Make Your Own Plectrums: The Ultimate Guide to DIY Guitar Picks

Why Make Your Own Plectrums?

There's something deeply satisfying about playing guitar with a pick you've made yourself. Whether you're after a specific thickness, shape, or material that you simply can't find in the shops, making your own plectrums puts you completely in control of your tone and feel — and it's a brilliant way to recycle materials that would otherwise go to waste.

Our Heavy-Duty Pick Punch: A Cut Above the Rest

We stock a professional-grade pick punch that's in a completely different league to the flimsy, cheap versions you'll find floating around online. If you've ever tried one of those budget imports and been left frustrated by ragged edges or a punch that blunts after a handful of uses, you'll appreciate why quality matters here.

Our pick punch is built to last, with a sharp, precision die that cuts cleanly through a wide range of materials time after time. The result? A perfectly shaped plectrum with smooth, consistent edges — every single time. No rough edges, no tearing, no wasted material.

The Ultimate Recycling Project: Old Credit Cards

Here's where it gets really clever. Those expired credit cards sitting in your drawer? Don't just cut them up and bin them — turn them into plectrums. The plastic used in standard credit, debit, and loyalty cards is remarkably similar in thickness and rigidity to a medium-to-heavy guitar pick. The result is a firm, bright-toned plectrum with a satisfying snap — perfect for strumming or lead work.

It's the ultimate form of recycling: giving a second life to something that would otherwise end up in landfill, and getting a usable musical accessory in the process. Different cards will yield slightly different tones and flexibility depending on the plastic blend, so it's worth experimenting.

Alternative Materials to Try

One of the joys of making your own picks is the sheer variety of materials you can experiment with. Here are some of our favourites:

• Leather — A warm, mellow tone with a softer attack. Particularly popular for ukulele, acoustic picking styles and country playing. Thicker leather produces a more defined pick, while thinner cuts give a more vintage, worn-in feel.
• Felt — The go-to material for ukulele players. Felt picks produce that characteristic soft, rounded strum that suits the uke's bright, cheerful voice perfectly. They're gentle on nylon strings and give a beautifully warm, percussive strum. Some bass guitar players like these too.
• Cardboard and playing cards — Thinner and more flexible, these are great for a lighter touch. Old playing cards are a particular favourite — thick enough to hold their shape, but with just enough flex for rhythm playing.
• Vinyl records — Got a cracked or unplayable old record? Cut it into picks. Vinyl produces a warm, slightly muted tone and has a satisfying weight to it. A talking point at any jam session.
• Coin envelopes and heavy paper stock — Surprisingly effective for acoustic strumming, and about as low-cost as it gets.
• Packaging plastics — Many rigid plastic food containers and packaging sheets are a similar thickness to standard picks. Give them a clean and punch them out — free picks from materials you'd otherwise recycle anyway.

Tips for Getting the Best Results

• Smooth the edges — Even with a quality punch, a quick pass over fine sandpaper (around 400–600 grit) will refine the edge and make the pick feel more comfortable against the strings.
• Experiment with thickness — Layering two sheets of thin material (such as leather or felt) before punching can give you a thicker, stiffer pick.
• Mark your favourites — Once you find a material and shape combination you love, note it down so you can reproduce it.
• Make a batch — Once you get going, it's easy to punch out a dozen picks in minutes. Make a selection and share them with fellow musicians.

A Note on Ukulele Players

If you play ukulele, felt is almost certainly your best friend here. Standard guitar picks can sound harsh and clacky on nylon ukulele strings, but a felt pick produces exactly the kind of warm, even strum the instrument is made for. You can vary the thickness of the felt to dial in the attack — thicker felt for a punchier sound, thinner for something airier and more delicate.

Ready to Start Punching?

If you'd like to get started, pop into our store or browse our accessories online at www.musicbits.co.uk. Our team are happy to show you how the pick punch works and help you choose the right materials to get started. It's one of those small purchases that opens up a surprisingly enjoyable rabbit hole — and your recycling bin will never look the same again.

Music Bits Company — 17 High Street, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 9DS | 01507 838 448