This wedding planning stuff is fun, and there’s so many little things to do! One of the boxes I need to check off the list was “Complete Save the Date Magnets.” So I did what any bride (groom) would do, and I googled it. And googled it. And googled it. And nobody was offering magnets that would let me submit my own design unless it was to their specs. So it was on like Donkey Kong, and time to DIY the Save the Date Magnets. I thought I would post up my little project here in case it helps out any of my future brides or any other googlers =)
Step 1. Get a professional to take your picture and design the Save the Date layout..
If you already have a professional photographer, use one of your engagement photos. You can also bring a blank piece of white board with you to your photoshoot, and your photographer can use this white space to write things on when they design this for you. If you need a professional photographer, click on the….oh wait, you’re here already. Ok, email me at dave@ dshillingphoto.com, and we’ll get the ball rolling!
Step 2. Decide on how big you want them.
I wanted them to be kind of big, but not to dominate the fridge and overpower the first grade artwork. You also need to consider the typical sizes of prints so the process is convenient for you. I went with a vertical design, so I decided to make them 2.5 inches by 7 inches. I designed them to print out two layouts on one 5×7 print. You could also design them as 3.5 inches by 5 inches, making them more square. Think of the hot-dog vs. hamburger thing you learned in school when folding paper.
Step 3. Procure Adhesive Magnets to stick these photos to.
I got my 5×7 adhesive magnets from Magnet Valley, and they were shipped quickly. When they arrived, I peeled off the adhesive paper, and stuck the photo to the stick y part of the magnet. You need to take your time here, because this adhesive is very sticky, and you will not be able to peel off your photo and re-stick it. Once it’s down, its down.
Step 4. Obtain some sort of cutting utensil and an unimportant object to use as a cutting board.
I used a scrap of my custom kitchen baseboards ( that’s another DIY article) and a box cutter with a brand new blade. I tested scissors as well, and they worked, but the box cutter made a cleaner cut in my opinion.
Step 5. Cut your design to reveal two separate pieces.
Be careful, take your time, and do not cut yourself. That last part is very important. If you cut yourself, you may not have caught that last part, so I will reiterate: This step is not dangerous, but can get dangerous real fast if you are not taking your time. So… please take it slow, use only enough pressure necessary to cut, and be careful. And buy some band-aids.
Step 6. Stack up your new Save the Date Magnets, and marvel at their beauty.
You made these! Be proud of yourself! I’m proud of you already!
Step 7. Test-Drive one of these SWEET magnets on your fridge.
Consider this your Quality Control step, except you don’t need to wear gloves and a hair-net (unless you’re into that sort of thing). Stick it up next to the colorings, random magnets, calendar, and grocery list. Enjoy.
CHECK OUT MY DIY POST FOR TABLE NUMBER HOLDERS!!!!!
Lessons Learned:
1. I ordered too many. I ordered one magnet sheet per guest, forgetting that people live together, and may only need one magnet. A magnet sheet produced two finished Save the Date magnets. The plus side is I will print out pictures and stick them on their just for fun. Maybe just stick them randomly around the city! Maybe I didn’t order too many =)
2. I underestimated the stickiness. These are super duper sticky. You get one little baby corner stuck down, and that’s it. No going back.
3. The magnets are a *little* bit bigger than the photos. It doesn’t really bother me, because everyone will be looking at Jenny’s pretty face and not my craftsmanship, but if you are a perfectionist, fret not. Make sure to stick them so that all of the excess is on one side, and cut it off. This is where the thin blade of the box cutter prevails. Problem solved.
4. I wanted to make more stuff. Resist the urge to start DIY’ing a bunch of other things that you have no business messing with… and if you have to make something else, head on over to www.instructables.com, the mecca of DIY projects.
Happy creating!!
Much <3,
Dave
