Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Recommended Free Tools
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.
Find the Right Drivers →Free scan · under a minute
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
You can make raised-metal holiday ornaments at home with free cat, dog, moon, sun, star and evil-eye templates, thin craft metal, and a few basic tools. The dependable method is to trace each design twice, cut with a narrow border, smooth every edge, punch a hanging hole and add ribbon. This guide explains the material choices, exact workflow, costs, safety precautions and fixes for common problems.
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
What “tin” ornaments are actually made from
In craft tutorials, “tin ornaments” often means ornaments made from thin, pressable sheet metal rather than a particular alloy. The free-template project from Cuckoo4Design lists tin, copper, brass and aluminum sheets, along with craft stamping foil, as workable options. The important characteristic is thin stock that accepts a traced line without requiring industrial tools.
Cuckoo4Design recommends 36–38 gauge metal for most embossed ornaments, describing that range as strong enough to hold its shape while still being easy to press. Gauge labels and thickness conventions can differ between metals and suppliers, so treat 36–38 gauge as that tutorial’s practical recommendation, not a universal specification. Check the product label for the actual thickness before buying.
“For most embossed ornaments, 36–38 gauge metal sheets are ideal because they’re strong yet easy to press.” — Cuckoo4Design, tutorial guidance updated September 21, 2026.
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
The same tutorial’s author used K&S 0.005-inch brass sheet and reported making two to three ornaments from one sheet for that particular project. That is an example of one sheet size and one set of designs, not a guaranteed yield for every template or material.
Free designs and how to size them
The central Cuckoo4Design tutorial supplies printable cat, dog, moon, sun, star and evil-eye designs. Print the template at the size you want before you put metal on the work surface. A smaller print uses less sheet and produces a lighter ornament; a larger print gives you more room for a bold outline and a larger hanging hole.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
Choose a size that leaves a working margin
- Keep enough metal around the printed outline to cut a clean border without touching the traced line.
- Leave room above the design for a hanging hole, or plan the hole inside a broad top section.
- If you are making a set, print all designs at a related scale so the finished ornaments look intentional together.
Print on ordinary paper. The paper is used as a temporary tracing mask; it does not become part of the ornament.
Materials and tools
- Thin metal embossing sheet or craft stamping foil in aluminum, brass, copper or tin.
- The printed template.
- Tape for holding the paper to the metal.
- An embossing or dotting tool. An inkless pen can substitute, and The House That Lars Built and Almost Makes Perfect also describe a ballpoint pen as an alternative.
- An embossing mat or another soft backing surface.
- Scissors suitable for the chosen thin sheet.
- A metal file or fine-grit sandpaper for the cut edge.
- A nail and hammer for the hanging hole.
- Ribbon or string.
A dedicated stylus is convenient, but it is not essential for this project. Whatever substitute you use, make sure its tip is smooth and blunt enough to press a line without tearing the paper or gouging the metal. Almost Makes Perfect specifically recommends a soft work surface to help prevent scratches on the table and the sheet.
Which sheet should you use?
The available guidance names several suitable metals, but no published controlled test ranks them. Use the table as a decision aid, not as a claim that one alloy always embosses better than another.
| Material | What is established | Practical decision | Finish information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum sheet | Listed as a suitable craft metal. The tutorial also reports using disposable aluminum cooking trays for a child-oriented variation because they were easier to cut and emboss. | Useful when easy cutting is the priority, especially for a supervised practice version. | No preferred surface finish is stated in the cited guidance. |
| Brass sheet | The author used K&S 0.005-inch brass sheet and reported two to three ornaments from one sheet in that project. | A good match if you want to follow that example; do not treat the yield as a general estimate. | No comparison of polished, brushed or other brass finishes is stated in the cited guidance. |
| Copper sheet | Listed among the possible embossing-sheet materials. | Choose a thin craft-labeled sheet and make a small test trace before committing to the full design. | No comparative finish or performance result is stated. |
| Tin or other craft foil | Thin tin and craft stamping foil are included in the materials guidance. | Verify the package’s thickness and cutting instructions; “foil” is a category, not one fixed thickness. | Surface appearance depends on the specific product; no controlled comparison is available. |
For a first attempt, use the material you can cut cleanly and label clearly. If you are adapting the project for children, the disposable aluminum-tray variation is the one specifically described as easier to cut and emboss; it still requires adult handling of cutting and finishing.
Prepare a safe work area
Place the metal on a firm table with a soft mat underneath. The soft layer gives the sheet somewhere to move as you press the outline and protects the tabletop from scratches. Keep scissors, the nail and hammer, and the file in the adult’s work area rather than in a child’s reach.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Cut edges can be sharp. An adult should do the cutting and all edge finishing, even when the sheet feels thin or flexible. Children can help select a template, tape the paper, trace with supervision and thread ribbon only after an adult has checked the ornament.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Step-by-step: trace, emboss, cut and hang
- Print and check the template. Print one of the free designs at your chosen size. Confirm that the outline is complete and that the top of the design has enough room for a hole.
- Cut a manageable piece of sheet. If the sheet is larger than your work area, trim off a section while leaving generous metal around the printed shape. An adult should perform this cut.
- Tape the paper to the metal. Position the template face up and tape it so it cannot slide while you trace. Keep the metal on the soft backing surface.
- Make the light first pass. Use an embossing tool, inkless pen or ballpoint pen to follow every line with light pressure. This first pass transfers the design without forcing a deep mark immediately.
