Make a Duct Tape Wallet

If you have a taste for the unconventional, enjoy do-it-yourself, or simply love arts and crafts, whip out that roll of duct tape and turn it into something useful. Even though gray duct tape was used you can use all sorts of colors! You can also put a chevron pattern or anything you want to this. It's your wallet, so personalize it to your heart's content!

Steps

Wallet body

  1. Cut a strip of duct tape 8.5 inches (22cm) in length and place it sticky-side up on a flat, stick-resistant surface. A cutting board or plastic craft board works well for this purpose.
  2. Cut a second piece of equal length and place it sticky-side down, covering half of the first piece lengthwise. The other half of this new piece will now be sticking to the flat surface.
  3. Fold the sticky part of the first strip down over the second.
  4. Flip the two strips over and place a third strip sticky-side down to cover the remaining sticky part of the second strip. Once again, the other half of this new piece will now be sticking to the flat surface.
  5. Continue flipping and extending the width of your duct-tape sheet until it measures at least 7 inches (18cm) from top to bottom not including the sticky edge.
  6. Fold the last sticky edge over and trim the edges so that the sheet is a rectangle of 7 by 8 inches (18 x 20cm). This will make your wallet approximately 3.5 inches (9cm) from top to bottom.
    • For a shorter wallet that will more snugly fit skinny American dollar bills, make your rectangle no smaller than 6 by 8 inches (15 x 20cm).
  7. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and tape the two sides closed to create a large pocket. Your crease should run in the same direction as the lines of the tape. This pocket is where you will place your bills.
    • For a different effect, fold the rectangle so that there is a small gap between the top edges. If you make the shorter side the interior edge, it will give the wallet a more finished look.
  8. Fold your wallet in half. Run your fingers or a blunt edge over the crease to make it more defined.

Internal side pockets (optional)

  1. Make another rectangular sheet measuring 3.5 by 3.75 inches (9 x 9.5cm). Use the flip-and-fold method (like you did to construct the body) to make a slightly oversized rectangle, then trim it down to size. This will later become an internal pocket with an opening facing the central crease of the wallet.
    • Side pockets are great places to store cards you don’t use often and other odds and ends.
    • Note that a side pocket is the same height as (but slightly narrower than) half of the wallet body. This is to ensure that the wallet can still fold in half once the side pocket is installed.
    • If you modified the size of your wallet body, you will have to do the same with the side pocket. For example, if your wallet body is 3 inches high by 8 inches wide (7.5 x 20cm), make your side pocket 3 inches high by 3.75 inches wide (7.5 x 9.5cm).
  2. Repeat Step 1 to create a second side pocket. This will sit on the opposite side of the interior of the wallet, meaning its opening will face the opening of the other pocket.
  3. Tape the side pockets in place. With the wallet body unfolded in front of you, place each side pocket over one side of the fold so that the outermost sides and bottoms line up. Fold tape over the bottoms and the two outermost sides, taking care to leave the interior edges (where the openings will be) uncovered. To tape the tops, place a 3.75-inch (9.5cm) piece of tape along the top of the side flap, then fold it over the interior flap of the wallet body, making sure not to tape the opening of the wallet shut.

Internal card pockets (compatible with side pockets)

  1. Make another rectangular sheet measuring 1.5 by 3.75 inches (4 x 9.5cm). Use the flip-and-fold method (like you did to construct the body) to make a slightly oversized rectangle, then trim it down to size. This will later become a pocket in which to hold a card.
    • Note that the card pocket is slightly narrower than half of the wallet body. This is to ensure that the wallet can still fold in half once the pocket is installed.
    • The standard bank/credit card is just over 2 inches (5cm) high. Making your card pockets slightly shorter than your cards will allow you to see and retrieve them more easily.
    • If you would like to have an ID card on display, make a rectangular sheet 3.75 inches (9.5cm) wide by however high that card is, then cut the center out so that the card information is displayed but the remaining frame still holds the card in place. You may even want to tape a piece of plastic (e.g. cut out of a clear document cover) behind this frame for a more finished effect.
  2. Create additional card pockets if necessary. It’s best not to make more than three per side or the wallet will become bulky.
  3. Tape the bottom of the first pocket to the bottom of one interior side of the wallet. Align it with the bottom-most edge of either the left- or right-hand side and run a thin strip of tape over the edge to secure it to the wallet interior. Flip the pocket over and repeat on the interior edge so that the cards cannot force its way under that first strip of tape. Do not tape the sides just yet.
    • The same applies if you have made an ID-display pocket.
  4. Tape the bottoms of any additional pockets to the wallet interior, placing each pocket slightly higher than the one before it. This will allow you to see all your cards at the same time. Remember that each card flap is slightly shorter than the card it will hold, so be sure not to place your pockets so high that the cards jut out of the wallet.
  5. Tape the side edges of all the pockets. For a cleaner look, you may even want to place your pieces of tape so that they run from the interior crease outwards across the pockets, around the corners, over the front face of the wallet, and finally back around the pockets on the other side, leaving no visible breaks on the front of the wallet.
  6. Put your money, ID, and other cards in your wallet. Alternatively, give the wallet as a gift or sell it.
  7. And your wallet is finished.
    • When you first use the wallet, you may notice it doesn't stay closed; flatten it beneath some books for a few hours to fix the problem.

