Computer Crafts - Dimensional thermometer magnets

Dimensional Thermometer Magnets

Since first coming up with my idea for 3D thermometer magnets several years ago, I've created close to 100 different ones for gifts and customers. The design possibilities are endless, and this page features photographs of several of my favorites, along with the instructions. 3D thermometer magnets are perfect craft fair products. Give it a try!

The Design Elements of a 3D Thermometer Magnet

My 3D thermometer magnet designs consist of three elements--the back, frame, and pop-out--as shown in the sample printout here (click on the photo for a larger view).

All printed parts of your
3D thermometer magnet
will fit on one sheet of cardstock.

Back - Centered both vertically and horizontally on the Back is the mini-thermometer gauge. Each thermometer comes attached to a gold cardstock gauge. You will need to remove the thermometer from the gold cardstock backer and create your own gauge in your graphics design program to print on your finished design. This can be a little tricky, but once you've got the temperature scale correct, you never have to figure it out again. The font that worked best for me when creating my temperature gauge was "Technical". Absolute precision isn't necessary; I have several thermometer magnets on my refrigerator door, but I don't depend on them for an absolutely accurate temperature reading.

For your reference, my gauge measures 1-9/16" from the bottom line to the top line if you want to copy the gauge shown here and try to use it.

The white area down the center of the lines on the gauge is where the thermometer is glued when assembled. A white glue, such as Elmers or Tacky Glue, works best and dries clear.

The gray shaded areas shown around the edges of the Back piece on the sample printout indicate the placement of the foam mounting tape on the face of the back piece when assembling. My standard thermometer magnets measure 3-1/2" wide by 4-1/4" high for the back piece. After cutting out your Back piece (which is not laminated), glue your thermometer in place and set aside to dry while finishing the Frame and Pop-Out.

After the glue has dried on your Back piece, cut your foam mounting tape to the proper lengths, remove the protective paper from one side of the mounting tape, press in place around each side on the face of your Back piece.

Frame - The Frame of the thermometer magnet measures approximately 1/8" larger on all sides than the Back piece. Choose a background graphic and white out the center, or select a frame graphic. Place a wide, solid line rectangle in the center of the Frame. This will be your cutting line for the view window of the thermometer.

Thermometer magnet
ready to assemble

The Frame piece is cut out, along with the center window, prior to heat laminating the Frame. After lamination (7 mil. laminant works best), the laminant is trimmed to extend approximately 1/8" around all sides of the frame, and the laminant is cut from the center window of the Frame. The laminant corners are rounded to knock off sharp edges. A thin acrylic sheet (sold in office supply stores as clear report covers) cut 1/2" larger on all sides than your center window is then applied to the back of the Frame. Place double-stick tape around the center window on the back side of the Frame, center your acrylic window over it, and press into place. The Frame is then ready to attach to the Back piece. Simply peel the protective paper from the foam mounting tape on the Back, center your Frame over the thermometer, and press to seal. Apply an adhesive magnetic strip to the top back.

Pop-Out - When creating your design, you may want to experiment with different Pop-outs to see which looks best. In the photo above showing all printed parts of a thermometer magnet, a club sandwich, apple and hamburger are chosen to try out on the finished design. When choosing a Pop-out graphic for your design, make sure it's one you'll be able to cut out easily. Before laminating, the Pop-out graphic is cut out around it's edges so that no white cardstock background remains (i.e., when using a teacup graphic, you will also cut the center out of the teacup's handle). Cut out your Pop-out and heat laminate with a 7 mil. laminant. Then cut around the outer edges of the Pop-out graphic, leaving approximately 1/16" of laminant extending around all edges of the graphic. Apply a foam mounting dot to the back of the Pop-out, and press into place on the Frame.

The text balloons on
this thermometer
calendar are
changeable,
attached with velcro

Additional Tips:

When ready to glue the mini thermometer to the Back piece, note the temperature shown on the thermometer before removing it from it's backer. Run a thin line of white glue down the center of the thermometer gauge on the Back piece. Press the thermometer in place, aligning the vertical placement by the noted temperature on the gauge.
Experiment with the placement of your Pop-out. Some thermometer designs look great with a horizontal Pop-out graphic attached to the center bottom or top of the Frame. On some designs, multiple Pop-out work well.
When cutting the laminant from the center window area of the Frame, use a very sharp craft knife (Xacto blade) or sharp embroidery shears. If you suffer from arthritis, as I do, I highly recommend Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Scissors for this, and all, craft project.
When creating many thermometer magnets for Christmas gift giving, put them together assembly line fashion... it goes much faster.
On the back of the finished thermometer magnet, attach the business card magnet horizontally across the top and use the space below the magnet for a hand-written note to the recipient.
"Sign" each creation. When designing the thermometer, add your name in a small handwriting font (about 6 pt), and place it (turned sideways) to the right of the temperature gauge lines on the Back piece.