A polymer clay letter tool that will make a positive impression on your beads and pendants:
Recently I was searching online for a polymer clay letter impression set and came across this cool tool called the Alphadisc. The company that sells it is even called “Cool Tools!” It will quickly impress letters into any type of clay including polymer clay, metal art clay and ceramic clay.
Here’s an excerpt transcribed from their tutorial video…
The way it is designed is that all the letters are on the outside of the disc. It will show you which letter you’re on, and some little dots, so you know where the center is.
It’s pretty easy to use. You just line it up on the clay, and impress the letters. Hold the disc so that you can see right down the letters and impress them exactly in the spot that you want. There is a little space, left and right, where those other letters don’t touch.
Look at the letters, so they read correctly to you and write from left to right. Rotate it around to the next letter and impress.
If you want to do something a little bit deeper, just put the clay on a curved surface.
If you like, watch their short Youtube demonstration and instrucion video here…
A polymer clay tool like this has a few advantages over the more common metal letter punches you would typically use. They are:
- Easily stored – Full alphabet on one disk.
- Lots of Fonts – Can get letters and numbers in a few different fonts, in upper case, lower case, numbers/symbols, and all of those in reverse print for making molds.
- Easy to clean – Wipe with a cloth.
- Versitile – Can be used on polymer clay, metal clay and ceramic clay.
- Easy to center – Little dots help you line up the letters nicely.
Disadvantages:
- Can’t be used on metal sheeting like the metal punches can.
As you can see, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and I give this cool polymer clay tool a thumbs up rating!
Hi Cindy, The review was great…thanks so much! People really are enjoying the tool. I recently saw a really cool ring with lettering on it and asked the lady how she did the text. She said it was the AlphaDisc! We got a laugh out of that.
Sincerely,
Mardel Rein
Cool Tools
That looks like a wonderful tool. Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t buy and more tools, I may have to break that promise.
@Mardel: Glad to help out.
@Ronalyn: Never say never :)
BTW… another fun way to press letters into polymer clay is to use uncooked alphabet noodles. It’s more awkward and fiddly… but very cheap and fun!
Cindy’s last blog post..A Polymer Clay Glitter Story – DeGeneres vs The Crafty Chica
And a Bit of a Public Service Message…
Since I publish polymer clay articles daily, this blog is becoming quite a large resource for polymer clay tips, pictures and discussions.
I figured I would take this opportunity to remind everyone about the little search box that sits at the top left of every page at this blog. It can help you find stuff quickly. Stuff that you may have seen before and want to go back to. Or you can use the search box to discover new things.
Simply pick a keyword or two, and type them into the search box. Then click on the ‘Search’ button. A list of related articles titles will then be displayed which you can click through to and read.
For example, by typing in the word “lettering” into the search box, the article about the Alphadisc Lettering Tool is displayed at the very top of the list.
There are other ways to find stuff here at the blog as well. I would be very curious to hear from others about your useful navigation tips and suggestions.
Actually if there are things that you don’t like about this site, you can share those comments too. I will do my best to correct problems that may be identified.
Hello, my name is Edgar and I work with epoxy paste arts and I have been looking for a tool for making tiny letters. How or where can I buy the one u offer. I am interested.
Hi Edgar – I actually don’t offer the AlphaDisc Lettering Tool myself. I just did a review of it because I think it’s a cool tool for polymer clayers. The link by my name will take you to the “Cool Tools” company page that sells it. Tell ’em I sent ya :-)
Oh and do come back here and let us all know how it works for your epoxy past art. Would love to get your input on that.
Hi where can I get one of these I have tried everywhere I really want one I brought a mag and they said John Lewis but I have had no luck can you give me any help
Thanks Andrea
@Andrea W: I know that you can order them directly from Cool Tools. Here is the link: cooltools.us/Lettering-Tools-s/368.htm I just checked and they have even updated this tool so you can use several different fonts for it. I think I need to get one of these myself!
Hi Cindy Thanks for that, what about in the UK as thats where I am. Shipping from the States is so expensive. or could you suggest another item that would allow me to embose letters into Fimo?
Thanks for you help
Andrea
@Andrea W: It’s great to hear from another clayer in the UK!
The best thing would be for you to contact the manufacturer to ask if they have distributors set up in Great Britain or Europe. And please remember to report back here so that others can benefit from the information as well.
Also, you might want to check on eBay in your country. It is a great resource for buying polymer clay and jewelry making tools.
Another option is to use regular rubber stamps. You can get them in alphabets at your craft or scrapbooking store.
@Andrea W: Hi Andrea – just found a UK website selling the Alphadisc, their url is: metalclay.co.uk/products/AlphaDisc-%252d-Blank-Disc-Set.html. Hope to get one myself!
Marion
@Marion: Thank you so much Marion for going out of your way to find a UK source of the AlphaDiscs for Andrea! Also, thanks for the heads-up on the malfunctioning video. As you will notice above, Doug has replaced it with the new one. So it is up and running again, ready for viewing.
If you havent sourced this yet in the UK it is now being sold by Metal Clay Ltd
metalclay.co.uk
Hi Cindy
Thanks again for your help I had thought about rubber stamps but wasn’t quite sure if it would be OK every time I enquire anywhere in the uk they tell me it is discontinued so I will try and contact the manufacturer.
I have looked on ebay but will keep looking
Thanks again I will be back
Andrea
Sadly the Alphadisc lettering tool video has been removed Cindy, is there any way we can still view it?
Marion