Make luggage tags from cardstock, leather scraps, or plastic sheets in under an hour

A luggage tag is a small labeled holder attached to your bag so you can identify it at baggage claim or find it if it gets lost. You can buy them ready-made, but making your own costs less, takes about 30 minutes, and lets you use colors and materials you actually want. The simplest method uses cardstock and a hole punch; the most durable uses leather or plastic with a laminate seal.

What you need depends on which method you choose. All versions require a hole punch (standard two-hole or single-hole), string or a split ring to attach the tag to your luggage, and something to write with. Beyond that, your material choices range from printer paper to leather to plastic sheets you can buy at a craft store.

Key Takeaways

  • Cardstock tags take 15 minutes to make and cost under $5 for a set of five; laminate them with clear packing tape to make them water-resistant.
  • Leather or faux leather tags last longer and look professional; cut them from scraps or buy pre-cut blanks from craft suppliers.
  • Write your name and phone number on the tag, never your home address, so a finder can contact you without knowing where you live.
  • Attach the tag with a split ring or luggage strap, not a loose string, so it stays on through baggage handling.
  • Laminate or seal any paper tag with clear tape or a laminating sheet to protect it from water and baggage system wear.

Cardstock tags with tape lamination

This is the fastest and cheapest method. Cut cardstock into rectangles about 2 inches by 3.5 inches — roughly the size of a business card. You can cut them by hand with scissors or use a paper cutter for straight edges. Fold each rectangle in half so the tag is 2 inches by 1.75 inches when closed.

Write your name and phone number on the front in permanent marker or pen. Do not write your home address; a person who finds your bag needs to contact you, not know where you live. On the back, you can add your email address or a secondary phone number.

Punch a hole through the folded edge using a standard hole punch. Thread a split ring or key ring through the hole, or use a luggage strap if your bag has a handle loop. To waterproof the tag, cover both sides with clear packing tape, pressing out air bubbles as you go. Trim the tape with scissors so it does not stick out past the cardstock edges.

Leather or faux leather tags

Leather tags are more durable and look professional. You can use real leather scraps from a craft store, faux leather sheets, or even old leather belts or jackets you no longer wear. Cut the leather into rectangles 2 inches by 3.5 inches using scissors or a rotary cutter. Leather is thicker than cardstock, so a rotary cutter with a self-healing mat gives cleaner edges, but scissors work if you take your time.

Punch a hole near one short edge using a single-hole punch or a leather punch set. Leather punches come in different sizes; a standard 1/8-inch hole works with most split rings. If you do not have a leather punch, a regular hole punch works on thinner faux leather, though it may require more pressure.

Write your information on the leather using a permanent marker, a leather pen, or a wood-burning tool if you want the text burned into the surface. Permanent marker is the simplest and shows up clearly on most leather colors. Attach a split ring through the hole and then to your luggage handle or bag loop.

Plastic sheet tags with heat sealing

Plastic tags are waterproof and nearly indestructible. Buy clear or colored plastic sheets from a craft store — the kind sold for making signs or labels. Cut them into 2-by-3.5-inch rectangles using scissors or a rotary cutter.

Print your name and phone number on white cardstock, then glue or tape that label to the plastic sheet using a glue stick or double-sided tape. Alternatively, write directly on the plastic with a permanent marker, though the text may smudge if you do not seal it. Punch a hole through the plastic and attach a split ring.

To seal the edges and prevent fraying, run a heat sealer or a laminating machine along all four edges. If you do not have either tool, cover the edges with clear packing tape instead. This method is more durable than cardstock alone and will survive multiple trips through baggage systems.

Adding a protective sleeve or pouch

Some luggage tags come with a clear plastic sleeve that slides over the tag. You can make a straightforward version by cutting a piece of clear plastic sheet slightly larger than your tag and folding it in half, then gluing or taping the three open sides shut. Slide your finished tag inside before sealing the fourth side.

A protective sleeve keeps your tag clean and protects the writing from smudging or fading. It also makes the tag thicker and more visible on your bag. If you use a sleeve, punch the hole through both the tag and the sleeve together so they stay attached.

Attaching the tag securely to your luggage

The way you attach your tag matters as much as the tag itself. A loose string can catch on baggage conveyor belts and tear off. Use a split ring, key ring, or luggage strap instead. Split rings are small metal rings that open and close; you thread the hole in your tag onto the ring, then attach the ring to your bag's handle or a luggage loop.

If your bag has a dedicated luggage tag pocket on the outside, slide the tag into that pocket instead of attaching it to a handle. Pockets protect the tag from damage and keep it from snagging. If your bag does not have a pocket, attach the tag to the main handle or a side handle using a split ring, and make sure the ring is tight enough that the tag cannot slide off.

Design ideas and personalization

You can personalize your tags beyond just writing your name. Use colored cardstock or plastic sheets to match your bag or make the tag stand out at baggage claim. Add a small photo, a pattern, or a logo using markers or stickers before you laminate or seal the tag.

If you travel frequently, make several tags in different colors so you can swap them out or use a different color for each trip. This makes it easier to spot your bag among similar ones on the carousel. You can also add a small icon or symbol that matches your bag's appearance — for example, a drawing of a wheel if your bag has distinctive wheels, or a stripe pattern if your bag has stripes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I write on a luggage tag?

Write your name and phone number on the front. On the back, add an email address or a secondary contact number. Do not include your home address; a person who finds your bag needs to contact you, not know where you live. Some travelers add their destination city or trip dates on the back for reference.

Can I use regular printer paper instead of cardstock?

Regular printer paper is too thin and will tear easily in a baggage system. Cardstock is thicker and more durable. If you only have printer paper, glue two or three sheets together, let the glue dry, then cut and laminate the result with clear tape on both sides.

How do I attach a tag if my luggage does not have a handle loop?

Most luggage has at least one handle or a zipper pull you can attach a split ring to. If your bag is smooth with no attachment points, use a luggage strap — a fabric strap with a buckle that wraps around the bag. Slide your tag onto the strap before you fasten it to the bag.

Will a homemade tag survive baggage handling?

Yes, if you use a durable material and seal it properly. Cardstock with clear tape lamination holds up to one or two trips; leather or plastic tags last through many trips. The key is using a strong attachment method — a split ring or luggage strap — so the tag does not tear off during handling.

Can I make tags for other people as gifts?

Yes. Make a set of tags with someone's name and phone number, or leave the name blank so they can write their own. Leather or plastic tags make good travel gifts because they are durable and look finished. Package them with a split ring or luggage strap so the recipient can use them right away.