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Wedding Favor Tags I Printed at Home for Half the Price
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items Custom wedding favor tags from a print shop were going to cost me over $400. That quote made me physically ill. So I bought a decent printer, some cardstock, ribbon, and a hole punch, then did the whole thing myself in two weekends. If you're plannin...
Sections
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Printable Cardstock for Wedding Favor Tags
Ribbon and Twine for Tying Favor Tags
Hole Punches and Tag Cutting Tools
Printers That Handle Cardstock Without Jamming
Ink and Printing Supplies for DIY Tags
Tag Templates and Design Software
Printable Cardstock for Wedding Favor Tags
Regular printer paper looks flimsy and sad tied to a jar of honey. Finding the right cardstock thickness was the difference between ‘homemade’ and ‘oh wow, where did you order these?’
Start here if you want tags that actually feel substantial. Ran 150 sheets through my inkjet with zero jams, and every tag felt like something from a stationery shop.
Pen+Gear Premium White Card Stock, 8.5" x 11"
Grab this if your wedding palette has bold colors and you want the tag itself to pop. Printed white text on the kraft brown shade and guests literally asked who my designer was.
Astrobrights, Color Cardstock, 8.5" x 11"
Use this for that rustic farmhouse vibe without spending farmhouse prices. The kraft color hides minor printer imperfections too, which saved me from a meltdown at 11pm.
Recollections Smooth Solid Cardstock Paper, 12" x 12", 60 Pack
Switch to this if your printer struggles with thicker stock. It feeds smoothly but still has enough weight that tags don't curl up after you cut them. Wish someone told me about it sooner.
Customer reviews for Neenah Exact Index Cardstock
Try this if you want a slightly textured feel on your tags. Ran it through my laser printer on the smooth side and the result looked like letterpress. For the artsy bride who notices paper texture.
Canson, Mixed Media Pad, 9x12 inches, Side Wire
Keep this on hand for a warm, classic cream look. Pure white felt too sterile for our fall wedding, and this ivory hit the exact tone I wanted without any color adjustments in Canva.
Pen+Gear White Card Stock, 8.5" x 11", 67 lb, 100 Sheets
Snag this for playful, colorful tags if you're doing a casual backyard celebration. Not as crisp for formal weddings, but perfect for the couple who wants fun over fancy.
Crayola, Construction Paper, 240 Pages
Use this for calligraphy-style tags where you need ink to sit clean on the surface. Zero bleeding, zero feathering. Worth it if you're hand-lettering any part of your tags.
Strathmore 400 Series Bristol Pads 14 In. X 17 In. Smooth
Ribbon and Twine for Tying Favor Tags
Spent an embarrassing amount of time at craft stores touching ribbon before I figured out what actually ties well on small tags without looking bulky or cheap.
Tie this in a simple bow and it looks like you hired someone. The 1/8 inch width is the sweet spot for favor tags. Anything wider overwhelms a 2-inch tag.
Offray Red 1/8 Inch Double Faced Satin Polyester Ribbon
Pair this with kraft paper tags for instant rustic charm. Bought one roll and had enough for 200 favors plus leftover for wrapping bridesmaid gifts. For anyone doing barn or outdoor weddings.
1mm 328 Feet Natural Jute Twine, for Crafts Gift
Try this instead of twine if you want something softer and less scratchy. Tied it around mason jar favors and the texture added warmth without competing with the tag design.
Berwick Offray Matte Holiday Gold Raffia Ribbon
Grab this for a delicate, sheer look that catches light beautifully. Works best for formal or garden weddings where everything needs to feel airy. Stock up because 50 yards goes faster than you think.
Sheer Organza Ribbon, 3/8-inch, 25-yard, Red
Swap regular twine for hemp if you want something thinner and more polished. Threaded it through tiny punched holes without any struggle, which matters when you're assembling 150 favors at midnight.
Hemptique Hemp Cord Spool Variegated 20# 205 Feet
Use this for holiday weddings or any celebration with a red accent color. The candy-stripe pattern adds personality without needing a fancy tag design. My December bride friend stole this idea immediately.
Customer reviews for Manss Red and White Twine
Keep this around for a classic textured ribbon look. Grosgrain holds its shape in bows way better than satin, so your tags won't look wilted by the end of the reception.
Grosgrain Ribbons 25 Yards 5/8 Inch White with Gold Dots
Bring this out for fall or winter weddings when you want that rich, luxe feel. Tied a single knot on each tag and the velvet made even my basic Canva design look expensive.
Green Velvet Ribbon 3/8 Inch 20 Yards Dark
Hole Punches and Tag Cutting Tools
Cutting 200 tags with regular scissors nearly ended my engagement. The right tools turned a four-hour nightmare into a 45-minute assembly line.
