How To Add Holes To A Metal Wreath Sign

Have you ever wondered how to add holes to a metal wreath sign when the factory holes are not where you need them? This is a common issue with round metal signs, which sometimes have pre-punched holes positioned farther toward the center of the sign.

While those factory holes may work perfectly well for hanging the sign, wreath makers often prefer attachment points closer to the outside edge. That makes it easier to hide floral wire or chenille stems and create a cleaner, more polished finished wreath.

Fortunately, you do not have to build your wreath around the manufacturer’s hole placement. With a simple metal hole punch or, in some cases, a drill, you can add new attachment holes closer to the edge and place them where they work best for your wreath design.

Quick Answer: How Do You Add Holes To A Metal Wreath Sign?

For a thin metal wreath sign, one of the easiest ways to add attachment holes is with a handheld metal hole punch. Mark where you want the new hole, position the punch, and squeeze according to the tool manufacturer’s directions.

You can also carefully drill a new hole using a small drill bit designed for metal. Support and clamp the sign before drilling, wear eye protection, and keep your hands away from the drill bit.

Whichever method you use, place the new hole near the edge rather than directly on the edge, leaving enough metal around it to prevent the hole from tearing through.

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Why Would You Add New Holes To A Wreath Sign?

Many metal signs already have holes when they arrive from the manufacturer.

For hanging a sign on a wall, the location may work perfectly well.

Wreath making is a little different.

When a hole is positioned farther toward the center of a round sign, wire or another attachment material may be more visible from the front. That can be frustrating when you are trying to create a clean, professional-looking finished wreath.

Adding your own attachment holes closer to the outside edge can make it easier to:

• Hide floral wire or chenille stems
• Attach the sign directly to the wreath frame
• Keep attachment materials behind the sign
• Position the sign exactly where you want it
• Prevent the sign from tilting
• Create a cleaner finished appearance

This can be particularly useful with round metal signs, where wreath makers often want the attachment wire to disappear quickly behind the outside edge of the sign.

Before You Add Holes To A Metal Wreath Sign

Before reaching for a punch or drill, take a moment to plan your placement.

First, position the sign on your wreath exactly where you expect it to sit.

Look at where the wreath frame is located behind the sign and decide where attachment points would make the most sense.

You do not necessarily need holes at the exact top and bottom.

Depending on your wreath design, two holes toward opposite sides of the sign may give you better access to the wreath frame. Larger signs may benefit from three or four attachment points.

Mark the proposed locations lightly before making any permanent changes.

Important: Once you punch or drill additional holes into a sign, you have permanently modified it. Make sure you are happy with the sign and your planned hole placement before proceeding.

Method 1: How To Add Holes To A Metal Wreath Sign With A Hole Punch

For thin metal signs, a handheld metal hole punch is my favorite method.

These tools are sometimes called metal punch pliers, sheet metal punches, jewelry hole punches, or hand punches.

They are designed to create a small round hole through thin metal without needing a power tool.

What You Will Need

• Thin metal wreath sign
• Handheld metal hole punch suitable for the sign material and thickness
• Marker or pencil
• Eye protection
• Floral wire, chenille stems, or your preferred attachment material

Step 1: Decide Where You Want The New Hole

Place the sign against your wreath and determine where the attachment wire should come from.

You usually want the hole relatively close to the edge so the attachment material can quickly disappear behind the sign.

However, do not place the hole directly against the outside edge.

Leave enough metal between the hole and the edge so the attachment cannot pull through.

Step 2: Mark The Location

Make a small mark where you want the center of the hole.

Check the placement from the front of the sign before punching.

This is especially important with team signs, lettering, borders, or other printed designs because you do not want the new hole interfering with an important part of the artwork.

Step 3: Position The Metal Hole Punch

Slide the edge of the sign into the punch and line the punch up with your mark.

Make sure the sign is fully seated and the punch is straight.

Follow the instructions for your particular hole punch, including its maximum material thickness.

Step 4: Punch The Hole

Squeeze or operate the tool as directed until it completely cuts through the metal.

Do not repeatedly twist or force a punch that is not cutting properly.

If the tool is not rated for the thickness or material of your sign, use another method rather than forcing it.

Step 5: Check The New Hole

Check both sides of the sign.

The opening should be clean enough for floral wire or a chenille stem to pass through without catching.

If you find a small sharp edge or burr on the back, carefully smooth it before attaching the sign.

Step 6: Add Your Attachment Wire

Run your floral wire or other attachment material through the new hole.

Because the hole is closer to the edge, only a very small portion of the attachment should need to be visible before it disappears behind the sign.

Attach the wire securely to the wreath frame and fluff your ribbon, mesh, or greenery around the edge.

Why A Metal Hole Punch Works So Well For Wreath Signs

One of the biggest advantages of a hole punch is control.

You can decide exactly where the attachment point belongs.

There is also no spinning drill bit, which makes this method especially convenient when working with lightweight sheet metal.

For wreath makers who use metal signs regularly, a good metal hole punch can become a very useful tool to keep with your wreath-making supplies.

Just remember that not every punch is designed for every type or thickness of metal. Always check the specifications of your particular tool before using it.

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Method 2: How To Drill A Hole In A Metal Wreath Sign

Don’t have a metal hole punch?

