How To Make Rhinestone Templates The Cheap And Easy Way

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Buying bedazzled clothing can be expensive. Instead, learn how to create rhinestone templates and make personalized blinged out T-shirts.

How To Make Rhinestone Templates The Cheap And Easy Way
Sometimes, when you want a simple answer, you find solutions requiring a lot of money. For example, an easy way to create bedazzling clothing is to use rhinestone templates. However, Google it and you’ll find instructions using a cutter machine, transfer sheets, backing board, template paper, and computer software. Sounds complicated and expensive.

Instead, you can make templates for under $20. Plus, you can use these templates for glue on or hotfix rhinestones to make crystal transfer designs. Furthermore, you only need a few tools:

1. Metal hollow hole punch set
2. Hammer
3. Self-healing paper cutting board/wood piece

Why Use Rhinestone Templates?
T-shirts with a word or symbol emblazoned on them are trendy. Moreover, bedazzled clothing is both chic and in style. But, have you priced rhinestone clothes? They’re expensive! Yet, you can easily bedazzle clothing by using rhinestone templates.
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Generally, applying rhinestones to clothing occurs in a particular pattern. Whether you want to create an object or a word design, the rhinestone placement must occur in a certain arrangement.  A template helps you to maintain the symmetry and spacing between rhinestones easily.

How To Design Rhinestone Patterns
Word processing programs make creating word templates super easy. Plus, you can choose from a variety of fonts and letter sizes. Furthermore, you can make more than just word templates. Let’s say you want to add a bird, heart, or dragon to a T-shirt. You can find drawings of many of these objects online for free. Additionally, children’s coloring books or stencils are other great sources. Simply, print your word or symbol on a piece of graph paper to help with rhinestone placement.

Often, you can find pictures or symbols in embroidery pattern books. Additionally, Dover Publishing offers a variety of royalty-free illustrations and designs. Furthermore, we offer several free rhinestone templates that you can download.

Once you have your design copied, use your punch set to space holes evenly in the outline of your image. First, place the rhinestones template on your cutting board and position a punch tool. Then, tap the top of the punch tool several times with the hammer. Continue making holes around the perimeter, spacing the holes as needed. Another method to cut out your design is to use an X-Acto knife.

Next, take your template and lay it flat on your shirt. You can use a piece of chalk to mark the position of rhinestones or lay rhinestones inside the holes. Remove the template and make any necessary spacing or rhinestone placement adjustments. Now, you’re ready to glue them into place.

If you want to make a hotfix rhinestone transfer design, place a piece of was paper over your template. Position the rhinestones on the wax paper with the facet side up, following the template outline. Take your transfer paper and separate the layers. Place the clear piece over the rhinestones with the sticky side down, gently pressing on the design. Peel away the wax paper, and your hotfix transfer design is ready to use.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rhinestones

Are you excited to begin creating bedazzling clothing, but have a few more questions? We’ve put together our most commonly asked ones.

Which Type Of Rhinestones Should I Use For My Project?
For years, many consumers used Swarovski Rhinestones for their projects. Known for quality embellishments, it was the premier brand to buy. Unfortunately, several months ago, the company began a restructuring project that took them out of the retail market.
However, the Preciosa brand has a far longer crystal making tradition than Swarovski. Preciosa draws upon over 470 years of glassmaking tradition from independent artisans. In 1948, these separate factories merged into one company.

Plus, many other lesser-known manufacturers produce crystal, glass, or acrylic rhinestones.  In particular, the Asian markets produce both MC and DMC rhinestones in glass and crystal with different price points. Quality and grading vary among manufacturers, so when in doubt, check online reviews. If possible, try to obtain a sample.

What Is The Best Rhinestone Adhesive?
Undoubtedly, the most popular method of attaching rhinestones to clothing is with glue. This process for gluing rhinestones to fabric is fairly simply, resulting in a stunning result.
Moreover, you can choose from several types of adhesives:

• E6000
• Flexible Stretchable
• Jewel It
• Fabri-Tac
• Gem-Tac
• Jewel Bond

All these adhesives are washable and dry clear. However, some are easier to work with than others. While many consumers like E6000, this glue tends to be gloppy. Our preferred glue for adhering rhinestones to fabric is Gem-Tac.

How Many Rhinestones Will I Need?
Comparatively, the number of rhinestones you need for your project depends upon  the size of the design and the rhinestones. However, choosing a size, like color, is a personal preference. Keep in mind, that smaller stones offer a more subtle sparkle but work well in intricate rhinestone designs.

Furthermore, manufacturers use a unique type of measurement to designate rhinestone sizes. Generally, a larger number next to the “ss” classification is a bigger rhinestone. Likewise, the smaller the number, the tinier the rhinestone. Moreover, the design spacing will also determine your quantity.

Where Can I Buy Quality Rhinestones?
Rhinestones Etc. wants to be your online rhinestone supplier for quality bling. We offer fast processing times, with many orders shipping the same day. Plus, we have outstanding customer service and competitive pricing. Visit our online rhinestones store to view our inventory.
 
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