Creating Wedding Favor Tags: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding favor tags are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. They can be a memorable keepsake for your guests and a fun way to reflect your personality as a couple. In this guide, we will take you through the steps to make your own wedding favor tags, from choosing the right materials to adding your own creative flair. Whether you prefer a handwritten or printed approach, we will show you how to create tags that align with your wedding theme and charm your guests.

Choosing the right paper

When making wedding favour tags, choosing the right paper is an important step. The paper you choose will depend on the style, colour, and theme of your wedding, as well as the type of printing or writing you plan to use. Here are some things to consider when selecting your paper:

Type of Paper

There are various types of paper that can be used for wedding favour tags, such as vellum, card stock, or glitter paper. Vellum is a translucent paper that gives a soft and elegant look to your tags. Card stock, on the other hand, is a thicker and more durable option, providing a sturdy base for your tags. Glitter paper adds a fun and festive touch, perfect for a celebratory occasion. You can also get creative and use any text-weight paper of your choice for the top layer and combine it with a card stock bottom layer.

Colour and Theme

Consider the colour palette and theme of your wedding when selecting the paper for your favour tags. Choose colours that complement your wedding theme, whether it's elegant neutrals, pastels, or bold hues. You can also opt for paper with patterns or textures that align with your wedding style, such as floral designs, embossed patterns, or metallic finishes.

Printing or Writing

If you plan to print your favour tags, ensure that the paper you choose is compatible with your printer. Some papers, like glitter card stock, cannot be printed on, so you'll need to print on a separate sheet and layer it over the glitter paper. Test the ink absorption of the paper to ensure that your text or design prints clearly and doesn't smudge. If you prefer handwritten tags, choose a paper that suits your penmanship style and allows the ink to flow smoothly without bleeding.

Durability

Keep in mind that your wedding favour tags should be durable enough to withstand handling by your guests. Opt for high-quality papers that are thick enough to prevent tearing or bending easily. This is especially important if you're attaching the tags to favours that will be transported or handled frequently.

Size and Shape

Consider the size and shape of the paper in relation to your favour tags' design. Standard paper sizes like 8 1/2 x 11 inches can be easily cut down to the desired tag size. Think about the shape of your tags as well—you can go with classic shapes like rectangles or ovals, or explore more unique options like circles, hearts, or custom die-cut shapes.

By carefully considering these factors, you can choose the right paper for your wedding favour tags, ensuring they not only look beautiful but also align with your wedding's style and theme.

Downloading and customising templates

There are many websites that offer free, downloadable wedding favour tag templates that you can customise. Canva, for example, offers a range of beautifully-themed, printable wedding tag templates. You can design whimsical tags to match your wedding souvenirs, and customise your designs to fit your chosen motif and theme. You can add decorative patterns and play with colours through their palette options. Canva also offers a wide variety of font combinations, including serif and script fonts for a traditional look.

Greetings-Discount is another website that offers 25 free, customisable wedding gift tag templates. You can select a template, customise the label, upload your files, and print your templates as many times as you like.

If you are looking for a two-layer favour tag, LCI Paper provides print templates, instructions, and papers. They offer a free, downloadable zip file with the following 8 1/2 x 11 templates:

• Favor-tag-top-layer.pdf (Top layer outlines only for handwritten tags)
• Favor-tag-top-layer-text.docx (For Microsoft Word: Top layer outlines with text boxes to customise text)
• Favor-tag-bottom-layer.pdf (Bottom layer outlines only)

After downloading the templates, you can customise the top layer text by editing the text boxes within the Microsoft Word template. LCI Paper suggests using fonts such as Rose of Baltimore or Quattrecento Sans. Once you have customised the text, you can print the top layer on vellum or your choice of text paper, and the bottom layer on card stock.

Printing and cutting outlines

Once you have downloaded the template file and customized the text, it's time to print and cut the outlines.

If you are using vellum or text weight paper for the top layer, print the file on this paper. If you are using glitter card stock, print the outlines on copy paper and layer it over the card stock, then cut. For any other type of card stock, you can print the outlines directly onto the card stock.

Using scissors or an exact-o knife, carefully cut along the light grey outlines. Each 8 1/2 x 11 sheet will yield 8 top layers. Repeat this process for the bottom layer, ensuring that you have printed the bottom layer outlines on your chosen paper.

After printing and cutting both layers, you can punch a hole through both, aligning them so that there is a small, even border. Then, run a ribbon or string through the holes to hold the two layers together.

Punching a hole through the layers

Now that you have your two layers, it's time to punch a hole through them! This step will allow you to attach a ribbon or string to connect the two layers and tie them to your wedding favour. Here's a detailed guide on punching a hole through the layers:

• Align the layers: Place the top layer on top of the bottom layer, ensuring that there is a small, even border around the edges. You can use a ruler or a straight edge to ensure that the layers are evenly aligned.
• Choose your hole-punching tool: You can use a standard hole puncher or a craft knife to create the holes. If you're using a hole puncher, make sure it's sharp and the right size for the ribbon or string you will be using. If you're using a craft knife, have a cutting mat or a protective surface underneath to avoid damaging your work surface.
• Mark the hole position: Before punching the hole, use a pencil to lightly mark where you want the hole to be. Centre the mark between the two layers and make sure it's not too close to the edges to prevent tearing.
• Punch the hole: If you're using a hole puncher, position it over the marked spot and firmly press down to create the hole. If you're using a craft knife, carefully insert the blade through both layers at the marked spot and gently twist to enlarge the hole. Make sure to cut away from yourself and use a gentle sawing motion if needed.
• Test the hole size: Once the hole is punched, insert your ribbon or string through it to ensure it fits snugly. You don't want the hole to be too big or too small, so adjust as necessary.
• Consistency is key: Ensure that you punch holes in the same position for all your favour tags to maintain consistency and a neat appearance.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create neatly punched holes in your wedding favour tags, adding a professional and elegant touch to your wedding favours.

Attaching ribbon or string

First, you need to add a hole at the top of each tag. For 2" tags, a standard hole punch works well. Make sure the hole is far enough from the edge that it won't tear, but not so far that it cuts into your text or design. Next, test one of your ribbons or strings for length, and cut the rest to size. Finally, thread the ribbon or string through the hole and tie it to your favour or gift.

You can also use ribbon or string to attach your tags to gifts or favours. Simply punch a hole through both layers of your tag, and run the ribbon or string through the holes to hold the layers together.

Frequently asked questions