Making a Glowing Halloween CardIn this tutorial we will show you how to make a Halloween card with glowing LEDs! To do this we will use some Bare Paint, a battery, and some surface mount LEDs. MaterialsBare Paint ComponentsSurface Mount LEDs UK: Farnell / US: Newark * Make sure you buy several Batteries and LEDs for all your projects in advance to save on shipping charges!
STEP 1. Download and Print your TemplateDownload the template for the card you would like to make. We recommend you begin with the Pumpkin Template, as this is the easiest one. After you've completed this one you can proceed to the others! Once you have downloaded the template. Print it out and make sure you read all the instructions carefully!
STEP 2. Color in your CardOnce you have printed out your template on your card paper, use pencils or crayons to color in the drawing.
STEP 3. Trace the Circuit with Bare PaintFollowing the instructions on your sheet, trace over the RED lines with your Bare Paint to complete the conductive circuit.Make sure there is a gap where the LEDs and battery will go. Don't paint all the way through as this will cause a short circuit.
STEP 4. Attach the LEDs to the paintLook carefully at the bottom of your LED and make sure you've identified the positive (+) and negative (-) sides. If you're not sure which is which, test it by touching the ends to the battery's positive (+) and negative (-) pins. Make sure you place the LEDs in the right direction. Otherwise they won't light up! Glue the LED to the paper using Bare Paint. Make sure the paint doesn't connect between the positive (+) and negative (-) legs!
STEP 5. Attach the Battery to the PaperLook carefully at your 3V coin cell battery, and identify which side is positive (+) and which is negative (-). The positive (+) side may have a green line indicating it its polarity. Bend the legs of the battery so that they're facing upwards, and stick them through the back of the paper so that they make contact with the paint on the other side. If the paint is not totally dry and you're worried about making a mess, you can let the paint dry first, otherwise make sure you're careful while handling the paper! The back should look like this:
STEP 6. Paint over the battery legsCarefully bend the battery legs that are sticking out so that they are flush with the paper, and making contact with the Bare Paint circuit you painted previously.
STEP 7. Let the paint dryLet the Bare Paint dry for 10 minutes. If you look carefully, you will notice that as time goes by the LEDs should get brighter! This happens because the paint increases in conductivity as it dries.
STEP 8. Fold your cardOnce the paint has dried the LEDs should be glowing brightly! You can now fold your card over the dashed line.
STEP 9. Congratulations!You should now have a Halloween card with Glowing lights! Well done!
If you would like to make another card feel free to download one of our other templates below. Make sure you look at the circuit diagrams carefully as some are more difficult than others. If you make any great drawings of your own please feel free to email them to the Bare team at info@bareconductive.com so we can showcase them on our website for everyone to enjoy!
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Check out our other Halloween Tutorials here |
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