Creative And Affordable Wedding Signs: Diy Guide

Wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your special day. They can be functional, fun, or just plain cute. And the best part? You can make them yourself without breaking the bank. From simple printed designs to more intricate chalkboard signs, there are plenty of ways to create cheap wedding signs that will wow your guests.

Use plywood boards

Plywood boards are a great option for creating cheap wedding signs. You can purchase plywood from any hardware store, such as Home Depot or Lowes. The cost of a 2-foot by 4-foot piece of project plywood is usually less than $50, which is a significant saving compared to similar signs sold online.

Step 1: Prepare the wood

Start by cutting the plywood to the desired size for your sign. If you don't have a way to cut the plywood at home, you can ask an employee at the hardware store to cut it for you. Once you have the correct size, spend some time sanding the board to get rid of any splinters or rough edges. Be sure to sand both sides of the board as well as the edges. After sanding, use a clean cloth to wipe away any dust or dirt from the board.

Step 2: Paint or stain the board

You can choose to paint or stain the board to give it a more finished look. If you decide to stain the board, wear gloves to protect your skin. You can elevate the board while painting the front, sides, and back to make it easier. Don't forget to protect your work surface with a plastic liner or butcher paper.

Step 3: Design the sign

While the board is drying, you can start designing the layout of your sign. You can use software like Cricut Design Space, Canva, Silhouette Studio, or Adobe Illustrator to create your design. If you're not comfortable with digital design, you can simply draw out the words or design you want on the board with a pencil.

Step 4: Cut the vinyl

Once your design is ready, it's time to cut the vinyl letters or design elements. If you have a cutting machine like a Cricut or Silhouette, this process will be much easier. Follow the instructions provided with your machine to cut the vinyl accurately.

Step 5: Weed the vinyl

After cutting, remove the extra vinyl and use a weeding tool to clean up any small areas inside the letters or design elements. This ensures that your final sign looks neat and professional.

Step 6: Attach transfer tape to the vinyl

Place a layer of transfer tape on top of the vinyl letters or design. If you have a large piece of transfer tape, it may be easier to unroll it on a flat surface, sticky side up, and then place the vinyl on top. Trim the excess transfer tape and repeat this process for each section of vinyl.

Step 7: Align letters or design on the board

Use painter's tape to mark the middle of the board at the top and bottom. Also, mark the middle of each section of vinyl letters or design with a pen on the transfer tape. This ensures that your design is straight and centred on the board.

Step 8: Attach the vinyl using the hinge method

Place a piece of painter's tape or masking tape vertically across the middle of the vinyl section. Gently pull up on the transfer tape to remove the vinyl from its backing. Carefully cut the backing and use a scraper to press the vinyl and transfer tape onto the board. Repeat this process for the other side of the vinyl section. This is called the hinge method and helps you apply the design straight and without bubbles.

Final touches

You can add extra elements to your sign, such as greenery or flowers, to give it a more elegant look. You can also create a stand for your sign by attaching a piece of 2x4 lumber to the back, or simply lean it against a wall or another surface. Your plywood wedding sign is now ready to guide and delight your wedding guests!

Transfer a printed design

Transferring a printed design onto a wedding sign is a great way to achieve a hand-lettered look without the stress of freehand writing. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to transfer a printed design onto wood:

Materials:

• Printed design
• Pencil, chalk, or transfer paper
• Wood surface
• Paint or markers

Steps:

• Design and print your desired image or text onto regular paper. If you are using words or a face, print a mirror image of your design so that it is not backward when transferred.
• Flip the paper over and cover the back of your design with pencil or chalk. Alternatively, you can place a piece of transfer paper underneath your printed design, with the matte side facing down.
• Place your design face-up on your wood surface and center it.
• Using a pencil, firmly trace over your printed design. This will transfer the chalk or graphite onto the wood.
• Go over your transferred design with a marker, paint, or paint pen. You can use a variety of tools to achieve different looks, such as a chalk ink marker, gold leaf pen, or Sharpie.

Tips:

For dark surfaces, use chalk instead of a pencil or transfer paper, as the light color will show up better.

This technique is a simple and effective way to create beautiful wedding signs without the stress of freehand writing or the cost of shipping. With this method, you can easily transfer any design, image, or text onto a wood surface and achieve a hand-lettered look.

Paint with stencils

Painting with stencils is a great way to create beautiful wedding signs without needing to be a talented artist. You can use stencils to add artistic elements to your signs without any drawing or painting skills. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving clean, crisp lines when stencilling on wood.

Prepare the wood

Firstly, you need to prepare the surface of the wood by cleaning it with a product like A Makers' Studio Clean Slate to remove any grease or dirt. If there are any holes in the wood, fill them with wood filler, then lightly sand the area and wipe away any particles. If there are any rough spots or edges, sand these down too and then wipe the surface.

Choose your stencil

You can buy stencils from craft stores, or online. Choose a stencil that is adhesive, as this will help you achieve cleaner lines.

Prime the wood

If your wood has a coarse grain, add a coat of paint to smooth out the surface. A Makers' Studio One Step Paint is a good option for this.

Position the stencil

Place the stencil where you want it on your sign and tape it down so that it is secure and will not move.

