Tutorials and Product Advice - Ribbon Impressions

Creative Ribbons: Getting Kids Involved

From kindergarten to high school, kids everywhere are claiming they are bored this summer!

Here are a few ideas to keep them busy and out of trouble.

letting the kids have fun with ribbons will help imagination grow

Are there any book clubs in your area? Reading helps intellect and imagination grow. And reading can be fun when choosing the right books. Help get your kids excited about reading by using creative ribbon bookmarks.

This project doesn’t have to be anything too complicated. But make sure to tailor it to your child’s age. A simple version of these ribbon books marks is something as basic as finding a paper clip and wrapping or tying some colorful ribbon to the end. Scrap ribbon rolls are perfect for this activity. See more bookmark options here!

Add some whimsical ribbons to your next kid’s event. They’re colorful and fun for everyone!

Do you have a summer birthday in the family? Or even just a get-together for the kids in the neighborhood? Try dancing ribbon rings or ribbon wands as a fun way to use up some of those brightly colored scrap ribbons you might have on hand. Making this craft is easy. Either paint Popsicle sticks or get some that are already colored. And then either glue or tape the ribbons to the end. These are sure to be a hit with the younger children at any party!

Award Ribbons

Custom ribbons for kids and education uses.

Choose from our wide selection of rosette and classic ribbons for any reward type that you might need. It doesn’t even have to be for an event. You can give a kid a ribbon as a way of saying thank you. Give one as a self-esteem booster to a child feeling lonely or out of sorts. And, keep one for yourself if you want!

When giving award ribbons to kids for a job well done, there are many different ribbon styles from which to choose. Design Rosette Ribbons and Custom Top Ribbons to include every student with their accomplishment. Try using accolades such as, “Outstanding,” “Star Speller” and “Happy Camper.” Any of these ribbons are sure to let a child know that someone is noticing their hard work and is proud of them.

Using Ribbons: Dictionary & Glossary

A glossary is helpful when making your next ribbon choice!

With so many different custom ribbon types to choose from, selecting the perfect ribbon for your event or project can be difficult. This simple ribbon glossary is helpful when picking the perfect ribbon for your next ribbon project or event.

Most of these terms refer to our custom ribbon rolls. However, some of them are for printing processes and other ribbon types.

Polyester:

This is a fabric made from a polymer which is usually formed by polymerizing a polyhydric alcohol with a polybasic acid. These fabrics are colorfast and will not shrink. They are the most durable.

Grosgrain (pronounced gro-grain):

This is a heavy ribbon which has a ribbed, or corded texture and appearance across the width of the ribbon, typically made of silk or rayon.

Chiffon:

This is a sheer fabric of silk, nylon, or rayon in plain weave.

Acetate:

Also called acetate rayon. This is a synthetic filament, yarn, or fabric composed of a derivative of the acetic ester of cellulose. It differs from viscose rayon in having greater strength when wet and greater sensitivity to high temperatures.

Satin:

A ribbon or fabric which has a smooth, shiny appearance, and often has a glossy face and a soft, slippery texture. The term “satin” is a type of weave which results in the shiny appearance on one side and “flat” appearance on the other.

Metallic:

Referring to a yarn or fiber made partly or entirely of metal or a reflective film or ink and having a metallic appearance. This is also in printing and makes lettering and logos slightly reflective to light.

Hot Stamp:

A dry printing method of lithography in which predried ink or foils are transferred to the ribbon surface. This is done at high temperatures and is efficient for quick runs and simple designs.

Hopefully, these terms will help you to understand what are the differences in our ribbon. And, as always, we’re here to help. And we are only a click or a phone call away!

Custom Ribbons: Full Color vs. Imprinting

The printing process for custom ribbons is one of its most important features. While all of our custom ribbons have multiple uses, sometimes you have to know just the right ribbon to choose. And, with different printing options, at times you just need a helping hand to make that decision.

The first ribbon is imprinted with a standard die.

The second ribbon is imprinted with a metal die.

The last ribbon is printed in full color.

Imprinted Custom Ribbons

When a ribbon is imprinted, it means that a stamp is pressed onto a thin foil against the ribbon. Heat is applied and stamps this colored foil onto the surface of the ribbon. Because of this stamping process, imprinted ribbons will not hold fine detail. Keep your graphics and text a bit larger so that details don’t get lost in the printing.

A plus to imprinting is that you can have metallic printed onto your custom ribbons. This means that they will sparkle and shine. The metallic foils will help others to see what is imprinted on the ribbons. Imprinted ribbons are perfect for any fair, sporting event or other achievement days.

Full Color Custom Ribbons

These custom ribbons allow for a multi-colored background instead of a solid color like imprinted ribbons. However, no metallic printing is available. But don’t let that discourage you. Print these full color ribbons with almost any design you want! And because of the printing, the ribbons capture detail finer than what imprinting will hold, so you can do whatever you need to with your text and graphics.

