How to Print Gift Tags at Home: Paper, Settings, Cutting

By Cedar & Ledger

Printing your own gift tags is cheap, quick and easy to match to your wrapping. Here's what paper to use, which printer settings matter, and how to cut and attach tags so they look neat.

Prices below are rough examples. Check your own store.

What you need

• A printable tag file (PDF)
• Paper: cardstock for hanging tags, sticker paper for labels
• Scissors or a paper trimmer, and a round punch if you want circles
• A hole punch plus string, ribbon or twine for hanging tags

Step 1: Pick the right paper

A 25-sheet pack of cardstock usually costs a few dollars and covers years of tags.

Step 2: Use these print settings

• Scale: 100% / Actual size. "Fit to page" shrinks the tags a little. Use it only if your paper size doesn't match the file (for example, a US Letter file on A4 paper).
• Paper type: set it to cardstock or matte so the printer uses the right amount of ink.
• Quality: standard is usually fine; high quality helps with dark colors.
• Feed: if your printer has a rear or manual feed, use it for cardstock so the sheet doesn't jam or curl.
• Print one test page on plain paper first and hold it up against a sheet of cardstock to check the size.

Step 3: Cut cleanly

• A paper trimmer is faster and straighter than scissors for rectangular tags.
• Cut long straight lines first, then the short ones.
• For round labels, a 2-inch circle punch saves a lot of time if you make many.
• Let inkjet prints dry for a few minutes so the ink doesn't smudge.

Step 4: Attach them

Punch a hole about a quarter inch from the top edge, loop twine or ribbon through, and tie it to the bow. Use sticker labels for boxes and bags where a hanging tag would get crushed.

Make the tags do double duty

While you write names on tags, keep a simple list next to you: who the gift is for, what it is, the budget and what you spent. That way the tags and your holiday gift budget are done in one sitting, and you can spot early if you're going over. Our Christmas gift list tracker guide explains one way to set that up, and the holiday printables checklist covers what else is worth printing this season. Printing tags for the whole street? See neighbor Christmas gift ideas under $5.

Common questions

Can I print tags on regular paper? You can, but they tear and curl. Glue a paper tag onto a piece of a cereal box if you're out of cardstock.

Will a cheap inkjet work? Usually yes, on 65–80 lb cardstock. Feed one sheet at a time.

Can I print at a copy shop? Yes. Bring the PDF on your phone or a USB stick and ask for cardstock at 100% scale.

If you want a ready-made file: the Holiday Gift Tag & Label Set ($4, details, US Letter PDF; A4 works with "Fit to page") has 24 tags in 3 styles, 12 round labels, 8 blank tags and a gift & budget tracker page. It's a printable PDF; nothing is shipped. It's also part of the Holiday Printables Bundle. Any blank cardstock and a pen work fine too.

Honest note: this guide was written with AI assistance and reviewed before release. Paper weights and prices vary by brand and store.

Related template: Holiday Gift Tag & Label Set 2026. Also see: Holiday Printables Bundle 2026 · Holiday Gift Budget

See all Cedar & Ledger templates

Try the free holiday gift budget calculator →