Choose decorative push pins by the board first and the look second. The board has to be soft enough to take a pin (cork, felt or a fabric-covered bulletin board) and, as a rule of thumb, at least as thick as the pin’s point is long. Our cloud push pins have 9 mm steel points, so they suit boards about 3/8 in (10 mm) thick or more, holding lightweight paper, cards and photos.
Walls, wood and heavy items are a different job. Push pins leave holes in drywall and paint and can’t grip dense surfaces, so use hardware made for walls instead.
Push pins, thumbtacks and map pins: what’s the difference?
- Thumbtacks have a flat metal head and a short point. They sit almost flush, which is neat under paper but makes them fiddly to pull out.
- Push pins have a raised head, usually plastic or resin, that you grip to push in and pull out. That handle makes them easier to reposition.
- Map pins have small round heads so they can mark a precise spot without covering much of the map.
- Decorative push pins are push pins with shaped or colored heads, such as clouds, flowers or animals, that become part of the display.
The head shape changes how you use them. A 0.98 x 0.59 in cloud head is easy to grip and see from across a room, but it covers more of a small map than a map pin would.
Push pin types vs surfaces
This table covers the surfaces people most often try to pin into. “Cloud pins” means our 9 mm-point set.
| Surface | Takes push pins? | What to know | Cloud pins (9 mm point) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cork board, about 3/8 in (10 mm) or thicker | Yes | The classic pinning surface; small holes tend to close up | Good match |
| Thin cork tiles or roll cork on a wall | Partly | The point can pass through and hit the wall behind | Check thickness; 9 mm may reach the wall |
| Fabric-covered bulletin board | Yes | Fabric over a soft, pinnable core | Good match |
| Felt display board | Yes, with a pinnable backing | Felt grips the pin; the layer behind it must take the point too | Good match on felt boards |
| Thick foam | Varies | Foam often holds pins loosely and can crumble at the hole | Not made for it |
| Drywall, plaster, painted walls | Not recommended | Leaves holes; little grip | Not made for it |
| Wood, doors, furniture | No | Too dense to push into by hand | Not made for it |
How thick does a cork board need to be for push pins?
A simple rule of thumb: the board should be at least as thick as the pin’s point is long. Our points are 9 mm (0.35 in), so a board of about 3/8 in (10 mm) or more keeps the tip inside the cork. On thinner cork mounted straight onto a wall, the point can go through and nick the paint behind it.
To check a board you already own, look at its edge and measure the cork layer itself, not the frame. If it’s thin, you can add a second layer of cork behind it, or use shorter pins for that board.
How to pin photos, cards and maps without damage
Photos and prints
To keep holes out of a photo, don’t pin through it. Push the pin into the board just outside the photo’s edge so the head overlaps the print and holds it against the board. A wide head like a cloud makes this easy. Use two pins on opposite edges for a print that tends to curl.
Cards, notes and paper sheets
As a rule of thumb, one pin holds an index card or postcard, and two pins along the top edge keep a letter-size sheet from swinging or curling. If something sags, add another pin rather than pushing the first one deeper.
Maps
Pin the map to the board at the corners first, then mark places. With seven colors, you can color-code categories, such as places visited, places planned and family addresses, and pin a small key in the corner. Large heads cover some of the map, so they suit marking cities or regions more than exact streets.
What push pins shouldn’t hold
Our pins are for lightweight paper, cards, photos and memos. Framed pictures, thick stacks of paper, keys and anything with real weight need a hook or other hardware made for the load.
Ideas for decorative push pins
- Vision board: give each goal area its own color so the board reads at a glance.
- Family calendar: assign a color per person, and pin appointments, school notes and reminders with it.
- Classroom board: pin notices and student work, and run a lightweight paper flag banner across the top edge for color. Keep the pin case with the teacher, not on a low shelf.
- Dorm photo wall: a cork board propped on the desk keeps photos and tickets off the wall itself.
- Reading corner: pin a reading list or book club schedule; for the reading side, see our guide to thumb page holders and corner bookmarks.
Setting up a board that stays tidy
A pinboard clutters quickly because adding things is easy and taking them down isn’t a habit. A little structure keeps it useful:
- Split it into zones. Use the top strip for things that stay, like a calendar or class schedule, and the lower area for things that rotate, like notes, invitations and receipts to file.
- Keep colors consistent. If pink always means “due this week,” you can spot deadlines from across the room.
- Clear it on a set day. Pull expired notes once a week, and the board keeps working as a reminder instead of fading into the background.
- Hold a few pins in reserve. Leave some in the case rather than all on the board, so there’s always one free for a new note.
Decorating walls instead? Use wall-safe methods
If you want to hang paper decorations directly on a painted wall, skip the push pins. Our guide on hanging banners without damaging walls covers removable options that suit lightweight paper decor like the garlands in our banners and decorations range.
Push pin safety and storage
Steel points are sharp. A few habits keep them where they belong:
- Store pins in their case when they’re off the board. Ours comes with a clear 2.95 x 1.97 x 0.79 in case.
- Count them back in. With 14 pins in a set, a quick count tells you if one has dropped on the floor.
- Keep pins and the case out of reach of small children.
- Pull pins out by the head, straight back from the board. Twisting at an angle can bend the point.
- Wipe the resin heads with a dry cloth if they get dusty.
Our set has 14 cloud-shaped decorative push pins, two each in white, green, yellow, purple, blue, pink and orange. For more small, useful items, browse our home and everyday finds.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use push pins on a wall?
It's not a good idea, and our cloud pins aren't made for walls. Pins leave holes in drywall and paint and grip poorly. Mount a cork board, or use removable wall-hanging products for lightweight decor.
What's the difference between push pins and thumbtacks?
A thumbtack has a flat metal head that sits nearly flush with the board. A push pin has a raised plastic or resin head you can grip, which makes it easier to push in, pull out and move around.
How thick does a cork board need to be for push pins?
As a rule of thumb, at least as thick as the point is long. For our 9 mm points, that's about 3/8 in (10 mm) of cork. Thinner cork on a wall lets the tip reach the paint behind.
How do I pin a photo without putting a hole in it?
Place the pin just outside the photo's edge so the head overlaps the print and presses it to the board. Use a second pin on the opposite edge if the photo curls.
How much weight can a push pin hold?
Our pins don't have a weight rating; they're for lightweight paper, cards, photos and memos. If an item sags, add pins. Anything heavier, like a framed picture, needs a proper hook.
Do push pins work on felt boards?
Yes, on felt display boards with a backing the pin can go into. Felt grips the pin well, but the board behind it has to be pinnable too.
Are decorative push pins safe for a kids' room?
The steel points are sharp, so an adult should handle them. Keep the pins in their case when they're not on the board, and store the case out of reach of small children.
