Gift Tag tutorial

Today I'm sharing with you a really simple way to make your own personalized gift tags with your home computer, using Word software and simple white address labels.

I use labels that come 30 to a sheet.

Step 1

With your Word software open, click on Mailings, and then Labels

Step 2

Make sure you have 30 labels selected.  If you want to use a different size label, you can change that under options.  Click New Document.

Step 3

After the template loads, make sure your mouse is in the first box.

Step 4

To insert a graphic, you can use a file of your choice located under Insert, and then Picture  OR you can do as I did and use a preloaded clip art graphic.

Step 5

After the clip art search box loads to the right of your screen, enter a search term.  I used the word Christmas.  About halfway down the choices, I found several trees I wanted to use.  Just click on the image you want to use.

Step 6

The image you click on will load in the first box. If you want to add more than one image, as I did, just continue clicking on the images until they all load.

Step 7

Unfortunately I did not Print Screen this image, but the next step is to add the Name.

Make sure you are still under the Insert tab, then click on "Text Box".  When the options pop up, click on "Draw Text Box" located near the bottom of the options.

Step 8

Draw the text box in your label by clicking and dragging.

Step 9

Type in name, and format as you wish.  I used Algerian, size 24.

Step 10

The next step is to format the text box to that no black line shows and so that the background is transparent rather than white - This will enable only your text to be seen, rather than a white box, if your graphic is large.

Right click inside the text box and select Format Text Box.

Step 11

Use the drop down arrows to ensure that No Color is shown under both Fill Color and Line Color.  Select OK.

Step 12

Place your mouse over the dashed line at the top of your first box.  A small black arrow will appear.  Click and it will select the row as shown below.

Step 13

Right click inside the blue area and select Copy.

Step 14

Right click, once again, inside the blue area, and this time select Paste as Nested Table.  This will copy everything that appears in that first label, into all of the labels below it. 

Step 15

Place your mouse above the second column as you did the first until the black arrow appears once again.  Click to highlight the whole second column.  Once again, right click on the blue area and select Paste as Nested Table.  Do this to the third row as well.   Your image will now be in all of the labels.

Step 16

You can now print onto Sticky Address Label sheets according to the directions on the label package, or you can change some of the names as I did.

My sticky labels are clearly labeled as to which way to insert into the printer, and I just print as I would on a normal sheet of paper.

If you have messy handwriting like I do, this is a great way to keep your gifts looking neat and put together.

You can also type in your address rather than a name, and have cute personalized return address labels for your Christmas cards.  :)

-Courtney