DIY Father’s Day Gift: Personalized Hammer

Forts, furniture, fences – I’ve seen my dad build them all! For someone who’s handy so often, he rarely gets a hand for all his efforts. So this Father’s Day, I wanted to make a gift that would remind him how grateful we are every time he puts on his “Mr. Fix-It” hat. His tool belt always features a hammer, so I knew it would be the perfect object to add my message to. If you want to decorate a hammer for your dad, gather the following supplies:

Custom Father’s Day Hammer Supplies

Some of the supplies to customize a hammer for Father's Day

 

Step 1: Create Cut File

Begin by measuring the space on the hammer you wish to decorate. My hammer is about one inch wide and seven inches long before it begins to taper. Now that you know you’re space constraints, type out your Father’s Day message in the cutter software. I’m using Canvas Worskpace since I’m working with the Brother Scan N Cut. If you need a refresher on the software, check out the video in this post.

Cut file design in Canvas Workspace for the Brother Scan N Cut

As an additional personal touch, I typed out my siblings’ names and mine to go on the other side of the hammer handle. After, I adjusted each line of text to be height .8″ and length 6.5″. This gives me a little wiggle room on the hammer, but also keeps the text as large and legible as possible. Since we’re using EasyPSV adhesive vinyl, you do NOT need to mirror the text. Which means this cut file is good to go!

 

Step 2: Cut EasyPSV

Place EasyPSV on the cutting mat with the color side face up. The side of the PSV that touches the sticky mat is called a “liner.” The liner for EasyPSV Permanent has the Siser logo printed on it in gray in order to distinguish it from EasyPSV Removable. If your EasyPSV has mint logos on the back, then it’s removable. Either way, we suggest cutting with Blade: 2, Speed: 1, and Pressure: 1. If your blade is a little older, you may need to bump up the pressure to 2 or 3. A quick test cut will help you decide. See this post for how to test cut on the Scan N Cut.

Cutting EasyPSV Permanent Graphite with the Scan N Cut

After cutting, flip the mat over and peel the mat away from the EasyPSV. If you peel the EasyPSV away from the mat it’s more likely to curl. Then you can use your scissors to separate the cut design from the rest of sheet of material.

 

Step 3: Weed EasyPSV

Time to move on to weeding! I like to weed into the cavities. Which just means pulling the material in the direction of open areas in the design (like the U’s and the Y in my name.) It’s always much smoother and quicker for me when I weed this say. Sometimes, I can even end up with excess that’s completely intact (No rips to be seen!) like I did in this project.

Use the Siser Weeder to remove outer excess vinyl Perfectly weeded EasyPSV Permanent adhesive vinyl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the outer excess is removed, use your Weeder to pick out the inner excess.

Weed out the inner cavities of EasyPSV Permanent

Weed until all that remains on the liner is the text you want to apply to your hammer.

 

Step 4: Transfer to EasyPSV Application Tape

My decals are almost ready! I have one last thing left to do in order to apply the vinyl, and that is to pick it up off the liner with EasyPSV Application Tape! Use the 1″ grid boxes to measure out a piece of Application Tape that’s slightly larger than your design.

Measure and cut EasyPSV Application Tape

Now you can peel the tape away from it’s white backing and place it directly on top of the EasyPSV. Squeegee over the area to encourage the tape to grip the vinyl.

How to transfer EasyPSV to application tape

Afterwards, use scissors to split the decals apart. Now I have two decals- one for each side of the hammer!

Cut and separate decals with scissorstwo EasyPSV Permanent decals for two sides of a hammer handle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5: Decorate Hammer with EasyPSV

  1. When you pick up the Application Tape, your EasyPSV should follow right along with it.
  2. Center the edge and slowly roll the rest of the tape down onto the hammer.
  3. Rub the squeegee over the entire area to release any air bubbles and ensure the PSV is stuck down.
  4. Gently peel away the tape. If any EasyPSV doesn’t stick to the hammer, roll the tape back down and squeegee over that area again.

how to decorate a hammer with EasyPSV Permanent adhesive vinyl

Follow the same steps with your second decal to decorate the other side of the hammer.

Personalizing a hammer with EasyPSV for a Father's Day gift

My dad has built so many great things for me! I’m happy that I can return the favor and make something just for him!

Both sides of the customized hammer

For more Father’s Day gift ideas visit our Pinterest board. If you want to save this post, pin the image below!

Make a gift for the man who helped make you! Add a personal touch to your dad's hammer with EasyPSV permanent vinyl by Siser. This custom creation is perfect as a Father's Day gift, and is sure to be used and enjoyed for years to come!