DIY and Crafts: Making Those Signs You See Everywhere

Making Those Signs You See Everywhere

DIY sign tutorial, handmade sign, blessed, faith sign

It’s time to admit it. I have a bit of a problem….

It wouldn’t take you long, say maybe 20 seconds of walking into my home, to realize that I am slowly becoming a textual “art” junkie. It seems like I am not alone. Go to any store that sells home goods and decor and you will find them. In every size, style, and pattern.

I just can’t help myself. I am in love. I love fonts anyway. Pair them with a phrase, Bible verse, or a song lyric I love? I am one happy camper. (Case in point…this wall has THREE textual art/signs….They seem to be multiplying like rabbits over here!)

But just because I love something, doesn’t mean it’s in the budget to go and buy it….

Enter Easiest Sign Making Method EVER.

It Worked!

When I first did this a couple years ago I thought, “This LOOKS easy and LOOKS like it should work, but I’m not committing to BELIEVING it will work until I see it.” (Anybody else work in this manner and play it safe so you don’t get disappointed?) In fact I was so NOT believing it would work that I used a pizza box

to make my first sign. (Really! I kid you not!) I figured if it didn’t work, I had only invested my time and not any money.

But, cue heavenly choir, it DID work!

(Here is the made-from-a-pizza-box-fall sign I made 2 1/2 years ago….and yes, I TOTALLY put it out in my house in the fall every year.) You now are on the Inner Circle of some of my decorating secrets….wink, wink.

Want to learn how to make the signs yourself? Yes? (Really, it’s SUPER EASY! Once you learn the technique you can use it on all kinds of things!)

Although I WILL warn you, once you get started, it’s hard to stop! (It’s like donuts people, you can’t stop at one!)

{This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Using these links might result in me receiving a small commission, but at absolutely NO cost to you! You can read more about my commitment to transparency, by visiting my Disclosure Statement.}

(Disclaimer: This method is on lots of websites, so I am NOT reinventing the wheel or anything (and sadly I can’t remember where I first saw this technique so I can give credit to that blogger…sigh….No joke: I turned thirty and my brain went to mush. Or maybe it was having kids that did it?….hmmm….one of the mysteries of life!)

Here’s what you need:

wood, canvas in background color you want (painted pizza box…ahem
sharpened pencil (Go with Ticonderoga. They are the Ferrari of the sharpened pencil world. Ha! But really- you will be converted!)
access to computer with internet or word processing & printer (This is a similar laptop to what I use, although mine is “plum,” but this one is TOUCH SCREEN?!! I swear sometimes I feel like we are living in a “Jetsons” episode!)
pen with good tip
paint pen (or Sharpie marker depending on the surface you are working on) I’ve done the signs both ways: painting with a brush (pumpkin sign was done this way) and paint pens. Paint pens make this SO quick!

Process: Pencil Lead Transfer Method

Type words you want on your sign in word processing program and print them out in the size you need.
Use pencil and color over entire BACKside of where the text is. (The pencil lead needs to be thick enough to transfer onto your sign.)
Flip over to the right side of your paper and tape where you want the word to be on your sign.
Use your pen to draw along the outline of your text. (Carefully lift an edge to make sure lead is transferring onto sign well. If not, change pen type or make sure pencil lead really covered the area on the paper well;you may need more.)
Once you have all of the text outlined in the font you chose, remove the paper (You can save this to use again if you are wanting to make multiple.)
Using the pencil transferred outline, color in with your paint pen in the color of your choice (or Sharpie depending on the surface you are working with).
Stand back and admire your new sign! For the wall signs I’ve made, I’ve been able to use the 3M Command Strips (I LOVE these!). Here is my “blessed” sign on part of a gallery wall in my living room.
(The bear print was made by my talented brother-in-law. You can peruse more of his artwork here. The Romans 12:13 pineapple is a printable made by Amber at Wrapped in Raffia. You can print yours here.)