🐾 Badge Make-Along: Pack Badge pt. 3

A fine Fri' morn to you, Patrons!

Time for the final steps of my backpack badges!

Applying vinyl on these was a challenge due to their size. When i apply my vinyl (it comes in sheets) I try to lay it as flat as possible over as much of the image as I can, with some extra room. The bigger your image is, the harder vinyl is to apply by hand. My vinyl buckled in some places and ended too short of the finished pic, leaving some gnarly creases and slashes. Most air bubbles can be rubbed out, though. I've mentioned my use of a tonehera deleter before, but I'd much more recommend a bone folder (rounded, won't scrape up the vinyl) or even a thick popsicle stick.

DEFINITELY DO THIS STEP IF YOU APPLY VINYL BY HAND! Tiny air pockets get cramped between the drawing and the vinyl, and with a simple rub the colors pop far more. It'll result in a glossier badge with bolder colors.

I get my vinyl from etsy, there's dozens of types! Looking up "transparent adhesive vinyl" usually does the trick. Look for self-adhesive, not heat-adhesive.

Once the vinyl was on everything, I put some over the front side of the arms (on the back I used some extra scrap vinyl because you won't typically see behind the paws. Mostly to keep the paper underneath from being damaged). I carefully cut out the arms, and I cut out the figures as well. I left a bit of a boarder on the figures so hanging them up would be easier and they'd be less likely to snag.

I put a bit of hot glue on the elbows and lined them up into position. Once it dried, I carefully wiggled on the backpack and presto!

The boarder had to be thinned around a few parts so everything fit snugly.

IF YOU'RE MAKING BADGES INVEST IN A SLOT HOLE PUNCH! it will save your art and your hands and your time!!! I can't believe how long I waited to get myself one. I'm also doing a fun side project where I'm saving all the badge slot clips I make in 2021, and at the end of the year I'll count em up! :^}

The final reveal will be tomorrow on my Instagram! If you have any questions about any of my methods or tools feel free to comment! 💕