How to Make a Uniband Bracelet

The Uniband Wristlet is a reflective, adjustable, plastic band that fits most children and adults -- reflecting car headlights and other lights at night. People often use these for safety reasons, so cars and other passersby can see them when it's dark outside. Such bands can be wrapped around wrists, ankles, luggage, bicycles or backpacks. It isn't difficult to make a similar band that glows in the dark.

Things You'll Need

  • White vinyl plastic
  • Pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • White paint
  • Glow paint -- available at hobby and craft stores
  • Acrylic clear coating spray
  • Hook-and-loop fastener tape
  • Computer
  • Printer
  • Sticker paper -- sized to fit a printer, available at craft stores
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut 1 yard of white vinyl plastic -- the type used for tablecloths or shower curtains.

    • 2

      Draw a wristband shape that's 6 to 8 inches long by 1/2 inch wide on the vinyl. Cut the drawn length out to make the basic bracelet piece. Paint the strip a white base color, using a latex or acrylic paint that's formulated to adhere to vinyl. Allow it to dry for 1 hour.

    • 3

      Paint the strip with glow paint. Apply two or three coats, allowing 1 hour between each coat for drying time. Allow the strip to dry for another hour, after applying the final coat.

    • 4

      Spray the strip with a clear acrylic coating, to protect the glow paint and keep it from becoming damaged by your skin oils or the elements.

    • 5

      Cut a 1/2-inch square of hook-and-loop fastener tape, remove the paper from the adhesive backing and stick one of the fastener halves to the outer side of the wristband, at the end.

    • 6

      Place the band around your wrist. Stick the other fastener half to the inside of the vinyl strip -- at the point where it will fasten to the half you adhered to the outer side. This will allow the reflective band to close around the wrist, and the excess fastener area will enable you to slightly adjust the size, if needed.

    • 7

      Open any digital image editing software you use, and type in any words or letters you want to use on the bracelet. Keep the font around 14 points, extending no more than about 5 inches, so the letters will fit well on the band. Print the lettering you want on sticker paper. Cut out the letters, remove the sticker paper backing and adhere the letters to the bracelet. Or leave the wristband blank, if you prefer.

    • 8

      Make as many bands as you need using this method.