Printable Christmas Gift Tags: How to Print, Cut and Use Them
Printable Christmas gift tags are one of those small things that make wrapping feel finished. They are cheap to make, quick to print, and they mean you never have that moment on Christmas Eve when you realise the shop-bought pack has run out. This guide covers how to print, cut and attach gift tags neatly, which paper works best, and some simple ways to make your wrapping look lovely without spending much.
Why use printable gift tags?
- Print as many as you need. Run out? Print another sheet.
- Match your wrapping. Choose a colour scheme once and use it on every present.
- Low cost. A sheet of card and a little ink go a long way, especially compared with buying several packs of tags.
- Less clutter. No half-used packs of mismatched tags in the drawer.
What paper should you print gift tags on?
You can print tags on ordinary printer paper, but they will feel flimsy and can tear where the string goes through. For better results:
- Light card is ideal. Most home inkjet printers handle lighter card well; check your printer's manual for the maximum paper weight it supports.
- Matte paper is easier to write on than glossy, and ink smudges less.
- Kraft or brown card gives a rustic look, but colours will print darker, so test one sheet first.
- Sticker paper (full-sheet labels) turns tags into stickers you can put straight onto wrapped gifts, no string needed.
How to print gift tags at the right size
- Open the PDF in a free PDF reader rather than straight in your web browser, as browsers sometimes rescale pages.
- In the print dialogue, choose "Actual size" or "Scale: 100%". Avoid "Fit to page" if you want the tags to come out exactly as designed.
- Select the correct paper size: A4 in the UK, US Letter in North America.
- Pick the "best" or "high" quality setting for richer reds and greens.
- Print one test sheet on plain paper first to check everything lines up before using your nicer card.
How to cut tags neatly
Scissors work fine, but a few tools make it faster and tidier:
- A paper trimmer is the quickest way to cut straight edges, especially for rectangular tags laid out in a grid.
- A craft knife and metal ruler on a cutting mat gives very clean lines. Always cut away from your fingers.
- A corner rounder punch can soften square corners if you like a gentler look.
- A hole punch (a single-hole punch is easiest) for the string hole. Punch a few millimetres in from the top so it does not tear.
If you are cutting a lot of tags, cut all the horizontal lines first, then the vertical ones. It is much quicker than cutting each tag one by one.
Ways to attach your tags
- Twine or baker's string – classic and inexpensive; red-and-white twine looks especially festive.
- Ribbon – thread it through the tag before tying the bow.
- Washi tape – no hole needed, just tape the tag flat onto the parcel.
- Double-sided tape or a glue dot – for a flat, clean finish on boxes.
- A sprig of greenery – tuck a bit of rosemary or evergreen under the string for a natural touch.
Simple wrapping ideas that make tags stand out
Plain paper, bold tags
Brown kraft paper or plain white paper lets coloured tags do the work. It is often cheaper than patterned paper, and it looks considered rather than plain.
Colour-code by person
Give each person in the household a different tag design. On Christmas morning, everyone can find their own presents at a glance, which is especially handy with children who cannot read yet.
Write something personal
Leave a little space for a short message as well as names. A line or two ("for long walks this winter", "to keep you cosy") makes a small gift feel thoughtful.
Reuse and recycle
Tags printed on plain card can usually go in the paper recycling. Glitter, foil and plastic coatings often cannot, so plain printed tags are a more recycling-friendly option. Check your local council's guidance, as rules vary.
Our printable Christmas gift tags
All Pennaby tags are original designs in a calm cream, red and green palette, made to print at home on A4 or US Letter.
- Christmas Gift Tags – 24 red, green and cream tags with To and From lines.
- Christmas Gift Tags Set 2 – 24 tags in 6 original designs: star, tree, snowflake, holly, bauble and gift.
- The Christmas Bundle (£7.99) – Gift Tags Set 2 plus our 9-page Christmas Planner and the 2027 calendar.
Add wrapping to your Christmas plan
Wrapping always takes longer than you think, so it helps to schedule it. Rather than one marathon session on Christmas Eve, try wrapping gifts for one or two people each evening. Our free printable Christmas countdown has a box for every day from 1 to 24 December, which is perfect for spreading out jobs like "print and cut tags" and "wrap presents for Mum".
And if you are trying to keep costs under control this year, our guide to planning Christmas on a budget in the UK has more simple ideas.
Quick checklist
- Light card or sticker paper
- Print at 100% / actual size
- Test sheet on plain paper first
- Paper trimmer or scissors, hole punch
- Twine, ribbon or washi tape
- A good pen that does not smudge
With a sheet of tags printed and cut in advance, wrapping becomes one of the nicer jobs of December rather than a last-minute scramble.