Meet the Center Banner Template
Have you ever sat down to make a card, looked at all your supplies, and still felt completely stuck?
That’s exactly where templates come in.
A good template gives you a starting point. It removes the pressure of “designing from scratch” and lets you focus on the fun parts — color, texture, stamps, and embellishments. And when a template is designed well, it doesn’t just make one card… it gives you endless options.
Today I’m sharing a Center Banner template that does exactly that. It’s simple, beginner-friendly, and incredibly flexible — whether you’re making cards or even a scrapbook page.
Watch the Video Tutorial
In this tutorial, I walk you step-by-step through the Center Banner template using a cheerful sheep card as the base design. This version sticks closely to the original layout so you can clearly see how the template works and how the pieces come together.
As you’re watching, you’ll see how:
- Straight cuts keep this layout beginner-friendly
- Layering creates visual interest without complexity
- Small changes can dramatically shift the final look
Enjoy this type of teaching?
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The Center Banner Template: The Foundation
At its core, this template includes:
- A vertical center banner
- Two layered squares for a focal point
- A narrow sentiment strip
- Optional embellishment placement
It’s clean, balanced, and works with just about any theme. Once you understand the structure, you can take it in dozens of different directions — and that’s exactly what I demonstrate at the end of the video.
If you like having measurements handy while you craft, you’ll want the inspiration sheet that goes with this template. It includes:
- Full measurements in both inches and centimeters
- A visual sketch of the layout
- Tips for adapting the design
(You’ll find details on how to get that at the end of this post.)
Four Card Variations Using the Same Template
Below are four cards created using the exact same template, with just a few intentional changes to show how flexible this design really is.
This is almost exactly the card demonstrated in the video. Simple layers, straight cuts, and a playful focal image make it perfect for beginners or quick crafting sessions. The only difference is I embossed the center banner to add texture without adding extra layers. It’s a great way to “step up” the basic design while keeping the same measurements.
Using a neutral cardstock color, like Basic Beige, with a variegated Designer Series Paper creates a softer, more elegant feel. This version also shows that sentiments don’t always need to be stamped on Basic White.
Here, the square layers are swapped for nested die-cut shapes. The layout stays the same, but the focal point changes the entire look of the card.
This version uses the same Center Banner template, but I narrowed and shortened the banner to fit the slimmer nested heart shapes. Don’t be afraid to tweak the measurements once you understand the layout—small changes like this keep the design balanced and let your focal elements shine. It’s the same template, just adjusted to match the shapes and the Valentine vibe.
These variations all start from the same place — the template — and end up looking completely different.
Yes, This Template Works for Scrapbooking Too
Templates aren’t just for cards.
The Center Banner template scales beautifully to a 12″ x 12″ scrapbook page. By widening and lengthening the banner and adding texture to the top and bottom, the layout feels intentional and balanced at a larger scale.
The photo covers the center portion of the banner, which allows you to emboss or decorate without worrying about what’s hidden underneath — a great design trick to keep in mind.
Even if you’re mostly a cardmaker, seeing a template work at scrapbook scale helps train your eye to think more flexibly.
Templates Are Tools, Not Rules
The goal of a template isn’t to limit your creativity — it’s to support it.
You can:
- Follow it exactly
- Change one element
- Swap shapes or sentiments
- Adjust sizes
- Scale it up or down
That’s the beauty of a strong layout. Once you understand the structure, the possibilities really are endless.
🛍 Want to recreate this project?
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Get the Inspiration Sheet
If you’d like the Center Banner inspiration sheet with all measurements and design notes, you’ll find it inside my Inspiration Library.
The Inspiration Library is part of my Crafty Helper Tools—a growing collection of resources created to help you design cards with more confidence and less guesswork. Access is free when you join my email list.
Join my email list to get:
- This template’s inspiration sheet
- Access to my Inspiration Library of card sketches and layouts
- Weekly creative inspiration delivered straight to your inbox
Thanks so much for crafting with me. Be sure to check back next week—I’ll be sharing a brand-new fun fold tutorial!