Flower Outline Printable: Free Templates for Tracing, Colouring & Crafts

Last Updated on December 5, 2025 by Dee

Sometimes you just want a ready-made flower outline to work with. No sketching from scratch, no worrying about getting the petals right—just a clean template you can print, trace, colour, or paint.

I get it. That’s exactly why I create flower outline printables.

Whether you’re looking for a hibiscus flower outline printable for a tropical project, spring flower outlines printable for seasonal crafts, or a simple flower template for your kids to colour, having a library of free printable flower templates saves so much time.

In this post, I’m sharing my favourite ways to use flower outlines, plus tips for finding (and creating) the perfect templates. And of course, I’ve got 5 free flower outline printables for you to download at the end.

Let’s get into it.

What Are Flower Outline Printables?

A flower outline printable is exactly what it sounds like: a black-and-white line drawing of a flower that you can print at home. No colour, no shading—just clean lines ready for you to use however you like.

Think of them as colouring pages for grown-ups (and kids). But they’re so much more versatile than that.

You can use flower outlines for:

Colouring with pencils, markers, or crayons
Watercolour painting (print on watercolour paper or trace onto it)
Tracing practice for beginner artists
Embroidery patterns (transfer the design to fabric)
Craft projects like card-making, scrapbooking, and junk journaling
Wall art (colour them in and frame them!)
Educational activities for teaching kids about flowers and nature

The beauty of a good flower outline is its simplicity. It’s a starting point—what you do with it is entirely up to you.

Types of Flower Outline Printables

Not all flower templates are created equal. Depending on your project, you might want something simple or something more detailed.

Simple Flower Templates

These are basic outlines with minimal detail—perfect for young children, quick crafts, or when you want to add your own artistic touches. Think five-petal flowers, basic daisies, and tulip shapes.

A simple flower template works brilliantly for:

Preschool and early years colouring
Quick card-making projects
Cutting out paper flowers
Beginner drawing practice

Detailed Botanical Outlines

These templates have more intricate linework—veins on petals, textured centres, realistic proportions. They’re ideal for adult colouring, watercolour painting, or when you want something that looks impressive with minimal effort.

I especially love detailed outlines for:

Mindful colouring sessions
Watercolour practice
Framing as wall art
Junk journal decorations

Themed Flower Collections

Some printables come in themed sets—spring flower outlines printable packs, tropical collections, garden bouquets. These are perfect when you need variety for a larger project.

For more themed printables, check out my flower junk journal pages—loads of vintage floral ephemera for your creative projects.

Popular Flower Outlines (And Where to Use Them)

Let’s talk about some of the most-requested flower outline printables and what makes each one special.

Hibiscus Flower Outline Printable

The hibiscus is a showstopper. Those big, dramatic petals and that distinctive stamen make it instantly recognisable. A hibiscus flower outline printable is perfect for:

Tropical-themed party decorations
Summer craft projects
Luau invitations and banners
Watercolour painting practice (those petals are great for wet-on-wet techniques)

The key to a good hibiscus outline is capturing those ruffled petal edges and the long, elegant stamen. Look for templates with enough detail to be interesting, but not so much that they’re overwhelming to colour.

Lotus Flower Outline Printable

Lotus flowers have such a peaceful, spiritual quality. The layered petals create beautiful depth, making them satisfying to colour with gradients.

A lotus flower outline printable works wonderfully for:

Meditation and mindfulness journals
Yoga studio decor
Zen-inspired art projects
Adult colouring for relaxation

If you enjoy the calming aspect of colouring, you might also love my botanical coloring pages—50 free pages to help you unwind.

Spring Flower Outlines

When spring arrives, everyone wants daffodils, tulips, crocuses, and cherry blossoms. Spring flower outlines printable sets are perfect for:

Easter crafts and decorations
Seasonal bulletin boards
Spring-themed cards
Nature journaling

I’ve got a whole collection of spring junk journal printables if you’re looking for vintage botanical vibes.

Printable Flower Basket Outline

A flower basket outline combines multiple elements—the basket weave texture, an arrangement of blooms, maybe some trailing leaves. These make gorgeous:

Get well soon cards
Mother’s Day crafts
Vintage-style wall art
Embroidery transfer patterns

The basket element adds extra interest and gives you more to colour, making these templates feel more like complete artwork.

Sunflower Outlines

Sunflowers are cheerful and bold. That big circular centre surrounded by long petals makes them easy to colour and instantly recognisable.

Check out my free sunflower printables for patterns, templates, and stencils.

How to Use Flower Outline Printables

Got your templates? Here’s how to make the most of them.

For Colouring

The most obvious use! Print your flower outline on regular printer paper (or cardstock for a sturdier finish) and colour away. Coloured pencils, markers, crayons, gel pens—whatever you enjoy.

Pro tip: Print multiple copies so you can experiment with different colour schemes without pressure.

For Watercolour Painting

This is where flower outlines really shine. You’ve got two options:

Option 1: Print directly on watercolour paper. Most inkjet printers can handle lightweight watercolour paper (140lb/300gsm or less). The lines give you a guide while you paint.

Option 2: Trace the outline. Print the template on regular paper, then use a light box to trace it onto your watercolour paper. This gives you cleaner lines and lets you use heavier paper.

