How to Make a Drumhead Decal

Display the name or emblem of your band on a base drum with a drumhead decal. These drumhead decals are used in marching and stage bands alike. This drumhead decal is easily made and looks professional, and you can make the decal into any design you want as long as it fits on the drumhead.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Color printer
• Transfer paper large enough to cover the design
• Piece of vinyl big enough to cover the drumhead
• Scissors
• Tape
• Spray adhesive

1. Design your drumhead decal. Use editing software such as Photoshop and rotate the picture so it prints backwards.
2. Print the design onto the transfer paper. For large designs, center the design over multiple sheets. For letters, words or small emblems, printing them out of order is fine, but the font needs to be large enough to be seen at a distance.
3. Lay the vinyl on a flat surface. Place the transfer paper face down over the vinyl so all of the letters or designs fit onto the vinyl sheet.
4. Tape the transfer paper into place over the vinyl. Set it in the sun for 1 hour. Rub the transfer onto the vinyl. Make sure to rub hard so all of the transfer makes it onto the vinyl.
5. Cut out the design and wording for the decal. Spray adhesive on the back of each letter and design.
6. Press the decal onto the drumhead. Rub the decals until all of the corners adhere to the drum.

Tips & Warnings

• Create colored layers for your drumhead decal by using the same process, but use 1 transfer at a time.