Update: I’ve created a video tutorial of this project! Watch the video below to learn some tips and tricks to make these in a snap!
Last week I shared a few ideas about how I would like to decorate our house for our big birthday party. I decided to stick with mint and bright yellow and pair it with a dark gray. I love this color palette! I also drew silhouettes of the Mr. and I for our invitations. I loved them so much I’m getting art prints made for our bedroom.
The party will be here before we know it, so I started making some decorations. The first thing I started with is making custom flags for paper straws. I was very easy to make and I love the way it looks. I even made a little tutorial so you can make them too. I’m loving little flags right now and these would be perfect for a wedding or a 4th of July party.
I made a free template for Word. All you need to do is type in the text boxes, choose your font color and print! I recommend printing it on smooth 8.5″ x 11″ card-stock. If you only want the text to appear on one side of the flag, delete every other column of text in Word.
Supplies: straw flag template for Word or Pages / paper straws / permanent double sided tape / scissors
Time: 15 minutes
1. You will need paper straws (I purchased mine here), colored card-stock paper, the template above, and an desktop printer. You will also need narrow permanent double-sided tape.
2. Use a straight edge and x-acto blade or paper cutter to cut your soon-to-be-flags into strips.
3. You should have little strips of paper that look like mine above.
4. Use permanent (not removable) double-sided tape. Place this on the back side of the paper strip. I tried using a glue stick and they didn’t hold up. I also tried using removable double-sided tape and this also didn’t hold. PVA glue would probably be the best adhesive to use, but I was too impatient to wait for it to dry.
5. Wrap the paper strip around a straw. Then use small, sharp scissor to cut a triangle out of the end of the flag. This give it the oh-so-cute flag shape.
And that’s it! Easy, right? I can’t wait to make these for summer dinner parties and just about every occasion!
The Gray Goose
Thanks for featuring our straws! This is a super super cute spread!
Sarah
Update: I made a free template for Word!
Tonia
SarahCan you please email template to toniaroc@gmail.com
Vogue & Vintage
ToniaIs the word template some where on your site or can you email it to me as well? vogueandvintage@gmail.com ?
Thank You,
Sarah
Vogue & VintageHi! The link to download the template is at the top of the post (here’s the link).
chrissy
Sarah, can you please email me the word template??? TIA
chrissy556@gmail.com
Laurie Davis
Thank you for this tutorial and free template!! I just made it my own and printed it out and it’s perfect!! You now have a new follower!!
Sarah
Laurie DavisSo happy to hear that! Thanks so much Laurie!
Princess
Thank you so much for the tutorial and template!!!! How do I change the font though for all of the boxes at once? I want a cursive font instead of the Helvitca. Thank you!
Sarah
PrincessPrincess, thanks for downloading the template! Unfortunately, Word will not let you change the font of multiple text boxes at the same time. I will absolutely try to find a work around in my next Word templates. Thanks for stopping by!
Fortuna
Thank you so much for your post! You present really easy instructions and my flags came out perfect. And your template was so helpful! Love your site!
HelloAix
Thank you for the template ! that’s fantastic –> new twitter follower ! can’t wait to read yout tweets
Evan’s Dinosaur Birthday
[…] and Sources: Pinterest party board for inspiration Template for straw flags Custom stamp from Tickled Pink Paper + Ink Paper straws & favor supplies from In The Clear […]
Easy DIY Cupcake (or Drink) Flags | New and Blue - Wedding Blog
[…] browsing online I came across this darling website (Sarah Hearts) that had a super easy and free template for cupcake or drink flags. I have wanted to make some […]
Chelsea
Whatta great freebie! I just spent ten minutes customizing these for my upcoming engagement party. I downloaded that font from your previous freebie post “Later On” — too cute!
I love the way they came out; thanks for sharing!
Leigh's Wedding
Hi there!
Unfortunately, the link to the free template is not working. would you mind emailing it to me at nicciharrell@gmail.com? Thanks!
