How to make custom guitar picks (2023)

This is a quick guide to help you know how to create custom Guitar picks for your band or event.

Guitar picks are a great, cheap way to promote your band, art or love of music.

A pick is the bridge between you and your guitar, it's an extension of your fingers which makes it an important tool to upgrade your passion.

1. Thickness

Guitar picks come in 1 of 4 general gauges:

1. Thin – .40-.60 mm or less
2. Medium –  .60-.80 mm
3. Heavy – .80-1.20 mm
4. Extra Heavy – 1.20 mm+

Let’s compare the difference between thin vs thick.

THIN picks are typically better for:

• Brighter Tones – because their striking surface accentuates high frequencies.
• Tighter dynamic range – because their flexibility limits the volume that can be achieved, which works especially well for studio recording.
• Acoustic Guitar Strumming – partly because of the tighter dynamic range as well, but also because it adds more clarity to the individual notes in the chords.

THICK picks are typically better for:

• Mellower Tones – because the weight and rounder edges emphasize more bass, and less treble.
• Wider Dynamic Range – because they offer greater control over volume and attack.
• Electric Lead Guitar – because they allow for more speed and accuracy during fast solos.
• Heavy Distorted Sounds – because they offer more clarity and separation between notes.

And even if heavier picks happen to suit your style of play, the downside is that they require more finger strength and dexterity to control.  So consider that as well when choosing your gauge.

 

2. Materials

The material of the pick is what ultimately determines the stiffness, texture, and overall performance.

The 3 most popular materials are:

• Nylon – Typically softer with a textured grip, and is best suited for lightweight flexible picks.
• Celluloid –  Stiffer, with a smoother slicker texture compared to nylon.
• Acetal – aka Delrin (Dupont’s trademarked name), aka Tortex (Dunlop’s popular line) has a textured grittiness that closely mimics the feel of tortoiseshell.

3. Customise

Guitar picks are printed using CMYK colors and are very small (considering other products) so lend themselves to a minimal vector art style.

For inspiration check out our custom guitar pick gallery here

Get started with your free design mock-up and quote here

 

4. Collect

Guitar picks don't only improve your playing and save your fingers, they are a great way to collect to remember 

Find new bands to follow - check out our artists here

Or alternatively check out our store or our friends at Luckofkings.com for amazing designs.