Creating Wedding Table Labels: A Simple Guide For Beginners

Wedding table labels are an important part of wedding planning, helping guests find their seats and adding a decorative touch to the tables. There are many ways to create DIY wedding table labels, from using online tools like Google Docs and Canva to ordering custom labels from sites like Etsy and SheetLabels. Couples can choose from various materials, such as paper cards, acrylic blocks, chalkboards, or wooden blocks, and personalise their labels with the help of online templates. With a bit of creativity and attention to detail, couples can design beautiful wedding table labels that fit their theme and budget.

Using Google Docs

Wedding table labels can be easily created using Google Docs, saving you the expense of paying someone else to do it. You can add a personal touch to your special day with custom labels for wedding favours, invitations, and even wine or water bottles. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating wedding table labels using Google Docs.

Step 1: Open a new Google Docs document

Open a new document in Google Docs. This document will be used to create your wedding labels.

Step 2: Install the Labelmaker add-on

Go to "Extensions" and select "Create & Print Labels". If you don't already have the add-on, install Labelmaker from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Once it's installed, refresh your browser to ensure everything works.

Step 3: Select a template

Within the Labelmaker sidebar, click on "Select a template". You will find various template options, including the widely popular Avery® labels, with over 5000 templates available.

Step 4: Add an image and text (optional)

If you want to insert an image on your wedding labels, add a table in the first cell of your document (the one with the black borders). This step can be skipped if you don't want to include an image.

To insert a table, place your mouse in the first cell and reduce the font size to 1. This will leave some free space for the table. Then, go to "Insert" > "Table" and select a 2x1 table.

Now, you can add your image by going to "Insert" > "Image" > "Upload from computer". Resize the image as needed, and then add your text. Feel free to personalise your labels by increasing the font size, changing the colour, or picking a font you like.

Step 5: Remove table borders

Get rid of the table's black borders, as you don't want them to be printed. Select the table by dragging your mouse from the bottom right corner to the top left corner, then turn the border width to 0pt.

Step 6: Replicate the label (optional)

If you want to make modifications to your labels, you can copy and paste the first label into other cells. Alternatively, you can use Labelmaker to generate a full page of identical labels by ticking the "Use first cell as a model" box.

Step 7: Preview before printing

Before printing, preview your labels to ensure everything is perfect. Check for any alignment issues, and make any necessary adjustments to your text, images, or margins.

Step 8: Print your wedding labels

Finally, you're ready to print your wedding labels at home. Go to "File" > "Print", and in the print window, ensure the margin is set to none and the scale to 100%. Depending on the label format chosen, you may need to adjust the page size.

And that's it! You now have custom wedding labels, saving you money and adding a unique touch to your special day.

Choosing a template

There are many ways to create your own wedding table labels. You can use a platform such as Google Docs, Canva, Etsy or SheetLabels.com, all of which offer a range of templates.

Google Docs has an add-on called Labelmaker, which offers over 5,000 templates, including Avery wedding labels. Etsy also offers a wide range of templates, with over 5,000 results for 'wedding table labels'. These include stickers, cards, and labels in a variety of styles, such as floral, minimalist, and modern designs.

Canva also offers dozens of free wedding label templates that can be customized and printed. Their templates are professionally made, so you can make minimal edits, or get creative and adjust the colour palette and add design elements.

SheetLabels.com offers a more cost-effective option for couples who want to DIY their wedding labels. They offer customizable labels in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as pre-printed options.

Adding images and text

Canva

Canva offers a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop tools to help you design your labels. You can browse their wedding label ideas and find a template that suits your theme. You can then edit the placeholder text and add your own. You can also adjust the colour palette to match your wedding colours and add more elements from their library of graphics, borders, backgrounds, and images. Once you're happy with your design, you can save it as a high-quality PDF for printing or share it online.

Template.net

Template.net offers free editable wedding label templates that you can customise and print. You can change the logo, name, product details, border, background, typeface, brand identity, and colour. They have a range of templates for different uses, including packaging, product labels, stickers, and more. You can also drag and drop photos, wallpapers, and vector illustrations into the template using their built-in editor.

Google Docs

Google Docs is another option for creating your wedding table labels. First, open a new document and go to "Extensions," then select "Create & Print Labels." You'll need to install the Labelmaker add-on if you haven't already. Once you've selected a template, you can add a table in the first cell to help you align your text with your image. Resize your font to make space for the table, then insert a two-column table. Now you can add your image by selecting "Image" and uploading from your computer. Resize the image to fit, and then add your text. You can increase the font size and add colours to match your theme.

With these tools and templates, you can easily add images and text to your wedding table labels, creating a personalised touch for your big day.

Removing table borders

If you're creating your wedding labels in Google Docs, you can remove the table borders by following these steps:

First, select the table by dragging your mouse from the bottom right corner to the top left corner. Then, turn the border width to 0pt. This will get rid of the black borders, leaving you with a clean and borderless label.

It's worth noting that borders are traditionally an important part of design, framing the image and adding decorative flair. However, they can sometimes do more harm than good. The human eye can detect very small variations, especially when it comes to symmetry. When there are uniform areas around the edges, like thin lines, they draw attention to these small differences.

If you still want to use borders, there are ways to do so without compromising the overall appearance of your label. One way is to leave a large gap of at least 1/4 inch of non-decorated space around the edges of your design. If there is a border within this gap, it will be successful as the eye won't be able to notice the variation. Another way is to "bleed" your label, which means extending the border off the label by at least 1/16 of an inch in all directions, creating a thick border that runs to the edge of your label.

Printing your labels

Now that you have designed your wedding labels, it's time to print them out. Here are some tips to ensure that your labels look perfect:

• Make sure you have the right equipment: Depending on the type of labels you have chosen, you may need a specific type of printer. Most labels can be printed on a standard home printer, but some specialty labels may require a different type of printer, such as a laser printer or a commercial printer. Check the label packaging or the manufacturer's website to see what type of printer is recommended.
• Do a test print: Before printing your entire batch of labels, it's a good idea to do a test print on regular paper first. This will allow you to check for any errors or issues with the design. Once you're happy with the test print, you can load the label paper into your printer and print the final version.
• Check your print settings: When printing your labels, pay attention to the print settings. Make sure the print quality is set to a high or best quality setting. Also, check that the paper size and type in the print settings match the label paper you are using. This will ensure that your labels print correctly and don't get cut off.
• Use the right type of ink: If you are printing your labels on a home printer, use high-quality ink cartridges to ensure that the colours and text look sharp and clear. It's also a good idea to have extra ink cartridges on hand, as you don't want to run out of ink halfway through your print job.
• Feed the label paper correctly: When loading the label paper into your printer, pay attention to the direction of the paper. Most label papers have a top or front side that is designed to absorb ink better. There may also be guidelines on the back of the paper to help you load it correctly.
• Take your time: Printing your own wedding labels can be a time-consuming task, so make sure you allow enough time to do it properly. Don't rush the process, as you may end up with misaligned labels or other issues. If you're printing a large number of labels, consider doing it in batches to avoid any mistakes.
• Seek professional help if needed: If you're not confident in your printing abilities or if you're having issues with your home printer, consider using a professional printing service. They will have the expertise and equipment to ensure that your labels look perfect. This option may be more expensive, but it can save you time and stress.

Frequently asked questions