How to Design Your Own Rubber Bracelets
Rubber bracelets, rubber or silicone solid or multi-colored bands that are debossed, embossed or stamped with words and/or graphics, have become a popular fashion accessory. People use them to express personal, political or other statements and to help raise funds for charitable projects around the world. With a few jewelry accessories, craft items, stamps, stencils or an online design application, you can easily design or custom-make your own rubber bracelets for personal or charitable use. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Graphic design software
- Online graphic design application (optional)
- Markers
- Stickers
- Rhinestones
- Jewelry accessories
- Stamps
- Stencils
- Paint
- Sponge
- Mini paint roller (optional)
- Blank bracelets
- Utility knife
- Tape (optional)
- Hole punch (optional)
- Safety pins (optional)
- Thread (optional)
Instructions
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Computer, Online or Catalog Design
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1
Use a custom rubber bracelet manufacturer that has a custom design template or go to a retail store to see in person all of the design options offered.
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Write down the word, phrase or motto you want to use on your rubber bracelets to type into the online template or to take to a design shop. If you don't want a debossed (sunken), embossed (raised) or stamped/printed text bracelet, keep in mind that many manufacturers also print single or multi graphic-only bracelets or combination bracelets mixing both design styles.
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3
Change your text fonts in a word processing or graphic design program to match those seen online or in a catalog or use a custom online design application like the one at WristbandsNow Inc. (see link at Resources) to determine the style and size of your text in relation to bracelet colors and text style options. If using a word processing or graphic design program, select deboss or emboss special effects, simple bold, italics, outline or shadow fonts and/or color from a text color palette to create the desired look.
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Create solid color graphics, using graphic design software or an online graphic design application, to go with your text or to make a graphics-only statement---for example, your company logo, tattoo or favorite symbol or animal. Skip this step if you have selected a premade graphic icon from the manufacturer.
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Order online or in-store.
Homemade Designs
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Look at the wide variety of design options online to come up with design ideas (styles, fonts, text and bracelet colors).
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Gather your craft- and jewelry-making items.
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Apply text to a bracelet freehand with a fine or wide-tipped marker or paint and brush, using miniature font stencils and paint, or miniature rhinestones. If you have a premade text ink stamp, ink it and firmly apply it to the flat surface of your bracelet. Allow any wet surfaces to dry before adding graphics.
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Draw or print the outline of a graphic, if adding graphics without an ink stamp, on thick paper and cut out the graphic with a craft blade or the tip of a utility knife, leaving only the outline to make a graphic stencil.
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Tape or hand-place the blank portion of the stencil on your bracelet.
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Sponge or roll paint over the blank area or use a marker and fill in to apply your graphic to the surface of the bracelet, dry and remove the stencil.
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Tips & Warnings
If you don't want to use paint on your homemade bracelets, purchase stickers and/or waterproof rub-on text and graphics. To make a charm bracelet, use a hole punch or safety pins to attach purchased or homemade charms, beads and/or thread.