Get this before you attempt cutting a single tag. Straight, clean lines every time. Tried scissors first and my tags looked like a kindergartner made them. Never again.
Fiskars SureCut Supercut 12-Inch Paper Trimmer, Gray
Use this for perfectly round tags without any measuring or tracing. Just punch and go. Made 200 circle tags in under an hour while watching Netflix. For anyone who values their sanity.
(2 pack) (2 pack) Fiskars Round 'n Round Squeeze Punch
Punch clean holes through thick cardstock without any hand cramping. Regular hole punches chewed up my first batch of tags. This one cuts through like butter and sets eyelets too.
We R Crop A Dile Hole Punch & Eyelet Setter Rose
Try this for slightly larger round tags if you have more text to fit. The two-inch size gives you room for names, dates, and a short thank-you message without cramming everything together.
EK Tools Medium Circle Hole Punch, 2 inch Diameter
Snag this if you want that decorative scalloped edge without hand-cutting each one. Added a charming vintage feel to our tags and guests kept commenting on the detail.
Fiskars That's Amore Squeeze Punch, Extra-Large, 2 in
Grab this if you need to cut full sheets down to smaller panels before punching. The arm swings down smoothly and the grid lines actually line up, which sounds basic but plenty of cheap trimmers lie.
Westcott 15 Inch Trim-Air Guillotine Paper Trimmer
Round the corners of rectangular tags for an instantly polished look. Sharp corners on paper tags snag on everything. This tool takes two seconds per tag and the difference is noticeable.
(2 pack) Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper
Use this for tiny, precise holes that won't overwhelm small tags. Regular hole punches leave gaps that look sloppy with thin ribbon. This little guy makes holes just big enough for twine or cord.
Fiskars Hand-Held Circle Punch, 1/6" Circle
Printers That Handle Cardstock Without Jamming
My old printer chewed up three sheets of cardstock and then displayed an error code I still have nightmares about. These actually feed heavy paper reliably.
Grab this if you need something affordable that prints decent color on cardstock. Fed 110 lb paper through the rear tray with zero issues. Paid for itself after about 40 tags compared to a print shop.
Canon PIXMA TS3722 Wireless All-In-One Inkjet Printer
Try this for quick setup and reliable printing on heavier paper. Connected to my laptop in under five minutes and the ink subscription kept costs stupid low. For the bride who doesn't want to troubleshoot anything.
HP, DeskJet 2855e All-in-One Inkjet Printer, A4, White
Switch to this if you're printing hundreds of tags and don't want to burn through cartridges. The refillable ink tanks saved me from buying three replacement cartridges mid-project. Worth every penny.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800 Wireless Color All-in-One
Use this for sharp text and clean lines on small tags. The rear paper feed handles cardstock without curling or smudging. Printed test batches on regular paper first, then swapped to cardstock with no adjustments.
Canon PIXMA TR4720 Wireless Inkjet All-in-One Printer
Keep this in mind if you also need a solid home office printer after the wedding. Handles cardstock beautifully and the print quality on photos is sharp enough for picture tags too.
HP OfficeJet Pro 8025e Wireless All-in-One Color Printer
Snag this for black-and-white tags with crisp typography. Laser toner doesn't smudge when wet, which matters if your favors involve anything liquid. No more smeared ink from sweaty hands.
Brother HL-L2350DW Monochrome Laser Printer
Grab this for vibrant color printing on a tight budget. The individual ink cartridges mean you only replace the color that runs out. Printed watercolor-style floral tags that looked professionally done.
Epson Expression Home XP-4205 Wireless Color Printer with Scanner and Copier
Toss your old printer and get this if you're doing any large-batch printing. The ink bottles last forever and the print quality on cardstock stayed consistent from tag one to tag 250.
Canon MegaTank G3270 Wireless Color Printer
Ink and Printing Supplies for DIY Tags
Ran out of magenta ink at 10pm on a Sunday with 80 tags left to print. Now I always buy backup ink before starting any big print job. Learn from my pain.
Keep a backup combo pack on hand before you start printing. Running out of color ink halfway through a batch means mismatched tags, and nobody wants two shades of blush pink at their wedding.
Canon, Multi Pack, Black and Color Ink Cartridges
Grab the XL version, not the standard. The regular cartridges died after about 60 tags and I had to make an emergency store run. XL lasted through my entire project with ink to spare.
HP 67 Tri-Color Ink Cartridges High/Standard Yield 2 Per
Use these refill bottles if you went with the EcoTank printer. One set printed over 300 tags without fading. The cost per tag worked out to something like three cents. My wedding planner was impressed.
