When it comes to grabbing people’s attention and creating memorable experiences, cardboard cutouts are both affordable and fun. Whether they’re life-size or smaller tabletop designs, humorous or realistic, they bring personality to any event or promotion.
At The Cardboard Cutout Company, we’ve seen just how versatile our designs can be. Here are 10 creative ways to use cardboard cutouts to make your next campaign, exhibition or celebration truly unforgettable.
- Photo Opportunities for Social Media
Cardboard cutouts are brilliant for creating Instagram-worthy photos. A life-size cutout of a celebrity, mascot or fictional character instantly makes guests stop, smile, and share. Include a branded hashtag or social handle and you can drive more online visibility. For corporate events or trade shows, cutouts can turn passersby into potential customers.
Pro tip: Position the cutout near decent lighting and add a backdrop for the full photo booth effect.
- Welcoming Guests with a Twist
First impressions count. A well-placed cutout at the entrance to your event can set the tone and break the ice. Whether it’s a cheeky caricature of the guest of honour or a realistic depiction of a founder at a corporate open day, it instantly creates a warm, engaging atmosphere.
It also helps guests know they’ve found the right place, especially at larger venues or conventions where they can easily get lost.
- Signs that Stand Out and have Personality
Why settle for a standard sign when a cutout can do the talking? Use custom-shaped cutouts to direct people around your space, like arrows held by cartoon characters, life-size brand ambassadors holding “This Way!” signs, or stylised maps. They’re far more eye-catching than flat posters and inject personality into even the most practical decorations.
They’re also reusable, making them great for events that happen over several days or recurring promotions.
- Brand Mascots Made Life-Size
If your brand has a mascot (human, animal, or imaginary a cardboard cutout brings it to life without the hassle of hiring a costume or actor. From smiling bees to friendly robots, mascots help humanise a brand and build recognition.
Position your mascot cutout near product displays, entrances or anywhere you want people to engage with your brand. Combine with a QR code for added interactivity.
- Themed Decorations for Parties and Celebrations
Planning a birthday party, wedding, or hen do? Cardboard cutouts add a fun, personal touch. Think a life-size cutout of the birthday boy, a royal guard for a Royal-themed street party, or a bride and groom for the cake table.
They also make for hilarious entertainment: people love posing with cutouts of friends, celebrities, or in-jokes specific to your crowd.
- Interactive Games and Props
Events need to be engaging, and cardboard cutouts can be a part of that. Why not create guessing games (e.g. “Who said it?” with faces and quotes)? Or add holes for a classic “face-in-hole” cutout? Perhaps you can incorporate them into scavenger hunts across a venue?
They’re lightweight and easy to move, making them perfect for all kinds of set-ups. Great for corporate team-building days, school fairs, and much more.
- Bringing Historical or Fictional Characters to Life
Museums, schools and themed exhibitions love using cardboard cutouts to represent historical figures or storybook characters. It’s educational, visual, and fun: ideal for younger audiences or informal learning settings. You can even include speech bubbles with quotes or facts for extra impact.
Bonus: they’re much more approachable for selfies than wax figures or roped-off displays.
- Personalised Cutouts for Engaging Customers
If you’re running a competition or giveaway, what better prize than a custom cardboard cutout of the winner?
You could even take it further: let customers submit photos to be turned into cutouts for display in your shopfront, on social media, or at an event. It’s a brilliant way to celebrate loyalty and make your customers feel like part of the brand.
It’s also fantastic for fundraising events or schools. Imagine walking into your local shop and seeing your favourite teacher immortalised in cardboard!
- Creative Storefront Displays
Retailers take note: cardboard cutouts aren’t just for inside of a shop. Positioning themed cutouts in windows or outside your premises is a cost-effective way to draw attention. They work especially well during holidays, new launches, or local festivals. They can reflect your stock (e.g. characters from a new toy range) or align with local events.
They’re also easy to change out: no tools or paint required.
- They Work Like Magnets at Trade Shows
At exhibitions and trade shows, standing out is key. A cardboard cutout of a famous face, a larger-than-life product replica, or even a comic book version of your team can pull people into your stand. It gives your sales team a talking point and visitors something to remember you by.
Combine it with printed materials and freebie giveaways to complete the experience.
Why Cardboard Cutouts Work
Cardboard cutouts work because they look amazing, approachable, and versatile. They bring humour, warmth and a sense of theatre to promotions and events. Better yet, they cost much less than digital screens or hiring actual actors.
At The Cardboard Cutout Company, we create custom cutouts to match your ideas, branding, and events, from high-res images to intricate shapes.
Whether you need one or one hundred, we help make your message stand out, in style.
Looking to order your own? Get in touch with The Cardboard Cutout Company today to talk ideas, sizes, and print options. Your next standout event is just one cutout away.