In this guide, we will show you how to create a custom football back plate. The process is easier than you may think and can be completed by anyone with some basic tools and a little creativity!
You will find the process of creating a custom football back plate to be easier than you may think. If you have the right tools and a little skill, creating a custom football back plate is as easy as 1-2-3! And if you have some creativity, too, then all the better.
You will need some tools, and you will want to measure your football pads carefully before you begin. You will need a ruler, pencil and scissors. You might also need to buy some items like contact cement or spray adhesive if you don’t have them already.
Start by tracing out the outline of your back plate onto a white poster board or paper.
To begin, you will need to measure the length of your name, number, and decal (if applicable) and make sure that there is enough room for all of these letters. You can do this by laying out your football pads on top of a piece of white paper or poster board.
Next, take your pencil and ruler to trace out the outline of your custom back plate football onto the white paper/poster board so that it is as close to exact as possible. Make sure not to draw outside of what will fit inside the actual plate; we want our lettering centered!
Then trace out the outline of your name, number, and decal.
Use a ruler or tape measure to trace out the outline of your name, number, and decal. If you want to be extra precise, use stencils to make sure everything is straight and even. You can buy them at any craft store or use one you made from cardboard yourself.
Alternatively, draw on your plate with a pencil or pen instead of using a ruler/tape measure/stencils! This will allow for more creativity in putting together your design.
Use clear contact paper over the top of these and lay it on your back plate outline.
Use a ruler to ensure that the contact paper is perfectly straight. Use a pencil to trace the outline of your design onto the contact paper, then cut it out using a box cutter or utility knife (be careful!).
Use a small paintbrush and acrylic paints in your desired color scheme to paint over the design and create shadows where needed, then let dry completely before placing it on a back plate!
Hand paint colors onto the back plate, name, number, and decal, and let them dry fully before proceeding
Using the paintbrush, apply the acrylic paint to your back plate and let it dry for 24 hours before proceeding with any other steps if you want a glossy finish. If not, you can move on to step two immediately.
Create your name and number using vinyl lettering or stencils that are available at most craft stores (or online). You will need to measure out the size of the letters in order to create an accurate template for yourself using cardboard or paper cut into squares.
Then, trace these measurements onto your top layer of stencil material and use an X-Acto knife or sharp craft blade to cut out each letter individually so they’re separate pieces when finished cutting them out completely; this helps keep everything aligned properly when applying it later on without worrying about getting lines crooked!
3d printed football helmet
Lift the contact paper to remove it from the white poster board or paper.
Use a sharp knife to cut around the outline of your design. This is optional, but if you’re making a custom football back plate for a young child, this will help them not get confused about where their hand should be placed when they’re ready to put on their new helmet.
Remove any unwanted pieces of contact paper that may have gotten stuck during installation by gently peeling them off with your fingers and/or by using an adhesive remover.
Touch up any areas where paint might have gotten onto other parts of the design with white nail polish or white shoe polish once this is done. If you’ve made a mistake and gotten paint on other parts of the design, or if you just want to touch up areas that have been worn away by the process, use white nail polish or shoe polish to paint over these areas. This will make your design look more professional and polished when it’s finished.
You’ll need:
- Nail polish remover (or rubbing alcohol)
- White nail polish (or shoe polish)
- A clean, soft brush (one you don’t mind getting dirty!)
Conclusion
This is how you can create a custom football backplate with some tools, a little skill and a lot of creativity. You will need to measure your football pads carefully before you begin. A ruler or tape measure will be needed as well. You may want to get some rubber gloves, especially if you’re working with fiberglass resin which can be hazardous if it gets on your skin.
