Handcrafted Wood Slice Save-The-Date Magnets For Your Diy Wedding

Save-the-date wedding invitations are a great way to announce your upcoming nuptials and ensure your guests don't book anything else on your wedding day. Why not go one step further and make your own DIY wooden save-the-date magnets? These unique, handcrafted invitations will add a rustic and personal touch to your wedding. You can even include your wedding website so guests can find out more about your big day. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of making your own wooden slice save-the-date magnets, from preparing the wood to designing and assembling the final product. We'll also offer tips on packaging and sending out your invitations to ensure they arrive safely and make a lasting impression on your guests.

Slicing and drying wood

Slicing the Wood:

• If possible, use a compound miter saw to cut tree rounds from a fallen tree branch. This will ensure straight and precise cuts.
• Cut the wood slightly larger than your desired final size, as wood tends to shrink as it dries.
• For safety, always wear protective gear, including eye and ear protection, when operating power tools like a miter saw.

Drying the Wood:

• The simplest method for drying wood is air-drying, which involves allowing the lumber to sit at a specific humidity level to achieve the desired equilibrium moisture content (EMC). However, this process can be very slow, taking about a year per inch of wood thickness.
• To speed up the drying process, you can use a kiln or a conventional oven:
• If using a kiln, ensure that humidity, temperature, and airflow are carefully controlled to avoid drying defects like case-hardening.
• For an oven, preheat it to 217°F (103°C) and place the wood slices on a rack in the center of the oven for about an hour. Adjust the temperature as needed to maintain the desired level.
• Alternatively, you can use a microwave oven for smaller wood pieces:
• Weigh your wood samples and measure their moisture content using a moisture meter.
• Place the wood on a bed of paper towels in the microwave and heat at the lowest setting for 45 to 60 seconds.
• Continue heating in intervals, weighing the wood after each round, until there is no significant weight change, indicating that the wood is dry.

Additional Tips:

• Seal the ends of the wood slices with paraffin wax, shellac, polyurethane, or latex paint immediately after cutting to prevent rapid moisture escape and reduce the risk of end-grain checking.
• Stack and sticker the wood slices to expose them to air on all sides during the drying process. Stickers are small pieces of wood used to create space between the slices for better airflow.
• Cover the top of the stacked wood with a tarp or plastic sheeting to provide shade without trapping moisture.

Remember that drying times can vary depending on the wood species, initial moisture level, thickness, and ambient conditions. Always handle power tools and heated wood with caution and follow safety guidelines.

Stamping or engraving wood

There are several ways to go about stamping or engraving wood for your save-the-date magnets. You can either use a personalised custom stamp, or you can stamp the wood yourself using the wood transfer technique.

If you want to stamp the wood yourself, you can follow these steps:

• Print out your design on regular paper. Make sure your design includes the basic information such as your names and the date of the wedding.
• Cut out your design, leaving a small border around the edge.
• Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the back of your design. You can use a glue stick or a paintbrush to apply the glue.
• Adhere the design to your wood slice, smoothing out any bubbles or wrinkles.
• Let the glue dry completely.
• Carefully peel off the paper, revealing the transferred design on the wood.
• If needed, go over the design with a pen or marker to make it stand out more.

Alternatively, you can also engrave the wood using a laser cutter. This method requires access to a laser cutter and some basic knowledge of vector design. If you have an engineer friend or partner, they might be able to help you with this process.

• Create your design using vector-based software. This can be done using programs such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.
• Prepare the wood slices by cutting them to the desired size and shape. You can use a compound miter saw or purchase pre-cut wood slices from a craft store.
• Stain or paint the wood slices if desired. This step is optional but can add a nice touch of colour to your save-the-date magnets.
• Load your design into the laser cutter software and adjust the settings to cut through the wood.
• Place the wood slices into the laser cutter, making sure they are secure and won't move during the cutting process.
• Start the cutting process and wait for it to finish.
• Remove the wood slices from the laser cutter and check that the design has been engraved successfully.
• If needed, sand the wood slices to smooth out any rough edges.
• Apply a finish to the wood slices to protect the engraving. You can use a clear coat of sealant or a natural oil finish.

Both stamping and engraving methods will create beautiful and unique save-the-date magnets that your guests will surely adore.

Choosing the right envelope size

When it comes to choosing the right envelope size for your DIY wood slice save-the-date magnets, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, the standard size for save-the-date cards is 5" x 7", but you can also opt for smaller or larger sizes depending on your preferences. If you're looking for a more wallet-friendly option, consider a postcard-style save-the-date which can be mailed without an envelope and will save on postage costs.

