Watercolor and Calligraphy Buffet Food Place Cards: A Simple DIY Project

I am a creative cook who enjoys inviting friends and family to try new dishes! When I host, I always make food labels so my guests know what they’re eating. These watercolor and calligraphy buffet food place cards preemptively answer questions — freeing the host to attend to other matters — and add beauty to any table or buffet. Use them indoors or out! The triangular configuration of these buffet food place cards means that you can tuck a rock inside if you’re at an outdoor event with a bit of a breeze.

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before we begin, gather the following supplies:

• Watercolor paper cut into 3.5″ x 7.5″ (8.9 cm x 19 cm) strips
• Pencil and eraser
• Ruler
• Waterproof ink
• Nikko G nib + pen of your choice (I used an oblique)
• Watercolor palette
• Large watercolor paintbrush (size 5 or so)

2. Prepare the Watercolor Paper

Start by flipping your watercolor paper strip so that the smooth side faces up. Then, fold the paper toward you into three sections, each measuring 2.25″ (5.7 cm) wide. The remaining section should be about 0.75″ (19 mm) wide.

3. Make a Pencil Draft

Now, make guidelines as shown on the card on the left in the photo below. I’ve included the measurements on that card for your reference; you shouldn’t draw measurement numbers on your own cards. Instead, you should draw faint pencil guidelines like those shown on the card on the right. Once you have your guidelines, write the dish’s name in Kaitlin Style calligraphy. Then, use Sans Serif lettering to write any pertinent information at the bottom (e.g. “VEGAN”, “GLUTEN-FREE”, “ORGANIC”).

4. Add Ink

Once you feel satisfied with your pencil draft, go over it with waterproof ink. Since you don’t have a lot of room to write, it’s a good idea to use a medium-flex nib like the Nikko G, which will result in fairly narrow downstrokes. (We don’t have the space to make sumptuous, thick downstrokes on this project!)

5. Apply a Pop of Color

Now, carefully erase any visible pencil guidelines, ensuring that only the clean and crisp inked calligraphy remains. Then, moisten a tone of watercolor that corresponds with your dish. Use your large watercolor paintbrush (size 5-ish) to lightly add color to two corners and sides of the food label cards.

6. Fold and Secure Your Buffet Food Place Card

Once the watercolor wash has dried, fold the food label card into a triangle shape. Then, use tape or glue to fasten the bottom flap (the smallest flap) to the top flap. This ensures that the cards stand upright and remain in place throughout your event.

As a host, I love these watercolor and calligraphy buffet food label cards. I’ve noticed that since I’ve started using them, gatherings are a bit less harried. Guests with restrictions can eat with confidence, and the entire party knows exactly what they’re putting on their plate without me having to explain. These cards are so quick to make that I also whip them up for potlucks that I’m attending.

I hope that this simple tutorial empowers you to make buffet food place cards for your next event, whether you’re the host or a dish-bringing guest. They’re fun, easy, and oh-so-practical! If you have any questions about how to make them, please feel free to ask in the comments. Thanks so much for reading, and have a fabulous weekend!

Warmly,