Epson 502 T502 Ecotank Refill Ink, 4 Pack for ET
Try this subscription if you're printing tags plus invitations plus programs. They ship replacement ink before you run out. Saved me from that midnight panic of watching the ink level drop to 8%.
HP Instant Ink
Snag an extra color cartridge if your designs are image-heavy. Floral backgrounds and watercolor washes eat through color ink fast. Having a spare meant I never had to pause mid-batch.
Canon CL-276 XL Color Ink Cartridge
Seal your printed tags with these if your favors will be outdoors or near drinks. No machine needed. Just peel and press. Saved my tags from humidity at our outdoor reception.
Scotch, Self-Sealing Laminating Pouches, 25 Count
Spray a light coat on finished tags to prevent ink from smudging when guests handle them. One can covers hundreds of tags. Especially useful for inkjet prints that smear when touched.
Customer reviews for Krylon UV Resistant Clear Coating
Swap to this high-yield version for laser printing large batches. Standard toner ran out on me mid-project and the replacement took three days to arrive. High yield means no interruptions.
Brother Genuine High-Yield TN760 Black Toner Cartridge
Tag Templates and Design Software
Stared at a blank Canva screen for 45 minutes before realizing pre-made templates exist for exactly this purpose. Saved hours and my designs actually looked professional.
Use these pre-cut tags with matching Avery templates online. Just type your text, print, and tear along the perforations. For anyone who wants zero cutting and zero measuring.
(2 pack) Avery Printable Tags with String, 2" x 3.5"
Stick these on favor boxes or bags instead of tying tags. The Avery template software lines everything up perfectly. Saved me from the ribbon-tying assembly line when I was short on time.
Avery, Shape Labels, Round, 2 inch Diameter, White
Grab these if you love the scalloped look but don't own a scallop punch. Pre-cut and pre-strung. Just print through the free Avery template and they're done. My maid of honor called these a lifesaver.
Avery Scallop Round Labels, Sure Feed, 2-1/2"
Try these for a classic rectangular tag shape. The template handles fonts, borders, and alignment so you just pick a design and customize. Printed a test sheet on plain paper first to check spacing.
Avery, Printable Tags with String, 2" x 3.5", 96 White Tags
Pair these digital templates with a Cricut machine for perfectly cut custom shapes. Made hexagonal tags that no punch tool could replicate. For the craft-obsessed bride with a cutting machine already.
Make Gift Tags with a Cricut (+ Free Penwriting Font)
Use these for modern, clean-looking favor labels. The square shape works especially well with minimalist designs. Printed our monogram on each one and stuck them directly onto candle favors.
Avery, Shape Labels, 2" x 2", Square, Matte White, Sure Feed
Snag these for an elegant shape that works on bottles, jars, and bags. The oval frame naturally draws the eye to the text in the center. Looked amazing on our limoncello bottle favors.
Avery 1-1/2" x 2-1/2" Waterproof Oval Labels, 180 Labels
Grab these pre-made kraft tags if you want the rustic look without buying cardstock and cutting anything. Already strung with twine. Printed directly on them and tied to burlap bags in minutes.
Avery Kraft Brown Rectangle Labels, 2" x 3", 200 Labels
Wedding Favor Containers to Attach Tags To
Designed beautiful tags and then realized I hadn't thought about what they'd actually hang on. These containers and bags made the tags look intentional, not afterthought-ish.
Toss candy or cookies inside, seal with a ribbon, and tie your tag on top. Crystal clear so guests see exactly what they're getting. Bought 150 and used every single one.
Wilton, Clear Treat Bags, 150-Count, Food Grade, 4 x 9.5 in.
Fill these with jam, honey, or hot cocoa mix and tie your tag around the neck. The small size is perfect for favors without being stingy. Guests used them as shot glasses at the after party.
Ball, Glass Mason Jar, 32 Oz. Quart, Regular Mouth 12-Count
Pair these with a ribbon and tag for a classic, clean presentation. Assembled 100 of them while binge-watching a show. They fold flat for storage, which saved space in my tiny apartment.
100 Pack Favor Boxes 2x2x2 inch Candy Boxes White Gift
Tie your tag to the drawstring for instant rustic charm. Filled ours with lavender sachets and the burlap texture made everything feel handcrafted. Perfect for outdoor or barn weddings.
Drawstring burlap bags, drawstring gift bags
Use these for a more formal look. The metallic finish catches candlelight and a simple white tag tied with satin ribbon made each one feel like a tiny gift. Guests actually gasped.
Wilton Favor Boxes, Square, White, 100 Ct
Grab these if you want a fancier jar shape than standard mason jars. The quilted pattern adds visual interest and the tag tied around the lid looked like something from a boutique.
