Instructions for Easy Shrinking Fletching

Fletchings are the feathers and bands around the end of an arrow. Most archers use an easily identifiable color combination for their fletching when target shooting or hunting. The fletching also provides stability to the arrow while it's in flight. As the arrow flies, the air moves over the three-tiered feathers, keeping it on a straight trajectory. Easy shrink, or heat shrink, fletching is one method of applying the feathers and bands to arrows.

Things You'll Need

  • Arrows
  • Bucket of hot water
  • Drying rack
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a bucket with very hot water. Do not bring the water to a boil, but keep it just under boiling point. The water will cool down during the process, which is fine. Set out a drying rack near the bucket so that the arrows rest horizontally on the rack while they dry.

    • 2

      Slide a complete set of easy shrink fletching over the end of the arrow and align the clear coat just at the lip of the nock (the V-shaped tip where the bow string is nocked).

    • 3

      DIp the fletched end of the arrow into the hot water. Leave it in the water between 15 and 60 seconds (depending on the specific product's instructions). Remove the arrow from the water and smooth out any air bubbles in the fletching using your fingernail.

    • 4

      Place the arrows on the drying rack to set the adhesive and shrink wrap on the fletching. Leave arrows on the rack between six to eight hours.