DIY Secret Decoder Cards

Make invites or Valentines super special with a secret message and decoder glasses. Free printables!

How to:

1
In order for this to work properly, you must print on the same sheet of paper twice. Begin by printing the free Decoder Background page (click here).

2
Next choose which secret message you’d like to print. There are three files to pick from.

be mine, valentine (click here)

your secret mission: attend my party (click here)

you have a secret admirer (click here)

3
Feed the same sheet of paper through the printer, using the same orientation you did when you first printed on it. The text will print in blue but will be illegible.

4
Finally, print the Decoder Glasses Template (click here) on card stock.

5
Cut out the glasses on the dark lines. Remove the red rectangles.

6
The trick to the decoder glasses is a transparent red film. This film is called Clear-Lay and is made by Grafix. They make several colors, but you must use red for this to work.

7
Cut two rectangles from red Clear-Lay and adhere them to the back side of the glasses. I prefer to use glue dots for this.

8
Fold on the glasses’ dotted lines to create tabs. Attach the stems of the glasses to these tabs.

Quick Pocket Card

You can make a quick pocket card to hold the glasses.

1
To make this card, begin by cutting patterned paper to 6 x 8 inches. Fold in half to make a card that’s 6 x 4 inches.

2
Cut a square of coordinating paper to 4 x 4 inches. Trim the decoder paper to 3.5 x 3.5 inches and adhere to the larger square.

3
Add a border of adhesive on the back side of the square, along the two sides and the bottom. Leave the top unglued to create a pocket.

4
Adhere the square to the bottom of the card. Trim the corners with a corner rounder punch if desired. Side the glasses into the pocket.

Click here to find more handmade card inspiration!

Made By Marzipan may have received product or payment for this post. Posts may contain affiliate links. Disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.

12 thoughts on “DIY Secret Decoder Cards

  1. mackenzy says

    Cool

  2. msliza814 says

    Love the card, can I use my own message or do I have to use yours?

    • says

      The message has to be printed in cyan blue, and the font needs to be on a curved path (not a straight line) or else it will be easier to pick it out with the naked eye. So if you have a program that will do that, such as Adobe Illustrator, you can make your own :)

  3. Roohi says

    Hello Marzi,
    Cool page, love this 3d card concept. I have one concern what if i want a diffrent message on it. That would be appreciable if u help me.

    Regards
    Roohi

  4. gospel says

    I gotta favorite this website it seems handy very helpful

  5. D.Ann says

    Thank you! came here via Canadian Scrapbooker who sent me to Graphix who sent me here… LOVE this!! Had an expensive set from Papertrey Ink on my wishlist, but now I don’t need it!!! THANKS!!!

  6. Chris says

    Would a piece of red stained glass work or does it have to be a specific shade of red? I have an idea but didnt know if I could do it using a red piece of glass

    • says

      Yes, that should work.

  7. Ana says

    Hi Marzi! I loved your work! If I would like to use a blue pairs of glasses? How can be the background?

    • Anonymous says

      No

  8. Ben says

    Is there a way to do this with different colors? I mean, one card and glasses red, other blue, green, or any other colors that doesn’t work with each other

  9. Buford Fortier says

    What is the public’s favorite application for submitting blogs or articles to my website?

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