This project was built and designed by Nick from Rocky River Woodworks.
It’s a small-scale woodworking project that turns scrap wood into customized napkin holders, ideal for gifts, decor, or profitable sales.
Designed with personalization in mind, these holders feature cutout initials or family names and can be adapted to different styles and finishes.
The project is simple, cost-effective, and easy to batch—making it perfect for building inventory or fulfilling one-off orders.
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Why Customization Increases Value
Offering personalized products is one of the best ways to boost profits in woodworking.
With a custom letter or name cut into each napkin holder, these pieces go beyond being functional—they become conversation pieces that hold meaning for the buyer.
Nick shows how using simple materials and clear steps can turn low-cost wood into something worth much more. These napkin holders add rustic charm to a table setting and can easily be sold at a premium due to the customization.
Materials and Prep Work
The build starts with basic pine or similar softwood, often from scrap pieces left over from other projects.
The only real requirement is that the wood be wide enough to accommodate the letter or name template.
Nick provides a full alphabet template file on his website, which lets you print only the letters you need instead of wasting time and paper. A spray adhesive (or glue stick) attaches the paper template to the wood, holding it firmly in place while cutting.
Taking time to align the template correctly ensures the letter will sit centered and clean when mounted on the base later.
Cutting the Letter Shapes
To cut out enclosed letters like “O,” “D,” or “A,” a hole is first drilled into the inner space using a standard drill bit. The jigsaw blade is inserted into this hole to begin the internal cuts before moving to the outer shape.
Nick uses a jigsaw for the internal cuts and recommends keeping the blade sharp to prevent burning and splintering.
A bandsaw is used for cutting out the overall letter shape and the napkin holder profile, though a jigsaw alone can get the job done if a bandsaw isn’t available.
Sanding and Assembly
Once the cutting is done, the letter edges and flat faces are sanded to remove roughness and burn marks. This also takes off any leftover paper or adhesive from the template. Since pine is soft, it doesn’t take much effort to get a smooth surface.
The holder itself is made from two identical letter pieces connected by a narrow base. The bottom edge of each letter is glued to the base and may also be secured with brad nails.
Nick cautions that thin pieces of pine can split, so glue and clamps are often safer than nails for long-term hold.
Adding a Finish
After assembly, Nick applies wood stain to bring out the grain and contrast against white napkins. He uses a generous coat, then wipes away the excess for a more rustic look.
Once the stain dries, a clear protective coat is applied.
This helps preserve the finish and protect the napkin holder from moisture and handling over time. Spray lacquer or water-based polycrylic both work well and dry quickly.
Boosting Efficiency with Batching
One of the key strategies Nick uses is batching tasks for efficiency.
For example, he glues all templates down at once, does all cuts in one session, and then moves on to sanding and assembly.
Even when making different letters, batching reduces the time lost switching between tools and steps. For sellers, this strategy keeps orders moving smoothly and ensures consistent quality across products.
Simple Tools, Big Results
The beauty of this project lies in its simplicity. With a jigsaw, sander, some templates, and a bit of stain, you can turn leftover wood into highly customized products.
Nick’s template system makes it easy to take custom orders without having to recreate designs from scratch. Each customer gets something tailored to them, while the builder saves time and labor.
A Great Project for Woodworkers at Any Level
This napkin holder is ideal for woodworkers looking to start a side hustle or add variety to an existing product line.
It requires minimal material, a few common tools, and offers lots of room for creativity in finish and design.
It’s also beginner-friendly, with room to grow.
More advanced woodworkers can try hardwoods, intricate fonts, or even branding logos onto the surface for a high-end feel.
Please support Nick by visiting his website here: https://www.rockyriverwoodworks.com/.