How to Make DIY Personalized Matchbook Art Using Canva

I created this personalized matchbook art using meaningful places from our life, and it turned into the most special piece in our home. Here’s how you can make your own DIY version using Canva.

I recently fell down a rabbit hole of what people are calling matchbook art. These are really cool, personalized prints made up of matchbooks from meaningful places like restaurants, cities, and favorite memories. I had seen them floating around before, but it wasn’t until my friend Bridget, who is endlessly creative and also an incredible photographer, started making her own versions that I became fully obsessed.

She had been creating matchbook art prints for her local community in the western suburbs of Chicago and even gifting them at charity events. They were so thoughtful and unique, and immediately got my wheels turning. I asked if I could use her template to create something special for Finn’s birthday, and that’s exactly what I did.

I pulled together logos from some of the most meaningful places in our relationship. Potbelly, where we had our first date at 16. Our wedding venue. Our honeymoon. And so many little spots in between. I designed everything in Canva, had it printed, and hung it in his office. It is now one of my favorite pieces in our home.

And the best part is that it is actually really simple to make your own.

What Is Matchbook Art?

Matchbook art is a type of personalized wall art where each matchbook represents a meaningful place in your life. Think favorite restaurants, cities, trips, or milestones.

Instead of collecting physical matchbooks, you’re turning those memories into a custom print that tells a story. You’ll often see artists selling custom versions online, but with a template and Canva, you can easily create your own.

Why Personalized Matchbook Art Makes the Best Gift

If you’re someone who struggles with what to gift, this is one of those ideas that just hits. It’s personal without feeling cheesy. It’s thoughtful without being over-the-top. And it’s something they can actually keep and display, which I feel like is rare with gifts.

What I love most is that every single matchbook tells a story. When Finn looks at ours, he doesn’t just see a piece of art. He sees where we had our first date, where we got married, trips we’ve taken, and all of those little in-between moments that make up our life together.

It’s also one of those gifts that feels really custom and high-end, but doesn’t require a ton of effort once you have the template. You’re basically just curating the memories and bringing them to life in a really visual way.

Where To Get a Matchbook Art Template

If you’ve seen matchbook art before, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of artists offer custom versions where they design everything for you. That’s definitely an option, but after going through this process, I actually think it’s easier, and more meaningful, to create your own.

That said, having a good template makes all the difference.

My friend Bridget created the exact template I used, and she now offers a full bundle of matchbook art designs you can open directly in Canva and personalize. She’s even offering 10% off to my readers through this weekend. Just use code DIYPLAYBOOK.

Inside her bundle, you’ll find:

• Blank matchbook templates that you can fully customize with your own meaningful places
• Pre-designed versions for specific cities like Chicago, Nashville, and Lake Geneva
• Fun themed options, like one for the golfer in your life

Everything is set up so you can simply click the link, open it in Canva, and start editing. If you want something quick, you can use one of her ready-made designs and just print it. But if you want something really personal, the customizable templates make it so easy to create something that tells your story.

It made the whole process feel approachable, and honestly, it’s what allowed me to turn this into a gift that felt really special.

How To Make DIY Matchbook Art in Canva

This might look complicated, but once you get into Canva, it’s actually very straightforward.

Step 1: Open the Template and Make a Copy

When you click on the template link, it will open as a view-only file in Canva. To start editing, go to File → Make a copy. This creates your own version that you can customize.

Step 2: Find and Download Your Logos

Next, start gathering logos from the places you want to include. Do a quick Google search for each one and download the files to your computer. Then, upload all of those files into Canva using the “Uploads” tab.

Step 3: Add Logos the Right Way

This part is important. When you’re adding a logo, click on it instead of dragging it.

If you drag it, it can snap into a spot you don’t want and replace part of the design. If you click it, it will appear centered on your canvas and be much easier to work with.

Step 4: Place and Adjust Each Matchbook

Once your logo is on the canvas, move it onto the matchbook you want to use. You can resize it, rotate it (that little arrow circle icon), and adjust placement until it looks right. If you accidentally mess something up, just use the undo button. It’s very forgiving.

Step 5: Remove Background (Optional)

If your logo has a background, you can remove it using Canva’s background remover tool.

This is optional, but it makes everything look cleaner and more polished. This feature is part of Canva Pro, but you can usually access it with a free trial if needed.

Step 6: Repeat Until Your Design Is Filled

Continue adding and adjusting logos until all of your matchbooks are filled in. This is the part where it really starts to come together, and you can see the full story of your places.

Step 7: Download Your File

Once you’re done, click Share → Download. Download your design as a PDF Print file for the best quality.

Step 8: Print Your Matchbook Art

If your print is small (like 8.5×11), you can print it at home.

For anything larger, I recommend using a professional printer. I went with FedEx Office, and I ordered an 18×24 poster print in a satin finish. The above image shows exactly what I chose when ordering online.

Frame Ideas for Your New Art

This is one of those pieces that looks good in so many different styles, so you really can’t go wrong. I ended up ordering this wood frame in the large 24×30 size with an 18×24 mat.

And make sure you hang your art at the right height. My biggest pet peeve is when it’s hung way too high. Here’s my guide to finding the perfect height.

Final Thoughts

This ended up being one of those projects that felt even more special once it was done. It’s not just a piece of art. It’s a collection of memories, all in one place. And every time you look at it, you’re reminded of the people, places, and moments that matter most.

I also love that it’s something anyone can make. You don’t need to be super creative or design-savvy. With the right template and a little time, you can create something that feels completely custom and personal.

If You Make One…

If you end up creating your own matchbook art, I would LOVE to see it. Tag me on Instagram or send me a message so I can see what places you included. It’s honestly my favorite part of this whole thing, seeing how different everyone’s version ends up being.

And if you want to get started, you can grab Bridget’s templates here and follow the steps above to make your own. Use code DIYPLAYBOOK for 10% off her bundle through this weekend!

P.S. I share more inexpensive art ideas for your home right here!