How to Make Your Own Name Tag to Color

Let children express themselves by coloring name tags.

Name tags come in handy for classrooms and birthday parties. Keep the kids busy for a little while by giving them name tags that they can color themselves. The kids will be more excited about their name tags because they can choose the colors they like most, which means they will likely hang on to their name tags and not lose them.

Things You'll Need

• Card stock
• Crayons
• Scissors
• Laminating machine or clear contact paper
• Hole punch
• Name tag clip

Instructions

1. Open a simple graphic editing program and size a blank image file to 4 inches wide by 3 inches tall, which is the standard size for a name tag. You can make the name tag any size that you want, though.

2. Choose free coloring book clip art from an online source and choose a picture to color that you want next to your name on your name tag. Right click on the image and select "Copy image."

3. Right click on the blank image file in the graphic editor and select "Paste" or go to "Edit" in the top menu and hit "Paste as Selection." Click and drag the corner of the image selection to shrink it or make it larger on the blank file. Click on the center of the selection and drag it to the left or right side of the blank file or to one of the corners.

4. Click on the "Text" function in your editing program and select a font that is easy to read. Click on the middle of the image file to open the text box and type in your name. Select a large font, such 36 point or 48 point, from the font size down down menu in the text toolbox.

5. Adjust the sizes and positioning of your name and the coloring clip art to your liking. Save the image and print it out on printable card stock on a standard printer.

6. Color the graphic with the colors of your choice and then cut out the name tag.

7. Run the name tag though a laminating machine and cut the lamination sheet around the edges of the tag, about 1/8 inch from from the paper. If you do not have access to a laminating machine, cover the front and back of the name tag with clear contact paper. Punch a hole in the top center with a hole punch to hang it from a name tag clip.

Tips & Warnings

• If you need to make many coloring name tags, such as for a class, leave the name out to let the children write their own names or write them yourself by hand after you print them out.

Resources

• Microsoft Paint: Overview
• Apple: Paintbrush
• Paint.NET: Free Software for Digital Photo Editing