Create Your Own 2D Tokens

How to Create Your Own DIY Mini Tokens for D&D

This guide will show you how to create simple DIY Mini Tokens for playing D&D using 2D illustrations instead of traditional miniatures.

These tokens are small printable character pieces that can stand upright on the table using a simple card standing base. They are easy to make, affordable, and perfect for representing heroes, monsters, objects, spells, or anything you want to bring into your game.

What You Need

To create your own DIY Mini Tokens, you will need:

  1. 2D character illustrations

  2. Adhesive photo paper

  3. Thick card or cardboard

  4. Scissors or a craft knife

  5. Small card standing bases

  6. A printer

You can easily find adhesive photo paper, thick card, and card standing bases on Amazon or in most stationery shops.

Step 1: Choose Your 2D Illustrations

All the 2D illustrations available on this website can be used to create your own printable tokens.

You can use them to represent:

Characters
Monsters
NPCs
Spells
Objects
Treasure
Creatures
Special effects

Simply choose the images you want to use for your game.

Step 2: Resize the Images

Before printing, place the images into a document and resize them to the size you want.

For mini tokens, we recommend making the images as small as possible while still keeping the character clear and visible.

You can print one image, but it is much better to fill the page with many different characters, objects, spells, or creatures. This way, you can create a complete set of tokens from one printed sheet.

Step 3: Print on Adhesive Photo Paper

Print your resized images onto adhesive photo paper.

This type of paper works like a sticker sheet. Once the images are printed and cut out, each token image becomes a small sticker.

Adhesive photo paper is ideal because it gives the token a clean, colourful finish and makes the final piece look more professional.

Step 4: Cut Out the Printed Images

Carefully cut out each image using scissors or a craft knife.

Try to cut as neatly as possible around the character or object. You can leave a small border around the image if you want the token to be easier to handle.

Once cut, peel the backing from the adhesive photo paper.

Step 5: Stick the Image onto Thick Card

Place the sticker onto a piece of thick card or cardboard.

The thicker the card, the better. A heavier card gives the token more strength and makes it easier to place inside the standing base.

We recommend using high-grammage card whenever possible, as the final token needs to be thick enough to stand properly.

Step 6: Cut Out the Card Token

After sticking the image onto the card, cut around it again.

Now you have a thicker, stronger 2D token ready to use.

You can make the token rectangular, shaped around the character, or leave a small base area at the bottom so it fits more easily into the standing base.

Step 7: Place the Token into a Standing Base

Take a small card standing base and slide the token into it.

These are the same type of small plastic bases often used to hold business cards, signs, or small display cards.

You can search online (Amazon or Ali-Express) for:

card standing bases
mini card holders
plastic card stands
business card display stands

Once the token is placed into the base, it will stand upright on the table like a miniature.

Final Result

Your DIY Mini Token is now ready to play.

You have created a small 2D standing character that can be used on a battle map, grid, or tabletop surface.

It is a simple, affordable, and creative way to build your own collection of playable D&D characters without needing traditional 3D miniatures.

Making this process simple:

Print the illustration on adhesive photo paper.
Cut it out.
Stick it onto thick card.
Cut the card again.
Place it into a standing base.
Play with your new DIY Mini Token.

Great news!

Just below, I’m sharing two more tutorials showing you how to create even more tokens using the DIY method.

You’ll find everything you need to make them, including the tools required, free digital content ready to download and use, and plenty of guidance so you can enjoy the hobby, the crafting process, and playing Dungeons & Dragons in a super creative way.

Here are the tutorials below.

Enjoy!