How to Make a Duct Tape Travel Wallet

Whip out roll or sheets of duct tape and turn it into something useful such as a duct tape wallet. A duct tape wallet is a handy accessory to have if conventional wallets are just too boring. A duct tape wallet can be a fun accessory to make too. If you enjoy do-it-yourself or a bit of arts and craft this duct tape wallet instructables is for you!
A duct tape wallet has many benefits to both your money and your skills at arts and craft! Duct tape is waterproof this means most of your cards and cash would be shielded from light water damages such as spills and light rain. Making a duct tape wallet by yourself means that you can improve your arts and craft skills. A duct tape wallet is fun to make especially with kids or a loved one, especially because the wallets are so easy to customize. You can make a personalized, one of a kind wallet.. Although a gray duct tape was used in this instructable, you can use all sorts of other colors to make it yours!

Step 1: Materials Needed

Materials needed are:
- A roll of duct tape
- Packing tape
- Scissors
- A ruler
- Some money and cards to test the final product.

Estimated time required:  1-2 hours

Warning! Read this before proceeding!
- Scissors are sharp and can cut skin, so be careful when handling scissors.
- Duct tape is very sticky, and removing it may cause pain if you have sensitive skin.

Step 2: Making the Wallet Body

The wallet body will be cut from one large sheet of duct tape.  Our goal is to create a sheet that is 10” x 8” (10 inches wide, 8 inches tall).  The sheet will be trimmed down to its actual size after it is finished.

Begin by cutting approximately 10 strips of tape, each 10” long.

Step 3: Making the Wallet Body

Cover half of the strip with another strip, with the sticky sides touching each other.

NOTE: This process will be used many times throughout the process of creating this wallet.  Whenever these instructions refer to creating a sheet of size W x L, if necessary refer to this section for detailed steps.

Step 4: Making the Wallet Body

Now, one of the ends will have a sticky side facing down towards the table.  Stick this end onto the table, so it can anchor the sheet you are working on.  Once you have done this, flip the sheet over, as shown in the picture, and add another strip to cover the sticky side that is now facing up.

Step 5: Making the Wallet Body

Repeat this until the sheet is 8 inches tall. Then fold the remaining sticky ends over so that the sheet is completely vinyl on both sides (with no sticky faces showing).

Step 6: Making the Wallet Body

Now you should have a sheet of duct tape that is roughly 10” x 8”.  The next step is to trim the edges of the sheet, so it should measure 9” x 8”.  The sheet should also have all straight edges now.

Step 7: Making the Wallet Body

Next, cut out the out the front and back panels from this sheet.  One panel will be 9” x 3.5”, and the other will be 8.5” x 3.5”.

Step 8: Making the Wallet Body

To fasten the front and back sheets together, measure and cut a piece of duct tape to 3.5”, then cut it in half lengthwise.

Step 9: Making the Wallet Body

Fasten two of the edges together with one of the strips you have just cut.  Be sure to line up the front and back sheets.

Step 10: Making the Wallet Body

Repeat this step for the other end of the wallet.  Note that the two pieces will not lay flat on each other because they are of different lengths; this is to allow the wallet to fold in half easily once it is completed.

Step 11: Making the Wallet Body

There will be a sticky area on the interior of the two seams you have just created.  In order to prevent bills from sticking to this, put a narrow piece of tape 3.5” long over the length of the sticky area.

Step 12: Making the Wallet Body

Choose one open end of the wallet and tape the seams together in order to form the bottom edge of the wallet.
Cut two strips of tape, each 4” long, and tape together one of the bottom edges of the wallet.  Be sure to start from the outside corners, so that there is an open hole in the center of the wallet.  This will allow the wallet to fold in half easily once it is complete. 
As done in the previous step, be sure to cover the interior of the wallet with small strips of tape, so there are no sticky areas on the inside of the wallet.  Doing so will prevent bills from getting stuck in the wallet.

Step 13: Completed Body

Body Complete:
The basic body of the wallet is now complete and can hold dollar bills, and will accommodate currency sizes from any country worldwide.

