DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tags

These gift tags are so easy to make, and the white-on-white color scheme goes with pretty much any style of gift wrap, too!

I used a variety of stencils from My Favorite Things to create embossed, patterned backgrounds for the tags and heat embossed them with pearl white embossing powder for a look that’s understated and modern, with a subtle shimmer that really makes the patterns pop.

The gift tags that I used are some of my new k.becca designs, but you can use any white gift tag to create a similar look if you don’t have a digital die cutting machine.

Here’s what you’ll need:

white gift tags (I used Holiday Phrases Gift Tag Die Cuts)
My Favorite Things stencils (I used Swiss Dots, In the Woods, Scattered Bars, and Graduated Diamonds)
Versamark watermark inkpad
Wow! Pearl White embossing powder
a coffee filter
craft tweezers
a heat gun or heat tool
red & white baker’s twine (string, yarn, or embroidery thread would work just as well)
scrap paper

DIY Stenciled & Embossed Holiday Gift Tag Instructions

Step 1 : Tape a piece of scrap paper to a smooth surface with low tack tape (I used washi tape). Then, tape your stencil over top of the scrap paper, also with low tack tape. Make sure that you only tape the top of the stencil to your surface so you can easily flip the stencil up and remove the tag when you’re finished stamping. You’ll also be able to easily place another tag under the stencil afterward (sort of like a screenprinting setup).

Smoosh the Versamark inkpad over the surface of the gift tag and cover the portion of the stencil that is on top of the tag with ink.

Step 2 : Pour the embossing powder over the tag, using a coffee filter (or a piece of scrap paper) to catch the extra powder. Pour the extra powder into the coffee filter, tap off any remaining powder granules from the tag, and funnel the powder back into its container.

Step 3 : Use a heat gun or heat tool to melt the embossing powder. It’s a good idea to use craft tweezers to hold the tag while you’re heating the powder so you won’t risk burning your fingers. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Wait until the embossing powder is completely cool, and add the baker’s twine so you can tie your tags to gifts, homemade gift packages, and all sorts of holiday-type gift stuff!