How to make Custom Matchbooks

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I’m a sucker for a tiny detail that makes people stop and go, “Wait, where did you get this?” And custom matchbooks are exactly that. They’re cute, a little unexpected, and perfect for weddings, parties, gifts, branding, or any event that needs a little extra sparkle. The best part? You can make them yourself with a Canva template, some printed covers, matchbooks, and striker stickers.

I’ll walk you through the whole thing, from designing and printing to folding, stapling, and finishing them off, so you can make your own custom matchbooks without losing your mind in a pile of cardstock.

This is part of a series where I’ve been making custom branding freebies to give when I attend book fairs as an author. I give them out for my newest book series, Hell of a Time. It’s a dark romantasy retelling about Lucifer. The first book is The First Sin, and in it, Lucifer owns a luxury hotel he won in a “deal with the Devil” a long time ago. In his hotel is a bar called The Serpent’s Tongue, so that’s what these are branded for. And what better thing to give away than matches for the Devil? But these are perfect for parties and weddings and all kinds of things.

Supplies Needed

You will need:

• Printed matchbook covers
• Scissors or a paper cutter
• Matchbooks
• Striker stickers
• Stapler and staples
• Ruler
• Optional: scoring tool or bone folder for cleaner folds

Recommended supplies:

• Matchbooks: https://amzn.to/4paBxIo
• Striker stickers: https://amzn.to/4wFq8mH

Design and Print Your Covers

First, customize your matchbook covers in Canva.

Once your design is finished, print your covers on cardstock or have them printed through a local print shop or printing service.

I get them printed at Office Depot using a cardstock cover that is shiny on the outside.

After printing, trim each cover along the guide lines.

Get the Matchbook Template

Remove the Original Matchbook Cover

Take each matchbook and carefully remove the original cover.

Gently lift and remove the staple, making sure to keep the matches together. I use a staple remover tool and it makes it so much faster to do.

Your matchbook should be roughly 4 3/4 inches long.

Fold the Front Cover

Place your custom matchbook cover in front of you with the front design facing up.

Starting from the bottom edge of the front cover, measure and mark:

• 1 7/8 inchesd
• 2 1/4 inches

Fold the cover at both of these marks. These folds will create the top fold over of the matchbook.

For cleaner folds, you can lightly score the paper before folding.

Fold the Back Cover

Next, measure 4 1/4 inches from the bottom of the cover.

Fold at this mark.

This fold will become the back section of the matchbook and will wrap around to cover the bottom of the matches.

Attach the Matches

Place the matches inside the folded cover.

Line up the bottom of the matches with the bottom flap of the cover, then staple the matches into place as shown.

Once stapled, bring the front cover over the matches and tuck it under the bottom flap, just like a regular matchbook.

Repeat this process for each matchbook.

Make sure you staple closer to the fold, so you have room to tuck the top of the cover into that fold. I made that mistake a couple of times.

Add the Striker Sticker

This is the most important part that is so easy to forget. The striker sticker. If it’s not on the matches, you can light them.

Take one striker sticker and cut it in half lengthwise. This will give you two striker strips from each sticker.

Peel one cut strip and place it on the back of the matchbook, just above the stapled section.

Press firmly to make sure it sticks well.

You’re Done!

That’s it! You now have a custom matchbook, perfect for weddings, parties, favors, gifts, branding, or special events.

Repeat the steps until all of your matchbooks are assembled.

The Enchanted Hearts Collection is a series of standalones that will each rip your heart out and stitch it back together with a happily ever after.

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