How to Make Name Label Sheets with the Cricut

Get prepped for back to school with these custom name labels made with the Cricut machine! This post contains affiliate links, which, when purchased through, add no cost to the buyer, but supply a small commission to this site. 

It’s almost back to school time! There are several back to school themed projects that you can do with your Cricut machine, but my favorite for back to school are organizational projects. ‘Cause, let’s face it, I need all the organization with four kids going back to school that I can get! All four kids have multiple items that need labeled. Name label sheets are an easy DIY for Cricut users of all skill sets– beginner through advanced. Here’s how to make name label sheets with the Cricut machine!

Supplies:

• Cricut machine (I’m using the Cricut Explore Air 2)
• Cricut Standard Grip cutting mat
• Cricut weeding tool 
• Cricut vinyl 
• Cricut transfer tape

These name label sheets are completely customizable. If you are like me, this can be a good thing or a bad thing. It’s good because personalization is always great when making Cricut projects. It’s bad because, sometimes, I simply want a cut and dry process without too many choices! When considering these name labels, there are several items to contemplate first.

1– What type of vinyl are you using? Cricut has both permanent and removable vinyl. Last year, I used removable vinyl on the inside of the triplets’ backpacks for their names. By the end of the year, only one backpack was missing a few letters. So be aware that removable vinyl may not stay on highly used items the entire year. However, since my kids share and swap items constantly, I did not want permanent vinyl so that I could remove the name labels easily if I wanted. You’ll have to determine what type of vinyl that you want to use before beginning the project.

Also note that this tutorial is for regular vinyl, not iron-on vinyl. However, if you want to make name labels with iron-on vinyl, the process is the same with the exception of the cutting step. Iron-on vinyl needs to be mirrored when cutting.

2– How many name labels do you need? How many name labels that you need will determine the size of the name label sheet.

First, open Cricut Design Space. Click on “images” and insert a square.

Click on the lock on the lower left hand corner of the square to unlock the square.

Size the square to how large you would like the name label sheet. Mine is 6″ by 12.”

Click on “images” and insert a 1.5″ circle.

Click the “text” icon on the left hand panel. Add the name or initials inside the circle.

Select the text and the circle.

With both selected, click the “attach” icon at the bottom of the right hand panel.

I wanted to create several of this style. I used the “duplicate” button to create multiple of the same circle label.

Continue with this process until the sheet is full with the number of labels needed. Be sure to attach each name to each shape so that the name actually cuts out of the shape once you’ve sent it to the Cricut machine. There are so many styles that you can create! I’ve chosen to use the name within shapes, but note that you may also type the name without shapes.

After designing all the labels or names, DELETE the rectangle that is behind all of the names. The rectangle was to make sure that you kept the labels within the allotted size, so you do not need to cut it. 

Important: Once you have completed all the labels, click “Select all” and attach them all together. This will keep them in the layout that you have designed. 

Once you’ve completed the sheet, send it to the Cricut machine.

It may take a while for the machine to cut the sheet, even on Fast Mode. Once the machine has finished, it is time to weed! This is by far the most tedious part of the project.

Prior to use, apply a piece of transfer tape over the name label sheet. Cut each name label out as you need it, using the transfer tape to apply the name label to the item.

For more Cricut tutorials and ideas, check out my Cricut Project Page!