Tuxedo-Themed 21st Birthday Card (Perfect for Father’s Day, Weddings & More!)
- This Chick Loves Paper
- Jun 13
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Who says birthday cards can’t be as sharp as a fresh suit and as meaningful as a mama’s heart? 💼💛
This 5x7 tuxedo-themed stunner was handcrafted for one very special reason: my son’s 21st birthday. 😭✨
From the shimmer on the lapel to the gold details that scream “grown man vibes,” this card celebrates the best thing I ever made—with a wink, a bow tie, and just the right amount of sparkle. 💥
So, whether you’re crafting for a milestone birthday, making a statement piece for Father’s Day, or honoring the classy man in your life, let’s suit up and make something unforgettable.
✂️ Materials I Used for This 5x7 Tuxedo-Themed 21st Birthday Card
Cardstock & Papers:
• Stampin’ Up! Basic White Thick 8-1/2” x 11” Cardstock (Card Base)
• Stampin’ Up! Basic Black 12x12 Two-Toned Cardstock (Main Border & Tuxedo Body)
• Stampin’ Up! Neutrals 6x6 DSP (Gray Patterned Layer—cut to fit!)
• Stampin’ Up! White Willow 12x12 Cardstock (Tux Shirt & Base Pieces)
• Black Shimmer Paper (Bowtie, Lapel, and Pocket)
• Stampin’ Up! Brushed Gold DSP (Numbers + Sentiment)
Stamp & Dies:
• Stampin’ Up! Handsomely Suited Bundle (Tuxedo Die Set)
• Stampin’ Up! Birthday Celebrations Bundle (Numbers)
• CTMH Let’s Party Cardmaking Workshop (Happy Birthday sentiment)
Adhesives & Cutting Tools:
• Foam tape for added dimension
• Glue & Stampin' Seal+ for detailed placement
💼 Tuxedo-Themed 21st Birthday Card Tutorial: Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. 🎩 Card Base & Borders
Start by cutting Stampin’ Up! Basic White Thick cardstock to 10” x 7”, then score at 5” to create a 5” x 7” vertical card base—because when your little man turns 21, you go BIG or go home!
Next, trim a 5” x 7” Basic Black mat layer and adhere it to the card front. This bold border sets the stage for a sleek, formal design.
Then reach for your Gray Granite patterned paper from the Stampin’ Up! Neutrals 6x6 DSP. I created a second, patterned mat by trimming it just smaller than the black layer for a polished, dimensional frame.
Since the DSP is only 6” wide, I had to strategically piece it together to span the full height I wanted to use for the card. I aligned the pattern to flow seamlessly and tucked the seam toward the bottom, hidden right under where the tux takes center stage.
Pro Tip: Use a strong adhesive like Tear & Tape or Stampin’ SEAL+ when piecing together DSP—especially on large-scale cards—to keep those layers flat, crisp, and distraction-free.
2. 🧵 Die Cut the Tux Pieces
Let’s suit up! We’re building the shirt and jacket layers using dies from the Stampin’ Up! Handsomely Suited Bundle, because this card deserves a wardrobe upgrade!
✂️ Start with the Shirt:
Cut a 4” x 6” piece of White Willow cardstock to serve as your tuxedo shirt base.
Using the Handsomenly Suited dies, cut the following from White Willow:
• Shirt collar
• Button-up strip
• Small buttons
Adhere the buttons to the button-up strip and set all your shirt pieces aside. We’ll assemble everything once the jacket’s ready to go.
🖤 Next Up: The Jacket
Cut a 4” x 6” piece of Basic Black cardstock—this will form the tuxedo jacket overlay.
Before die cutting, position the V-shaped jacket opening die, the lapel, and the pocket dies on top of the black cardstock. You’ll notice that to make the pocket square fit perfectly, you’ll need to slightly shift the V-shape and lapel dies to the left.
Once aligned, remove the lapel and pocket dies, hold the V-shaped die in place with tack tape, and run it through your Stampin’ Up! Cut & Emboss Machine.
Now for the dapper details:
Use your Basic Black paper, Metallic Black, or Black Glimmer Paper to die-cut the following:
• Lapel overlays
• Bow tie
• Pocket square
If you're not using Black Matalic or Glimmer Paper, use a Shimmer Brush on the Basic Black Cardstock to add sparkle.
Pro Tip: That shimmer lapel? It’s a pure showstopper. Don’t skip the sparkle—it’s what gives your tux that red carpet flair.
Once you’ve got all the pieces cut, it’s time to assemble this stylish suit!
3. 🧥 Assemble the Tux: Layer It Up in Style!
Now that your pieces are prepped, it’s time to suit this card up in 3D luxury. 🖤✨
Start with the Shirt:
Grab your White Willow tuxedo shirt base and lay your black jacket layer over the top—this helps you eyeball where to place the collar and button-down strip with precision.
Slide your button-down strip in place.
Once positioned, remove the jacket and adhere the button strip.
Add the Jacket:
Now that the shirt details are set, go ahead and adhere your Basic Black jacket layer directly on top. Since it’s the same size as the shirt base, everything should line up smoothly, just like we planned in Step 2.
Time for Lapels, Pocket, and Bow Tie:
• Lapel Overlays: Add your shimmer paper lapels for that sleek, formalwear shine.
• Pocket Square Moment: I used the same trick as the collar—cut two extra pockets, layered them for dimension, and only glued the bottom and sides, leaving the top open to tuck in that dapper little handkerchief.
• Position & adhere your white collar.
• Bow Tie Drama: Die-cut extra bow tie pieces, adhere them together for structure, and pop the final bow on foam tape. Add the small center circle for the finishing touch.
