HOW TO MAKE A GIFT TAG SVG
You can make gift tags within Cricut Design Space in four different ways:
Use the basic shapes within Cricut Design Space to create your own custom gift tag SVG files FOR FREE
Use the Print then Cut feature to create custom gift tags.
Upload a gift tag SVG cut file into Cricut Design Space. We have a free gift tag SVG file in the resource library.
Use Cricut Access to purchase gift tags.
Let’s walk through this step by step so you can make your very own custom gift tag SVG!
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE GIFT TAGS WITH A CRICUT?
Blue Cricut Mat or a Light Cut Cricut Mat
Twine, ribbon, or string to attach the gift tag
HOW DO I MAKE A GIFT TAG INSIDE CRICUT DESIGN SPACE?
You can create your own custom gift tags inside Cricut Design Space for FREE!
It is really easy to do. I’ll walk you through every step.
Note: if you are a Cricut Access member, you have access to some great options as well. We will walk through options for Cricut Access later in this post.
If you are new to Cricut Design Space, check out our post on Cricut Design Space for Beginners.
Open a new project inside Cricut Design Space.
Select the shapes icon on the left side of the screen and insert a square.
It doesn’t matter how big or what color the square it is for now.
When making custom shapes I like to size the shapes large so I can see what I’m doing. Simple drag the double arrow button to make the shape larger or smaller.
Shapes are free within Cricut Design Space. You can use these free shapes to make so many different custom-cut files!
Cricut Design Space offers 9 different shapes a scoreline for free. You can use a square, circle, triangle, diamond, pentagon, hexagon, star, octagon, and heart for free in the side toolbar.
With a little imagination and knowledge of Cricut Design Space, you can make hundreds of your own custom cut files for FREE right within Cricut Design Space.
Next, select the shapes tool again but his time add a pentagon.
You will notice that the pentagon has a flat top and pointed sides. The pointed sides will make an excellent top for a gift tag!
Make the pentagon a different color than the square. I choose to make my pentagon pink. It doesn’t matter what color you choose, you will change this later.
You can change the color of any shape by working within the Operations tab in the toolbar.
Changing the color will allow you to see if the shapes are lined up correctly.
Rotate the pentagon so a pointed side is up. You can rotate shapes by dragging the circled arrow in the upper right-hand corner of the hexagon.
Place the pentagon over the square so the points of the pentagon line up with the square.
This may take a few tries. If you can’t get the shapes to line up perfectly, try making the square OR the pentagon larger or smaller until they line up.
You can see in the image above, the points of the pentagon line up with the top points of the square. There is no overhang from the pentagon. If your pentagon is larger than the square at those top points, the gift tag will not have smooth sides.
Select all. Click on Align, center horizontally.
The align tool allows you to align multiple objects, images, and text in a straight line within Cricut Design Space. You can find the Align tool in the top toolbar.
You want to shapes to be perfectly aligned so that when you weld, the new image has smooth sides.
While still in select all, click on WELD.
The shape should look like the picture above.
The weld tool joins multiple shapes to create a customized image. The weld tool will remove cut lines. You can see above the cut lines from the inside of the hexagon have been removed.
Zoom in on your tag and make sure the sides are smooth. Sometimes when I weld something, I will catch a side that I didn't line up exactly. If that happens, click on the undo arrow and try again!
You now have a gift tag!
Use the size function in the toolbar to change the width and height of your tag.
Cricut Design Space will automatically lock the size tool to proportions. If you want to override this feature, click on the lock icon inside the toolbar on the right of SIZE. Once unlocked, you can adjust the dimensions you need for your project.
Size your gift tag to your specifications.
I made my gift tag 2.3” W x 3.5” L.
Next, let’s make a circle for the ribbon or twine to go through the gift tag.
Click on the shapes tool again and select the circle.
Size the circle to your preference and lay it over the gift tag.
I made my circle pink to make the design process easier to see. It does not matter what color your circle is.
