Recreate Cash Register Flags
I’m so excited to share and show you how to recreate vintage cash register flags! Vintage cash register flags were in the first cash registers – a clerk would press a button and the flag would pop up inside the machine showing the purchase price. These flags are now sought after for more decorative purposes. I’ll be showing you three ways you can create these cash register flags using supplies from the Dollar Tree and the craft store.
These cash register flags are so cute to use in a number of ways.
- In a vignette to mark a special holiday – 4 for Fourth of July, 25 for Christmas, or 31 for Halloween
- For table numbers at an event – combine flags to designate each table and make it part of your centerpiece
- To celebrate a birthday, use the flags to decorate with the age of the birthday guy or girl
- Place on a gift wrapped package for the age or for the holiday
- Use as fun plant markers
Prepare Your Free Printable For The Cash Register Flags
Print out the price cards – sign up to receive them below! Use a paper trimmer or scissors to cut each price card out. Round the corners using a corner rounder punch or scissors.
Basic Supplies to Recreate Vintage Cash Register Flags
Cash Register Flag Method 1
This one is the quickest! You will need
- Bamboo Skewers
- Metallic Paint in Silver (I used craft paint but spray paint would work too) and a foam brush
- A package of pens that have a spring in them
- Glue Dots
- Free printable of the cash register flag price cards
- A paper trimmer or scissors to cut out the price cards
- A corner rounder punch to make those rounded edges perfect.
Start by painting your bamboo skewers silver. I find it easiest to stick them all in an upside down paper bowl to keep them steady, dry evenly and be able to paint all sides.
After the paint on the skewers is dry it is time to assemble.
- Remove the spring from your pens, some unscrew. The ones I purchased did not. I used a small whack with a hammer to crack open the pen and retrieve the spring.
- Slide the spring onto your painted skewer.
- Using glue dots attach a price card to the top of your skewer right above your spring.
See how easy that was! And each one will cost you just pennies versus at least twelve dollars apiece in vintage shops. (This is the $4 cash register flag below)
Cash Register Flag Method 2
This one ended up being my favorite although I was wondering throughout if it would work! You will need
- These fans from the Dollar Tree
- Wire cutters
- Metallic Paint in Silver (I used craft paint but spray paint would work too)
- Glue Dots
- Free printable of the cash register flag price cards
- A paper trimmer or scissors to cut out the price cards
- A corner rounder punch to make those rounded edges perfect
The fan is held together by a small metal ring. I was able to snip this off with wire cutters. Lay out your fan and pull the sticks off of the fabric. They came off very easily! You will not use the two end sticks of the fan, just the smaller inner sticks. Paint these with the metallic silver paint – I also stuck them in an upside down bowl to paint. After the paint dries use a glue dot to attach your price card to the the rounded end of your fan stick. (This is the “NO SALE” cash register flag below)
So simple! I love the design on the stick – after painting it makes the design a raised effect. So fancy, just like the first cash registers were!
Cash Register Flag Method 3
This one is probably the most authentic looking one by way of shape. You will need
- Silver cardstock
- Bamboo Skewers
- A package of pens that have a spring in them
- Glue Dots
- Free printable of the cash register flag number
- Free printable of the base at the bottom of this post
- A paper trimmer or scissors to cut out the price cards
- A corner rounder punch to make those rounded edges perfect
First step is to to cut your silver cardstock into the the metal holder.
- Cut cardstock into a strip measuring 1 1/2 inches.
- Cut this strip into 4 inch pieces.
- Cut two 1/4 inch X 1 1/2 inch bits out of the top of your card stock.
Attach a painted bamboo skewer with spring to the right hand side, on the back of this four inch piece with a glue dot. Attach the price card to the top of your cardstock piece. (This is the $8 cash register flag below)
Vintage Cash Register Flags Everywhere!
Use the cash register flag in a centerpiece for every patriotic holiday. The number four is perfect for a Fourth of July table.
Before You Fly Away To Recreate Cash Register Flags
Pin any of the images to Pinterest so you can make different recreations of cash register flags and place them in vignettes, centerpieces, everywhere – hover over any picture to save the pin to your Pinterest account. So easy!
Beautifully creative! I never realized how expensive these were.
Thank you Linda! They are expensive and getting harder to find – especially for specific ones for dates. Like 2s and 5s for Christmas!
I love this idea! I think I need to try my hand at making a few. I have always wanted them for my decor, but I could not locate any at a price I was willing to pay. Now I can make my own. Thank you so much for sharing.