Julie Finn
Sleepaway camp is built on the backs of parents who stay up late the night before and label ALL THE THINGS. Here are DIY eco-friendly labels for…everything!
I’m currently in the midst of my own labeling journey/process/fiasco/desperate drive to have at least some of my kids’ stuff make it back home with them at the end of camp, and because I’m the dorkiest dork who ever dorked, I’m also determined to upgrade this year’s labels from last year’s “just slap some masking tape on it, Bro” labels.
Fortunately, it IS possible to DIY eco-friendly labels for all your stuff. These DIY labels are all much cuter than the store-bought stuff (and MUCH cuter than masking tape!), and most of them also function better, as well, being sturdier, more noticeable, and more uniquely personalized that store-bought labels.
Here are my favorite DIY eco-friendly label tutes, many of which I’m crafting more of this week!
18 DIY Eco-Friendly Labels
1. appliqued tags. You’ll keep these forever, because they are gorgeous!
2. clay tags. These tags would be sturdy enough for a shower bag, and cute enough for a backpack.
3. dip-dyed tags. Use these paper tags to label anything that won’t get a lot of wear or get wet.
4. felt zipper pulls. If you need to label a small bag, such as a backpack or diaper bag, try making felt zipper pulls like these.
5. hotel room key luggage tags. This a great way to upcycle that hotel key card that you totally forgot in your pocket when you checked out. Those key cards make hella sturdy tags!
6. key fob. A sewn key fob is a subtle way to personalize your set of keys.
7. luggage handle cover. Here’s an excellent way to distinguish your black suitcase from all the other black suitcases on the luggage carousel.
8. name tags. A reusable fabric scrap and upcycled felt name tag is more eco-friendly than one made from sticker paper.
9. personalized pillows. Nobody is going to steal your kid’s pillow when her name is all over it!
10. printed ribbon. You’d have to buy or borrow this ribbon printer, but it has made creating clothing labels SO super easy for me!
11. quilt labels. My kids can’t do without their Momma-made quilts at sleepaway camp. If you’re making a quilt for someone special, you might as well personalize it right from the get-go.
12. sewn fabric luggage tags. Label your luggage in serious style.
13. shrink plastic. Did you know that #6 plastic is shrinky?!? It. Totally. IS!!!
14. silkscreened labels. This is an ambitious project, but the results look professional and utilize no potentially itchy tags.
15. stamped ribbon labels. This option is perfect for initials, or even size labels for handmade clothing. I’d skip the fusibles and simply sew these labels on.
16. stamped soda cans. I think these stamped aluminum and wood tags are lovely, and I’d be happy to keep them on my backpacks permanently.
17. temporary tattoos. Yes, sometimes you need to label your children. This option is safer than those vending machine temporary tattoos.
18. washi tape. Since washi tape is bright and distinct and comes in a billion patterns, it’s a good choice for quickly labeling items like flashlights and sunscreen. It’s a paper tape, so it’s more eco-friendly than many other tape choices.
