DIY Treat Bag Toppers on Canva: A Step-by-Step Guide

Updated at: 30/05/2025

Looking for a fun and easy way to elevate your next party or event? Forget generic store-bought treat bags – let's unleash your creativity and design personalized toppers using Canva! This incredibly versatile design platform allows you to craft unique and visually stunning additions to any treat bag, perfectly complementing your theme and adding a delightful personal touch. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, holiday, or just want to spread some cheer, custom-designed toppers are a simple yet effective way to impress your guests. Imagine adorable cartoon characters, elegant floral patterns, or even personalized messages – all created by you.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough demonstrating how to effortlessly design and create beautiful DIY treat bag toppers using the intuitive tools Canva offers. From choosing the right dimensions to adding charming graphics and text, we’ll guide you through the entire process, ensuring you achieve professional-looking results without any prior design experience. Let's get started!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Canva
  • Computer/Tablet
  • Printer
  • Glossy Photo Paper/Cardstock
  • Stapler
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise children around crafting materials, especially small parts like glue dots or ribbon that could pose a choking hazard.
  • Ensure all food-safe materials are used if the treat bag toppers will be in direct contact with food. Avoid using materials that aren't designed for food contact.
  • Before mass production, test print a single topper to check for size, color accuracy, and overall quality before printing many copies to avoid wasted materials.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Create Canva Template

    • Open a blank Canva page. Go to 'Elements,' then 'Lines and Shapes.' Select a rectangle shape for your bag topper. For 5x7 bags, use appropriate dimensions (video provides measurements for other sizes as well). Add a vertical line down the center to help with folding.
    Create Template in Canva: Open a blank Canva page. Go to 'Elements,' then 'Lines and Shapes.' Select a rectangle shape for your bag topper. For 5x7 bags, use appropriate dimensions (video provides measurements for other sizes as well). Add a vertical line down the center to help with folding.
    Create Canva Template

  2. Duplicate Template for Efficiency

    • Create a copy of the template for easy reuse when making multiple toppers.
    Duplicate Template: Create a copy of the template for easy reuse when making multiple toppers.
    Duplicate Template for Efficiency

  3. Upload Design Assets

    • Upload your desired images to Canva from your computer.
    Upload Images: Upload your desired images to Canva from your computer.
    Upload Design Assets

  4. Design Bag Topper Front and Back

    • Design the front of the bag topper. Remember to flip any elements intended for the back vertically before placing them to avoid backwards text/images when folded.
    Design Front and Back: Design the front of the bag topper. Remember to flip any elements intended for the back vertically before placing them to avoid backwards text/images when folded.
    Design Bag Topper Front and Back

  5. Create Mirrored Design (Optional)

    • If you want the same design on both sides, ensure all elements are within the template's boundaries, group them, and then duplicate and flip the group for the back.
    Design Consistency (Optional): If you want the same design on both sides, ensure all elements are within the template's boundaries, group them, and then duplicate and flip the group for the back.
    Create Mirrored Design (Optional)

  6. Print, Cut, Fold, and Attach

    • Print your design on glossy photo paper or cardstock. Cut out the toppers and fold them in half along the center line. Staple them to your treat bags.
    Print and Assemble: Print your design on glossy photo paper or cardstock. Cut out the toppers and fold them in half along the center line. Staple them to your treat bags.
    Print, Cut, Fold, and Attach

Read more: DIY Dollar Store Ghost Candy Holder: Spooky Cute Halloween Decor!

Tips

  • Adjust Measurements: The provided measurements are for specific bag sizes; adjust accordingly if using different sized bags.
  • Add Extra Room: Make the width of your template slightly larger than needed to allow for easy cutting.
  • Wear Gloves (If for Clients): For hygienic reasons, wear gloves when assembling treat bags for others.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Low-Resolution Images

Reason: Using low-resolution images will result in blurry and pixelated treat bag toppers when printed.
Solution: Always use high-resolution images (at least 300 DPI) for crisp, clear prints.

2. Incorrect File Size

Reason: Creating toppers with incorrect dimensions will lead to misaligned or cropped designs on the treat bags.
Solution: Accurately measure your treat bags and create Canva designs with the matching dimensions.

3. Ignoring Bleed and Trim Marks

Reason: Ignoring bleed and trim marks can result in unsightly white borders around your design after printing and cutting.
Solution: Always use Canva's bleed and trim features to ensure your design extends to the edges of the printed material and is accurately cut.

FAQs

What size should I design my Canva treat bag toppers?
The ideal size depends on your treat bags. Measure the top of your bag to determine the best width and height for your topper. Aim for a size that covers the top nicely, leaving enough space for easy tying or sealing.
Can I use my own images and fonts in my Canva designs?
Absolutely! Canva allows you to upload your own images and fonts. This lets you personalize your toppers even further, incorporating elements that perfectly match your theme or branding.
How do I download and print my Canva treat bag toppers?
Once you're happy with your design, click the 'Download' button in Canva. Choose a high-resolution PDF or JPG file type. Then, simply print your toppers on cardstock or sticker paper, and cut them out to fit your bags.