How to Include a Diaper Raffle in Your Baby Shower Invitations

You've decided to add a diaper raffle to the baby shower — great call. Now comes the part nobody talks about: how do you actually get it onto the invitation without making things confusing, cluttered, or awkward?

The wording matters (and we've got 14 ready-to-copy examples for that), but the bigger question is *how* the raffle shows up in your invitation workflow. Which format works best — digital, printed, or both? Where does the QR code go? When should guests see the raffle info? And is it even okay to ask guests to bring diapers?

This guide covers the logistics side — the stuff that determines whether your guests actually enter the raffle or just scroll past it.

Start with the Parents-to-Be

Before you put anything on an invitation, check with the guest of honor. Not every parent wants a diaper raffle, and some have strong preferences about diaper brands or sizes. A quick "Hey, would you be into a diaper raffle at the shower?" takes 10 seconds and avoids an awkward surprise.

If they're on board, ask two follow-up questions: do they have a preferred diaper brand, and do they want you to mention specific sizes? Most hosts land on "any size welcome, sizes 1–3 get the most use" — which keeps things flexible for guests while still being helpful. For context on why those sizes matter most, our diaper quantity breakdown has the full picture.

Pick Your Invitation Format (It Changes Everything)

How you deliver the invitation determines how you include the raffle. The three main formats in 2026 each have different strengths.

### Digital Invitations

Digital invitations are the easiest format for including a diaper raffle — and they're more popular than ever. The global e-invitation market hit $5.8 billion in 2023 and is growing at over 10% annually, and baby showers are a big part of that shift. Platforms like Evite, Paperless Post, Greenvelope, and Partiful all support custom event descriptions where you can drop in your raffle details.

The move here is simple: add a short raffle explanation in the event description, then include your raffle link as a tappable button or hyperlink. Guests read the invite, tap the link, and enter the raffle in 10 seconds — all before they even RSVP. No QR code scanning needed since the link is already clickable.

One thing to watch: don't bury the raffle info at the bottom of a long event description. Put it right after the core details (date, time, location, RSVP). If guests have to scroll past three paragraphs about parking to find it, they won't.

### Printed Invitations

Printed invitations are still meaningful for formal showers, older guest lists, or anyone who wants a keepsake. The trick is that a printed invitation can't include a clickable link — so you need a QR code.

You have two layout options that work well. First, put the raffle info on the back of the main invitation with a QR code centered below the text. Guests flip the card, read one or two sentences, scan, done. Second, use a separate insert card — a small card the same size and stock as the invitation that's dedicated to just the diaper raffle. This keeps the main invitation clean and gives the raffle its own visual moment.

Either way, make sure your QR code is at least 1 inch square on the printed piece. Anything smaller can be hard to scan, especially on older phones. With a digital diaper raffle, you get a downloadable QR code from your dashboard that's already sized correctly — just drag it into your Canva template or send it to your printer.

### Hybrid Approach (Digital + Print)

A growing trend in 2026 is pairing a printed invitation with a digital RSVP layer — you mail a beautiful card but include a QR code that links to an online event page. This is the best of both worlds for a diaper raffle because guests who prefer paper still get the tactile experience, and the raffle entry happens digitally either way.

Platforms like Canva now make it easy to design a printed invitation with an embedded QR code that links to your event page or raffle. The key is consistency: make sure the raffle link on the printed QR code and the link in any follow-up texts or emails all point to the same raffle page.

Timing: When Should Guests See the Raffle?

Baby shower invitations typically go out 4–6 weeks before the shower. That's the ideal window for the raffle announcement too — it gives guests enough time to pick up diapers without feeling rushed.

Here's a timeline that works. **4–6 weeks before:** send the invitation with the raffle info included — guests who are organized will enter right away. **1–2 weeks before:** send a reminder in the group chat or via the event platform with the link again — this catches the guests who meant to enter but forgot. **Day of the shower:** have a printed sign with the QR code at the entrance or near the gift table for walk-ins and plus-ones who need a way to enter too.

This three-touch approach — invitation, reminder, day-of sign — consistently gets the highest entry rates because it meets guests wherever they are in the planning process.

Etiquette: Is It Okay to Ask for Diapers?

This question comes up constantly, and the short answer is yes — as long as you frame it right. A diaper raffle isn't asking guests to replace their gift with diapers. It's offering an *additional* fun activity that happens to be useful for the parents.

The etiquette sweet spot is making participation clearly optional. Phrases like "for a chance to win a prize" and "if you'd like to participate" signal that it's a game, not an obligation. A helpful line to include: "Diapers for the raffle, gifts, or both — everything is welcome and appreciated!" That one sentence removes all ambiguity and keeps the mood light. For more phrasing options, our wording examples post has 14 ready-to-paste options for every tone.

One more etiquette note: if the shower is work-hosted or includes colleagues who may not know the parents well, keep the raffle mention brief and casual. A long explanation about diapers-per-ticket ratios on a work event invitation feels out of place. A simple "We're doing a diaper raffle — scan the QR code to enter!" is plenty.

Platform-Specific Tips

A few quick notes for the most popular invitation platforms in 2026:

• •Evite:: Add the raffle link in the "Additional Info" section. Evite supports hyperlinks, so the raffle URL is tappable directly from the invite.
• •Paperless Post:: Include the raffle in the event description. You can't embed a clickable button, but a shortened URL or a note to "check the link in the follow-up message" works.
• •Canva (print or digital):: Drop the QR code image directly into your design. Using the one from your My Diaper Raffle dashboard ensures it links to the right page and looks clean.
• •Group text or email:: Just paste the raffle link. No design needed, no QR code needed. For [virtual or hybrid showers](/blog/virtual-diaper-raffle-guide) where guests are spread across cities, this is often the primary way the raffle gets shared.

Don't Overthink It

Including a diaper raffle in your invitation comes down to three things: mention the raffle, include the link or QR code, and make it easy for guests to enter. Whether you're sending a gorgeous letterpress card or a quick Evite, the raffle fits as long as guests can find it and tap or scan their way in.

Ready to create the raffle your invitation will link to? Set up your digital diaper raffle in under two minutes — you'll get a shareable link and a downloadable QR code immediately, ready to drop into any invitation format. Then grab some prize ideas so you can mention the prize on the invite and watch those diaper entries roll in.