Make Easy Plant Care Garden Markers With QR Codes

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE GARDEN MARKERS DESIGNS

First, download my Plant Care Garden Markers designs from my free library – look for Design #804. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the PNG folder, you’ll find a guide outline image to help design your garden markers. There are also three versions of my gnome QR code image: one with flowers, one with gardening supplies, and one with a watering can. I made the gnome images with the help of AI art generation and adjusted them with image editing software.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to download ZIP files and upload designs, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs. The steps are similar for PNGs and Google Docs.

STEP 2: MEASURE YOUR BLANK’S DESIGN AREA

1. Lay your garden marker blank flat on your work surface with the pointed end toward you.
2. With a ruler, measure the width of the head from the left edge to the right edge.
   NOTE: My marker measures 3.94” at the widest part. Your sizing might be different even if you use the blank I recommend, so always be sure to measure.
   
   
3. Then measure the height from the top of the head to the bottom of the head to find the head’s design area.
   NOTE: My marker measures 2.5” from the top to the bottom of the head.
   
   
4. Measure the height from the top of the head to the bottom of the handle, as well.
   NOTE: My marker measures 6.88” from the top edge to the bottom point.
   
   
5. Record your measurements, then set aside your notes for now.
   

STEP 3: DESIGN YOUR MARKER IN CANVA

1. To design a garden marker with a plant label and QR code, open your computer’s browser and go to jennifermaker.com/canva.
   NOTE: If you’re new to Canva, check out my Canva for Beginners tutorial.
2. Then, either sign in to your account or follow the prompts on the screen to sign up for a free account.
   NOTE: Canva does offer paid subscriptions with more tools and elements, but I’ll show you how to do everything with the free account.
3. On the Canva Home screen, click the “Create a design” button.
   TIP: Depending on your view, the button may just say “Create.”
   
   
4. Click “Custom size” to set the dimensions of your canvas to match your marker.
5. In the “Units” box, click the dropdown menu and select “in” for inches.
6. Add approximately 0.25” to the dimensions you measured earlier and enter those values in the “Width” and “Height” fields.
   NOTE: I’ll enter “4.125” in the “Width” field and “7.2” in the Height field.
   TIP: Making the canvas larger than your measured dimensions allows for a print bleed area, or extra ink around your design that ensures your project doesn’t have white edges after pressing.
   
   
7. Click “Create new design.”
8. With the new canvas ready, click the filename field at the top and replace the current name with your own.
   NOTE: I’ll name mine “Plant Care Garden Markers by JenniferMaker.”
   
   
9. To add the marker guide, click on “Uploads” in the side panel, then “Upload files.”
10. Select the “guide” PNG and click “Open.”
11. In the “Uploads” panel, click the image to add it to your canvas.
    NOTE: The black outline marks the shape of your garden marker, while the red line marks the bleed area around your design.
    
    
12. Select the guide on your canvas and click the “Position” button in the “Edit” toolbar above the image.
13. Make sure the “Lock” icon under “Ratio” is closed to maintain the guide’s proportions.
14. Enter the same width measurement you used for your canvas in the “Width” field.
    NOTE: I’ll enter 4.125”. Canva will automatically adjust the “Width” value to 4.13” and the “Height” value to 7.2”.
    
    
15. Under “Align to page,” select “Top” and “Left” to position the guide evenly on the page.
16. Repeat Steps 9-15 to add, resize, and position one of my gnome PNGs inside your marker design.
    NOTE: I’ll add the “flower” PNG, which has a small amount of bleed on the bottom edge. The other two designs do not have the bleed.
    
    
17. To add text to your design, click the “Text” icon in the side panel, then click “Add a text box.”
    
    
18. Type your desired text in the box.
    NOTE: I’ll type in “Sunflowers.”
19. To change your text’s typeface, keep the text box selected and click the font name field to open the “Font” menu in the side panel.
    NOTE: It probably says “Canva Sans.”
    
    
20. Click on the icon with three horizontal lines and small circles to open the “Filter” menu. Then check the box next to “Free,” and click “Apply” to show only typefaces you can use without a paid account.
    
    
21. Click a typeface you like from the list to apply it to your text.
    TIP: If a typeface has a small arrow beside it, click it to see additional formatting options.
    NOTE: I’ll choose the free Canva typeface “Berkshire Swash.”
22. Use the corner Resize handles to make your text larger or smaller as needed, or change the “Font size” value in the input field.
    NOTE: A “Font size” of 32 worked well for mine.
23. Click and drag the text box into the top right of the design so it’s centered inside the empty space within the guide.
    
    
24. To change the color of your text to match your elements, click the toolbar button with the letter “A” above a color box.
    