Striped Straws, Striped Straw Flags,
[…] prefer something a little more personal check out these cool tutorials from come on ilene and Sarah Hearts.For the DIY divas in search of a favour idea – what about straws on bottles of cordial as […]
Leslie
Love the page!
Meena
Thanks so much for sharing your template, it worked out great for me! I made drink flags for my travel themed wedding and wrote “cheers” in different languages. They look awesome :) Cheers!
Stephanie
Hi, I was wondering if you could print these out on label paper? so all you have to do is cut them and then fold around the straw since both sides are sticky!
Thanks!
Sarah
Stephanie@ Stephanie: Yes, that’s a great idea! I haven’t tried it myself but I’m sure it would work.
Melissa
I just wanted to say thank you for posting this tutorial.
I am by no means a DIY girl but this is pretty much idiot proof. I’ll be making these flags to add to straws for our wedding. :)
Melissa
Sarah
Melissa@Melissa Congrats on your engagement! I’m so happy you’ll be using them! I’d love to see photos of them after!
Lena
Thank you! I needed a strip template and this is perfect! :)
Dawn
PERFECTION! Thanks for the freebie. I will be using these in my wedding. It is so fool-proof I almost feel talented :-)
My Colorful Baby Shower |
[…] Last but not least, I can’t forget the custom straw toppers Allie made to go with the colorful theme. She made a big batch of white wine peach sangria, which everyone sipped using grey striped straws with custom “baby love” and “it’s a girl” labels attached. (Template for Labels via: Sarah Hearts) […]
La Toya
Thanks Sarah , I’m planning my daughter’s 1st Birthday Party this template sure comes in handy
business Article
Hello, i read your blog occasionally and i own a similar one and i
was just wondering if you get a lot of spam responses? If so how do you stop it, any
plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so
much lately it’s driving me mad so any support is very much appreciated.
Lauren
I showcased my own variation of these on my blog today. I made a few up for my daughter’s first birthday. I linked your tuitorial in my post. Thanks for the inspiration!!
The One With the Last Minute DIY | unbrideled joy
[…] I found this tutorial and used the template included to change it to say Cam heart Miss Camera on one side, and yay! on […]
Chelsea
Great tips! Can I please have the template sent to chelseamtucker@gmail.com? Thanks!
Sunshine
This was so helpful and easy. Thank you!
Mary
I would also love to have the template emailed to me at mvadillo85@gmail.com
I had problems opening the link!
Arnie
Hi, thanks for these! Im definitely using this for my daughter’s 3rd birthday party. I really appreciate you for putting this one on your lovely blog. ?
Loh Mei Leng
Hi I just come across this page and would appreciate if you could email
the template to me. Thank you for your consideration.
Christina
Hi I was just wondering if it were possible for you to email the template to me. I would really appreciate it. Love your blog! Very creative!
Carrie
Would you mind sending the word template for the straw tags – thanks so much for doing this. Do you think it would work on any Avery label or just stick to card stock? Glad I found your site.
Carrie
CarrieDisregard sending the template – just saw it above – sorry!
Cidzz
Hi, Loved this tutorial and the template. Many thanks for sharing it, using it for my daughter’s 2nd birthday. Can you please tell me how did you put in figures/head images of a man and a woman. I want to put in a daisy, right now I have worked around and inserted an image but it would be nice to know if there is any other way.
Sarah
CidzzCidzz, So glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I actually first created the template and our silhouettes in Adobe Illustrator so I duplicated the icons. In Word (or Pages) since each size of the flag is a text box, you should be able to place an image (like a JPG) directly inside each box. Best of luck!
Yasmin
I love how creative you are! ??
Becky
Can the font be changed from Helvetica?
Sarah Khandjian
BeckyYes! You can change the font in your word processing program.
Becky
Are there cheaper sources for the double sided tape? Thanks!
Sarah Khandjian
BeckyYes, you can find it locally at most craft supply stores and even at stores like Target and Walmart.