- Remove the paper and reinforce the design. Carefully lift off the template. Trace the same lines again with more pressure, following the first marks. The two-pass method is the core of the Cuckoo4Design workflow: the first tracing establishes the path, and the second deepens it.
- Inspect before cutting. Hold the metal under the light and check that the outline is continuous. If a line is missing, place the paper back over the sheet and align it with the existing marks rather than guessing.
- Cut around the design. Cut outside the traced outline, leaving a small border of metal. Do not cut directly on the embossed line; the border protects the design and gives you an easier edge to finish.
- File the perimeter. Gently smooth the entire cut edge with a metal file or fine-grit sandpaper. Move slowly and check with a fingertip only after the edge has been worked; do not assume a fresh cut is safe. The tutorial also mentions folding or burnishing an edge with a tool handle as an additional way to reduce a sharp lip.
- Punch the hanging hole. Put the ornament on a stable surface and use a nail and hammer to make the hole. Keep fingers away from the impact area, and support the metal so it does not buckle.
- Check both sides. File or sand any burr raised around the hole. Run a visual inspection around the perimeter and the opening before adding the cord.
- Add ribbon or string. Thread ribbon through the finished hole and tie a knot or loop sized for your hanging location.
How the embossing passes affect the result
The paper template protects the design from drifting during the first pass. Removing it for the second pass lets you press more firmly without trapping paper fibers under the tool. The goal is a continuous relief line, not maximum force. Pressing harder than necessary can distort a narrow shape or push the sheet into the mat.
Use the same tool for both passes when possible. If you switch from a ballpoint pen to a stylus, compare the tip widths first; a wider tip can make the second line fall outside the first. For a design with small eyes, points or narrow curves, slow down and rotate the sheet instead of twisting your wrist around a fixed position.
Preventing sharp edges on cut tin
This is the most important finishing step. Cuckoo4Design recommends gently filing the edge with a metal file or fine-grit sandpaper. Work around the complete perimeter, including concave corners and the area around the hanging hole. You can also fold or burnish an edge with a tool handle, but that does not replace inspection and light filing.
- Keep the small cutting border so the scissors do not run directly along the embossed line.
- Use several light filing passes rather than forcing the file into one spot.
- Turn the ornament as you work so no section of the edge is missed.
- Have an adult perform the final tactile check and discard any piece that still catches skin or fabric.
Disposable aluminum trays are easier to cut and emboss in the child-oriented variation, but “easier” does not mean edge-safe. Treat every cut piece as sharp until an adult has finished and checked it.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Time and cost expectations
| Estimate | What it means | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| $10–$20 project cost | Cuckoo4Design’s estimated total for the project materials. | Publisher estimate updated in 2026; your total changes with sheet size, tools already on hand and local prices. |
| About 30 minutes | Cuckoo4Design’s estimated total project time. | Publisher estimate; cutting, filing and making several ornaments can take longer. |
| Two to three ornaments per sheet | The author’s reported result with one 0.005-inch brass sheet. | A project-specific example, not a guaranteed yield for different sheet dimensions or templates. |
The tutorial separately mentions buying the brass sheets locally for $2 at the time of that project. That is a historical local-sale example, not a current typical price, so do not use it as a shopping benchmark.
Troubleshooting the most common problems
The template moves while I trace
Add tape at more than one edge and keep the sheet on the soft mat. If the paper still shifts, make the first pass lighter and pause to recheck alignment before deepening the lines.
The embossed line is faint or broken
Replace the template, align it with the marks already made and retrace the missing section. Then remove the paper and make a controlled second pass with more pressure. A blunt pen or stylus tip and a soft backing surface are preferable to pressing harder on a hard table.
The cut edge feels rough
Leave the ornament on the table and work around the edge with a metal file or fine-grit sandpaper. Inspect corners and the hanging hole separately. If the edge remains sharp, do not hang the ornament; continue finishing or discard it.
Recommended Free Tools
The sheet bends around the hole
Use a stable support under the metal and strike the nail with a controlled tap rather than repeated heavy blows. Choose a broad area near the top of the design for the hole so there is enough metal around it.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
The finished ornament is scratched
Check that the backing surface is soft and free of grit, as Almost Makes Perfect advises. Keep the metal face-up when possible and avoid dragging it across the table while repositioning it.
Make a coordinated set without wasting metal
Print the six designs at related sizes, then arrange the paper templates on the sheet before cutting. This lets you see whether the cat, dog, moon, sun, star and evil-eye shapes fit with the small border required for safe cutting. If a layout leaves only narrow scraps, print a smaller version rather than forcing a shape against the sheet edge.
Use one practice section of scrap for the first light and firm tracing passes. It confirms that your chosen pen or stylus makes a readable line and gives you a chance to test how much pressure the particular sheet accepts. A practice mark is especially useful when changing from brass to aluminum, copper or another foil, because no controlled performance comparison between those materials is published.
Final inspection checklist
- The design is visible as a continuous embossed outline.
- A narrow metal border remains outside the design.
- The entire perimeter has been filed or sanded.
- The hanging hole has no raised burrs.
- An adult has checked the ornament for sharp points.
- The ribbon or string is secure and does not pull the hole open.
Once those checks pass, your free-template ornament is ready to hang. The method is deliberately simple: thin sheet, a soft surface, two tracing passes, careful cutting and patient edge finishing.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