Ball, Mason Jar, Quilted Crystal, Regular Mouth
Slip chocolates or almonds inside and attach your tag to the drawstring. The sheer fabric shows the contents, which is great if your candy matches your color scheme. Bought three packs for our 70 guests.
100 Pack Organza Gift Bags 3x4 Inch
Fold the top over, staple it shut, and tie your tag through the staple. Sounds weird but looks incredibly polished. Filled ours with trail mix and nobody believed these cost eight cents each.
Brown Kraft Paper Bags, 10"x5"x13", 100ct
Embellishments That Make DIY Tags Look Expensive
Plain printed tags looked fine, but adding one or two small details made people think we ordered from a custom stationer. These little touches took five extra minutes and made a huge difference.
Stamp your initials in embossing ink, add powder, heat it up, and watch it puff into a shiny raised design. Took me three tries to get the technique right but the result looked like foil stamping.
Emboss Embossing Ink Pad Clear
Sprinkle this over embossing ink and hit it with a heat gun. Instant gold lettering that looks like it cost $3 per tag. My mother-in-law thought I was lying when I said I did them myself.
Ranger Embossing Powder Gold
Write names or small details on dark cardstock with this white pen. Shows up crisp and opaque on kraft paper and black cardstock. For the bride who wants hand-lettered details without a calligrapher's fee.
Shop Gelly Roll Sakura Gel Pens for Art & Writing
Press a wax seal onto the ribbon knot for an old-world touch that photographs beautifully. Practiced on scrap paper first because the wax cools fast. Worth the effort for that wow factor.
Sealing Wax Sticks - 4ct. by Recollections
Pair these with a seal stamp for rich, gold wax accents on each tag. One stick covers about eight seals, so plan accordingly. The gold caught candlelight at our reception and looked incredible.
Recollections Sealing Wax Sticks, 6 Packs: 4 ct. (24 total)
Stamp ‘thank you’ on the back of each tag for a consistent, handmade look. Faster than printing double-sided and the slight imperfections make it feel personal, not mass-produced.
Thank You Rose Details Self-Inking Rubber Stamp
Dab this on rubber stamps for a metallic gold impression that dries quickly. Regular ink looked flat on our cream tags, but this metallic version added just enough shimmer without being over the top.
Hero Arts Neon Ink Pad-Purple
Stick one tiny rhinestone at the corner of each tag for a subtle sparkle. Takes two seconds per tag and catches light in photos. My photographer specifically mentioned how well they photographed.
Recollections 16mm Clear Rhinestone Stickers, 12 Packs
Organization Supplies for Tag Assembly Night
Assembly night with my bridesmaids turned chaotic until I set up stations with the right supplies. Ribbon in one spot, tags in another, finished favors lined up on a tray. Planning this part saved us hours.
Dedicate one drawer to tags, one to ribbon, one to finished favors. Rolling it between rooms during assembly made everything accessible. Reused it in my home office after the wedding.
Sterilite 3 Drawer White Cart
Use this for attaching tags to flat surfaces when ribbon isn't practical. Clean, no mess, no waiting for glue to dry. Ran through two refills during assembly but it was worth the speed.
Scotch, Double Sided Tape Runner, .27 in x 26 ft, Red
Keep a few pairs at each station so nobody's waiting for scissors. These cut ribbon cleanly without fraying the ends. My bridesmaids fought over who got to keep a pair after.
Fiskars 8 Inch Original, Orange Handled Scissors for Adults
Stick these on the back of tags to attach them to boxes or bags. No drying time, no mess, no strings needed. Perfect for square or rectangular favors where tying ribbon looks awkward.
(2 pack) (2 pack) Pen+Gear Glue Sticks, White
Store finished tagged favors in these so nothing gets crushed during transport. The clip lid keeps everything secure and the clear sides let you see how many are done. Satisfying to watch them fill up.
Customer reviews for Sterilite Plastic Large Clip Clear
Lay this down before cutting anything. Saved my dining table from blade scratches and the grid lines helped me cut straight. My fiance would have lost it if I'd scratched the table.
X-ACTO Self-Healing Cutting Mat
Dab a tiny amount to secure ribbon knots that keep coming undone. Dries clear and holds tight. Some ribbons are slippery and bows unravel by morning without a dot of this stuff.
Aleene's Clear Gel Tacky Glue 4 fl oz
Label each station and leave instructions so helpers know exactly what to do. Sounds over-organized but when you have six friends assembling favors after two glasses of wine, clarity matters.
Post-it Sticky Notes, 3x3 inches, Canary Yellow