    
25. Then choose a color swatch from the “Photo colors” section to ensure your colors are consistent across elements.
    TIP: If you’d like to use the same color for your QR code later, write down the hex code that appears below the color name when hovering over the swatch.
    NOTE: I’ll choose the orange swatch to match my flowers and write down its hex code.
26. To add a background color to create an all-over design for your marker, click inside your canvas, then click the “Position” button.
27. Click the empty background layer in the “Layers” list to select it.
28. Click the “Background color” icon (the color wheel) in the toolbar above your canvas, and select a color to apply it.
    
    
29. To add the QR code in the white square the gnome is holding, click on the “Apps” icon and enter “QR Code” in the search bar.
30. Click the plain black and white “QR Code” app in the search results to open the Canva QR Code app.
    NOTE: If you click the three dots in the top right corner of the app, it should say “Created by Canva.”
    
    
31. Click “Open” to see the Canva QR Code panel.
32. In another browser tab or window, browse to the Burpee website to find care instructions for your plant.
33. Type your plant’s name in the “Search seeds, plants & supplies” box, and click the magnifying glass to search the website.
    NOTE: I’ll search for “sunflower.”
    
    
34. Click the plant you’re looking for in the results list to open an information page about it.
    NOTE: I’ll click on “Mammoth Sunflower.”
35. Highlight and copy the page’s link in the address bar at the top of the page.
    TIP: Right-click the highlighted selection and click “Copy” to copy the link.
    
    
36. Back in your Canva project’s tab, paste the link to your plant’s care instructions in the “URL” field.
    TIP: Right-click the “URL” field and select “Paste” to enter the link.
37. Click the down arrow next to “Customize.”
38. Use the swatches to choose your QR code’s colors.
    TIP: Use dark colors for the foreground and keep the background white to make sure the QR code is readable by your devices.
    NOTE: I’ll click the “Foreground color” swatch and enter the hex code from Step 25 into the box so it matches my text.
    
    
39. Set the “Margin” slider to “0.”
40. Then click “Generate Code” to add the QR code to your canvas.
41. Select the QR code image, click the “Position” button, and make sure the Ratio “Lock” icon is closed.
42. In the “Width” field, enter “0.8.” The height will adjust automatically.
    NOTE: 0.8” x 0.8” is the smallest I recommend making your QR code. Smaller sizes might be difficult for your device to read.
    
    
43. Position the QR code inside the gnome’s white square.
    TIP: Drag the zoom slider at the bottom of your screen to the right to zoom in all the way and make sure the code is centered.
    
    
44. When your design looks the way you want, click inside your canvas, then click the “Position” button.
45. Click the “Three Dots” icon on the guide layer, then select “Delete” to remove it from your canvas so the guide line doesn’t print with your design.
    
    
46. To use your plant care garden marker design, click “Share” in the top menu.
    
    
47. Select “Download.”
48. Since we’ll print the design in Google Docs, make sure the file type is set to “PNG.”
49. Then click “Download” to save the image to your computer.
    
    
50. Your design is ready to print!
    

STEP 4: PRINT YOUR SUBLIMATION DESIGN IN GOOGLE DOCS

1. Open Google Docs in the Google Chrome web browser on your computer.
   NOTE: You will need a free Google account to use the free Google Docs software.
   TIP: You can also download and open the Google Docs app, but you’ll have limited access to features, so I do not recommend it on a mobile device.
2. Click “Blank document” at the top left to open a new document.
   
   
3. Go to the File menu and select “Page setup.”
   
   
4. Make sure the box next to “Portrait” is checked to match the design orientation.
   TIP: If you use a different blank and image in landscape orientation, you can select the “Landscape” option to match instead.
5. Change your “Margins” to “0” to use more of the page.
6. Make sure your “Paper Size” matches your sublimation paper size.
   NOTE: I’ll set mine to 8.5” x 11” or letter-size paper.
   
   
7. Click “OK” to apply the settings.
8. Click the area that says “Untitled document” at the top and type a name for the file.
9. Go to the “Insert” menu, select “Image,” and select “Upload from computer.”
   
   
10. Select the PNG file with your garden marker design.
    TIP: You’ll most likely find it in your “Downloads” folder.
11. Click “Open” to add the image to your document.
12. To resize the design to fit your blank, select the image and click “Image Options” at the top of the page.
    TIP: Keep your browser window full-size to find the options easily!
    NOTE: You can also open the menu by going to “Format,” “Image,” and “Image Options.”
    
    
13. Select “Size & rotation.”
14. Keep the “Lock aspect ratio” box checked to maintain the design’s proportions.
15. Change the “Width” field to match the size of your image’s canvas in Canva.
    NOTE: I’ll set the width to 4.125” (Docs will round this up to 4.13”).
    