You can change the color of any shape by clicking on the operations function in the toolbar.
Size the circle to your preference. I like 1/4” diameter for gift tags but do what works for you!
Select All.
Align center horizontally.
Select all. Click on Slice at the bottom of the Layers panel.
The slice tool inside Cricut Design Space splits two overlapping images into two paths. After using the slice tool, you will create two or three new shapes in the layers panel.
After you use any of these features, pay attention to what changes are made in the layers panel. The layers panel will tell you whether you achieved the outcome you were looking for.
You will notice on the right side of the project window the tag has a cut for the ribbon to go through.
You can delete or hide the extra circles. You can hide layers by clicking the eye next to each object in the layers panel.
To delete images you no longer need. Select the image you wish to delete and hit delete on your computer.
HOW TO MAKE A GIFT TAG INSIDE CRICUT DESIGN SPACE WITH A FLAT TOP
Let’s create another tag with a flat top. You can go about this in a few different ways. I like to use the hexagon shape inside Cricut Design Space.
You will notice the hexagon shape has a nice flat top. This will create a wonderful gift tag top! Let’s make it!
Select the square shape again but this time add a hexagon shape.
Make the hexagon shape a different color. I made my hexagon pink. It doesn’t matter what color you choose, you will change this later.
You can change the color of any shape by clicking on the carrot in the operations tab inside the toolbar. Click on the color you desire.
Changing the color will allow you to see if the shapes are lined up correctly.
Rotate the hexagon so one of the flat sides is up. You can rotate shapes by dragging the circled arrow in the upper right-hand corner of the hexagon.
Place the hexagon over the square so the points of the hexagon line up with the square.
This may take a few tries. If you can’t get the shapes to line up perfectly, try making the square AND / OR the hexagon larger or smaller until they line up.
You can see in the image above, the points of the hexagon line up with the top points of the square. There is no overhang from the hexagon. If your hexagon is larger than the square at those top points, the gift tag will not have smooth sides.
Zoom in on your tag and make sure the sides are smooth. Sometimes when I weld something, I will catch a side that I didn't line up exactly.
If your gift tag has bumps or rough edges after you weld, undo the work, resize and try again.
Select all. Click on Align, center horizontally.
The align tool allows you to align multiple objects, images, and text in a straight line within Cricut Design Space. You can find the Align tool in the top toolbar.
While still in select all, click on WELD.
The shape should look like the picture above.
The weld tool joins multiple shapes to create a customized image. The weld tool will remove cut lines. You can see above the cut lines from the inside of the hexagon have been removed.
You now have a gift tag!
Next, let’s make a circle for the ribbon or twine to go through the gift tag.
Click on the shapes tool again and select the circle.
Size the circle to your preference and lay it over the gift tag.
I made my circle pink to make the design process easier to see. It doesn't matter what color your circle is.
The size of the circle is your preference. I like to use 1/4” diameter for gift tags but do what works for you!
Size the circle. Place it over the gift tag.
Select All.
Align center horizontally.
Select all. Select slice in the bottom of the Layers panel.
The slice tool inside Cricut Design Space splits two overlapping images into two paths. After using the slice tool, you will create two or three new shapes in the layers panel.
After you use any of these features, pay attention to what changes are made in the layers panel. The layers panel will tell you whether you achieved the outcome you were looking for.
You will notice on the right side of the project window the tag has a cut for the ribbon to go through.
You can delete or hide the extra circles. You can hide layers by clicking the eye next to each object in the layers panel.
You can keep going and create so many fun custom tags with free shapes within Cricut Design Space.
Use a circle to create circular tags!
Or use the star shape in the Cricut Shapes menu to create a star gift tag!
OPTION 2. USE PRINT THEN CUT TO CREATE CUSTOM GIFT TAGS
Print then cut is a feature with Cricut Design Space that allows you to send images to your home computer to print. Then, you load this printed image on a cutting mat and a Cricut Maker will cut these images for you.
