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FAQ: How To Stud Denim and Fabric

Studs have prongs for attachment. Most studs come with two prongs. The prongs are pushed through the material, then bent inward to secure the stud. The method of studding is simple and quick, it is done by hand.

Detailed Instructions.

1) Take the stud and push the prongs through the weave of the fabric in the place where you want your stud to sit. The prongs should poke out of the back side of the material.

1a) If the material is too thick or the weave too tight, you may want to use a Dart Awl to help move the weave apart. Push the Dart Awl through the material to help separate the weave. The farther the Dart Awl is pushed, the more it will spread the weave. Once the weave of the fabric is spread, it will help slip the prong of the stud through the weave. Ideally, you want the weave to be snug to the stud prong, the hole should not be too big.

1b) For particularly thick or tough fabric, you may need to cut the fabric. Cutting is not desirable since the fabric may fray over time. (You can use the Dual-Blade awl as this tool has blades, but we recommend avoiding the cutting of fabric or denim.)

2) The prongs should poke through the material and be poking out the back side. Hold the stud on tight against the material, then bend the prongs inward to secure the stud. The farther the prongs go into the cavity of the stud, the more secure it will hold the stud to the material. You can bend the prongs inward using a Stud Prong Press.

3) Now your stud should sit on the material where you want it. It should not be loose or move independently from the material but should sit on tight. If it is loose, press the prongs inward even more.

4) Repeat for all you studs.

Hints, Tips, and Tricks:

For particularly thin material, you may want to double up the cloth so the prongs have more stuff to grab to. Put a small swatch of cloth between the prong and the material to give it extra hold.

Tools sold at StudsAndSpikes for studding:

Dart Awl. (Item code: 170-0006)
A simple tool that can help spread the weave. The farther you push the Awl, the larger you spread the weave. When working with fabric, his tool is universal for all types of studs, small and large.

Stud Prong Press. (Item code: 170-0008)
This tool helps bend and press the prongs of the stud to secure the stud tightly onto your material. Great for all types and sizes of studs.

Dual Blade Awl. (Item code: 170-0001)
Two blades that can be adjusted to sit apart from each other. Each punch will make two slits for quick studding as the blades can be set a fixed width apart. This tool can be used with just a push of the hand but for heavy denim or thick leather, it can also be hammered. If hammered, it must be used horizontally to the leather, preferably with a protective mat under the leather and a quick hammer on top with a wooden mallet. (Note: this tool can often leave too big of a slit when working with smaller studs. With fabric, it is not desirable to cut the weave of the fabric as it may fray over time.)

Cobblers Mat. (Item Code: 170-0003)
Sometimes it is used to protect the surface you are working on. The mat will take the punches and slices when working with leather.

Mallet. (Item Code: 170-0004)
Sometimes used to help punch the awl through particularly thick leather.

Other low-cost household items and tools that may be used:

Exacto Knife.
May be used like the Awl to cut the material. Watch out of their big blade as it may leave too big of a slit.

Jewelers Pliers.
Often used on smaller studs to bend the prongs.

Needle Nose Pliers.
Used to bend the prongs by pinching the prong and the stud. This method may scratch the stud.

Flathead Screwdriver, Dull Knife, Fingernail.
Used to bend/press the prongs.

Kitchen Cutting Board.
May be used to protect your work area. May not be ideal as a cutting board is a harder work surface than many leathercrafters prefer.

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