- Easy
- 20–30 minutes
- No glue
- about 3.2 × 4.5 in (8.1 × 11.4 cm)
Add a pop of glossy coral pink to your desk with this kawaii nail polish paper squishy! This cute bottle features a tall cream cap, a shiny glass-effect base, and a sweet smiling face with rosy cheeks. Our free printable PDF gives you 3 versions in both US Letter and A4: pre-colored, a coloring page, and a blank outline. Pair it with our lip gloss paper squishy for a full beauty set!
What you need
How to make it, step by step
1Print the template
Print your nail polish 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, color the bottle and cap now and let any marker ink dry completely before moving on.
2Tape the pieces
Cover just the front and back nail polish bottles with wide clear packing tape—no need to tape the whole sheet. Smooth each strip from the center out toward the edges without pulling or stretching, since stretched tape wrinkles later. The tape gives the glass bottle a real glossy finish and makes the paper strong and extra squishy.
3Cut out both pieces
Cut out the front and back bottles along the solid black outer line, keeping the narrow white border all the way around. Take your time curving smoothly around the rounded bottle shoulders and the inward dip where the tall cream cap meets the coral base.
4Add a tape border to the back
Lay the back bottle piece printed side down onto strips of regular clear tape, sticky side facing up. Cut the tape about 1 cm (½ inch) past the paper edge, then snip the tape border every 2 cm (1 inch) right up to the paper so the little flaps will hold your bottle together smoothly around the curves.
5Join front and back
Line up the front piece on top of the back piece with the white sides facing together. Fold each sticky tape flap over the front edge one by one and press firmly. Leave a 3 cm (1 in) gap open along the side (shown by the pink line in the picture) so you can stuff the bottle.
6Stuff it
Tear plastic bags, cotton, or fiberfill into small bits and push them through the open gap. Push the first pieces all the way up into the tall cap and into the bottom corners of the bottle before filling the center. Stop once it feels soft and puffy—too much stuffing can make the seams pop.
7Close the gap
Fold the last tape flaps over the stuffing gap and tape it shut with an extra strip of clear tape. Run your finger all around the cap, neck, and rounded base to press every edge down well.
8Squish!
Your nail polish squishy is ready! Give the plump bottle a squeeze and watch it puff right back up into shape. Want a slow-rising squishy? Prick one tiny pinhole in the back.
Free Nail Polish 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
- The cap stays flat. Push tiny wisps of stuffing right into the top of the cream cap first before filling the wide coral bottle base. If you fill the middle first, it blocks the narrow neck.
- The tape wrinkles on the bottle. Use shorter strips of packing tape across the coral base and lay them down smoothly without pulling or stretching.
- My squishy feels too hard. It has too much stuffing inside. Gently open the side gap, take some filling out, and tape it shut again.
- Marker ink smeared under tape. Always let markers dry completely on the coloring page before laying down packing tape. Printer ink on the color version is fine right away.
Questions
How do I make a makeup paper squishy set?
This nail polish bottle is the perfect start to a DIY beauty collection! Combine it with our eyeshadow palette squishy to build your own kawaii makeup bag.
How can I use this with a skincare paper squishy template?
Print this bottle alongside your favorite skincare templates to create a complete spa day craft! You can even use the blank nail polish outline to draw a mini facial serum or cuticle oil bottle.
Can I use glue instead of tape?
Not for sealing the edges. Glue does not stick to tape-covered paper, so the seams would open when squeezed; the snipped tape border folded over the edge holds best.
What paper works best for a paper squishy?
Standard plain printer paper (80–100 gsm / 20–24 lb) is ideal. Heavy cardstock makes the bottle stiff and it will not squish as nicely.
Can I make this craft with a group or class?
Yes! Print 1 sheet per person and cut the tape strips ahead of time. Kids can color their own custom nail polish shades while you help with the taping—plan about 30 minutes.
More paper squishies to make
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