A drill can also be used to create new attachment holes in many metal signs.

I have used this method as well.

The important difference is that a drill requires more preparation and control because the sign needs to remain completely stable while you are drilling.

What You Will Need

• Metal wreath sign
• Drill
• Small drill bit suitable for metal
• Scrap piece of wood
• Clamps
• Marker
• Eye protection
• Fine file or another appropriate deburring tool if needed

Step 1: Mark Your Hole

As with the punch method, decide where the sign will sit on the wreath before drilling anything.

Mark the center of your new attachment hole.

Double-check your placement.

Remember: once the drill goes through, there is no moving the hole.

Step 2: Support The Sign

Place a scrap piece of wood underneath the area where you plan to drill.

The wood gives the drill bit something to enter after it passes through the thin metal and helps support the sign during the process.

Step 3: Secure The Sign

Do not hold the sign in your hand while drilling.

Secure the sign and backing material so they cannot spin, slide, or jump when the drill bit contacts the metal.

Be especially careful with lightweight round signs because they can move easily if they are not supported.

Step 4: Put On Eye Protection

Drilling metal can produce small metal particles.

Wear appropriate eye protection and keep your hands away from the drill bit and drilling area.

Step 5: Drill The Hole

Use a sharp drill bit that is appropriate for metal and approximately the size you need for your attachment wire.

Position the bit over your mark and drill carefully through the sign into the scrap wood beneath it.

Avoid forcing the drill.

Let the drill bit do the cutting.

Step 6: Check For Sharp Edges

After drilling, inspect the back of the sign.

Drilling can leave a small burr around the opening.

If necessary, carefully smooth the rough area before running floral wire or another attachment through it.

Now your new hole is ready to use.

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Metal Hole Punch Vs. Drill: Which Is Better?

For the thin metal signs commonly used in wreath making, I prefer the metal hole punch whenever the tool can handle the material.

It is quick, controlled, and convenient.

A drill is a perfectly reasonable second option when you do not have the correct punch or when the punch cannot reach the location where you want the hole.

The most important thing with either method is to work slowly and plan the hole placement before permanently changing the sign.

What About The Original Holes?

Leave them alone.

There is usually no reason to try to fill or remove the manufacturer’s existing holes.

Once your sign is incorporated into a full wreath, the original holes often become much less noticeable among the ribbon, mesh, picks, and other embellishments.

Simply create the attachment points you actually want and use those instead.

You can also plan your ribbon or decorative accents so they naturally help disguise an unused factory hole.

How Close To The Edge Should A Wreath Sign Hole Be?

The goal is closer to the edge — not on the edge.

You need enough material surrounding the hole to keep it strong.

The ideal distance depends on:

• The thickness of the sign
• The size of your new hole
• The weight of the sign
• The attachment material you are using
• The amount of tension you plan to put on the attachment

Rather than trying to get the hole as close to the edge as physically possible, leave a small, sturdy border of metal around it.

The wire will still be considerably easier to hide than it would be with a hole positioned farther toward the center.

Where Should You Put New Holes On A Round Wreath Sign?

There is no rule that says a round sign must be attached only at 12 and 6 o’clock.

Think about the wreath instead.

If the wreath frame is easiest to reach on the upper-left and upper-right sides, those might be better attachment points.

If the sign needs extra support at the bottom, add another point there.

Before punching anything, hold the sign against the finished or partially finished wreath and look behind it.

Let the wreath frame help determine the best hole placement.

That is one of the biggest advantages of adding your own holes: you can create attachment points for your particular wreath rather than designing the entire wreath around the holes the manufacturer provided.

How Do You Hide The Wire When Attaching A Wreath Sign?

Once your new holes are near the outside edge, hiding the attachment becomes much easier.

Thread floral wire or another suitable attachment material through the hole and secure it toward the back of the sign.

Feed the attachment through the wreath materials and secure it to the actual wreath frame whenever possible.

Then reposition your ribbon, mesh, greenery, or embellishments around the edge of the sign.

From the front, very little — if any — attachment material should be noticeable.

For a complete explanation of attaching and positioning signs, see our How To Attach A Sign To A Wreath guide.

Can I Add Holes To Any Wreath Sign?

No.

These techniques are specifically intended for signs made from a material that can safely be punched or drilled with the tool you are using.

Do not assume the same technique will work on:

• Wood
• Acrylic
• Hard plastic
• Glass
• Ceramic
• Resin
• Thick metal

Those materials may crack, split, chip, or require completely different tools.

Always identify the sign material and check the specifications for your punch, drill bit, and other tools before modifying it.

Don’t Let Factory Hole Placement Limit Your Wreath Design

A predrilled hole is simply one attachment option.

It does not mean that is the only place you can attach the sign.

For thin metal wreath signs, adding a new hole with a metal hole punch — or carefully drilling one when appropriate — can give you much more control over how the sign sits in your design.

That small adjustment can make attachment easier, help hide your wire, and create the clean finished appearance wreath makers are looking for.

Once the sign is securely attached, you can concentrate on the fun part: coordinating your ribbon, mesh, picks, ornaments, and other embellishments around your focal point.

For more help with your design, read Wreath Sign Coordination: How To Match Ribbon And Embellishments or browse our Wreath Signs for your next project.

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FAQ: Adding Holes To Metal Wreath Signs