Forget your scissors! The Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2 will do it for you.
Related:
How to use the Print then Cut feature inside Cricut Design Space
The 10 BEST sticker paper options for DIY Stickers
How to create stickers with a Cricut Maker
You need to have an inkjet printer for this feature to work.
The maximum size of your print then cut image is 6.75” W x 9.25” H.
Open a new project window.
Click on images and select a gift tag. Cricut Design Space has so many great options for gift tags for any occasion.
When you are searching within Cricut Design Space for gift tags, you can sort them by OPERATION TYPE. You can choose cut-only images, draw only images, print then cut images, OR cut and draw images.
You can also search by occasion or holiday. If you are looking for birthday gift tags, type “birthday” in the search box.
You will notice some images have a price on them and some are free. If you are a Cricut Access member, the images marked with an “a” are included in your membership. You will not be charged additional fees to use those images.
Cricut Access is a monthly or yearly subscription that will give you access to over 100,000 images, projects, and over 500 fonts. Cricut Access members also get a discount when they purchase materials from Cricut.com. To learn more or become a member, go HERE.
If you aren’t an Access member, no worries! You can create your own tags like we did above and use those!
For this example, I picked a simple gift tag from the images icon inside Cricut Design Space.
In the Toolbar, I clicked on the basic cut function to turn my gift tag white.
For the bottom two tags, I choose a pattern instead of a color. You can find patterns when you click on the Operations tab in the toolbar.
Size your gift tag to your specifications. I use 2.3” W x 3.5” L.
Next, I added text. Click on the text icon and type in the words you want to add to your gift tags. When adding text, select all and use Align Center Horizontally to align the text with the individual gift tag.
When you are done creating, select all and click on Flatten in the lower right hand of your screen.
Flatten is used with the Print then cut feature within Cricut Design Space. Flatten will take multiple layers and turn them into one layer that can be printed on a home printer and then cut on a Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air.
You will notice the image will change to print then cut in the layers panel. Be sure to pay attention to the layers panel when you create print then cut projects.
The layers panel will let you know if you are on the right track with a project. If your project DOES NOT say print then cut in the layers panel, start again and do some troubleshooting.
Before moving on, make sure your design is not bigger than 6.75” W x 9.25” L.
Once your design is complete, you will start the Print then Cut feature.
Related:
How to use Print then Cut feature with Cricut Design Space
How to make your own stickers using a Cricut
The 10 BEST sticker papers you need to use to make stickers with a Cricut Maker
Step 1. Load cardstock in your inkjet printer.
I have an HP Office Jet PRO 8710. I use 90lb cardstock for making gift tags. We do feed one sheet at a time to avoid a paper jam.
Click Make It. You can find this button on the upper right of your screen.
Notice on the left side of the screen, Cricut Design Space has designated this project as a Print Then Cut. Make sure your project has the same description.
Click Continue.
Click Send to Printer. Cricut will send this document to your home inkjet printer to print this project. Make sure you have the correct paper loaded in your printer!
Step 2. Selecting the correct setting before you cut.
It is important to select the correct setting before you cut within Cricut Design Space. Your machine needs to know what base material it is working with for each cut. Click on BROWSE MATERIALS. Then select, cardstock.
Light Cardstock is 65lb.
Medium Cardstock is 80lb.
Heavyweight Cardstock is typically 100 lbs or more.
Note: If you are using a Cricut Explore Air 2, be sure to turn the dial to the custom setting.
Step 3. Place cardstock on a standard blue mat or a light grip cutting mat.
Line up the paper as close as you can in the upper left-hand corner of the mat. This is important for Print then Cut. Your machine will scan the document first before it cuts. The more precise you are in lining up your paper, the better the cut.
Use a roller to ensure the paper is sticking to the mat. I have THIS roller and I love it.
Load a fine point blade into your machine.
Step 4. Cut GIFT TAGS.
Load your mat into your machine face up.
