How to Make Guitar Picks From Cardboard

Guitar picks can be a hassle to keep track of. These small but crucial tools of any rocker's trade are easily lost, broken, or even stolen. With just a little bit of time and ingenuity, any crafty guitarist can make their own pick from cardboard.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Choosing the Right Pick

Picks are made in numerous shapes and sizes in order give guitar players a wide range of sounds to experiment with. You need to have an idea of what your playing style is like or what sound you're trying to create before deciding on a pick. For example, do you like to solo quickly? Do you primarily play simple chords? Do you like hard, staccato attacks or warm, open sounds? These are questions you need to consider before creating your pick.
2
Gauge the right thickness. Guitar picks come in varying degrees of thickness that affect the attack, tone, and ease of playing. It's important to decide what thickness would work best for your cardboard pick in order to achieve the specific sound you're looking for.
- Somewhere between .40 and .60 millimeters is a standard thickness for obtaining a treble-heavy tone that favors acoustic strumming patterns.
- If you're playing lead or rhythm guitar then you should consider a pick of medium thickness, from .60 to .80 millimeters. Thin picks don't work for single note tones as their slim build doesn't create much bass or midrange sounds. A pick of medium thickness is the most popular option as they offer flexibility and a level of stiffness necessary for accompaniment or lead soloing.
- For thick, heavy sounds you need a truly thick pick, usually over 1.5mm. This weight is ideal for both jazz and metal guitar players as it summons a warm, full-bodied sound from the guitar. For those seeking a bass-heavy sound even consider a pick as thick as 3 mm. ^{[1]XResearch source}
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3
Think about the shape of the pick. While it may seem like an insignificant detail, the shape of a guitar pick complements different techniques and playing styles. Think about the way you enjoy playing the guitar and then try and find a pick that matches your preferred technique. ^{[2]XResearch source}
- Smaller, teardrop-shaped picks with pointed tips are favorites of those who need more control, precision, and articulation of lines made up of single notes. These picks work well for players who enjoy shredding and playing single notes in fast succession.
- Picks shaped like equilateral triangles are a favorite of those who constantly have picks falling out of their hands during fast strums. The triangle-shaped pick is designed to rest firmly between your fingers while allowing you the control for fast soloing.
- There are some picks with multiple edges that allow you to quickly switch between thin, medium, and thick gauges. This special type of pick will be hard to replicate accurately on cardboard, but it could be worth a try for the adventurous. ^{[3]XResearch source}
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Pick for an Acoustic Guitar

1
Gather tools and materials. Most of the materials are common household items that anyone can cobble together in a pinch. Be sure to take time finding fresh, high quality cardboard without any wear and tear.
- 1 or 2 thin sheets of cardboard, ideally 0.70mm or lower. Make sure the cardboard is adequately stiff so it won't bend when strumming the guitar. ^{[4]XResearch source}
- Grab an acoustic guitar pick the same size of the pick you're trying to create. Make sure this pick matches the shape and thickness you're looking for. This pick will serve as the reference for your homemade pick.^{[5]XResearch source}
- You need a pen, pencil, or thick sharpie so you can outline the acoustic guitar pick on the cardboard.
- Get some basic scotch tape to cover your cardboard guitar pick once it's complete.
- A millimeter ruler is necessary to measure the precise thickness of the cardboard.
- Scissors are crucial as you need to cut the pick out of the cardboard.
Using your millimeter ruler or your pick, carefully find out the exact thickness of the cardboard. Traditional cardboard or paperboard is around 0.25mm wide. Tape another layer of cardboard atop of the original if you'd prefer a thicker guitar pick.
Take your writing utensil and trace the shape of the pick onto the cardboard. Remember to take this step slowly and carefully to ensure you're tracing the exact shape of the guitar pick.
Cut very cautiously around the outline of the pick you traced onto the cardboard. Delicately navigate the scissors along the outline in order to capture the shape of the pick.
5
Compare your unfinished pick to the real one. Put the real pick on top of your homemade pick and see if they match up. Ideally there should be no overlap between the cardboard and the actual pick.
- Check to see if there are any uneven edges on your cardboard pick. Carefully cut off any excess cardboard but be careful not to cut off more than necessary.
- Try out the cardboard pick and see how it feels. Make sure to play it at as hard or fast as you would with an actual pick in order to assess the durability of your homemade pick in a live setting.
- Compare and contrast the way both picks sound on the guitar. Pay attention to the subtle differences in tone when the picks hit the strings. Make the necessary adjustments if the cardboard pick still isn't getting the sound you desire.
Your pick may bend too easily while playing, so make sure you take extra steps to reinforce it if necessary. Try putting scotch tape over your cardboard pick to prevent bending. Experiment with different layers of cardboard and tape to obtain the right thickness.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Custom Pick

You can add some flair to etch your personality onto the guitar pick. You can add stickers, glitter, draw on it with a marker, or even just mark your initials on the front. Just remember, the texture and quality will obviously be different based on what materials you apply to the pick. Don't overdo it or the design may trump the pick's practical uses.
Everyone has their own brand loyalty for a specific guitar company, whether it's Dunlop, Gibson, or Fender. Look up the logo of your favorite brand and carefully duplicate it onto your homemade pick to showcase your style.^{[6]XResearch source}
For those who are especially inventive, try making a guitar brand all of your own. Test out different fonts and lettering to formulate a specific look. Don't be afraid to be unique, but remember not to draw too much and risk compromising the utility of your pick.
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Community Q&A

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Question
Does this work for ukuleles too?
Community Answer
It is all up to preference. Usually people use thinner picks for ukuleles, but give it a try and see if you like the sound.
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Question
Can I stick the transparent sheet 2-3 times to make my plectrum harder?
Community Answer
Yes, however it may become too thick, and sound quality may be reduced. So, instead of using cardboard, simply stick the transparent sheets onto a piece of paper. Also, printing on the paper can allow you to design the plectrum.
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Tips

Old CDs, maxed out credit cards, and even coffee lids are also excellent materials for homemade guitar picks. If you need a thicker sound give special consideration to the credit card as its hard plastic is ideal for staccato strumming. ^{[7]XResearch source}
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Make sure not to get the cardboard pick wet otherwise it will quickly become soggy or even disintegrate.
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Warnings

Don't use flimsy or poor quality cardboard. Good, stiff cardboard is absolutely essential otherwise your pick could have little to no durability or be impossibly thick.
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Animals including dogs and cats may eat cardboard after its cut so be sure keep them out of reach.
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