These DIY cardboard tags represent the perfect mix of sustainability, creativity, and practicality.

This project transforms this humble material into something both beautiful and functional: handcrafted tags made from upcycled cardboard.

One of the most compelling reasons to fall in love with this project is its accessibility.

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Felt Bird Bookmarks

The primary materialcardboardcosts nothing, as youre simply repurposing what would otherwise be discarded.

Explore over 30DIY birthday card ideas.

These cardboard tags also make wonderful gift accompaniments.

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Join our crafting communityto find more DIYs and upcycled craft ideas.

It feels good to repurpose and upcycle!

Use them for your journals, notebooks and other crafts.

Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags with napkins and ribbon.

The printable includes both black and white and coffee paper background colors.

Materials Needed

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Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags with napkins and ribbon.

Use a ruler to cut your piece of cardboard into evenly sized rectangles.

I made eight with my piece of cardboard.

Adjust for smaller gift tags or unique shapes like hearts.

Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags

Round some of the corners and cut others on an angle.

If your cardboard is a darker color, paint it with white chalk or acrylic paint and let dry.

Next, apply a coat of decoupage glue or Mod Podge and let dry completely.

Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags

Separate the plies of a paper napkin to use just the top printed layer.

Place the napkin on top of the cardboard and gently smooth it over the dried Mod Podge surface.

Use a mini iron to press the napkin onto the cardboard tag.

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Cut off any excess with scissors or a sanding block.

Add some ink to the edges and onto the surface using a stencil.

I used both brown and fuscia inks for my tags.

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Punch a hole into the top of the cardboard tags.

Cut several strands of ribbon or twine and loop them through the hole at the top of each bookmark.

Add a bit of hot glue to hold into place.

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Next, print off the motivational sentiments printable (see above to access) onto a piece of paper.

I actually used a paper envelope that I cut down to a smaller size to fit in my printer.

You could alsomake your own coffee paperand print them onto there.

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If desired, ink the the edges of each paper after cutting out the sentiments you wish to use.

Glue the sentiments onto the cardboard tags, alternating directions if you choose.

Hot glue buttons or other embellishments to finish.

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Lovely DIY Upcycled Cardboard Tags

Materials

Instructions

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Hand holding a piece of cardboard next to napkins, ribbon and a bag of buttons.

Hand holding a piece of cardboard next to napkins, ribbon and a bag of buttons.

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Using a ruler to trace a rectangle.

Using a ruler to trace a rectangle.

Cutting cardboard.

Cutting cardboard.

Adding glue to cardboard.

Adding glue to cardboard.

Using a paintbrush to spread glue.

Using a paintbrush to spread glue.

Removing excess paper napkin from cardboard.

Removing excess paper napkin from cardboard.

Stamping heart shapes onto cardboard.

Stamping heart shapes onto cardboard.

Cardboard decorated with hearts.

Cardboard decorated with hearts.

Hand using a hole punch on the top of the cardboard.

Hand using a hole punch on the top of the cardboard.

Hot gluing ribbon together.

Hot gluing ribbon together.

Cutting down quotes to smaller sizes.

Cutting down quotes to smaller sizes.

Printed quotes on paper next to decorated cardboard tags.

Printed quotes on paper next to decorated cardboard tags.

Dry brushing paint onto paper.

Dry brushing paint onto paper.

Gluing sayings onto cardboard tags.

Gluing sayings onto cardboard tags.

Hot gluing a button.

Hot gluing a button.

Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags.

Upcycled cardboard turned into decorative tags.

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Collage with text overlay showing a piece of cardboard and a finished decorative tag.

Collage with text overlay showing a piece of cardboard and a finished decorative tag.

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