketchup bottle paper squishy is a fun fidget craft that measures about 3.2 × 4.5 in (8.1 × 11.4 cm) when finished. Grab the free PDF in US Letter or A4 size, which includes 3 versions: pre-colored, a coloring page, and a blank bottle outline. Pair it with a French fries squishy or a cheeseburger squishy for a cute fast-food combo!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your ketchup bottle template at 100% scale on plain printer paper (make sure “fit to page” is turned off). Check the test line in the top corner—it should measure 2 inches (50 mm on A4). If you picked the coloring page or the blank version where you can draw your own custom condiment label, color it in now and let any marker ink dry completely.
2Tape the pieces
Laminate just the front and back bottle pieces using wide clear packing tape—no need to cover the entire sheet. Press each strip down from the middle outward without pulling, because stretched tape will wrinkle later. This clear layer gives the red bottle a realistic glossy shine and makes the paper strong enough for endless squeezing.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back ketchup bottles right along the solid outer line, keeping the narrow white border intact. Take your time steering the scissors smoothly around the wavy indents on the sides of the squeeze bottle and the rounded corners of the white flip cap.
4Add a tape border to the back
Place the back bottle piece printed side down onto strips of clear tape with the sticky side facing up. Trim the tape so it extends about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip this sticky border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper, especially along the curvy bottle waist so the flaps fold cleanly.
5Join front and back
Line up the front bottle piece on top of the back piece with the white unprinted sides together. Fold each sticky flap over the front edge one by one and press firmly. Leave a 3 cm (1¼ in) gap open along the side of the bottle (the pink line in the illustration shows the spot) so you have room to stuff it.
6Stuff it
Shred plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them inside through the open gap. Tuck the first fluff all the way up into the white bottle cap and down into the wide bottom corners before filling the smiling tomato belly. Stop once the bottle feels soft and pillowy—overstuffing can pop the seams.
7Close the gap
Fold the remaining tape flaps over the opening and lock the gap shut with one extra strip of clear tape. Slide your finger firmly around the entire bottle outline, pressing down the wavy sides and bottom edge so no stuffing can sneak out.
8Squish!
Your kawaii condiment is ready! Give the ketchup bottle a good squeeze and watch it puff right back into shape. If you prefer a super slow-rising squishy feel, gently prick 1 tiny pinhole into the back of the bottle so the air escapes slowly.
Free Ketchup Bottle 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
- Keep the bottle waist smooth. The curvy indents on the sides of the bottle can wrinkle if you pull the packing tape while laying it down. Use shorter strips and smooth them from the center outward without stretching.
- My squishy feels too hard. If the bottle feels stiff instead of squeezable, it has too much filling inside. Gently peel open the stuffing gap, pull out a bit of fluff, and tape the edge shut again.
- Prevent smeared red marker. Bright red marker ink takes a moment to set on plain paper. Always let your coloring page dry completely before laying down the packing tape so the tomato face stays crisp.
- Fix a popped seam. If an edge splits open along the curved bottom while you squeeze, simply place a fresh short strip of clear tape right across the seam, overlapping the old tape.
Questions
Can I use glue instead of tape for this food paper squishy?
Not for the edges. Glue will not stick to the slick tape-covered paper, so the seams would pop open—folding the snipped clear tape border over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a printable paper squishy template?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock makes the ketchup bottle too stiff to squeeze properly.
What can I stuff my paper squishies with?
You can use torn plastic grocery bags for a light, crinkly feel, or cotton balls and fiberfill for a plush pillow texture. Small bits of memory foam also work great for a slow-rising effect.
Can I print the ketchup bottle template bigger?
Yes! You can scale the print setting up to 120% as long as both the front and back pieces stay on the same sheet so they match in size.
Can I make this craft with a group or class, and what goes with it?
Definitely! Plan about 30 minutes, print 1 sheet per kid, and pre-cut the tape strips so everyone can color their bottles while you help with taping. Kids also love pairing their condiment with a burger paper squishy or French fries paper squishy!
More paper squishies to make
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