How to Set Up & Display a Cutout
Cutouts arrive flat and stand up in under a minute, but a few small tricks keep them upright, safe and looking their best all event. Here is how to set one up and where to place it.
Setting it up
- Lay the cutout face down on a clean, flat surface.
- Find the fold-out easel strut on the back and swing it out.
- Clip or slot the small locking tab so the strut holds firm, this is what stops it folding flat again.
- Stand it up on a level floor and check it does not rock.
That is it. To pack it away, unclip the tab, fold the strut back in and store it flat.
Keeping it upright and safe
- Level floor first. Carpet and even paving beat a wobbly or sloping surface.
- Weight the base for busy rooms. A couple of small weights or a sandbag behind the strut stop knocks from toppling it.
- A dab of low-tack adhesive or a strip of hook-and-loop tape holds a mini or table-top cutout to a table.
- Keep it dry. Cardboard hates damp, so avoid rain, pool sides and steamy kitchens.
- Outdoors, mind the wind. A cutout is a sail, so only use it outside on still, dry days and never leave it unattended in a breeze.
Frequently asked questions
How does a cardboard cutout stand up?
Each one has a fold-out easel strut hinged to the back, plus a locking tab that clips into place to hold the strut firm. Fold it out, clip the tab, and it is free-standing.
How do I stop my cutout falling over?
Stand it on a level floor, make sure the locking tab is clipped, and add a small weight or sandbag behind the strut in busy spots. For minis, a little low-tack tape holds them to a table.
Can I fold a cutout away and reuse it?
Yes. Unclip the tab, fold the strut flat and store it lying down somewhere dry. It will be ready for the next party.
Get set up with a new standee from all cardboard cutouts, browse the full lifesize range, or turn it into a photo booth with a face-in-hole stand-in.
More in the Cardboard cutouts guide