Love vintage toys and crafts? Download and print these stunning antique paper dolls for free—perfect for collectors, journaling, or DIY projects!
The Charm of Paper Dolls
Before Barbie and digital dress-up games, children entertained themselves for hours with beautifully illustrated paper dolls. These charming cut-out figures, complete with an array of stylish outfits, have been a beloved pastime for centuries. More than just playthings, paper dolls have reflected fashion trends, historical events, and even celebrity culture.
Paper dolls are cut-out figures made from paper or thin card. They are designed to be dressed with separate paper outfits that attach using folding tabs. These dolls can depict people, animals, or objects and have been a popular, affordable children’s toy for nearly two centuries. Today, they are not just nostalgic playthings—many artists are transforming paper dolls into a unique and expressive art form.
Origins of Paper Dolls
The origins of paper dolls can be traced back to 18th-century France, where intricate, hand-painted figures were used for storytelling and theatrical displays. By the 19th and early 20th centuries, paper dolls became widely popular, appearing as collectible sheets featuring famous figures or fashionable ensembles in magazines and books. They were an affordable, creative way for children (and adults!) to explore fashion, storytelling, and imaginative play.
This collection includes paper dolls of both sexes, dressed in beautifully detailed fashion and historical costumes, from elegant Victorian attire to classic folk dress. There are even a couple of paper jumping jack figures—interactive dolls with movable limbs that add an extra touch of whimsy!
These vintage paper dolls hold a nostalgic charm today, making them perfect for collectors, crafters, or anyone who loves retro aesthetics. Whether you want to recreate a piece of childhood magic or use them in creative projects like decoupage, journaling, or DIY crafts, these free printable vintage paper dolls are delightful.
If you love vintage ephemera, you might also enjoy my post on beautifully illustrated antique game boards—another wonderful glimpse into the past!
Printing The Paper Dolls
Click on the title above the paper doll you want to download. A higher-resolution image will open in a new window. You can then print or save the paper doll.
Vintage Fashion Dolls
French paper dolls of fashionable men and women (date unknown).
Two fashionable ladies.
A 1950s Dutch paper doll with lots of different outfits.
French paper doll with outfits fit for a visit to Paris.
Another French paper doll, this time with outfits for the beach.
Historical Costumes
Male and female fashions 1807.
Paper Doll 11: Dutch Country Folk
These paper dolls look like they are Dutch costumes with the clogs.
Paper Dolls From Around The World
This paper doll set, “Dolls of Many Lands,” was a Whitman set from 1932. It featured 10 paper dolls in traditional clothing from 10 different countries.
Complete with scout, baseball and sailor costumes.
There is a collection of vintage maps of Ireland on the blog.
Paper Doll 16: Gretel of Holland
Paper Doll 17: Hanako of Japan
You can find a wonderful collection of vintage Kimono prints on the blog.
A Scottish boy in three kilt outfits, one for a ceremonial occasion, one playing the bag pipes, and the other playing the drums. The blog has a collection of vintage maps of Scotland.
Paper Doll 21: Delores of Spain
Spanish girl with three costumes, including a Flamenco dress with a fan and a guitar-playing outfit.
Henriette Delalain Paper Doll Books
The following prints are all from paper doll activity books by Henriette Delalain (1886-1945) from the 1920s. She was a French painter, engraver, and illustrator renowned for her contributions to children’s literature.
Among her works is the 1920 activity book “J’habille, je découpe, je colore chez mon ami Pierrot,” which translates to “I dress, I cut out, I color at my friend Pierrot’s.” This interactive book invites children to engage in creative activities such as dressing, cutting out, and coloring illustrations of Pierrot, a classic character in French pantomime.
These prints are from the collection at the National Library of France.
Paper Dolls 24: Girl and Costumes
Print 25: Paper Dolls To Colour In
Dolls 27: Theatrical Costumes to Colour In
Three paper costumes, Japanese, Normandy and dance.
Print 29: Three Costumes To Colour In
Miscellaneous Paper Dolls
Print 30: Jumping Jack Figures
A cut-out sheet for making two funny jumping jack figures. The man depicted on the left is “possibly a Slovak peddler,” while the figure on the right represents a (well-heeled) hunter.
Print 31: Ballerina and Bloomer Girls
Dancing girl dolls from the collection at the Metropolitan Museum.
Paper Dolls 32: Ballerina and Bloomer Girls Part 2
Sir Walter Raleigh, Mary, Queen of Scots, Queen Elizabeth, and Rob Roy, along with a corresponding cutout outfit for each, issued by the Sunday Times-Herald, Chicago 1895.
A multi-color lithographed cutout sheet printed in 1914 features fifteen girls and three boys, some with contemporary toys, and their change of clothes.
Print 35: Dutch Vintage Paper Doll 1
Cut out Dutch doll from 1845.
Print 36: Dutch Cut-Out Doll 2
Paper Doll 38: French Cut-Out 1
French girl with four outfits.
Another French cut-out doll of a little girl with four outfits.
Print 40: French Girl Paper Doll 3
Print 41: Asian Cut-Out Costumes
Paper dolls with national costumes of China, Cambodia and Japan.
Paper cut-out doll with a collection of French regional costumes.
Print 43: Italy-France. Vintage paper doll
Paper doll cut-outs honoring the alliance between France and Italy.
Print 44: Russia – England Paper Dolls
Cut-out dolls honoring the alliance between Russia and England.
More Vintage Goodness to Explore
If you’ve had fun with these free printable vintage paper dolls, there’s plenty more where that came from! This collection is such a great little time capsule—showcasing fashion, history, and creativity from different eras. Whether you’re printing them for crafting, collecting, or just for the nostalgia, they’re a lovely way to bring a bit of the past into today.
And if you’re into vintage ephemera, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the other treasures on the site. The vintage circus posters are full of bold colors and old-school charm, while the antique art supply catalogues give a peek into the beautiful world of early artist tools and materials.
There’s also the Index of American Design, an amazing collection of folk art, including hand-drawn illustrations of dolls and toys.
If you fancy, you can Buy Me A Coffee Here.
craftatticresources
Monday 17th of March 2025
I loved paper dolls as a child and I was lucky to find some books for my nieces as it wasn't a common thing but they loved being able to cut them out and dress them up.
claire
Tuesday 18th of March 2025
I bet they had fun with them. There is something just so appealing about paper dolls.