Making ball-shaped sports bag tags with the Sports Bag Tag Generator

Difficulty: easy. Time: 5 minutes to set up, about 15 minutes to cut and glue. Best methods: laser cut 3 mm acrylic in two colours, or a four colour 3D print.

A bag tag gets thrown around, so the frame is one solid piece: the ball's outline as a rim with a banner for the name and a badge for the number welded into it. It glues straight onto the ball and nothing on top can snap off.

When a ball is too shallow for a badge, such as a football, the number moves onto the banner beside the name.

Open the Sports Bag Tag Generator

What You'll Need

Two sheets of 3 mm acrylic: one in the ball's colour, one in your team colour
Acrylic glue or thin double sided tape
A bag strap, a zip tie or a split ring

Step 1 - Pick the ball

Choose a Ball. Each one sets a size that suits a bag tag and the ball's own colours. You can change the Size afterwards; 75 to 90 mm across suits most straps.

3D printed basketball bag tag: an orange ball with black seam lines, the name JORDAN on a black banner and the number 23 in a badge — Two layers: the ball, and on top of it the frame with the seam lines, the name and the number.

Step 2 - Name and number

Type the Name and up to three digits for the Number. Leave the number empty for a name only.
Pick a Name font and a Number font. Bold block fonts read best from across a gym.
Frame width sets how wide the rim is.
Choose a Ring hole or a Strap slot under Hang it with.

Step 3 - Two layers or one piece

Two layers cuts the ball from one sheet and the frame from another. One piece cuts a single tag, engraves the frame and banner as a second layer and leaves the name clear, which is quicker for a team order on one material.

Choose Your Build Method

Cut and glue

Download the SVG. The ball is on the left and the frame on the right.
Cut the ball from the ball-coloured sheet and engrave its markings.
Cut the frame from your team colour and engrave the name and number.
Glue the frame on top of the ball, lining up the outer edges.
Thread the strap through the hole or slot.

Make It Yours

Make a whole team by changing the name and number for each player.
Try the Inspirational Palette to preview team colours before you buy acrylic.
Use the strap slot for backpack straps that are too wide for a ring.

Open the Sports Bag Tag Generator

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