The C on your machine will blink when it is ready to cut. Press that C when is blinking to start cutting.
Your machine will scan your project first to “see” the black lines of your paper. Then, the machine will cut.
When the machine is done cutting, inspect the project. Make sure the cuts have gone all the way through. If you notice the cuts are shallow, you may need to cut the project again.
If at anytime your project bunches or shifts, you may have too much pressure on the blade OR your mat may need to be cleaned.
Step 5. Remove the mat from the machine by pressing the arrow button.
If you are having trouble with the gift tags curling once they are removed from the mat, try to remove the tags from your mat by turning the mat over.
Remove the mat from the gift tags rather than removing the gift tags from the mat.
OPTION 3. UPLOAD AN SVG CUT FILE INTO CRICUT DESIGN SPACE
If you don’t want to create your own custom gift tags or use the print then cut option, the third option would be to use an SVG cut file.
You can get my free gift tag SVG gift tag file inside my resource library. You can find out more about my resource library and how to get my free files at the bottom of this post.
Download the file from my resource library and upload the file into Cricut Design Space. If you are unsure how to upload a file into Cricut Desing Space, you can check out my tutorial How to Upload Images into Cricut Design Space.
Related:
Once you have uploaded my cut file, your screens should look like this.
Click on ungroup in the layers panel. This feature allows you to ungroup the set of images so you can move and size each image independently on the Canvas.
If you don’t want to use a particular tag, you can delete that tag AFTER you ungroup. Or you can click on the eye next to the image you don’t want to use. This won’t permanently delete the image but it will remove it from the canvas so you can’t see it.
You can also duplicate an image to create multiple tags of the same design. To duplicate an image, click on the image. Then click on DUPLICATE in the layers panel. A duplicate of the image will appear.
You can make an entire page of the same tags like I did above. I recommend using 90lb cardstock for cutting.
When you are ready to make your gift tags, click on the green make it button.
WHAT SIZE ARE GIFT TAGS?
Gift tags come in many different sizes. It really is a matter of preference. A standard size to start with is 2.375” x 3.5”.
Here are some other options to play around with as you make tags:
2 3/4 x 1 3/8
3 1/4 x 1 5/8
3 3/4 x 1 7/8
4 1/4 x 2 1/3
4 3/4 x 2 3/8
5 1/4 x 2 3/8
5 3/4 x 2 7/8
6 1/4 x 3 1/8
HOW DO I MAKE CHRISTMAS GIFT TAGS WITH A CRICUT?
You can make Christmas gift tags by going inside Cricut Design Space and searching images. Cricut Design Space has some great options already creating within Cricut Design Space.
Note: these files are NOT free unless you are a Cricut Access member. If you are a Cricut Access member, the images marked with an “a” are included in your membership. You will not be charged additional fees to use those images.
Cricut Access is a monthly or yearly subscription that will give you access to over 100,000 images, projects, and over 500 fonts. Cricut Access members also get a discount when they purchase materials from Cricut.com. To learn more or become a member, go HERE.
Let’s see what amazing Christmas gift cards you could make with Cricut Acess!
To see what items Cricut Access has, click on images in the left tool bar. The images above are:
#M1F12E5DC
#M1F12E5EE
#M1F12E60B
#M1F12E616
#M1F12E5F8
I love the color and fonts for these tags! Inside Cricut Access, you can find these tags by searching the following:
#M202B66B7
#M202B6630
#M202B65D9
#M202B65A3
#M202B65F0
#M202B6614
The above image is #M1897DAD within Cricut Design Space. It is a print then cut image.
WHAT DOES FLATTEN MEAN ON A CRICUT?
Flatten is used with Print then cut on a Cricut Maker. Flatten will take a multi-layered project and condense those layers into one layer. The layer can be used to print on a home computer and then cut on a Cricut Maker.
You can find the flatten feature in the layers panel within Cricut Design Space.
You can get access to our FREE gift tag SVG cut file by subscribing below to our resource library.