Introduction: How to Make a Poster Board With Your Old VHS Tapes
A while ago I decided to get rid of my old (vast) collection of VHS tapes. I didn't want to simply throw them away, so I browsed the net for some ideas for what to do with them. Well, I found... zero good ideas. =p So I had to do this the hard way: I had to THINK! :O
And what I thought of was a poster board made of VHS tapes. =) I had an old poster that desperately needed some extra protection, so I went through with it.
Here's how to give a good use to your old VHS tapes.
And what I thought of was a poster board made of VHS tapes. =) I had an old poster that desperately needed some extra protection, so I went through with it.
Here's how to give a good use to your old VHS tapes.
Step 1: What You'll Need + Preparing the VHS Tapes
What you'll need:
- VHS tapes (I used ten)
- a poster
- packing tape
- some strong glue (I won't recommend any here, but I'm adding a picture of the one I used)
- double-face tape
- transparent contact paper (enough to cover the whole poster board)
- scissors
First of all, because the VHS top is not very firm (the one that protects the magnetic tape and that can be opened), you need to tape every VHS with packing tape. One strap of tape aroung the middle of the VHS is enough to make it more reliable.
- VHS tapes (I used ten)
- a poster
- packing tape
- some strong glue (I won't recommend any here, but I'm adding a picture of the one I used)
- double-face tape
- transparent contact paper (enough to cover the whole poster board)
- scissors
First of all, because the VHS top is not very firm (the one that protects the magnetic tape and that can be opened), you need to tape every VHS with packing tape. One strap of tape aroung the middle of the VHS is enough to make it more reliable.
Step 2: Gluing the VHS Tapes Together
Now you're gonna glue the VHS tapes together to form your board. Make sure the poster you chose fits the board! Luckily, the one I chose had the exact same measures of a board made of 10 tapes (2x5). If that's not your case, you can still center your poster on the board and make a nice frame around it, so it'll cover the whole surface of the VHS tapes.
Anyway, onto the gluing! Glue the VHS tapes in pairs first, then glue the pairs together.
Important: the VHS tapes must be glued with the same faces up.
After I glued the VHS tapes, I added some more packing tape to the structure, for some extra fix.
Anyway, onto the gluing! Glue the VHS tapes in pairs first, then glue the pairs together.
Important: the VHS tapes must be glued with the same faces up.
After I glued the VHS tapes, I added some more packing tape to the structure, for some extra fix.
Step 3: Placing the Poster
Now that your VHS tapes are all glued together forming the board, you're gonna place your poster on it. Like I said, mine had the exact same measures, but if yours doesn't, just place it in the center of the board and make a nice frame for it. =)
Important: the poster goes on the side where you can see the magnetic tape inside the VHS!
Cut six or more pieces of double face tape and stick them in the extremities of the board.
Remove the cover of the double face tape and place your poster on the board, then cover it with the contact paper.
Tip: to avoid air bubbles, you can use a ruler to apply the contact paper. The ruler is used to guide and strecth the contact paper. It's also good to gradually remove the protection of the contactc paper while you're covering the poster. (I'm really sorry, but I forgot to take pictures of this step.;)
Important: the area of the contact paper must be larger than that of the poster.
Important: the poster goes on the side where you can see the magnetic tape inside the VHS!
Cut six or more pieces of double face tape and stick them in the extremities of the board.
Remove the cover of the double face tape and place your poster on the board, then cover it with the contact paper.
Tip: to avoid air bubbles, you can use a ruler to apply the contact paper. The ruler is used to guide and strecth the contact paper. It's also good to gradually remove the protection of the contactc paper while you're covering the poster. (I'm really sorry, but I forgot to take pictures of this step.;)
Important: the area of the contact paper must be larger than that of the poster.
Step 4: Done! But Pay Attention to Where the Nails Go!
Now your poster is not only protected, but also displayed nicely in a safe surface. =) To hang it on your wall, you're gonna use the small holes on the VHS tapes on the top of the board - that's where the nails go (I suggest you use two of them).
