How to Make Favor Bag Tags

I love when bloggers post free printables. I am always amazed at their creativity and talent and how beautifully they seem to put things together. Many times, though, I find myself wishing I could tweak a little something or make a change, not because the printable wasn’t fantastic, but just because the needs of my project are slightly different than those of the blogger.

Ever since I published my “How to Make Pretty Labels in Microsoft Word” tutorial, I have gotten so many emails and comments saying the same thing: “I’ve always wanted to make my own printables, but I don’t know how!” It’s great when you can find printables you like, but it’s even better when you have the ability to make something that you really truly love. {You know what they say, “Teach a man to fish…”} I’ve written a few other tutorials to try to help people do their own graphic design in Word, (See “How to Create a Bunting Banner,” “How to Make a Monogram,” and “Create Your Own Graphics.”) but knowing there are so many others out there who are interested in creating their own printables and graphics, I thought I’d run a mini printables “boot camp” to help readers who want to learn more about simple graphic design.

Don’t run away all scared. You do not have to be a computer genius to figure these out. I am definitely not. In fact, the other day I was using a different browser than I normally do and I had to call my husband to ask him how to get onto my blog (you know, the thing I’ve been doing for 6 months now) since my settings weren’t saved. See? A genius I am not. So give yourself a pep talk! You can do this!

First up: Favor Bag Tags! {There are many different ways to create these; this is just one way.}

I attended a meet up of Ohio Valley bloggers this past weekend, and our wonderful hostess (Natalie of The Busy Budgeting Mama) encouraged us to present our business cards in a cute, fun way. Being the corn-ball that I am (I can’t help it; it’s genetic. Thanks, dad!), I came up with the slogan “Ohio Valley Bloggers ‘Rock’!” and paired it with my business card and rock candy. {Get it? Rock. ;)}

These tags were pretty simple to make, using a combination of picmonkey.com and my go-to, Microsoft Word. When you’ve finished this tutorial, you’ll be a pro at making them as well!

Step 1: Edit a Photo

When you get to PicMonkey, you’ll see two choices: Edit a Photo or Create a Collage. Today we’re going to use the “Edit a Photo” option, so click on that.

Choose any normal-sized photo you have on your computer to edit. Any one will work. Really. I chose a picture from my lamp shade makeover post.

Step 2: Cover Up Your Photo

“What?! You want me to cover up my beautiful picture?!” Yes. We’re just using the picture to create a canvas for our graphic. First choose the “Overlays” button on the left side of the screen {1}, then pick “Geometric,” which is the first option at the top of the list {2}, and then choose the rectangle {3}.

Drag the corners of the rectangle until it covers your whole picture. Then use the tool bar to make it white (or whatever color you’d like the background of your graphic to be).

Step 3: Add Your Graphics

Now that you have your canvas set up, the fun part begins! Play around with different overlays until you get the look you want. There are dozens to choose from! {Note: I found a coupon code (now expired, sorry!) and am currently testing out the “Royale” features for free. You can pay a monthly fee if you would like to access them, but there are so many wonderful FREE options that you probably won’t need to.} I used a bunch of the graphics from the “Bursting Blossoms” section of overlays to create my background. I just clicked the picture to insert it {1}, resized it {2}, and changed the color like we did for the rectangle {3}.

Step 4: Add Text

Once you have your background and graphics figured out, you can add your little catch phrase. It can be something as simple as “Thank you for coming!” or you can get all corny like I did! If you’re looking for cute ideas, check out this post by Cindy from Skip to My Lou. She offers 50 clever sayings {she calls them “teacher appreciation,” but most of them could be used in a variety of ways} and suggests favors to go with them!

Click the “Text” option in the left column {1} and choose the font you like {2}. Click “Add Text” at the top {3} and type your saying in the box, resizing {4} and changing colors {5} as desired. I went with the font “Janda Stylish Script” for the words “Ohio Valley Bloggers” and “Bruno Book” for the word “Rock!”.

Step 5: Crop & Save

I didn’t want all of that extra white space around my graphic, so I used the crop feature to choose only what I wanted. The crop feature can be found by clicking the “Basic Edits” button on the left side of the screen {1}. Choose the crop feature {2}, and resize the box to your liking {3}. Hit “Apply” to crop {4}.

Now you’re ready to save your creation! Choose the “Save” button at the top of your screen, name your file, and save your beautiful work!

Optional: Repeat the steps to create a back side for your favor bag tag. I used the same graphics, but changed the words:

Congratulations! You’ve made your graphics. Now you just have to put them together on a tag. I like to use Avery Postcards/Index Cards {affiliate link} because they’re already perforated; I can just tear them apart and go.

Step 6: Download Template

I use my favorite program, Microsoft Word, to get the graphics lined up on the note cards. The easiest way to do this is to download the template from Avery’s website. You can find it here. Simply click “Download Template” {1} and follow the download instructions in the box {2}. When the box pops up asking you to open the file, click “Ok.” {3}

Step 7: Add Your Graphics to the Tag

Now all you’ll need to do is open up the graphic files that you saved from PicMonkey and arrange them on your template. Click the “Insert” tab and choose “Picture.” Find the folder where you saved the graphics you created in PicMonkey and open up both files. So that you can move them around more easily, go into the “Picture Tools” tab, click “Text Wrapping,” and choose “In Front of Text.” This will allow you to put the graphics wherever you want on the page.

Use the ruler to line up the “front of the card” graphic toward the bottom center of the box. For the “back of the card” graphic to print correctly, you’ll have to flip it. Again in the “Picture Tools” tab, click “Rotate,” then choose “Flip Vertical” and then “Flip Horizontal.” Align your “back of the card graphic at the top center of the box using the rulers to guide you.

Then simply copy and paste your graphics into the other boxes so you have a full sheet. Time to print them out!

Step 8: Put It All Together!

To make my bags, I used my printed tags, clear cellophane bags, a stapler, rock candy, and my business cards. {affiliate links}

Fold your tag in half…

Fill the bag with stuff, and staple the tag to the bag. AND YOU’RE DONE! AND everyone will think you are amazing because you made the cutest little favors they’ve ever seen in their entire life. For real. It looks long and complicated when it’s written out step-by-step, but it is really a simple process. You can do it! And not only are you learning to make cute tags, you’re learning how to navigate Word and PicMonkey so that you can create your own projects later. And that’s even more important!

Looking for more graphic design projects to try? Check these out:

Thanks so much for reading! Happy designing!

Have you ever made your own printables? What’s your favorite program to use?

I link up at these fun parties!