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Home » Paper Crafts

DIY Shirt Gift Tag

May 8, 2025 by Emily · Leave a Comment

Add a fun handmade detail to your gifts with this diy shirt gift tag!

Made from just one sheet of paper, it's quick, creative, and perfect for birthdays, Father’s Day, teacher gifts, and more.

Close up image of a shirt gift tag.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Pattern
  • Skill Level
  • Materials Needed
  • Instructions
  • Tips For Success
  • Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
  • Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations
  • FAQ
  • Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:
  • Stay Connected
  • Other Patterns You Might Like To Try:
  • Comments

If you’re looking for a simple way to make your presents stand out, this diy shirt gift tag is a clever and easy option.

Using just one sheet of paper, you’ll fold a mini paper shirt that can be customized in all kinds of fun ways—draw on buttons, add a sticker tie, or keep it plain and classic.

It’s a playful detail that’s especially perfect for Father’s Day, but also works well for teacher gifts, birthday presents, or even fun holiday wrapping.

You don’t need any fancy tools—just paper, scissors, glue, and string to attach it..

The final result is a compact, stylish tag that works well on gift bags, boxes, or even attached to baked goods and treats.

Whether you make a batch in advance or whip one up last minute, this tag adds personality and charm to any gift.

Shirt gift tag.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

  • Quick and easy – Takes just a few minutes and uses minimal supplies.
  • All occasions – Ideal for Father’s Day, birthdays, Christmas, teacher appreciation, and more
  • Customizable – Add ties, buttons, or decorate it with markers or stickers.
  • Kid-friendly – A great project for kids to help with or personalize.
  • Pairs well with any gift – Attach it to shirts, books, treats, or gift cards.

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Very Easy)

Materials Needed

  • 1 sheet of paper (origami or lightweight paper works best) for the shirt (see below for size guide)
  • Hole punch
  • String, twine, or ribbon (to tie the tag)
  • Scissors
  • Markers, stickers, or small paper scraps (optional for decorating)
  • Glue

Instructions

Making the Origami Shirt

Step 1: Start with the color you want your shirt to be facing down.

Step 2: Fold your paper in half from left to right.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold both the left and right edges in to meet the centre crease.

Steps 1 to 4 for folding an origami shirt.

Step 5: Fold both the top left flap and top right flap out at an angle as shown.

Step 6: Flip your paper over from top to bottom.

Step 7: Fold the top edge down slightly. This will become the thickness of your collar.

Step 8: Filp your paper over from left to right.

Steps 5 to 8 for folding an origami shirt.

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Step 9: Fold both the top left and top right corners in diagonally as shown (making sure the points touch the center crease), keeping the folds as symmetrical as possible.

Step 10: Fold the bottom edge up, slipping it under the flaps you folded in the previous step as shown, then crease.

Completed shirt. You could leave your shirt plain, add buttons, or follow the steps for how to make an origami tie to add a tie to your shirt.

Steps 9 to 10 for folding an origami shirt.

Making the DIY Gift Tag

Step 1: Place your shirt onto a piece of cardstock and trace around it using a pencil.

It’s up to you how you trace around the shirt. You could keep it simple and trace a rectangle or square around it, or you could trace around the shape of the shirt.

Just make sure you leave at least a 0.40 inches (1 cm) border around the shirt and a bit more room along the top (as you will need to punch a hole into the cardstock later).

Once you are happy with it, cut out the cardstock.

Step 2: Glue the back of the shirt onto the cardstock.

Step 3: Using a hole punch, punch a hole on the top edge of the cardstock. The position of the hole is up to you.

Step 4: Thread some string through the hole. Completed shirt gift tag.

Steps 1 to 4 for making a shirt gift tag.

Tips For Success

  • Use patterned paper – Stripes or checks give the “shirt” a more realistic look.
  • Leave space for a note – Write a short message on the back of the tag before attaching it.
Purple shirt gift tag.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

Forgetting to leave space for the hole – Make sure to plan your design so you don’t punch through important parts.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

  • Plain white paper – Classic and crisp—great for adding your own drawings or tie details.
  • Patterned origami paper – Gives the shirt a fun and finished look without extra decorating.
  • Pastel colors – Perfect for spring occasions like Easter or baby showers.
  • Muted tones – Ideal for more formal occasions or minimalist gifting.
  • Craft paper with printed textures – Try gingham, denim, or flannel prints for added charm.
  • Mini tie add-ons – Cut and glue a small paper tie or bow for extra detail.

FAQ

Can I use cardstock for this?

Lightweight cardstock may work, but regular paper folds more neatly for this project.

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

  • Frog Corner Origami Bookmark
  • 2D Origami Tulip
  • Square Corner Origami Bookmark
  • Washi Tape Cake Toppers

Stay Connected

Made this pattern? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Pin this post - Pin now to take your paper crafting skills to the next level.

Share on Instagram or Facebook - Capture the beauty of your finished paper craft project and share it on Instagram or Facebook! Tag us @foldyourway so we can see your work!

Pink and red shirt gift tag.

Other Patterns You Might Like To Try:

Looking for other easy patterns like this? Try these:

  • Halloween origami collage.
    Halloween Origami Projects
  • Origami collage of kids projects.
    How To Make Easy Origami For Kids
  • Origami collage.
    Origami Step By Step Instructions
  • Collection of traditional origami projects.
    Traditional Origami
  • Origami wreath.
    Easy Halloween Paper Wreath
  • Close up image of origami claws.
    How To Make Easy Origami Claws
  • Close up image of an origami wreath.
    How To Make An Easy Origami Wreath
  • Origami bookmarks.
    Bat Origami Corner Bookmark

More Paper Crafts

  • Origami Christmas tree.
    3D Origami Christmas Tree
  • Close up image of a wrapped gift.
    Layered Gift Wrapping Idea
  • Close up image of a Christmas present.
    Christmas Tree Gift Wrapping Idea
  • Blue and white candle napkin fold with a red flame.
    Candle Napkin Fold

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Author image.

Hi there, welcome to Fold Your Way!

My name is Emily. I am the founder, crafter, and photographer behind Fold Your Way.

More about me →

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