If you’re looking for an easy DIY wedding project, that’s also a great way to shake up your guest book then let us introduce you to the Fingerprint Tree. The Thumbprint or Fingerprint Guestbook is a cute take on the traditional wedding guest book which every guest, big and small can take part in, and it’s a way to make a really personal piece of art at your wedding.
You can of course buy one, but if you’re on a budget, we’ve made a great free DIY Fingerprint Tree template for you to download at the bottom of this page. It’s A3 in size, which will give you plenty of room for a lot of guests to make their mark, and the tree is drawn out, but as there is no text at the bottom, there’s plenty of space for you to add your names and the date. There’s an A4 version too for smaller weddings!
Instructions for Printing your DIY Fingerprint Tree
- Download a tree below (we also have an A4 version for smaller weddings)
- Open the file in whatever image editing programme you have
- Zoom out (the file is huge)
- Type in whatever text you want at the bottom – your names and wedding date – (in A3 your font size will be 150 or more) and change to whatever colour you like
- Then Save As new file
- Send to a professional printer if you want to create a really fancy print out, or you don’t have access to an A3 printer.
What You Will Need for the Wedding…
- Printed Tree
- Inkpads
- Fine black ink pen
- Babywipes
- Bin (for the babywipes)
- Picture Frame
For inkpads we used these really cute ones from Dewdrop called VersaMagic – the shape of the pads looks perfect for the tree. Buy these from Irish online craft shops like Cork Arts Supply or Etsy. For the frame, pop to IKEA and get a Ribba frame, even as a temporary measure, you can buy a different frame later (it may get damaged, better to get something cheap). Put the tree in the frame and remove the glass. If the mount gets smudged with ink, then you won’t have spent a fortune.
Make sure you have a few fine nib good quality black pens ready – you do not want Uncle Mike writing his name next to his thumbprint in unsightly blue or red ink and ruining the tree if you plan on putting it on your wall at home for all to see.
Have Baby Wipes (and a bin) to hand so people can print and tidy up on the spot. Nobody wants inky hands with fancy outfits, or to have to run to the bathroom to clean up, especially if they’re a bit of a trek away. It might deter people from putting their fingerprint in the guest book, and you don’t want that now, do you? Also the ink can be a bit resistant to water and soap, so Baby Wipes are good for removing.
If you love the idea of a fingerprint or thumbprint tree, but would like a bespoke version or an alternative to a tree – how about a balloon bicycle, for instance? – check out our great post on Fingerprint Tree ideas, there are lots of suggestions for places you can find other designs that might tickle your fancy, or tie in with your wedding concept a bit better.
Download your Free Fingerprint Tree Template here!
*This free fingerprint tree template is copyright One Fab Day and is not for commercial use.
Love this idea? We have a great list of 15 alternative wedding guest book ideas here!
