Monday, June 30, 2014

File Drawer Label Freebie

I HATE STACKS! There, I said it! I cannot abide stacks of papers, memos, folders, and other junk! One of my summer to do lists was to snag some small file drawers and make some labels for my desk at school. I have seen lots of super cute versions of these on Pinterest, but none of them matched my room decor. (Sadsville!) So, I just had to make my own. By the way, that is easier said than done, people! Whew, I am glad this task is over!

These were made to fit the Sterilite 3 drawer boxes that hold 8 1/2 x 11 papers. I went with the black drawers because I have had the white ones and after a couple of weeks of pencil lead, dry erase marker dust, and plain old dust, they looked grungy! I had to wipe them down at least once a week with a Mr. Clean sponge. This is especially true if little hands are going to be opening and closing them. 

After printing the labels on card stock and trimming them, I just applied mod podge to the front of the drawer with a foam brush, added the label, mod podged it from the back to seal it, and let them sit to dry overnight. At least that part was easy, right!?! :)

I made labels for Copy, Grade, File, Groups 1 - 6, Extras, Reading, ELA, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies. If you can use these, you can download a set of them for free, {HERE}

EDITED 9/5/15: I have had several requests for days of the week labels and a homework label. You can now grab those for free {HERE}

Enjoy! I hope these work for you! I tested them out, but every printer is different. Please let me know if there is an issue. Thanks!!

13 comments:

  1. GREAT idea. I hate piles on my desk, too. I had three, yes three, piles going on this year...and every single day it irritated me. This year, I promised myself to not get that started. I like your Sterilite shelves and pretty labels, thank you!! Have a fun summer day today, kath

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  2. Thanks so much, Kathy! Three piles??? I am glad to help you on the path to a stack free desk, too! Hee hee! You have a fun summer day, too!

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  3. These are PERFECT for my red, black, white Pirate Themed Classroom!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!

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    1. Yay! By the way, you have excellent taste in classroom decor! (wrote the teacher who also has a red, black, and white pirate themed classroom) ;)

      Jenn

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    2. Do you a regular at home printer? I want to do this but i'm afraid the modge podge will smear the ink.

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    3. I used cardstock paper and my home printer. I applied the mod podge to the inside of the drawer and sealed the backside of the paper. There was no smearing that way. I hope these work for you!

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    4. Hello Jennifer,

      My name is Rebekah Embree and I just e-mailed you through the contact button on the blog home page. I was wondering if these labels could be sent as editables to make other labels that you may not have available, or whether you would be willing to give out directions as how to make them. I printed your freebie, because I love it so much, and am having a pirate themed classroom of my own for 2nd Grade next year. I was wanting some that said the days of the week (Mon.-Fri.). I have the same sterilite drawers that I will be using for extra copies of papers for the entire week. Let me know your thoughts on this request. Thanks so much for your consideration. Rebekah Embree

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  4. Could you make these with days of the week and homework?

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    1. I just edited this post to include a Dropbox link for the labels you requested. Thanks!

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  5. Hi there! Thanks for the freebie! I'm looking for Teacher toolbox labels. Do you have those too?

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    1. I am sorry, Laura. I don't have the toolbox labels. I have bought several versions on Teachers Pay Teachers. There are many to choose from there. Have a great day!

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  6. Thank you SO MUCH!! These labels are awesome and so are you!! =D

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  7. These are great! Do you have a editable version to coordinate colors in my classroom?? :) I just discovered your blog and I love it!

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