Tips:
• Some currency has larger notes so if you plan to use them for travel be sure to make the note slot bigger
• Try using different colors of duct tape and experiment with the colors to personalize your wallet
• Stick the duct tape slowly in order to prevent air bubbles
• Cutting duct tape tips:
     - Cut tape in bulk as its easier to cut with scissors
     - Apply some oil on the scissors' edge to prevent the tape from sticking to the scissors
     - Making fine cuts with a knife is sometimes easier
• Have some cards and bills ready so you can make adjustment to the size of the wallet
• It is easier to use duct tape pages instead of rolls as it makes it easier to cut, you can purchase these sheets online
• Duct tape is very sticky so try not to get the sticky parts together
• Make sure the ends and edges are even so that no sticky part shows

Additional features:
- Interior pockets
- Card slots
- A clear ID slot
Details about how to add these are covered as well

Step 14: [Optional] Adding Interior Side Pockets

If you have lots of cards that you like to carry around with you, adding interior pockets is a great way to add storage to your wallet.

Step 15: [Optional] Adding Interior Side Pockets

Begin by placing an average sized card on one half of the wallet, so you can get an understanding of what the pocket needs to cover.  A typical credit or gift card is 3.5” x 2”.

Step 16: [Optional] Adding Interior Side Pockets

Begin by making a slightly oversized sheet of duct tape, then trim it down to  4” x 3.5” of duct tape using the same method we used to make a sheet for the wallet body, except this time do not fold over one of the sticky flaps on the end of each sheet.

Notice that the sheet should be exactly as tall as the wallet body (minus the extra sticky flap), and should be roughly 0.5” less than half of the width of the wallet.  Do not make the sheet as wide as half of the wallet, otherwise the wallet will not close properly.

Step 17: [Optional] Adding Interior Side Pockets

Attach a sheet to each half of the interior surface of the wallet, lining up the outside edge of the wallet with the outside edge of the pocket sheets.

Step 18: [Optional] Adding Interior Side Pockets

Once the pocket is attached, wrap the pocket sheet over so it should be on the interior face of the wallet.  Fasten the top and outside edge of the pocket using a single strip of tape.  The opening of the pocket should be towards the center of the wallet.

Step 19: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

To make the card slot you want a make a duct tape sheet approx. 3.5" x 4.5".

Step 20: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

Cut the 3.5 x 4.5 sheet into three equal strips of 3.5" x 1.5".

Step 21: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

This is what your strips will look like when finished.  You may have to trim the last one to make it 3.5" x 1.5".

Step 22: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

For this step you’ll want to use your gift card as a guide.  Position the card on the wallet down far enough it won’t stick out of the top.  Cut a fresh piece of tape and carefully tape the first strip down.

Step 23: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

Repeat this process for two more pockets.

Step 24: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

To close off the edges you’ll want to cut six small strips of tape.  Use the strips to secure the card slots.  Repeat for each slot.

Step 25: [Optional] Credit Card Slots

This is what your wallet will look like so far.

Step 26: [Optional] ID Slot With Window

To make the clear ID window you will need:

Scissors
Clear Packing Tape
Wallet

Not Shown:

Duct Tape
Ruler
Second Pair of Hands (Optional)

Step 27: [Optional] ID Slot With Window

Tear a long strip of tape from the roll, careful to not touch more than the edges.  Fingerprints will make the ‘window’ cloudy.  Carefully fold the tape lengthwise.  You can use a ruler to push out the air bubbles as you go.  A second person is useful for that process.

Step 28:

Cut your tape a little larger than your normal sized ID card.

Step 29: [Optional] ID Slot With Window

Place the clear window in the center of the wallet side, positioning it where you would like.

Step 30: [Optional] ID Slot With Window

Using strips of duct tape, tape the window to the wallet to seal the edges closed.  Be sure to leave the card opening available.

Step 31: [Optional] ID Slot With Window

Once the window is taped down, you can cut a V-shaped notch into the window.  This allows you to easily grip the card with your thumb when inserting or removing the ID card.

Step 32: Completed Travel Wallet

This is what your wallet will look like at this point.

Step 33: Completed Travel Wallet

Optional:  If you’d like, you can put additional duct tape on the outside of the wallet.  This can give it a more uniformed look as well as additional support.