Paint

When adding paint to your brush, load it, and then unload it. This means that you add paint and then dab it off so that the brush is fairly dry but still covered. This will prevent the paint from bleeding under the stencil.

Now, "bounce" the brush without pressing or pushing the paint onto the surface. Move slowly and work on a small area at a time, "bouncing" several times in one spot before moving on. You will probably need to go over the same area several times to get the desired amount of paint.

Cover the whole stencil in this way, then remove the tape and the stencil while the paint is still dry. If you need to move the stencil to another part of the sign, let the paint dry first so that you don't smudge it.

Seal

Finally, spray a topcoat of sealer over the finished sign to preserve it.

Tips

• If you are using a coloured background, paint over the stencil with the background colour first. This will seal the edges and prevent bleeding.
• If you are not using a background colour, seal the edges with something that dries clear, like Mod Podge.
• If using spray paint, go very light and build up thin layers to avoid bleeding.
• If using a brush, use a dry brush technique to prevent bleeding.
• Practice on a piece of scrap wood first to get the feel for the technique.

Make a chalkboard sign

Wedding signage is a great way to add a personal touch to your special day, and chalkboard signs are a fantastic option if you're looking for something affordable and crafty. Here's a step-by-step guide to making your own chalkboard sign for your wedding:

Materials:

• Chalkboard paint (legit chalkboard paint is recommended)
• A roller for painting
• Medium and fine grit sandpaper
• A large MDF board, artist's board, or chipboard (you can also use an empty picture frame with a glass panel)
• Kraft paper, cardboard, or newspaper to protect your work area
• Chalk or chalk markers

Instructions:

• If using wood, sand your board with medium and then fine grit sandpaper. If using glass, metal, or plastic, sanding is not necessary.
• Spray 2-5 coats of chalkboard paint onto your board, letting each coat dry in between. Use a roller for the best finish, as brushes can leave fine lines.
• Store your roller in a plastic bag between coats.
• Gently sand each coat after the second coat to remove any burs and impurities, creating a smooth chalkboard surface.
• Let the final coat dry for 72 hours, then "prime" your chalkboard by rubbing chalk all over it. Wipe away the excess with a rag.
• Use chalk or chalk markers to write your message on the board. If you make a mistake, simply erase it!

Alternative Method:

If you're short on time, you can also make a chalkboard using an empty picture frame and chalkboard contact paper:

• Remove the glass panel from the picture frame.
• Unroll the contact paper with the paper backside facing up, and place the glass panel on top.
• Trace the glass panel with a pencil, then cut out the shape with scissors.
• Peel back the paper backing a few inches, and line it up with the top of the glass panel.
• Carefully peel away the rest of the backing, smoothing out any bubbles as you go.
• Place the covered glass back into the frame.
• Use chalk or chalk markers to write your message.

Chalkboard signs can be used for a variety of purposes at your wedding, including welcome signs, seating charts, menus, photo booth signs, and more. They're a great way to add a personal and crafty touch to your special day without breaking the bank.

Create a pointed sign

Creating a pointed sign for your wedding is a fun and easy way to guide your guests. Here is a step-by-step guide to making your own:

Step 1: Cut the Wood to Size

First, you will need to obtain a piece of plywood and cut it to the desired width and length of your finished sign. You can do this yourself using a hand saw, circular saw, or miter saw, or you can ask the employees at your local home improvement store to cut it for you. Remember to take the necessary safety precautions when cutting the wood yourself, such as wearing gloves and polycarbonate goggles.

Step 2: Create the Arrow Shape

Draw diagonal lines from about 5 inches (13 cm) down the longer ends of the wood to the centre point with a pencil. This will create the arrow shape for your sign. Once you are happy with the lines, carefully cut along them. You can cut the wood yourself or get assistance from your local home improvement store. If you don't want to cut the wood, you can simply draw an arrow on the sign instead.

Step 3: Sand the Wood

Use 120 to 180 fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out the entire board. Lightly rub down the wood until it feels smooth to the touch. If you notice any rough spots, go over them first with 60 to 80 medium-grit sandpaper, and then finish with the fine-grit sandpaper.

Step 4: Stain the Wood

Put on rubber gloves and stir the wood stainer with a brush. Then, paint the stainer onto the wood using short, even strokes. The stainer will give the wood a dark, refined colour that complements the lighter colours often seen at weddings. Let the stainer dry for up to 2 days, following the manufacturer's instructions. If you want a darker sign, apply a second coat of stainer and allow it to dry for another 2 days.

Step 5: Create Your Design

An easy way to create a pointed sign is by using the printed transfer method. Open a word document on your computer and create your design, keeping it simple with just one word. Directional signs usually use a single word, so consider using "Welcome" or "This Way" for your sign. Make the word the same size as your sign.

Step 6: Transfer Your Design

Tape your design paper on top of the sign and use a sharp pencil to trace around all the letters. Press firmly, but be careful not to tear the paper. Remove the tape and paper, and you should see the outline of your design on the sign. Erase, adjust, and retrace as needed until you are happy with the result.

Step 7: Colour Your Design

Use a chalk marker, paint, or paint pen to trace and fill in the letters of your design. White chalk markers create a nice contrast against the stained wood, but you can also experiment with other colours. Your sign is now complete and ready to guide your wedding guests!

Frequently asked questions