Tips

  • Have some bank notes and credit cards handy as you're making your wallet so you can make sure everything is the right size.
  • Make sure your ends are even.
  • If you are going to cut the duct tape with scissors, it would be easier to use non-stick scissors.
  • You can make your bill fold a little higher so it's easy to open.
  • To make a flap to protect your bills: take one length of duct tape the width of your wallet, stick about a quarter of it on the back, fold it over itself so there is no stickiness, and then fold it down the inside of your wallet. Now your money can’t fall out.
  • Don't use good scissors when cutting the tape; you'll get adhesive on the blades which will compromise their cutting effectiveness.
  • If you see any bubbles, get a needle and pop them, then touch it gently.
  • Some cutting hints:
    • If cutting the duct tape with scissors, it is easier to make small cuts rather than large cuts.
    • Putting butter or margarine on your scissors can help make cutting the duct tape easier.
    • If you are using a knife, a metal or metal-edged ruler is best.
  • There are many ways to personalize this design. Consider:
    • Adding coin pockets within the large bill pocket or placing flaps on the credit card holders so business cards don't fall out if the wallet is dropped.
    • Experimenting with different colors. Duct tape comes in colors too; try using a different color for the internal flaps. Or, Black Tyvek tape is available in 2 and 4 inch (5 and 10cm) widths from book binding suppliers for a nice, low-key look.
    • Using clear packing tape. To provide some more structure--and a little bit of color--put photos or colored paper between the layers of tape.
    • Using paper, cloth, fishnet, or painter's tape (blue tape).
    • Putting your favorite stickers on the wallet.
    • Adding a duct tape letter that stands for your name to the front, for fun personalization.
  • You may also add paper on the inside to make it not so sticky.
  • Creating a skeleton of appropriately-sized index cards and taping around them will give the wallet additional structure.
  • Duct tape will be hard to get apart if the sticky side is sticking to another sticky side.
  • It is possible to buy duct tape pages instead of using up a roll of duct tape.
  • Try using a different color for each strip to really add character.
  • Making the pockets allows you to scaffold new pieces and expand.
  • Have no fold over lines for better quality.
  • Rather than cutting, pasting and flipping it, you can cut it all ahead of time and then assemble it together! It save time.
  • If you get good enough at making these, you can make money selling them. A good mark-up (i.e. the amount added to cost of the material) would be $3 for a wallet. Selling at events like field trips is a good idea.
  • You can also make duct tape bows.
  • I took a 1"x12"x12" pine board and covered it completely with duct tape so it was easier to to pick it up. reddevil200069@yahoo.com
  • There are many patterns and colors of duct tape. Use a myriad of different possibilities to suit your taste and style.
  • Apply tape slowly and smooth it out as you go to prevent air bubbles and pockets from forming.
  • If you build the body of the wallet around aluminum foil, it will shield radio-frequency identification (RFID) credit cards from being cloned.[1]
  • Exacto knives work well too.
  • At the top of the billfold, leave a fourth of an inch adhesive on each side and fold it over so there're no rough edges.
  • If making a girl wallet you can make a rose or a bow or paper flowers for decoration. If making a boy wallet you can make a skull or a dagger on a cardboard or simply leave it plain and paste it on your wallet.
  • When working with duck tape, always press down in the middle first, then slowly slide your fingers to the left and right of the duct tape seem for a smoother line.
  • If you want to close your wallet shut, you can roll a piece of duct tape sticky side out, and attach it to the flap so it can close.
  • If you are using a strong and sticky tape, you might want to put some kind of felt or flimsy fabric on the inside. That way, the sticky stuff can't harm your cards or ID. "Duct Tape Brand" sells sticky fabric tape that works very well.

Warnings

  • Keep the wallet away from direct heat or sunlight. If overheated, it may turn sticky and the adhesive can stain or harm the other items stored in the wallet.
  • Measure carefully. If anything is too small, it might not fit all of your money or cards and you'll have to start all over. To be safe, make the dimensions slightly bigger than you think it needs to be.
  • Be very careful when cutting the duct tape. Always cut away from yourself. Be sure to wipe the sticky adhesive residue off your cutting utensil between cuts to keep your blade clean.
  • Duct tape really sticks to your fingers, so be careful if you have super-sensitive skin.

Things You'll Need

  • Duct tape (any color of your choice)
  • Ruler (to measure)
  • Knife or scissors. The best option is Titanium Scissors. Cheap scissors don't cut duct tape well and will cause you frustration.
  • Piece of wood or cutting board (don't use materials that will stick to the duct tape)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/june/money/credit-card-fraud/rfid-credit-cards/index.htm Consumer Reports on credit card fraud
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