How to Make Punched Tin Photo Books

Place pictures of nature into your tin covered photo book.

Making a punched tin cover is a creative way to boost the appeal of a booklet holding your most prized photographs. The trick to successfully punching tin is to create a symmetrical design with holes that dent the tin without puncturing through the entire surface. Once your tin covers are created, display the project on a coffee or end table.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy-duty metal shears
• 2 8 1/2-by-11 tin sheets
• Abrasive sanding pad
• Hole punch
• Tracing paper
• Pencil
• Masking tape
• Tack nail
• Hammer
• 1-oz turpentine
• 2-oz dark oil paint
• Bowl
• Clean cotton cloth
• 3 1-inch metal binder rings
• Loose leaf plastic photo sleeves

Instructions

1. Measure and cut two individual sheets of 1/16-inch thick tin to 8 1/2-by-11-inch dimensions. Dull the edges of the tin with an abrasive sanding pad.

2. Punch out three evenly spaced holes along the long left side edge of each sheet. The holes will be used to connect metal binder rings in later steps.

3. Draw a design -- a flower, for example -- onto a piece of trace paper. Center the paper atop one of the tin sheets. Secure the edges of the paper to the tin with masking tape.

4. Place the trace paper-covered tin sheet onto a wooden work surface. Position the tip of a tack nail directly onto the trace line. Hammer the tack nail one time with light to medium pressure to dent the tin. Continue denting in this manner around the entire tracing. Remove the tracing paper.

5. Mix one part turpentine and two parts dark oil paint into a bowl. Coat the front side of the dented tin with the mixture using a clean cotton cloth. Dry the tin in a well ventilated area for six hours. Stain the backside and both sides of the un-dented piece of tin in the same manner.

6. Place the photo sleeves in between the two tin sheets. Adjust the tin sheets so the dented piece is on top. Connect the sheets and sleeves with metal ring binders to complete your photo book.

Tips & Warnings

• The turpentine/oil paint stain will help darken the dents, making the image more visible.

• Wear work gloves and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes.

References

• Craft Town: Metal Punch Instruction