Make A Dog Tag
MATERIALS AND TOOLS
- A PC, printer, and white or colored paper; or black pen and paper
- Any shape piece of blank metal or plastic with rounded edges between 1 x 1 inches (25x25 mm) and 1.5 x 2 inches (38 x 50 mm) with a small hole in it
- A metal ring to attach the tag to the collar
- Some epoxy (preferred) or other good glue that dries clear
- A clean plastic lid
- A piece of waxed paper
- Scissors
- A knife or screwdriver to spread the epoxy
- A toothpick or pin
PREPARING THE INFORMATION
- Decide what information you want on the tag
- If using a computer, use small font sizes (we used Times New Roman sizes 5 to 9) and try several combinations of information on one sheet of paper before printing
- If writing by hand, place the dog tag underneath your paper and outline the area to write in before adding the information
- Cut around the area with scissors and see how it fits on your dog tag
- Do final trimming as needed and put the piece of paper in a safe place
GLUING ON THE INFORMATION
Note: Please remember to follow all manufacturer recommendations regarding the use of epoxies, glues, or resins and especially to use these chemicals in a well-ventilated area.
- Wash and dry the tag thoroughly so it will take the glue properly
- Mix a small amount of epoxy on the plastic lid
- Apply epoxy evenly to the back of your piece of paper to soak it in
- After the paper is a uniform color, carefully place it on the tag
- Slide it around as needed to put it where you want it
- Tamp the paper down flat to avoid bubbles
- Mix up more epoxy to cover the tag about 1/10 inch (1mm) deep
- Spread the epoxy all the way out to the edge to make a good seal
DRYING
- Set the tag aside to dry on a piece of waxed paper in a dust free place - This may take several hours on a warm, breezy day. If it's cold out, try to dry near a warm indoor source or wait a few days
- Make sure your dog has some other kind of identification or is closely supervised while the tag is off the collar
- When partially dry, poke excess epoxy out of the hole needed for the metal ring
- When fully dry, slip the ring through the tag and attach it to your dog's collar
We made a tag like this for our dog, Comet, over a year ago. The information is still completely readable and the epoxy has not chipped off.
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Jo Soliday has been a dog lover and crafter since childhood. For more ideas for making things for dogs, check out her website at http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jo_Soliday |
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