Free Printable Bow Templates: 14 Beautiful Designs for Your Creative Projects!

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Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Dee

There’s something utterly delightful about bows, isn’t there? Whether you’re adding a finishing touch to a junk journal page, creating handmade gift tags, or simply looking for a relaxing coloring session, bow templates offer endless creative possibilities.

Today, I’m sharing 14 free printable bow templates that you can use in so many wonderful ways. These designs range from simple and sweet to intricate and detailed, giving you plenty of options whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crafter.

Download the 14 printable bow templates at the end of this post!

Why Bow Templates Are a Creative Essential

Bow templates are incredibly versatile additions to your creative toolkit. I’ve used them in everything from junk journaling to watercolor painting, and they never fail to add that perfect decorative touch. They’re also wonderful for:

• Creating consistent sizes when you need multiple bows for a project
• Practicing new coloring or painting techniques without pressure
• Teaching kids about symmetry and pattern
• Building up your digital art stamp collection
• Making custom gift wrapping embellishments

The beauty of having templates is that you can print them as many times as you need, experiment freely, and never worry about “wasting” them.

Creative Ways to Use Your Bow Templates

1. Watercolor Painting Practice

These bow templates are perfect for practicing watercolor techniques. Try printing them on watercolor paper and experimenting with wet-on-wet techniques, color blending, or creating ombré effects from one ribbon tail to the other.

Tip: Start with lighter colors and build up to darker shades. The layered loops of bows make excellent subjects for practicing how light and shadow work in watercolor.

2. Coloring Therapy and Relaxation

Print several copies and create a dedicated “bow coloring book” for yourself. Use premium colored pencils to create realistic ribbon textures, or go wild with patterns and designs. I love filling bow templates with:

• Polka dots and stripes
• Floral patterns
• Rainbow gradients
• Metallic gold or silver (using gel pens)
• Seasonal themes like snowflakes or autumn leaves

3. Junk Journal Embellishments

One of my favorite uses! Print the bows on cardstock, color or paint them, cut them out, and adhere them to your journal pages as layering elements. They work beautifully on:

• Envelope flaps
• Photo corners
• Gift card pockets
• Tag embellishments
• Border decorations

Pro tip: Print the templates at different sizes (try 75%, 50%, or even 25% scale) to create a variety of bow sizes for layering.

4. Gift Tag and Card Making

Transform these bow templates into charming gift tags or card toppers. Print them on sturdy cardstock, decorate as desired, then cut out and attach to your gift wrapping. For an extra special touch:

• Add a personalized message inside the bow loops
• Use fine-tip markers to add detail lines and stitching effects
• Laminate them for reusable gift tags
• String them together to create a festive garland

5. Digital Art and Procreate Resources

If you work in Procreate or other digital art programs, these templates make excellent bases for creating custom stamps or brushes. Simply:

1. Print and color/paint your bow
2. Scan or photograph it
3. Import into your digital art app
4. Create a custom stamp or brush
5. Use it across multiple digital projects

This technique gives your digital work a beautiful handmade quality that’s hard to achieve with purely digital elements.

6. Paper Crafting and Scrapbooking

These templates are ideal for creating dimensional bows for scrapbook layouts. Try layering multiple pieces for a 3D effect, or use glue dots to add height and shadow to your designs.

7. Educational Activities for Kids

Bow templates are wonderful for teaching children about:

• Symmetry (fold the bow in half—does it match?)
• Color mixing (what happens when you blend two colors on the ribbon?)
• Fine motor skills (cutting along the curved lines)
• Pattern creation (can you make each loop a different pattern?)

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Choose the Right Paper

The paper you print on makes a huge difference:

• Regular printer paper (20-24 lb): Perfect for coloring with markers or colored pencils
• Cardstock (65-110 lb): Best for cutting out and using as embellishments
• Watercolor paper: Essential if you’re painting the templates
• Photo paper: Creates glossy, vibrant results for digital art projects

Sizing Options

Don’t feel locked into the original size! When printing, experiment with:

• 100% for full-size bows (great for focal points)
• 75% for medium embellishments
• 50% for delicate accents
• 25% for tiny details and clusters

Storage and Organization

I keep my printed bow templates in a dedicated folder within my printable collection, organized by size and style. Before cutting them out, I like to color or paint several at once—it’s more efficient and lets me work in a creative flow.

