How to Create a Google Docs Template for Automated Gift Receipts (Perfect for Etsy Sellers)

Step-by-step guide for beginners, from setting up Google Docs to making it Make.com-ready

This is a sister article to our guide on replacing Etsy's default gift receipt, once you're comfortable with the processes explained in this article and have set up a Google template, head over there.

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Note: Whilst we're aware that other, more sophisticated templating engines and design software exist; the main aim of these articles was to create a system that is free to use.

Google Docs templates make that adding merge tags fairly seemless and although it lacks designing tools that can easily be achieved elsewhere and imported as a background image.

For a free Canva template to use in these tutorials, see the end of this post.

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This guide will walk you through the entire setup:

• Creating a free Google account

• Accessing Google Docs

• Designing your receipt with placeholders (merge tags)

• Saving and using your template in Make.com

No prior experience needed!

Step 1: Set Up a Google Account (If You Don’t Have One Already)

1. Go to https://accounts.google.com/signup

2. Fill in your:

   • First and last name

   • Desired email address (or click “Use my current email address”)

   • Password

3. Click Next, follow the verification prompts.

4. Once set up, you'll have access to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and more — all for free.

   
   

Step 2: Access Google Docs

1. Visit https://docs.google.com

2. Click the + Blank document to start a new one.

3. Rename the document at the top left (e.g. “Etsy Gift Receipt Template”).

   
   

Step 3: Design the Layout of Your Gift Receipt

Use your branding! Here's where we suggest using a design platform such as Canva, or design software like Adobe Illustrator. Create a document in these applications that is the same size as your Google template. Export the design as a high resolution image and then in your Google template choose Insert > Image > Upload from computer.

Once you have the image on the page make sure to select its position as "Behind text", this will let you resize the image without interfering with text fields and allow for text to be positioned on top of your design.

Behind text allows for easier image positioning

You can also:

• Insert your logo using Insert > Image > Upload from computer

• Use Headings and Fonts under the “Format” or toolbar

• Keep the layout A5-friendly (File > Page Setup > Paper Size > A5)

Step 4: Add Placeholder Tags (Merge Fields)

To make your template automation-ready, you’ll insert “merge tags” — placeholders that Make.com will replace with real data.

Use double curly braces for each placeholder. Here are the ones you used in your Make.com scenario:

Placeholder	Meaning
{{sender_name}}	The name of the gift sender
{{message}}	The gift message from Etsy
{{product_details}}	Aggregated list of items ordered
{{country}}	The recipient’s country code

These can go anywhere in your document. For example:

Dear {{sender_name}}, Thank you for sending this thoughtful gift! Your message: "{{message}}" Items included: {{product_details}} We hope this gift brings joy wherever it arrives ({{country}}).

Step 5: Save and Organise Your Template

1. Click File > Move to > [Your Folder] to organise it.

   • For example, move it into a folder called Etsy Receipts or Make Templates.

2. Right-click the doc in Google Drive and choose Get link to confirm where it's saved.

   • You’ll use this path when connecting to it in Make.com.

Tip: Don’t share the doc publicly — Make.com will access it via your connected Google account.

Step 7: Make It Ready for Automation in Make.com

In Make.com:

• Use the "Create a Google Doc from Template" module.

• Select:

  • Your Google Drive connection

  • This template document

  • Provide values for {{sender_name}}, {{message}}, {{product_details}}, {{country}}

Make will:

• Copy your template

• Replace the tags with real data from Etsy

• Save it as a new PDF file ready to print or email!

Troubleshooting Tips

• If your merge fields don’t populate, double-check that:

  • The placeholder names in Google Docs exactly match the field names in Make.

  • You’re passing all variables from your Etsy trigger properly.

• Keep formatting simple — complex fonts or spacing may not render perfectly when turned into a PDF.

Bonus time!

For those of you who have reached it this far congrats! As a bonus for your patience and perseverance we have a free Canva design for you to use to get you started