When choosing envelopes, it's important to note that paper, stationery, and envelopes are typically measured using the A, B, and C series. The C series is the international standard for envelopes, but most wedding and party envelope vendors use the A series. Common sizes for save-the-date envelopes include the A7 (5.25" x 7.25"), which fits a 5" x 7" card, and the 5" x 5" square envelope, which is the smallest square envelope size that can be mailed.

If you're creating wood slice save-the-date magnets, consider the thickness and weight of your envelopes as these factors can affect postage costs. Square envelopes may also cost extra to send, so you might want to opt for a standard envelope size instead. Additionally, if your save-the-date magnets are thick, you may need to use a larger envelope to accommodate the size and avoid additional postage charges.

When designing your save-the-date magnets, it's a good idea to keep in mind the size of the magnets or wood slices you plan to use. This will ensure that your envelopes are the right size and that your magnets fit securely inside without being too bulky.

Lastly, don't forget to add some personal touches to your envelopes, such as wax seals, laser-cut designs, lace appliques, stamps, or ribbons, to tie them in with your wedding theme and give them a unique, elegant, or rustic look.

Designing the magnet

Choose Your Wood

The first step is to select the type of wood you want to use for your magnets. You can use wood slices from a fallen tree branch, as mentioned in the search results, or opt for model-quality sheets of birch wood, as suggested by another source. If you don't have access to wood slices, you can purchase them at craft stores, and if you're lucky, you might even find a good deal with a coupon.

Prepare the Wood

Before designing your magnets, it's important to prepare the wood properly. This includes drying the wood slices by baking them in the oven at a low temperature for about 30 minutes. You can also stain the wood, as mentioned by one source, who chose a coral stain for their project.

Design and Personalization

Now comes the fun part – designing your magnets! You can either handwrite or print your chosen design onto the wood slices. If you're feeling creative, you can even design your own stamp or use a wood transfer technique. Include important information such as your wedding website, both your names, and the wedding date. You can also add a personal touch by incorporating your wedding theme or colours. For example, one source mentioned using a string binding in their wedding colours to give a romantic and vintage feel to the invitation.

Magnet Attachment

When it comes to attaching the magnets, you have a few options. You can use self-adhesive magnets, which are easy to apply and require no additional glue. Alternatively, you can use glue to attach the magnets to the wood slices. Loctite glue is recommended by one source, but a hot glue gun can also be effective. Ensure that your magnets are strong enough to hold the weight of the wood slice and consider using thicker magnets or double-sided tape to prevent sliding or scratching on fridge surfaces.

Packaging and Mailing

Finally, consider how you want to package and mail your save-the-date magnets. You can place them in envelopes, add a backing card, or even include them in a vellum envelope, as suggested by one source. When mailing, be mindful of the size and thickness of your envelopes, as larger or thicker envelopes may incur additional postage costs.

Remember, this project is a creative process, and you can adapt these steps to fit your unique vision. Enjoy designing your one-of-a-kind save-the-date magnets!

Gluing the magnet to the wood

Selecting the Right Glue:

Choose a strong adhesive that is suitable for both wood and magnetic surfaces. Some recommended options include Loctite, craft bond glue, or a glue gun. Using strong adhesive glue ensures that your magnets will withstand everyday use on refrigerators or other metal surfaces.

Preparing the Surfaces:

Before gluing, ensure that both the wood slices and magnets are clean and dry. If you have sanded or stained your wood slices, make sure there is no residual dust or debris. Similarly, ensure that your magnets are free of any oil or grease by wiping them with a clean cloth.

Applying the Glue:

Work in a well-ventilated area and protect your work surface with newspaper or a disposable cloth. Using a small craft glue bottle or a glue gun, apply a thin, even layer of glue to the back of the wood slice. You can also apply glue directly to the magnet, depending on which type you have chosen.

Attaching the Magnet:

Carefully centre the magnet on the back of the wood slice, making sure it is aligned correctly. Gently press the magnet in place, applying light pressure for a few seconds to ensure good contact. If any glue seeps out, use a damp cloth to wipe it away immediately, as it may stain the wood.

Drying and Curing:

Set aside the glued magnets in a safe, dust-free area to dry. Refer to the instructions on your glue packaging for the recommended drying time. Some glues may require several hours or even overnight to fully cure. Do not stack or handle the magnets during this period to avoid accidental smudging or misalignment.

Testing and Troubleshooting:

Once the glue has dried, carefully test the adhesion by gently trying to remove the magnet from the wood slice. If the bond is secure, you should feel confident that your save-the-date magnets will withstand everyday use. However, if you encounter any issues, such as weak adhesion or misalignment, you may need to re-glue the magnets or explore alternative adhesives.

Remember to allow sufficient curing time before packaging or mailing your save-the-date magnets to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

Frequently asked questions