Step 1:
Before you start to tie on your D-loop you will want to mark the location of the nock on your string. Marking the string will let you know were to locate the D-loop. Use a bow square (Item#BOT170502 Eastman Pro Bow Square) to ensure the nock is set-up properly. An easy way to mark the spot is to use a sharpie marker, or a nock set (Item# STA181702) and pinch it on the string to mark the spot with a pair of nock set pliers (Item# BOT2478005.) The nock set can be removed once the D-loop is completed.

Step 2:
To start, begin with about a 4-3/4” piece of loop material, with a “ball” burned on each end. To burn the ball end take a lighter to the end of the string material and burn it until it starts to melt and form a "ball" shape. Take the lighter off of the string loop once this is done and let the string loop cool. (You can start with the piece of longer string loop if you choose to, but only burn a “ball” on one end and cut the excess string off later.)

* In this example we used the Cir-Cut Camo Release Loop Material Item# STA1219602, however there are many types of String Loop Material available, to see the other varieties, just Click Here to browse our String Loop section after reading this "How-To" article.

Step 3:
Pull the balled ends of the “U” up around the string and back through the top part of the “U”.

Step 4:
Next begin to pull on the balled ends of the loop material, as it begins to tighten, pull more on the “inside” leg of the loop material until the “ball” end of the other or “outer” leg pulls tight synching the knot.

Step 5:
At this point before you make the knot very tight make sure you are lined up below your “mark” or nock location on your string, you are below because this is the bottom knot of the D-loop you are installing. Now you should have a semi-tight knot and a long leg or lets call it a “tail” with a “ball” end on it.

Step 6:
Next take that “tail” and bend it back under the string. Then bring it up around the string and back through the top of the “U” created.

Step 7:
Now bring the “tail” back overtop the string.

Step 8:
Next is the part that gets a little tough because with a 4-3/4” piece of loop material things get short and tough to get back through, our diagrams show the length of loop material a little longer for ease of showing you the operation of tying the loop knots. Take what is left of your “tail” that you took overtop the string and take it back under the string and back through the loop you just created.

Step 9:
Now pull on the actual D-loop you just created synching the top knot of the D-loop semi-tight.

Step 10:
At this point most people who are tying their first loop cannot believe that the little burned “ball” end is supposed to hold the loop together! No need to worry, they will do a fine job with the knots synched tight and you can rest assured that they will not pull through. Of course it would be recommended to stretch the string loop into place by placing your release onto the string loop, pull on it, and with your other free hand hold the bow string in place. We are not pulling back the string with the string loop yet because we want to stretch it out so nothing comes apart when shooting it the first time.

Now that was not too hard, practice it, if you want you can play with other lengths of loop material to achieve shorter or longer D-loops, or perhaps you will want to use a longer length, only burn a “ball” on one end tie the first lower knot of the D-loop and then the other letting the “tail” hang out, this allows you to be able to adjust the length of the loop size, then cut the excess off letting enough to be able to burn the second “ball” end and synch the D-loop tight. Well have a great time tying string loops knowing that you are taking your bow set-up to the next level!

An Easier Way to Set a String Loop:
Viper Archery has came out with a pair of D-loop pliers designed to easily apply enough pressure to set your loop tight so it will not slip or turn on the string. They are an awesome tool that makes building consistant String Loops a breeze. The Viper Loopset Pliers are Item# BOT2760506.

Alternatives to Tying on a String Loop:
Now after reading the steps to tying on a string loop, you decide you do not have the patience to go through this, there are alternatives available. First the Rock It String Loop (Letter A in Picture) is a string loop that is installed by taking off the string and slipping this over the endloops of the string and putting in place where you would like it. If you don't like that idea and want a string loop that clamps onto the string, the Pro Release Connector Series (Letter B in Picture) would be the solution for you. And if you decide well maybe I just want an all metal loop, be sure to take a look at the Ultra Nocks (Letter C in Picture) or Tru Ball Tru Nock. They are all available in the String Loops section on our website.