    
16. The “Height” field will automatically adjust proportionately.
    NOTE: My height will be 7.2”.
17. For more control of the image’s placement, select the “Text wrapping” section in the “Image Options” panel and click the “Wrap text” option.
    NOTE: This setting lets you move the design anywhere on the page.
    
    
18. Click and drag the image to the center of the page to ensure it won’t get cut off at the edges.
    TIP: Zoom out to see the whole page if needed.
    
    
19. Go to the “File” menu and choose “Print.”
20. Select your sublimation printer under “Destination.”
21. Click the arrow beside “More Settings” to select “Print Using System Dialog.”
    
    
22. Your print menu may look different from mine - just make sure to select the highest print quality and the best matte photo paper setting. Double-check the sublimation printer and paper size settings to make sure they’re still correct.
    NOTE: The acrylic blanks in my supplies list look best with the image pressed onto the back and viewed from the front, so you do NOT need to mirror the image.
    
    
23. Load a sheet of sublimation paper correctly into your sublimation printer.
    NOTE: Check the packaging for information on how to load the paper.
24. Click “Print.”
25. Allow the print to dry before handling it, as the ink can smear.
    NOTE: The printed design will appear lighter before pressing.
    
    
26. Your image is ready to press!
    

STEP 5: PRESS YOUR GARDEN MARKER

IMPORTANT: As with all sublimation projects, open a window and turn on a fan to improve your ventilation before beginning.

1. Set the temperature of your EasyPress to 400℉ (204℃), and set the timer for 60 seconds.
   
   
2. If your garden marker has a protective film on it, carefully remove it from both sides, starting at the bottom point and lifting toward the top to avoid scratching the visible area.
   TIP: You can use tweezers or a weeding tool to carefully lift the film if it’s difficult to remove.
3. Use scissors or a paper trimmer to cut your printed design down to a smaller rectangle. Make sure there is at least ½” of white around the ink’s edges.
   
   
4. Place the printed design face up on your work surface.
5. Place the blank’s white sublimation side down on the print so the design is positioned where you want it on the marker’s head.
   TIP: For all over designs with a colored background, make sure an even amount of ink shows on the head’s left, top, and right sides for even centering.
   
   
6. Place a piece of heat-resistant tape across the top edge of the blank so only a small strip of tape is on the acrylic and the rest hangs over the edge.
   NOTE: If too much tape is on the acrylic, tape marks can appear on your blank after pressing.
   
   
7. Press the overhanging tape against the blank’s raised side.
8. Then flatten the remaining tape onto the print.
   TIP: Making sure the tape is tight against the garden marker’s flat surface and raised edges helps prevent gaps that can cause ghosting.
   
   
9. Hold the top in place and secure the pointed bottom with a piece of heat-resistant tape. Remember to place the tape against the raised sides and avoid gaps.
10. Place a clean sheet of white cardstock onto your cutting board or another hard, flat, heat-resistant surface to protect it from any ink that may escape during the sublimation process.
    TIP: Your cardstock should be clean and free of any ink or other marks that could transfer to your blank during sublimation.
    NOTE: In my testing, I found that pressing the hot acrylic into a soft pressing pad causes the blank to bow under pressure. Using a hard surface keeps the blank flat and helps to prevent warping.
11. Place the taped blank onto the cardstock so the print is face down and the blank’s sublimation surface is face up.
    
    
12. Place a fresh piece of white uncoated butcher paper on your project to completely cover it.
13. Make sure the temperature of your EasyPress is at 400℉ (204℃), and the timer is set for 60 seconds.
14. Cover the entire area of your garden marker with the EasyPress and hold it in place with medium pressure for 60 seconds.
    TIP: Keep pressure even on both sides of the press for best results.
    
    
15. When the time is up, lift the EasyPress straight up to avoid ghosting.
    NOTE: Always remember to place your press back on the base after using.
16. Leave the butcher paper in place, and set a flat, heavy object (like a book) directly on top of the garden marker and press down for an additional 60 seconds to prevent warping.
    TIP: Press the timer button on your EasyPress to get the timing right!
17. Let the project cool completely for a couple minutes, then remove the book, the butcher paper, the tape, and the print to reveal the transferred design.
    
    

STEP 6: SEAL YOUR GARDEN MARKER

1. Place a cardboard box big enough to fit your garden marker outside or in a well-ventilated area.
   NOTE: The cardboard box protects your yard or work area from sealant.
2. Place the garden marker inside the box, transfer side up.
   
   
3. Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions to evenly spray a thin layer of sealant on the garden marker.
   
   
4. Allow at least 10 minutes for the spray sealant to dry to the touch, and move to a safe area to rest.
5. Allow the marker to dry for one to five hours for a full cure.
6. Your plant care garden marker is ready!
   

STEP 7: SHOW IT OFF

You now have a garden marker with a QR code leading to care instructions that you can use to organize and tend to your garden or greenhouse!