From prints that include a bleed to bright and eye-catching designs, these custom ribbons are sure to get your message out there! These ribbons are a great way to promote a special day, promotion, sale or any other event.

So, if your next custom ribbons project is something simple and plain to go with a name badge, imprinted ribbons are for you. These are also ideal for quickly identifying someone’s role during an event.

However, if you need something that will stand out in a crowd, make sure to choose a full color ribbon instead. With all the color and printing options of full color, your ribbons are sure to be the hit of your conference!

Finishing Touches: Wedding Kissing Balls

Kissing balls, also known as pomanders, are perfect for an alternative bouquet for bridesmaids.

Traditionally, kissing balls came from England during the Middle Ages. They are a symbol of goodwill. They were hung over doors to welcome visitors and celebrate Christmas. However, these decorations eventually became a symbol of romance and eventually became a favorite wedding tradition.

Use these hanging floral arrangements to dress up the aisle at your wedding. Or, use them as an alternative bouquet for flower girls and bridesmaids. Some brides even opt for using pomanders as a bridal bouquet. They are also beautiful when arranged from a doorway or arch.

And, pomanders are easy to make with silk flowers, fresh flowers, or even from tissue paper.

HOW TO MAKE A KISSING BALL

First things first, make sure to have all your materials gathered! You will need:

Foam Ball
Flowers (you can use real or artificial)
Personalized Ribbon
Wooden Skewer or knitting needle
Hot Glue

Now, the assembly!

Gently push the skewer through the top of the foam ball. This action will cause it to go in one side of the ball and out the other. Once this is done, thread the personalized ribbon through the ball using the skewer or a knitting needle.

Next, gather all the flowers without stems together. You will need roughly 38 flowers to cover a 4 inch ball. Put a dab of hot glue on the base of the flower and gently push it into the foam ball. Repeat this step until you cover the ball in flowers.

Play with colors and layout with different flower types. We also added some extra ribbon among the flowers for a personalized touch. You can also add additional details like beads or crystals in between the flowers. Or add another decorative piece at the center of each flower. By using artificial flowers, these balls will last a very long time.

Kissing balls made with real flowers are just as easy to make. Make sure to use a floral foam ball instead of Styrofoam. Cut each flower with about a one-inch stem to insert into the ball. Be gentle so as not to damage the flowers. And, keep in mind when using fresh flowers that the pomander will not keep as long and should be used within a couple of days of making them.

Creative Ribbon Rolls: Kanzashi Flowers

When most people think of ribbon rolls, they consider wrapping presents or decorating for a party or some other function. Some people, however, think “what can I do with this that will make it quirky?” Here’s an idea to get your creative juices flowing! Kanzashi Flowers!

We love sharing the way people around the world use ribbons! Kanzashi are traditional Japanese folded flowers. These flowers are made from small squares of silk, fabric or ribbon, and are typically worn by women as hair ornaments.

Kanzashi flowers are traditionally made with habotai silk giving them a vibrant color and rich texture. However, some people create these flowers with ribbon or other fabrics.

Making kanzashi flowers takes patience and a lot of practice. There are several ways to make these flowers, depending upon the ribbon type you are using and what kind of flower you are creating. Some people reinforce the flowers by sewing the petals together or gluing beads and buttons into the center of the blooms.

While kanzashi are traditionally used as hair ornaments, these lovely flowers have a variety of other uses:

Secure a flower to a pin or wearable magnet and wear it as a brooch.

Sew flowers to the bottom of a scarf or the brim of a winter hat.

Add a flower to a gift in place of a ribbon.

Sew flowers to your favorite accent pillow.

Arrange several flowers in a glass bowl for a unique centerpiece.

How To Make Kanzashi Flowers

Take your ribbon and fold it across the width to get a triangle and with that as a template cut it out into square pieces. The number of pieces you need will depend on the width of the ribbon.

Fold the square into a triangle first and bring together the corners. Now, fold this shape again along the newly formed edge and the gathered corner. Be sure to secure the cut edges using a lighter or another flame. Hot glue also works to hold the petals together.

Once you have finished all folding, you will have three folds parallel. Make sure to align them properly/evenly so that your flower petal looks symmetrical.

Now that your petals are ready, all you need to do is to apply hot glue on the sides of each flower petals and glue them together to form a ring of petals which will resemble a flower in any case.

While there are many tutorials online for making kanzashi flowers and ornaments, here are a couple of pictures to get any creative mind working at full capacity.

making Kanzashi Flowers using ribbon rolls and turning them into decorations

Add your flair to these lovely flowers using buttons, lace, rhinestones or glitter; whatever your heart desires to make this craft your own.