Pro Tip: Want that collar to pop off the page? Me too! I die-cut two extra collar pieces and stacked them for height. Suddenly, this shirt isn’t just dressed up—it’s dressed to impress.
And just like that, this tux is ready to party. 🎩
Next stop: bring on the birthday gold! 🥂🎉 party-ready vibe.
4. ✨ Go for the Gold: Add Those Luxe Finishing Touches!
I chose brushed gold accents to match all of the birthday decorations—yep, the whole party was dripping in black and gold glam! But honestly? You can use any metallic or shimmer color you want… as long as it shines bright like the moment you’re celebrating! 🌟
While the lapels already brought a sleek black shimmer to the card, this next part took things to a whole new level of luxe.
➤ Numbers that Pop
Using the Stampin’ Up! Birthday Celebrations Bundle, I die-cut the numbers “2” and “1” from Brushed Gold DSP.
I glued them down in the bottom left corner of the tux.
I staggered them ever so slightly for a playful twist that still keeps it classy.
➤ A Pocket Square Hack You’ll Want to Steal
I didn’t have a handkerchief die… but who needs it when you’ve got creative magic on your side? ✨
Here’s what I did:
• Die-cut a second pocket piece from Brushed Gold DSP
• Turned it upside down so the pointed edge would peek out like a real pocket square
• Trimmed it to size and tucked it into the opening I had left at the top of my shimmer black pocket
It worked like a charm—and added just the right splash of celebration!
➤ Optional Upgrade (Next Time!)
Looking back at this beauty, I realized I could’ve made it even extra by cutting the center circle of the bow tie from Brushed Gold too. Consider that your next-level bonus idea if you’re recreating this look!
And BAM 💥—with that final golden flourish, the front of this card is DONE. Formal, fun, and full of love.
Now all that’s left is to suit him up for real!
Adhere your finished tuxedo panel to the front of your card base—front and center—because when a card looks this sharp, it deserves to make a grand entrance. 🎩✨
Now let’s open it up and give the inside some bold birthday energy! 🥳🖤
5. 🎉 Inside the Card: Keepin’ It Classy
For the inside, I kept it crisp, classic, and clean—because sometimes less really is more. 🖤
I started with a Basic Black cardstock mat, sized just slightly smaller than the card base, and layered a White Willow panel on top. This gave me the perfect high-contrast base for something bold.
The sentiment? Straight-up GOLDEN. ✨
I used the “Happy Birthday” die from the CTMH Let’s Party Cardmaking Workshop and cut both pieces from Brushed Gold DSP. Between the classic block letters and the flowing script, the mix of fonts gave this card a perfect balance of modern edge and timeless celebration.
Pro Tip: When using foil cardstock, a precision die brush and clear adhesive go a long way toward keeping everything fingerprint-free and fabulous!
The result? A birthday message that hits just right—no extra fluff needed. 🎂🎉
📸 The Moment That Mattered Most
And here it is—the reason behind the cardstock, shimmer, and tears. 💛
I surprised my little man (who’s somehow officially a man now?!) with this handmade tuxedo card on his 21st birthday. The grin, the hug, the “Wait—you made this?!” moment? That’s the good stuff. That’s why I craft.
It’s not just paper. It’s a memory, wrapped in cardstock and sealed with love.
Here’s to celebrating milestones with meaning—and always showing up for the people we love with something made by hand and straight from the heart.
💡 Why This Tuxedo-Themed 21st Birthday Card Works for Any Occasion
This tuxedo-themed 21st birthday card wasn’t just a fun project—it was a heartfelt way to celebrate a major milestone. But the design? Timeless. Swap the sentiment or numbers, and suddenly it’s perfect for:
• 🎓 Graduation (Class of 2024, anyone?)
• 💍 Weddings (Give it to the groom or groomsmen!)
• 🎉 Milestone birthdays (40th, 50th, golden years!)
• 🕶️ Father’s Day (because cool dads deserve card swagger!)
• 🖤 Any dapper dude moment worth celebrating!
Whether you’re making it for a birthday, Father’s Day, a wedding, or graduation, this bold design delivers timeless style and unforgettable impact.
🔥 Explore More Projects with Pizzazz!
If this card made you smile (or tear up), you’re gonna love these other bold and heartfelt creations!
Dive into even more DIY magic here:
🎯 Share Your Classy Creations in the Members Gallery!
Did you make your own version of this tuxedo card? Whether it was for a graduation, wedding, or milestone moment—I’d LOVE to see it! 👀✨
Upload your masterpiece to the Members Gallery, where crafters inspire each other, learn from each other, and show off a little (because yes—you deserve that spotlight!).
This card was for my son, but every crafter has a story worth celebrating. Let’s share them together. 💛
💼 Final Thoughts: Crafting Suits Me Just Fine
There’s something extra special about crafting for someone you love, especially when the card itself is dressed to impress. 🎩
Whether you’re celebrating a 21st birthday, honoring a father figure, congratulating a graduate, or adding flair to a wedding gift, this tuxedo card brings elegance, personality, and wow-factor to any milestone moment.
This one was for my son… but it’s a go-to design I’ll be reaching for again and again.
Here’s to meaningful moments, paper that packs a punch, and little boys who grow into kind, classy, unforgettable men.
Happy crafting,
April – This Chick Loves Paper
🛒 Grab Your Supplies & Get Crafting!
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Images @ Stampin’ Up!©️
The content in this blog is the sole responsibility of April Raine, This Chick Loves Paper as a Stampin’ Up!® Independent Demonstrator. The use of and content of classes, services, or products offered is not endorsed by Stampin’ Up!®
Make a tuxedo-themed 21st birthday card that’s perfect for Father’s Day, weddings, graduations & more! Follow these classy step-by-step instructions from This Chick Loves Paper.
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