For watercolour practice ideas, have a look at my watercolour flowers tutorial.

For Tracing Practice

If you’re learning to draw, tracing is a legitimate (and underrated) practice technique. It trains your hand to make confident strokes and helps you understand how shapes fit together.

Print flower outlines and trace them with a fine-liner or pencil. After a few rounds, try drawing the same flower freehand. You’ll be surprised how much your muscle memory has absorbed.

For more easy flower drawings to practice, check out my post on easy flower doodle drawing ideas.

For Crafts and Paper Projects

Flower outlines are perfect for:

Card-making: Colour, cut out, and glue onto folded cards
Scrapbooking: Add floral elements to your memory pages
Junk journaling: Layer with other ephemera for vintage vibes
Gift tags: Print small, colour, cut, punch a hole, done
Bunting and banners: String coloured flowers together for party decor

For Embroidery

Print your flower outline at the size you want, then transfer it to fabric using:

A water-soluble pen and light box
Iron-on transfer paper
The tissue paper method (trace onto tissue, pin to fabric, stitch through, tear away)

Floral embroidery patterns are timeless, and starting with a printable outline makes the whole process so much easier.

Printable Flower Outline Art: Creating Wall-Worthy Pieces

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-coloured flower outline. With the right approach, your printable can become genuine wall art.

Choose Quality Paper

For art you want to frame, print on heavier paper—cardstock, mixed media paper, or even watercolour paper. It makes a noticeable difference to the finished piece.

Consider Your Medium

Some colouring tools photograph and display better than others:

Coloured pencils: Beautiful texture, subtle gradients
Markers: Bold, vibrant colours (watch for streaking)
Watercolours: Soft, organic feel
Mixed media: Combine techniques for unique effects

Frame It Simply

A simple white or natural wood frame lets your coloured artwork shine. Don’t overthink it—the flower is the star.

Create a Gallery Wall

Print and colour several flower outlines in a cohesive colour palette. Frame them in matching frames and hang as a set. Instant gallery wall, completely custom to your space.

Tips for Printing Flower Templates

A few practical notes to get the best results from your flower outline printables:

Paper Weight Matters

Regular printer paper (80gsm): Fine for colouring with pencils or crayons
Cardstock (160-200gsm): Better for markers, cutting out, and crafts
Watercolour paper (200-300gsm): Essential for painting

Print Quality Settings

Set your printer to “best” or “high quality” for cleaner lines. Draft mode can make outlines look fuzzy or broken.

Size Adjustments

Most flower outlines are designed for A4 or US Letter size, but you can scale them:

Shrink to 50% for gift tags or small embellishments
Enlarge to 200% for posters or large crafts (print across multiple pages and tape together)

Test Print First

Before committing your fancy paper, do a test print on regular paper. Check the size, placement, and print quality.

Free Flower Outline Printables

Ready to start creating? I’ve put together a set of 5 free flower outline printables for you.

What’s Included:

Hibiscus outline – big, bold tropical petals
Simple daisy – classic and cheerful
Rose bud – elegant curves
Wildflower bunch – a sweet little bouquet
Flower pattern tile – for repeating designs

Each template features clean black lines on a white background—perfect for colouring, painting, tracing, or crafts.

More Flower Templates and Drawing Resources

If you love these printables, you’ll find loads more floral inspiration on the blog:

25+ Fabulous Flower Templates – more free printables for your projects
150+ Doodle Art Flowers – inspiration for drawing your own
60+ Free Flower Coloring Pages – ready to print and colour
70+ Pretty Flower Drawing Ideas – if you want to try sketching
70+ Outline Drawings for Painting and Coloring – beyond just flowers

Supplies for Colouring Your Flower Outlines

Want to make your printables pop? Here are my go-to supplies:

Coloured Pencils

For smooth blending and subtle gradients, I love Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. They’re soft, vibrant, and layer beautifully.

Fine-Liner Pens

If you want to add extra details or outlines after colouring, Sakura Pigma Micron pens are archival quality and won’t bleed.

Watercolour Paints

For painting your outlines, a basic set like the Winsor & Newton Cotman Watercolor Set gives you great colours without breaking the bank.

Good Paper

If you’re serious about watercolour, print on Strathmore 400 Series Watercolor Paper or trace onto it using a light box.

Creating Your Own Flower Outlines

Once you’ve used a few printable templates, you might feel inspired to draw your own. Good news: it’s easier than you think.

Start with basic shapes. Most flowers are built from circles, ovals, and simple curves. A daisy is just a circle surrounded by elongated ovals. A tulip is two curved lines meeting at a point.

Use references. Look at real flowers or photos while you draw. Notice how petals overlap, how leaves attach to stems, how the centre of each flower is structured.

Keep lines clean. For printable outlines, you want crisp, confident lines without shading. Use a fine-liner pen or create your designs digitally.

If you want to try drawing flowers yourself, my post on easy doodle drawings has loads of beginner-friendly techniques.

Final Thoughts

Flower outline printables are one of those simple resources that punch way above their weight. They save time, reduce pressure, and open up so many creative possibilities—from quick colouring sessions to finished wall art.

Print a few, grab your favourite colouring tools, and see where the flowers take you.

Happy creating! 🌷

Related Posts:

What Are Flower Outline Printables?