Gift tags often play second fiddle to the wrapped gifts they accompany, but I’m hoping that this blog post will change that. These five gift tag ideas will ensure that every future gift tag you make is worthy of an “ooh!” and an “aah!”. In fact, you may just skip the gift and give the tag {why not?}! This post includes easy — I don’t use that adjective lightly, I’m telling the truth! — instructions for making each tag, plus a free printable. I’ll bet you know at least someone whose birthday is coming up; and at the very least, Father’s Day is this month. In short, this is a good post to keep in the Pinterest artillery for present and future reference!
The Chalkboard Gift Tag
This is a simple gift tag that requires black card stock and either an opaque white pen or a calligraphy pen/white ink. It looks particularly good when used on packages wrapped in kraft paper; the contrast of the kraft with black is awesome!
Begin by free-hand drawing an oval on your black card stock. Don’t worry about the oval being perfect; your goal is a hand-made look. {I am drawing with a soapstone pencil here, in case you are wondering how I achieved that bright white outline.}
Next, use a pair of scissors or a hobby knife to cut your oval out.
Use the “Aunt Mildred” laurel wreath style {#4 in the 10 Ways to Draw Laurel Wreaths Tutorial} instructions to create a small but pretty laurel wreath design around the perimeter of the oval. Remember, you don’t have to use a calligraphy pen and white ink; if you’re more comfortable using a regular pen, the Sakura Gellyroll writes very well on dark paper!
Once your “Aunt Mildred” wreath is drawn, you can use whatever calligraphy style you’d like to write a name in the tag. I have chosen to write in Janet Style calligraphy, so I’m using the envelope spacing template from Amazing Envelopes for a Latté to get my spacing right for the name on this tag.
Once you write your name in, you can punch a hole in the tag, thread some string through, and the tag is ready to go!
The Watercolor Wreath Gift Tag
This arguably is the most no-fuss tag because you can simply print out a template that I have created for you by clicking here. However, if you’ve got the time, you can absolutely paint the wreath on yourself!
Begin by cutting out a circle from a piece of watercolor paper {trace around something round in pencil first}.
Once your paper has been cut out, use the instructions outlined in the Botanical Watercolor Wreath Tutorial to paint various natural elements around the circle.
Finally, write or calligraph your recipient’s name in the center. I used Groovy style calligraphy from the Kaitlin Add-On Worksheet because I felt that style would fill the space the best.
For the Watercolor Wreath Gift Tag, I, personally, didn’t punch a hole because I thought it would be cool to directly glue onto the package like a sticker. Of course, you should do whatever you want as far as affixing the tag to a package!
The Feather Gift Tag
This tag has a hip, bohemian vibe. You can vary the colors and shape to suit your personal taste.
Begin by drawing a feather shape in pencil on a piece of paper {watercolor paper or simple drawing paper; it doesn’t matter either way}.
Next, use a small-ish brush to paint watercolor along the sides and middle of the feather. You might include a couple of “V” shapes to help clarify that this shape is, in fact, a feather.
Write your intended recipient’s name on the feather. I have used Kaitlin style calligraphy to echo the free-spirited feel of the feather.
Cut your feather out and outline along the sides if you wish. Once you punch a hole in it, you’re finished!
The Playing Card Gift Tag
This is a neat gift tag to create if your recipient is particularly into card games. You can also use it for a clever way to reference a birthday; for example, my brother’s birthday is June 5th, so I made a tag for him featuring the five of hearts.
To create this tag, you can either free-hand paint a playing card, or you can directly trace {using a light box or well-lit window} over a print-out of the card. {You can find an image to print using Google Image Search.} For efficiency’s sake, I chose the light box option.
Once you have created the card, you can write on it using the lettering or calligraphy style of your choice. I have chosen to use the Sans Serif font from Learn Hand-Lettering for a Latté.
Punch a hole in the “playing card” to slip some ribbon through, and the tag is ready for use!
The Orange Grove Gift Tag
This is a bright, sunny tag that has a sort of west coast vintage feel to it.
To create this tag, start by free-hand painting Garamond letters {instructions for letter formation are in the Learn Hand-Lettering for a Latté set}. Don’t stress out about making them perfect; your goal is creativity, not perfection!
Once you’ve written the letters, paint in little leaf shapes wherever you see fit. I decided to put my leaves in the upper right and lower left corners.
The yellow “donut” in the upper right corner of the tag is the beginning of an orange!
Next, identify all the right {as in: east} sides of each letter. Take a little brush and draw a line there that hugs the contour of each letter.
After you’ve drawn in your letter contours and your leaves are dry, use your paintbrush to paint in some oranges directly on top of the leaves. You may get a little bit of bleeding from the green paint as the yellow/orange paint goes over it; that’s perfectly fine.
To finish up, punch a hole.
Thread some jute twine through the hole, and you’ve got a sophisticated yet playful gift tag ready to shine on any package!
You could absolutely skip punching the hole in the gift tag and simply send the tag as a little decorative card for a friend or family member to keep. Feel free to experiment with the concept!
I hope you were inspired by these gift tag ideas and tutorials. Remember, you don’t have to use them as gift tags — you can use them as gifts themselves! They are wonderful little art pieces that brighten up any bulletin board or refrigerator display.
If you have any questions or additional ideas, feel free to contribute in the comments! Even if I’m lamentably slow at answering them, your thoughts are always more than welcome and very much appreciated. Thank you again for reading the TPK blog!
Warmly,
