Learn how to make a beautiful paper flower backdrop for photos and parties from start to finish!
Like you, I love all the paper flower walls as party decor lately. Weddings, proms, even events like the Met Gala have had a floral backdrop! But if you don’t have the budget to rent one (they can cost $1,000+!), I’m here to help you. I’ll show you how to make your own paper flower backdrop! We’ll get to practice a lot of paper flower designs and maybe pick up some planning and building skills along the way!
Watch the full step-by-step tutorial video to make a paper flower wall:
And before you say, “Jennifer, I don’t really need a party backdrop!” remember that you can always adjust my projects to fit you and your needs! Even just two of these panels make a real home decor impact. You can use my planning and assembly tips to go as big or as small as you like. But really, if you don’t have a party to plan, if you want to make a DIY paper flower backdrop, do it. Craft it just for fun and then have a fabulous photo shoot with your beautiful backdrop!
Ready to make your own backdrop? Good!
I used good-quality, 65 lb 8.5″ x 11″ cardstock in natural shades of rose, pink, and cream, with light green leaves. You can use adjust the palette to match an event, school colors, or any other theme you like. Good-quality craft glue holds the flowers together perfectly, and a bone folder helps with some shaping techniques.
Your Cricut is definitely the way to go when making a paper flower backdrop. I used a Cricut Maker 3, but you could use an original Cricut Maker or a machine from the Explore series. Some of the flowers and petals can even be cut on a Joy! Depending on how many flowers you cut, your Fine-Point Blade and Cricut StandardGrip Machine Mat will get a workout. This is a good opportunity to check out my tips on getting clean cuts and taking care of your mats.
The Paper Flower Panels
This paper flower backdrop is a lot of work, so I designed it to be manageable for storage and moving once you’re ready to use it again. The assembly uses 20″ x 16″ foam panels like pieces of a puzzle, helping you build one flower into a wall of hundreds. We used 3M Command Strips for hanging posters to stick the flowers to the panels.
Even the heaviest panel is just over 2 lbs, so they’re not too difficult to carry, too. I even found rolling storage containers they fit in!
The Paper Flower Display / Backdrop Stand
I know there are many different settings where these paper flower backdrops will be appreciated, so I also wanted to give you the easiest ways to display your own backdrops. If you’re just making a few or are making a semi-permanent installation, I’ll show you how to stick them directly to a wall. Just watch the paint!
Since paper flower backdrops are often used for event photos, I also have instructions for assembling free-standing frames. Depending on your situation and needs, you can follow my instructions for a fast PVC backdrop frame, or a sturdier wooden version. Click here to view the full DIY Backdrop Stand tutorial.
This paper flower backdrop has been a big project, and I’ve learned a lot about planning and crafting BIG while developing it. Now, I’m so excited to see what you will make and celebrate with the hard-earned results!
Ready to make a paper flower backdrop using my free designs and step-by-step tutorial? You’re going to have so much fun! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.
Materials to Make a Paper Flower Backdrop
View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project!
- 65 lb 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock for flowers – we used 26 packs of the Roses color collection
- 65 lb 8.5″ x 11″ Cardstock for greenery – we used two packs of Spearmint Green
- Craft glue to assemble flowers – we used Bearly Precision Art Glue
- A method to cut your cardstock, I used the amazing Cricut Maker 3 but you can also use the Cricut Maker, Cricut Explore 3, the Cricut Explore, or even the Cricut Joy — you use the standard fine point blade for this project.
- Cricut Green StandardGrip Machine Mat 12” x 12
- Cricut Pen to draw assembly guidelines for the large flowers
- Bone Folder to shape flowers and greenery
- Foam core boards – we used 30 20″ x 16″ foam boards
- 3M Command Strips – Poster Hangers to attach the flowers to the foam panels – we used 6 packs
- 3M Command Strips – 12 lb Picture Hangers if you want to hang the panels on a wall – we used 3 packs
- Hot Glue Gun
- A Wooden Frame or a PVC Pipe Frame —see the tutorial to learn how to make them!
- Stepstool – to reach the top of the frame and backdrop
- (Optional) A way to hang your foam core panels from the frame – we used clothes hangers with metal hooks that turned using pliers
- (Optional) A way to hold your panels together if you hang them from a frame – we used clear packing tape
- (Optional) A way to keep your wall rigid when hanging from a frame – we used 6 foot long bamboo landscape stakes
- Craft knife to cut the packing tape apart to disassemble the backdrop for storage
- (Optional) A way to store your flower panels – we used six 128qt. wheeled storage bins
- Design #392 – My free flower backdrop design files (available in my free resource library – get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this post)
How to Make a Paper Flower Backdrop
Get my instant download digital files for my free paper flower backdrop designs!
I’d love to see your paper flower backdrop projects and how you’re celebrating with them! If you make a flower backdrop, please share a photo in our Facebook group, email it to me at [email protected], or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.
Love,
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