Tacks

Tacks are small fasteners consisting of a short shaft with a broad flat head. They are designed to secure lightweight materials to a backing, usually wood, with a hammer or similar tool. The term covers both nail‑like fasteners used in carpentry and upholstery and pins designed for temporary display on soft surfaces. Tacks are valued for quick installation and easy removal without large holes.

Upholstery tacks or tack nails are short, narrow nails with relatively large heads that can be decorative. They are driven through fabric or leather into a frame to hold coverings in place and may also be used to create a decorative edge. Finishing tacks have smaller heads intended to sit flush or below the surface. Typical lengths range from about 1/4 inch to 1 inch, and materials include steel, brass, and stainless steel.

Thumbtacks or drawing pins are separate, pin‑style fasteners with a sharp point and a broad, flat head. They are used to pin notices, photographs, or fabric swatches to cork boards, walls, or soft materials. Heads are commonly plastic or metal, about 1/4 inch in diameter, and the pins are designed for easy insertion and removal. In the United States these are called thumbtacks; in Britain they are known as drawing pins or push pins.

Safety and technique: use a tack hammer to drive tacks squarely and avoid marring surrounding surfaces. Do not overdrive a tack, which can split the material or deform the head. For removal, pliers or a tack lifter can extract tacks without excessive damage. Tacks can be chosen for strength, corrosion resistance, or decorative effect depending on the project.