Label ALL THE THINGS! DIY Eco-Friendly Labels for Everything

DIY Eco-Friendly Labels

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!

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 tagsYou’ll keep these forever, because they are gorgeous!

2. clay tagsThese tags would be sturdy enough for a shower bag, and cute enough for a backpack.

3. dip-dyed tagsUse these paper tags to label anything that won’t get a lot of wear or get wet.

DIY Eco-Friendly Labels4. 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 tagsThis 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 pillowsNobody is going to steal your kid’s pillow when her name is all over it!

DIY Eco-Friendly Labels10. 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 tagsLabel your luggage in serious style.

13. shrink plasticDid you know that #6 plastic is shrinky?!? It. Totally. IS!!!

14. silkscreened labelsThis is an ambitious project, but the results look professional and utilize no potentially itchy tags.

15. stamped ribbon labelsThis 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 cansI 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 tapeSince 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.

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Written by Julie Finn

I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now.

Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.

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