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If you’re scrambling to put together a last-minute Valentine’s gift, I have the perfect solution that looks fabulous but doesn’t require advanced hand lettering skills. Using traceable lettering templates can transform a simple brown paper bag into a personalized, handmade gift that friends, teachers, or family will love. Best of all, this project takes less than an hour and uses supplies you likely already have at home!

This tutorial will show you how to use hand lettered sign templates to create an attachable card for your gift bag. Let’s get to it!

Supplies You’ll Need

Most of the supplies I used can be found on my Amazon storefront, or at your local craft store!

Essential Materials:

• Traceable lettering template of your choice (see all my lettering templates in the shop here!)
• Light pad or light box ($5 at Dollar Tree or similar online)
• Note: If you can’t find a light box, graphite paper (also called transfer paper) works well too. You can also just trace directly on the template printout.

• Watercolor paper or cardstock (any smooth paper works)
• Tombow Dual Brush Pens (red, pink, or your preferred colors)
• Brown paper gift bag
• Colored scrapbook paper for backing
• Tape or blue dot runner adhesive
• Paper cutter or scissors

Optional Enhancements:

• Gray markers for shadowing 
• Fine tip markers (Micron or Tombow fine point)
• Sparkle Pop glitter pens or gel pens
• Elmer’s glue and loose glitter
• Ribbon or yarn for a decorative bow
• Tissue paper

Step #1: Prepare Your Traceable Template

Start by downloading and printing your hand lettering template. The beauty of working with PDF templates is that you can easily adjust the size to fit your project.

To resize your template:

1. Open the print settings on your computer
2. Look for the “Scale” or “Page Sizing” option
3. Reduce to 75% for a smaller design (perfect for cards)
4. Scale to 50% for even tinier projects
5. Keep at 100% for full-size bag designs

For this gift bag project, I scaled my template down to 75%, which created the perfect size for a card that would attach to a brown paper bag.

Step #2: Trace Your Design

This is where your light pad comes in handy!

Using a Light Pad:

1. Place your printed template on the light pad
2. Turn on the light pad
3. Position your watercolor paper or cardstock on top
4. Tape the corners to prevent shifting
5. Use the bullet tip of your Tombow pen to trace the letters

PRO TIP: If you’re working in a very bright room, create a small shadow over your light pad by blocking overhead lights. This makes the template easier to see through the paper.

Using Graphite Paper:

1. Place the graphite paper shiny side down on your project surface
2. Position your template on top
3. Trace over the design with a pencil or stylus
4. The design transfers to your paper below

You can also skip the transfer altogether and letter directly on top of the printed template for lettering practice or quick projects.

Step #3: Add Color and Details

Once you’ve traced your basic outline, it’s time to bring your design to life with color.

Basic Lettering:

1. Use the bullet tip of your Tombow Dual Brush Pen to outline letters
2. Keep your lines consistent for a clean, modern look (called monoline lettering)
3. Fill in letters completely for solid coverage

Add Watercolor Effects: The Tombow Dual Brush Pens are water-based, which means you can create beautiful blended effects!

1. Color hearts or accents with your lighter color (pink)
2. While still wet, add touches of darker color (red) at the bottom
3. Use a water brush or the lighter marker to drag colors together
4. Create an ombré effect from dark to light

For the best ombré results, always start with your lighter color first, then add darker shades.

Step #4: Add Shadowing for Dimension

Shadowing is what transforms basic lettering into professional-looking custom lettering. The key is using very light gray markers.

Best Markers for Shadowing:

• Tombow N95 (very light gray)
• Zebra Midliner (subtle gray)
• Pintal gray marker (slightly purple-tinted)

How to Add Shadows:

1. Decide where your light source is coming from (typically top left)
2. Add shadow to the bottom and right side of each letter
3. Use light pressure and go slowly
4. A lighter shade hides mistakes and blending lines better than dark colors

Why Light Colors Work Best: 

Dark shadow colors show harsh transitions where you stop and start. Light grays blend seamlessly into your base color, creating the illusion of depth without obvious lines. If you accidentally overlap onto your main letter color, it won’t be noticeable.

Step #5: Add Sparkle and Embellishments

This step is optional, but it adds that extra special touch to personalized signs and hand-lettered gifts!

To add some shimmer:

1. Use Sparkle Pop glitter pens or gel pens over your letters
2. Trace along edges or fill in entire sections
3. Important: Let gel pens dry for 2-3 minutes before touching

To add glitter accents:

1. Use Elmer’s glue to create small dots or patterns
2. Sprinkle loose glitter over the glue
3. Let dry completely, then brush off excess
4. This creates a disco ball effect with larger glitter flakes

For the fine details, use a fine-tip marker to:

• Outline letters for a sketched look
• Draw small hearts or decorative elements
• Add dimension by going over outlines 2-3 times with slightly offset lines

Step #6: Assemble Your Gift Bag

The final step brings it all together!

• Trim your design: Cut around your lettered card, leaving a small border
• Add backing: Glue your design onto colored scrapbook paper for contrast
• Attaching the card to your bag: Use a blue dot runner adhesive or tape to attach the card to your brown paper bag
• Make it removable: Only tape the top portion so you can remove and reuse the bag
• Add the finishing touches:
  • Tie ribbon or yarn around the handle
  • Add tissue paper inside
  • Include small treats or gifts

And there you have it! A cute gift bag that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day (or whatever holiday/celebration you find yourself lettering for!). 

Tips for Success with Lettering Projects

For Beginners: 

Don’t worry about perfect brush lettering right away. Using traceable templates takes the pressure off creating perfect layouts while you build confidence. Focus on consistent pressure and smooth strokes. You got this!

Paper Matters: 

Smooth paper makes a significant difference in your lettering quality. Textured watercolor paper works but requires lighter pressure. Practice first on the paper you plan to use.

Make It Your Own: 

These templates are starting points. Feel free to:

• Change colors to match any occasion
• Add your own embellishments
• Use different shadowing techniques
• Scale to different sizes for various projects

And you can use this tutorial for any occasion — birthdays, holidays, teacher gifts, or just because! The choice is yours!

Join the Happy Lettering Club for More Lettering Projects

Want to learn more techniques like this? The Happy Lettering Club is a membership community where we create fun projects together every month!

When you join, you get:

• Monthly traceable templates and lettering worksheets for practice and projects
• Exclusive video tutorials teaching new techniques step-by-step
• Access to a supportive community of fellow lettering enthusiasts
• Tips for improving consistency, composition, and style
• Seasonal project ideas you can use for gifts, home decor, and more

Whether you’re just starting your hand lettering journey or want to refine your skills, the Happy Lettering Club provides everything you need to create beautiful, confidence-building projects. You’ll discover that learning hand lettering doesn’t have to be intimidating when you have the right resources and community support.

I’d love to have you there — learn more about joining us here!