How to Make Custom Cookie Cutters from Any Image

Hi friends! Welcome back to Alina Craft Studio. Today I want to show you how I make custom cookie cutters from start to finish using GenShapr, Canva, and my Bambu Lab 3D printer.

This method is beginner-friendly and works well if you want to make cookie cutters for your own projects, party treats, school events, or even designs to sell. The most important part is starting with the right image: a white background and a clear black outline.

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What You Need #

For this project, I used:

• An image with a white background and clean black outline
• Canva for preparing or editing the image
• GenShapr to turn the image into a 3D model
• A 3D printer. I use the Bambu Lab P1S 3D Printer
• PLA filament. I used Bamboo 1.75 mm PLA Matte Refill Filament
• Bambu Studio software for slicing and printing

GenShapr lets you create a few designs for free each month, which is helpful if you want to test the platform before choosing a subscription. After trying a few different services, I decided to keep using GenShapr because the interface is simple, the settings work well for my cookie cutters, and the subscription includes useful features for my projects.

Choose the Right Image #

The best part of making cookie cutters with a 3D printer is that you can create almost any shape you want. You can use a design you find online or create one in Canva, but the image needs a clear outline.

The black outline is what defines the cutter shape. If the design does not already have one, I add it in Canva before uploading the image to GenShapr.

Here are a few examples of how a simple image can turn into a custom cookie cutter and decorated cookie. The shape can be simple, like a popsicle, or more detailed, like a bunny or graduation design.

Add a Black Outline in Canva #

For this example, I used an ice cream image in Canva. If your design does not have a strong outline, select the image, open the shadow options, choose Outline, and change the outline color to black.

After adding the outline, download the image or take a screenshot. This gives you a simple PNG or JPG that GenShapr can use to create the cutter shape.

Create the Cookie Cutter in GenShapr #

Once the image is ready, upload it into GenShapr. The site turns the flat image into a 3D cookie cutter model, and you can preview the changes in real time.

The first thing I do is rename the design file. For this example, I named it Ice Cream and added the size, 3 inches, so it is easy to recognize later.

GenShapr lets you set the cutter size in different units. I usually use inches, and for this design I measured the cookie cutter by height so the final shape matched what I needed.

For the blade settings, I use a blade depth of 15 mm and a wall thickness of 1 mm for my cookie cutters. GenShapr also gives you different blade styles, including standard, tapered, and another style that I personally use for my projects.

You can also adjust the handle settings and chamfer size so the cutter is comfortable to hold and has the shape you want.

Add Text to the Cutter Wall #

One GenShapr feature I really like is the option to add text directly to the side of the cookie cutter. This is useful because sometimes the shape is not obvious when the cutter is stored by itself.

You can add the design name, the cutter size, or your brand name. If you make several sizes, adding the size to the cutter wall makes it much easier to keep everything organized.

If you sell cookie cutters, you can also add your shop or brand name. I have used this feature for a school donation project too, where I added my son’s school name to make the cutters feel more special.

When the model looks ready, click Download STL. STL is the file format you need for 3D printing.

Slice and Print the Cookie Cutter #

After exporting the STL file, open it in Bambu Studio. I use a Bambu Lab printer, and these are the settings I use for printing my cookie cutters.

In Bambu Studio, I select the 0.16 mm High Quality preset, then click Project Preview to check the print before sending it to the printer. In this example, the cutter preview showed a print time of about 25 minutes.

Next, click Print Plate, choose the filament color, and start printing.

Final Result #

Here is the finished custom cookie cutter. This same process works for many different designs, as long as the image has a clean outline that can become the cutter shape.

I use this process for cookie cutters that I sell in my Etsy shop, and I love seeing the finished cookies made from the designs.

Quick Tips #

Start with a simple image if you are new to making cookie cutters. Very tiny details can be harder to print and harder to use with cookie dough.

Make sure the outline is black and clean before uploading the image. If the outline is messy or unclear, the 3D model may not come out the way you want.

Add text to the side of the cutter if you make many designs or sizes. It is a small detail, but it makes your cutters much easier to organize.

Final Thoughts #

Making custom cookie cutters from images is a fun way to combine digital design, 3D printing, and baking. Once you understand the basic workflow, you can create cutters for birthdays, holidays, school events, party favors, and custom orders.

I hope this tutorial helps you try your own cookie cutter design. Happy crafting, my friends!