Makers Guide & Resources
A quick guide for customizing templates and printing at home, along with recommended products to help you complete your projects.
Designing in Canva: Quick & Easy Customization
We provide many of our templates for Canva because it's intuitive, free, and powerful enough to handle all your design needs, without requiring much design skill. It’s used by creatives high and low because it’s that easy to pick up, especially when you’re just getting started with your brand or project. From download to edit, here are the few steps to take to start editing templates:
Sign Up or Log In: If you don’t already have an account, visit Canva.com and sign up for free. If you already have an account, just log in.
Open Your Template: You’ll receive a link to your template in your order confirmation. Click on it, and the design will open in Canva. Make sure you're logged in to edit.
Customize Text & Colors: You can quickly swap out placeholder text with your own. Just click on any text box, type in your information, and adjust font size, spacing, and alignment if needed. Change colors to match your brand by selecting any element, then clicking on the color swatch in the toolbar.
Upload Logos and Other Graphics: Click ‘Uploads’ in the Canva side panel, drag your logo into the panel, and place it anywhere in your design.
Print Your Design: Once you’re happy with your edits, click "Share" in the top right corner, select "Download," and choose PDF Print for the highest quality if you plan to print at home.
There are countless things you can do in Canva with your template, so we recommend checking out YouTube tutorials that cover a variety of questions you might have. If you have questions specific to our templates, just send us a message.
Note: You can only change the size and orientation of a design with a Canva Pro account. If you need a custom sizes of anything, reach out to us for help.
Printing with quality results
A few key tips for printing at home:
Choose the Right Printer Settings: Always set your printer to its highest quality print settings, usually labeled as “Best” or “High Resolution.” This ensures the colors are vibrant and the text is crisp.
Select Your Paper Type: For labels, we recommend using waterproof label paper. Choose from matte or glossy depending on the aesthetic you want to achieve. Many label papers will tell you if it’s designed for laser or ink jet printers to prevent smearing and other issues. If you’re printing stationery, we recommend a high-quality cardstock that suits your needs, typically around 80-110 lbs, but refer to your printer manual for what it can handle.
Test First: Always print a test page to ensure everything looks correct before printing in bulk! This is especially useful when trying out new paper types or sizes.
Cutting and Trimming: If you’re printing labels, you’ll want precise edges. We recommend using a paper cutter or cutting tool instead of scissors to get smooth, professional-looking lines. Depending on your experience level, Silhouette Cameo and Cricuts work wonders as well, but will require some knowledge to set up templates.
Printing at Scale: If you’re making a large number of labels or need high-quality prints, it may be worth taking your files to a professional print shop. Some home printers might struggle with consistent color or finish across multiple copies, and professional printers can help ensure uniformity.
Prepping surfaces for labels
Cleaning your surface: Before applying your labels, it’s essential to ensure that your surface is clean and dry. Use a mild detergent or rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt, oil, or dust. For sticky surfaces, various oils like baby or coconut work well to get them clean.
Things to avoid: Surfaces that are textured, greasy, or uneven may cause your labels to peel prematurely, create air bubbles or wrinkles. For best results, stick to smooth surfaces like glass, metal, and plastic.
Peeling & Sticking: Carefully peel the label from its backing, starting from a corner. Align the label with your surface, and press down gently, working from the center outwards to avoid air bubbles. Smooth down the edges for a clean, professional look.
We’ve tried many times and thankfully, most labels can be removed and reapplied quickly if accidentally misplaced, but only so many times.
Recommended Paper & Tools
Full Sheet Label Paper
Label papers that are not pre-scored on either front or back. Ideal for Silhouette Cameo or Cricut.
Recommendations
Full Sheet Blank Label Paper with Back Slit
Label papers that are pre-scored on the back to ensure easy peeling - comes in a variety of back slit styles from one to multiple slits. Ideal for use with paper cutters or cutting machines if you have experience.
Recommendations
Pre-scored Label Paper
Label papers that are pre-scored on the front, specifically cut per size. Endless options for various sizes and brands, we like OnlineLabels as they have great quality at a decent price. Ideal for those who want the easiest peeling experience, but requires a little time registering designs to fit pre-scored templates. Refer to your label paper brand’s website for downloadable templates to help layout designs for batch printing.
A short list of our most commonly requested sizes:
Recommendations
Cardstock for stationery
Postcards: Typically 100-130 lb (270-350 gsm)
Single-page menus: Typically 80-100 lb cover stock (215-270 gsm)
Business cards: Typically 80-110 lb cover stock (215-300 gsm)
Refer to your printer manual for max paper weight handling.
Recommendations
Equipment & tools
With the right materials and our user-friendly templates, your prints can look stunning every time. We encourage you to experiment with different textures, paper types, and colors to match your brand and give you a unique style. Need more help? Check out our FAQ page or send us a question.
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We are not affiliated with any of the above sellers, we’ve just found their products useful when creating products. When shopping on Amazon, always double check the seller’s shop, reviews, and ratings to avoid purchasing cheap products and knockoffs. Supporting reputable sellers helps ensure you get quality products while also supporting smaller or legitimate businesses.