Color Inspiration

Stuck on color choices? Try these palettes:

• Classic elegance: Navy, cream, and gold
• Spring garden: Soft pink, sage green, and butter yellow
• Autumn harvest: Burnt orange, deep red, and chocolate brown
• Winter wonderland: Ice blue, silver, and pure white
• Tropical vibes: Fuchsia, turquoise, and lime green

Techniques to Try

Blending and Shading

To create realistic-looking ribbon bows:

1. Identify your light source (usually top-left)
2. Leave the areas closest to the light source lighter
3. Add medium tones to the middle sections
4. Deepen the shadows where ribbon loops overlap
5. Add a touch of highlight on the curves for dimension

Adding Texture

Real ribbon has texture! Try these techniques:

• Cross-hatching with colored pencils for a woven look
• Stippling with markers for a dotted Swiss texture
• Dry brush technique with watercolor for a matte finish
• Adding white gel pen details for stitching or highlights

Mixed Media Magic

Don’t limit yourself to one medium! Some of my favorite bow templates have been created using:

• Watercolor base + colored pencil details
• Marker coloring + white gel pen highlights
• Collage with patterned paper + ink outlines
• Digital coloring + printed on textured paper

Seasonal and Holiday Ideas

These bow templates are perfect for holiday crafting:

Christmas: Create gift tags with red and green bows, add glitter, attach to presents Valentine’s Day: Pink and red ombré bows for card making Easter: Pastel bows to decorate egg templates or spring journals Birthday: Rainbow bows for party decorations or scrapbook layouts Wedding: Elegant white or cream bows for DIY invitation embellishments

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Projects

Once you’re comfortable with the templates, try these creative challenges:

Create a Bow Study Journal: Dedicate a small journal to experimenting with different coloring techniques on the same bow template. It’s like a creative playground!

Design a Custom Wrapping Paper: Print multiple small bows across a large sheet, color them in a coordinated palette, and use it as unique wrapping paper.

Make a Garland: Print, color, cut out, and string multiple bows together for a festive decoration.

Build a Layered Card: Use multiple bow sizes, coloring each slightly differently, then layer them for a dimensional greeting card.

Your Creative Journey Starts Here

The wonderful thing about these free printable bow templates is that there’s no pressure—just pure creative possibility. Whether you spend five minutes adding a quick colored bow to a journal page or dedicate an afternoon to creating an elaborate watercolor collection, you’re engaging in meaningful creative self-care.

I’d love to see what you create with these templates! They’re designed to be beginner-friendly while offering enough detail to keep experienced crafters engaged.

Remember, creativity isn’t about perfection—it’s about the joy of making something with your own hands, experimenting with color and technique, and giving yourself permission to play.

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🎨 Want more free printables? Browse my Free Printables Library — over 400 free templates, coloring pages, drawing guides, and creative resources all in one place!

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Whats inside the set of free printable bow templates? (Download the full set of 14 printable bow templates at the end of this post.)

Happy creating!

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Printable Bow Templates: FAQ

How many bow templates are in this free set?

There are 14 free printable bow designs in this collection, ranging from simple and sweet to intricate and detailed. That gives you options whether you want a quick beginner shape or something more decorative. You can download all 14 at the end of the post.

What can I actually make with bow templates?

Loads of things — gift tags, junk journal accents, handmade cards, scrapbook layers, and gift-wrap toppers, to name a few. They also make a lovely, low-pressure coloring session all on their own. The post walks through creative ways to use them, plus some advanced project ideas once you’re comfortable.

What paper is best for printing bows?

It depends on the job. Regular printer paper (20–24 lb) is fine for coloring or delicate layered bows, while cardstock (65–110 lb) gives you sturdy, structural bows that hold their shape for gift toppers and 3D projects. If you’re layering several bows together, mix weights — a cardstock base with lighter paper on top.

Can I resize the bow templates?

Yes, and it’s one of the best tricks with this set. In your printer settings, scale them down (try 75%, 50%, or even 25%) to create a whole family of matching bows in different sizes. That’s perfect when a project needs both a big focal bow and tiny coordinating ones.

Are these bow templates beginner-friendly?

Completely. Print, color or paint them, cut them out, and glue them down — that’s the whole process for the simplest designs. The more intricate bows are there for when you want a challenge, so the set grows with your confidence.

Do bows work for seasonal and holiday projects?

They’re brilliant for it. Swap your colors and patterns and the same bow becomes a Christmas package topper, a Valentine’s card accent, an Easter basket tag, or an autumn wreath detail. The post has a whole section of seasonal and holiday ideas to spark you.

How do I get a clean cut on the detailed bows?

For the intricate designs, a craft knife on a cutting mat gives you cleaner curves than scissors alone, especially around the inner loops. Take it slow on the tight corners, and keep a fresh blade — a dull one drags and tears the paper.