How to Make Your Own File Folder Labels – FREE Template!

There’s nothing worse than taking the time to organize your home files and paperwork, only to step back and take a look at your filing drawer and it still looks messy. Handwritten file folders are convenient, but they don’t look as neat as printed folder labels.

And I’ll be the first to admit that my handwriting stinks.

So I’m always trying to create home organizing systems that involve cute printable labels and tags instead of my handwritten chicken scratch.

In the past, I’ve used my handy Brother Label Maker for labeling my home file folders. But as much as I love my label maker, it only prints in black ink. And since I have SO many home filing categories, I really wanted to color-code my file folder labels by category.

So I created a printable file folder labels template and I’m sharing it with you!

If you need some free printable file folder labels to use for your home filing folders, then read on for how to do this simple home organization project:

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Supplies Needed to Make File Folder Labels

Here are the supplies that I used to create my organized filing drawer for all of my home paperwork with neatly labeled DIY folder labels:

• free printable file folder label template – I’ve got instructions for how to access and use my template at the end of this post!
• file folders and hanging file folders – I like to use both types to organize my files by category and subcategory… more about that down below.
• printer and paper – I prefer to use a slightly heavier weight paper, like 32 lb., for my labels. You can also use card stock to make your labeled folders more durable.
• glue stick
• packing tape
• scissors and/or paper trimmer – I recommend using a paper trimmer to cut out your file folder labels. I also used a pair of small precision tip scissors for trimming the tape off the edges of the folder tabs, but regular scissors will work fine also.

How to Use the Printable File Folder Labels

The printable file folder labels template is super easy to use for your DIY folder labels. After you’ve gathered your supplies and sorted your household paperwork into categories, just follow these steps:

1. Customize and print the free labels template.

The first step is to customize the template to add the folder names that you need.

To do this, I suggest that you first follow the steps in this post about creating a home filing system… it will help you declutter and organize your family paperwork so that you know what labels you’ll need.

You can also check out this post for 175 home filing categories and subcategories – this will give you ideas of how to organize your folders. You can also grab a free printable list of file folder categories to help you sort your paperwork!

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Once you know what file folder label names that you need, open up the free printable file folder labels template in Canva and type in your folder names. I’ll show you how to do this at the end of this post.

Once your names are entered into the template, print the labels on white printer paper.

2. Cut out the printable file folder labels.

To start, cut the file folder labels template out along the lines. I recommend using a paper trimmer for this step, because your labels will be much straighter and look neater on your folders:

When you’re done, your DIY folder labels should look something like this… notice how mine are color-coded by category so that it’s super easy to find the papers that I need:

3. Attach the labels to your file folder tabs.

I separated these instructions into two sections, because there’s probably two main types of folder labels that you’ll need for setting up your home filing system:

• labels for the manilla file folders– These are the folders that actually hold your important paperwork (think of these as the “subcategories”).
• labels for hanging file folders – These are the folders that hang on the side rails/brackets of your filing drawers. Hanging file folders hold your other manilla file folders, and I use these for my “main categories” of files.

For Manilla File Folder Labels:

To attach the printable file folder labels to your folders, just follow these easy steps:

1. Use a glue stick to glue the cut label onto the folder tab. Be sure to glue the label close enough to the top of the tab so that you can easily read the labels when all of your folders are grouped together in a drawer. This step just holds the label in place so that it doesn’t shift and become crooked when applying the packing tape.
2. Place packing tape on top of the label. Cut a piece of packing tape about 2-3″ in length (depending on the tab size of your folders). Line up one side of the piece of tape so that it is below the label. See photo #2 above.
3. Fold the packing tape over the back of the folder tab. Fold the top portion of the piece of packing tape over the top of the file folder tab.
4. Secure the packing tape piece in place. Do your best to keep the piece of packing tape straight so that there are no wrinkles on your folder tab, and press down to secure the tape to the back of the file folder.
5. Use scissors to trim off any excess tape. If your piece of packing tape is too long and extends past the file folder tab when you’re done, simply use scissors to trim off the excess tape. Depending on the size of your tape, you may be able to skip this step.

For Hanging File Folder Labels:

The hanging file folder labels are a bit different, because most hanging files are labeled with removable plastic tabs that you can insert into different hole positions in the top of the folder.

I’ve tried a few different ways for creating my own DIY hanging file folder labels, but this is what I’ve found to be the easiest method:

1. Cut a small piece of packing tape about 2″ long.
2. Cover the main category label with the packing tape, front and back, and snip off any excess tape. This helps with the durability of the label, and it also makes it easier to slide the label into the plastic tab.
3. Insert the taped label into the plastic tab that comes with the hanging file folders.

*If you want to skip the taping part for the hanging folder labels, then you can print your main category labels on white card stock instead. Then, they’ll be easier to insert into the plastic tab dividers.

Notice how I typed the “Insurance” label above in all caps, while the other labels are lower case? I recommend doing that so it’s easier to tell where one category ends and the next begins. All of the main category labels in my filing cabinet (like Home, Financial, Medical, Vehicle, etc.) are typed in all caps.

4. Organize your labeled folders in your filing cabinet.

When all of your DIY file folder labels are done, it’s time to organize your papers and file them away in your filing drawer! Here’s a photo of my finished home files with the cute color-coordinated labels:

How to Use the Free File Folder Labels Template

The file folder labels template can easily be customized in Canva. Canva is a free program that allows you to create so many different graphics, checklists, home organizing printables, etc. It’s one of my absolute FAVORITE computer programs ever! Just follow these steps:

1. Click the link above to access the Canva template. Then, a new Canva window will appear. On that screen, click the large purple button at the bottom of the screen that says “Use Template for New Design”.
2. Sign up for a FREE Canva account, if you don’t already have one. If you already have a Canva account and you’re signed in, you can skip this step.
3. Double click on the file folder label name that you want to change until it is highlighted. Then type in your custom label name. The template already comes pre-filled with TONS of common home filing categories, so you can use them “as is” or change the names for your own files.
4. When your labels are done, click “Share” from the top right of the screen. Scroll down and click “Download”. Click the drop down arrow under “File type” and select “PDF Print”.
5. From the PDF options, you can choose which pages you want to print from the “Select pages” option. Then click the purple “Download” button.
6. The file folder labels will download to your computer, and then you can open the file and print!

*NOTE – If you want to skip the customization part and just use the file folder labels that I have already typed in, then you can click here to download the free printable file folder labels PDF – There’s a TON of labels to choose from!

Other Home Organization Ideas

I hope this printable file folder labels template helps you to organize your home files and paperwork! And if you’re feeling motivated and want to continue organizing other areas of your home, then be sure to check out some of my other home organization posts:

My Favorite Top Shelf Closet Organization System – If the top shelf of your closet is a cluttered mess, then check out this post for my super simple organizing idea and some free printable labels!

Computer Desktop Wallpaper Organizer – Use this downloadable image and upload it as your computer wallpaper. Then, move your files into the cute boxes to organize your computer desktop! There’s TONS of wallpapers to choose from!

And don’t forget to PIN this post for later: