Crafting Pet Accessories: How to Make Custom Collars, Leashes, and Bowties

Make your pet stand out from the crowd with customized pet accessories. Personalized collars, leashes, and bowties are not just stylish. They also have practical benefits, such as making your pet easier to identify when they are lost. Their accessories are unique identifiable markers that help searchers distinguish your pet.

Crafting personalized pet accessories is not that difficult. With a few art techniques and tools, you can create customized collars, leashes, and bowties. Here is a complete step-by-step guide to help you make your pet turn heads on your next walk!

Custom Collars and Leashes

If you go to any pet store, you will find collars and leashes in different designs, sizes, and styles. But no matter how diverse these selections are, they are still not specifically customized for your pet. Your furry friend is one-of-a-kind. Show their personality with a personalized collar and a matching leash.

Here are the steps in crafting customized collars with matching leashes.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

First, it’s important to gather all the materials you need to create a custom collar and leash. This streamlines the creation process. You won’t need to stop midway just to get a material you forgot to prepare.

By gathering the necessary materials beforehand, you also ensure that you are following all the steps. If you have not used a material yet, chances are you missed a step, and you must start over from scratch. Here are the materials you need:

• Blank Pet Collar: Usually made from polyester or has a polyester coating for effective sublimation
• Blank Pet Leash: Same polyester construction as a blank pet collar
• Sublimation Printer with Sublimation Ink: Particularly designed for sublimation printing
• Sublimation Paper: Holds the printed custom collar and leash designs
• Scissors: Cut the printed designs to match the blank pet collar and leash size
• Heat Press: Transfers the designs from the sublimation paper to the blank pet collar and leash via heat
• Heat Tape: Secures the sublimation paper onto the blank pet collar and leash
• Protective Paper: Placed between the heat press plates and the collar and leash to prevent uneven heating and scorching
• Computer with Design Software: Used to create the custom collar and leash design with software such as Adobe Illustrator and Canva

Each of these materials plays a crucial role in crafting your custom pet accessories.

Step 2: Create Your Custom Design

Use your computer and design software to design your custom pet collar and leash. Make sure your designs are the same size as the available white space in your blank pet accessories.

Pet collar lengths can be as short as 8 inches and as long as 32 inches, depending on your pet’s size. Pet leash lengths vary from 4 to 6 feet, but there are longer options for more pet freedom.

You have creative liberty on what to include in your design. Usually, pet owners use the pet’s name as the main design element because this is the easiest way to personalize a design and identify the pet.

Here are other design elements you can add to your custom collar and leash, including their benefits and some design suggestions:

Design Element	Benefit	Design Suggestion
Contact Information	Makes it easy to contact you if your pet is lost	Use legible font sizes and styles
Medical alerts	Informs others if your pet requires specific medical attention	Use straightforward text such as “Diabetic” and “Needs Medication”
Fun Graphic Elements	Reflects your pet’s personality	Add bones, flowers, and other designs to match your pet’s personality
Color Patterns	Adds style and visibility	Try brighter colors for visibility and softer colors for sophistication
Seasonal Designs	Celebrates specific holidays, seasons, and personal dates such as pet birthdays	Stick to the theme, such as pumpkins for Halloween and snowflakes for Christmas

Keep your designs simple. Overcomplicated designs may not transfer well on your blank pet collar and leash. Just your pet’s name plus a recurring pattern such as bones are usually enough to make a truly personalized pet collar with a matching leash.

Step 3: Print Your Designs and Prepare the Collar

Start with the collar and leave the leash alone for now.

Mirror your collar design before you print it. If you don’t, it will look inverted when you transfer it from the sublimation paper to your blank pet collar.

Print your mirrored design on sublimation paper using a sublimation printer with sublimation ink. Let it sit for a few minutes to let it dry. Once it is dry, use scissors to cut the design to match it with the white space on your blank pet collar.

Put the design face down on the white space and secure it using heat-resistant tape.

Step 4: Sublimate

Sublimation uses heat to transfer the ink from the sublimation paper to the blank pet collar. To avoid uneven heating and scorching, sandwich the design and collar between two protective papers on the heat press plate.

Your blank pet collar may have metal and plastic parts, such as D-rings and clips. Make sure these parts hang off the side of your heat press to prevent them from melting and damaging your machine.

You are now ready to sublimate your own custom pet collar. Read the manufacturer’s instructions about the required temperature and pressing duration for a successful and safe sublimation process. Temperatures can reach 400°F, and pressing durations typically range from 45 to 60 seconds.

Step 5: Inspect the Finish

After pressing for the required duration, you can remove the sublimation collar from the heat press. But don’t peel off the sublimation paper on it just yet. Let the collar and paper cool down for about 10 minutes. Once they are cool to the touch, peel the sublimation paper slowly.

You will see your vibrant design directly on the pet collar.

That’s it. Your pet now has a customized collar that they can truly call their own! You can stop here if you only want a personalized collar. But you can also move forward with a personalized leash.

Step 6: Work on the Custom Leash

Simply follow the same steps, from designing and printing to preparing and sublimating. For uniformity, you can use the same design as your custom collar.

However, you can also create an entirely new design that complements your custom collar design. After all, the leash can have a longer white space for a custom design, and your collar design may be too short. The great thing about the longer white space is that you have more room for larger patterns and repeating motifs. You have more flexibility in design.

Aside from the design elements earlier, here are some design ideas for your custom leash:

Design Element	Benefit	Design Suggestion
Collar Theme Extension	Gives a uniform look for your custom pet accessories	Use the same design elements as your custom collar
Color Coordination	Creates an aesthetic that complements your collar design	Use a secondary color that matches well with your custom collar’s main color
Gradient Colors	Colors flow from the collar to the leash for a coherent look	Transition from the collar’s color to a complementary color for a striking effect
Textures	Mimics different designs for a unique aesthetic	Try various textures, such as denim and leather

Once you have peeled the sublimation paper from your leash, you have a unique leash that other pets will surely envy!

Custom Bowties

Why stop at a custom collar with a matching leash? A custom bowtie is the cherry on top of your personalized collar and leash. Bowties are charming and stylish. With sublimation and some sewing skills, you can customize your pet’s bowtie to complete their wardrobe.

You can also use bowties separately from your custom collar and leash, especially on special occasions. For example, you can put a classy black and white bowtie on your pet for a wedding or a quirky bowtie with a unique design as a holiday costume.

Here is a step-by-step guide to crafting custom bowties for your furry friend.

Step 1: Gather Your Materials

Again, gather all the necessary materials first to streamline the crafting process. The materials you need involve sublimation and sewing. Here is the complete list of the materials you need:

• Blank Fabric: Made with at least 65% polyester for effective sublimation
• Sublimation Kit: Sublimation printer, ink, paper, heat press, and heat-resistant tape
• Scissors: Cut the fabric to the appropriate size
• Sewing Kit: Needle, thread, and pins
• Measuring Tape: Takes accurate measurements for cutting
• Iron and Ironing Board: Press seams and folds of the fabric
• Elastic Band: Attaches the bowtie to the collar
• Computer with Design Software: Creates the design with software such as Adobe Illustrator and Canva

Step 2: Create Your Custom Bowtie Design

You need two different artboards in your software program. One is for the bowtie’s body and the other is for the band at the center of the bowtie to hold its shape.

The standard bowtie body size is 4x9 inches, but you can expand the width and length by one to three inches if you have a larger pet. The standard bowtie band size is 2x5 inches, but you can make it longer to tie it to the center of the bowtie body easily.

Here are some design ideas for your bowtie body and band:

Design Element	Benefit	Design Suggestion
Floral Patterns	Elegant and soft aesthetic	Avoid complex flower designs
Fun Graphics	Unique and showcases your pet’s personality	Try bones, hearts, and fish designs
Polka Dots	Simple but stands out	Use smaller circles
Stripes	Classic look	Use horizontal lines, vertical lines, or checkered patterns

Keep your designs simple. The bowtie is a small pet accessory, and complicated designs can also get lost between the folds.

Step 3: Print and Sublimate

Print your designs on sublimation paper using a sublimation printer with sublimation ink. You can include both designs on a single piece of paper or print them separately. Use scissors to cut them to size.

Put the designs face down on your fabric and secure them with heat-resistant tape. Sandwich the fabric between two pieces of protective paper and use the heat press.

Again, follow the manufacturer’s instructions on temperature and pressing duration. Once you are done pressing, let the fabric cool down for about 10 minutes before peeling off the sublimation paper.

You now have a fabric with your custom designs.

Step 4: Cut the Fabrics and Create the Bowtie Body

Cut your bowtie body and band from the fabric. The bowtie body should appear like a rectangle and the band like a strip if you use the right size.

Fold the bowtie body crosswise and iron it to create a crease. Unfold the fabric, and you will see it divided into two sections because of the crease. Fold each section inward to the crease and iron again to flatten the fabric.

Now, do the same thing lengthwise. Fold your bowtie body, iron it to create a crease, unfold it, fold the two sections inward to the crease, and iron again.

You now have your bowtie body. You can add fabric glue or stitch the edges for a more durable, final bowtie.

To create the bow shape, simply pinch the bowtie body in the center until you are satisfied with the look. Then, stitch the center to hold the bowtie shape.

Step 5: Finish the Bowtie with a Center Band

It’s time to work on the band so you can wrap it at the center of your bowtie. It makes your bowtie look fuller and more durable.

Fold the bowtie band crosswise but not at the center. You want the two sections to overlap a bit, even by just one inch. Iron the fabric to flatten it. Again, you can add fabric glue or stitch the edges for a more durable finish.

Place one end of the band on the center of the bowtie body and stitch it. Wrap the rest of the band. You can cut it if you feel it’s too long for your bowtie. Stitch the other end to complete your custom pet bowtie.

Step 6: Add a Collar Attachment

Your bowtie is already built. Now, you will need a way to attach it to your pet’s collar. This is where the elastic band comes in.

Measure the width of your custom collar. It’s usually around 2 to 3 inches long. Cut the same length of elastic band, create a loop, and stitch both ends on the center of your bowtie. Your bowtie with elastic band should fit snugly on your custom bowtie.

Test the bowtie on your pet’s collar. If it’s too tight or too loose, you can redo the elastic loop with a longer or shorter band.

That’s it! You now have a completely unique bowtie that makes your pet look charming and stylish for any occasion.

Safety Tips for Crafting Custom Pet Accessories

Personalized collars, leashes, and bowties are eye-catching, but they can be dangerous if you are not careful. You may be artsy enough to create aesthetically pleasing pet accessories, but you should also be mindful and vigilant to ensure you are not sacrificing safety for style. Here are some quick safety tips for you.

Choose the Correct Sizes

This is particularly important for collars because they are wrapped around your pet’s neck. Tight collars can cause discomfort or injury. Look for signs that your pet is stressed, such as dilated pupils, rapid panting, and tucked tails. Loose collars can slip out or loop through a leg, leading to limb breaking.

As a general rule, you should be able to fit two fingers in the collar to know that it’s not too tight or too loose.

Use Heat-Resistant Gloves During Sublimation

The sublimation process involves using temperatures that could reach 400°F, enough to cause burns. The degree of burn depends on how deep and severe it penetrates your skin. Here is a general guide on burn degrees:

Burn Classification	Affected Area	Symptoms
First-degree (superficial)	Epidermis	Red, dry, has no blisters
Second-degree (partial thickness)	Epidermis and part of the dermis	Red, blistered, and may be swollen and painful
Third-degree (full thickness)	Epidermis and dermis	White or charred, no sensation

Use heat-resistant gloves to avoid burns around heat presses and freshly sublimated collars, leashes, fabrics, and pieces of paper.

Avoid Adding Very Small Embellishments

Decorative elements such as beads and stones can further personalize pet collars, leashes, and bowties. However, they are choking hazards and should be avoided. This is particularly crucial for smaller pets such as chihuahuas.

Puppies are also more likely to swallow something they are not supposed to. Small embellishments may make your puppy look more adorable, but you are putting them in danger. If your pet is choking or has something stuck in their stomach, it’s best to get to the veterinarian immediately.

A Deeper Relationship with Your Furry Friend

Crafting pet accessories is not just an artistic DIY journey. It’s also a path that deepens your relationship with your pet. Each accessory, design element, and stitch reflects your love and dedication to your furry friend.

Buy more blank collars, leashes, and polyester fabrics to create customized accessories for every occasion. Whether you are attending a special event or simply walking to a dog park, you can stay confident that your pet is always dressed their best.

References

Stanford Health Care. (2017). What are the classifications of burns? https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/skin-hair-and-nails/burns/stages.html

Texas A&M Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. (2014). Biting off more than they can chew. https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/biting-off-more-than-they-can-chew/

The Humane Society of the United States. (n.d.). Which type of dog collar is best for your dog? https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/dog-collars

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. (2018). The dangers of 'training' collars. https://vetmed.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Dangers-of-Training-Collars.pdf