Creating A Plywood Wedding Sign: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wooden wedding signs are a great way to add a personal touch to your big day. They're versatile, cheap, and easy to make. Here's a simple guide to creating your own plywood wedding sign.

First, you'll need to prepare your design. Identify the number of signs you need and the information you want to include. Then, source your materials. Half-inch plywood is a good option, and you can cut it to size at most hardware stores. You'll also need paint, stencils, and wooden posts for stabilisation. If you're feeling creative, you can freehand your design, or you can use stencils or print your design and cut it out.

Once your design is ready, it's time to write on the wood. You can use a pencil to sketch your design or print it out and trace it onto the wood. If you're using stencils, carefully paint over them to ensure the words are clear.

Finally, decorate your sign! Add some greenery, flowers, or string lights to make it stand out. You can also add a stand to your sign by screwing a wooden post to the back. And that's it! You now have a beautiful, personalised plywood wedding sign.

Choosing the right plywood

Plywood is a great option for wedding signs as it is cheap, easy to work with, and can be customised to fit your wedding theme. Here are some tips for choosing the right plywood for your wedding sign:

Thickness and Durability

When selecting plywood, opt for a thinner variety that is still durable enough to remain standing throughout the wedding. A half-inch-thick plywood sheet is a good option, as it provides a balance between sturdiness and ease of cutting and handling.

Smooth Surface

Choose plywood with a smooth surface to ensure that you can easily paint and glue your designs onto the wood. A smooth surface will also give your sign a more polished and refined look.

Type of Plywood

Birch plywood is a popular choice for wedding signs due to its aesthetic appeal. However, regular plywood sheathing can also be used if you're aiming for a more cost-conscious option. Crezon plywood is another variety that can be used for wedding signs.

Size

The size of the plywood sheet will depend on the type of sign you are creating. Here are some standard sizes to consider:

• Ceremony and schedule signs: 16 by 20 inches
• Welcome sign: 16 by 20 inches
• Guestbook sign: 5 by 7 inches
• Table numbers and cards sign: 5 by 7 inches
• Buffet or bar menu sign: 11 by 14 inches

Sanding and Refining

Before painting or decorating your plywood sign, it is essential to sand the wood to eliminate splinters and create a smooth surface. Use a medium-grit sandpaper (60 to 80 grit) to wear down any tough spots, followed by a fine-grit sandpaper (100 to 180 grit) to smooth out the entire surface. Sanding will also help prepare the wood for staining or painting, ensuring better adhesion and a more uniform finish.

Sizing your sign

• Identify the purpose of your sign: The size of your sign will depend on its intended use. For example, ceremony and schedule signs, as well as welcome signs, are typically larger, measuring around 16 by 20 inches. On the other hand, guestbook signs, table numbers, and cards signs are smaller, usually around 5 by 7 inches.
• Consider the amount of information: The size of your sign should accommodate the amount of information you need to display. If you have a lot of text or design elements, you will need a larger sign to ensure that everything is legible and aesthetically pleasing.
• Think about visibility: Your sign should be easily visible to guests, especially if it is meant to provide directions or important information. A good rule of thumb is to use a font size that is large enough to be read from a distance.
• Choose a size that is proportional to the wedding venue: Consider the size and layout of your wedding venue when determining the size of your sign. You don't want your sign to be too small and get lost in the decor, or too large and overwhelm the space.
• Measure the display area: If you have a specific display area in mind for your sign, such as a wall or easel, make sure to measure the dimensions of that area to ensure your sign fits perfectly.
• Don't be afraid to customize: If you can't find a standard size that fits your needs, don't hesitate to customize the size of your sign. You can cut the plywood to your desired dimensions using a handsaw or circular saw.
• Plan for multiple signs: If you require multiple signs, consider grouping them together on a single post or display. This can help you save space and create a cohesive look.
• Consider the stability of the sign: If you plan to lean your sign against a wall or another surface, ensure that it is sturdy enough to stand on its own. You may need to attach a stand or support to the back of the sign for added stability.

Staining and painting

Staining:

Before staining, it is essential to prepare the plywood surface. Start by sanding the wood with medium-grit sandpaper (60 to 80 grit) to remove any roughness or imperfections. Then, use a finer grit sandpaper (100 to 180 grit) to smooth out the surface further. This step will ensure that your stain applies evenly and penetrates the wood effectively.

When it comes to choosing a stain, you have two options: commercial wood stain or a natural DIY stain. Commercial stains are readily available at home improvement stores and come in various colours. Apply the stain with a paintbrush, ensuring even coverage across the wood. Allow the stain to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, which could take up to two days. If you desire a darker shade, apply a second coat of stain after the first one has dried completely.

If you prefer a more natural approach, you can create your own wood stain using apple cider vinegar, steel wool, and black tea. Soak the steel wool in apple cider vinegar and let it sit for a few days. Then, add strongly brewed black tea to the mixture. This DIY stain will give your plywood sign a genuine aged appearance.

Painting:

Once your stain is completely dry, you can move on to the painting step. If you plan to paint a design or text directly onto the wood, use a pencil to sketch out your design first. You can also use stencils or print out your design and cut out the words or elements to use as a guide. This will ensure that your painting is precise and neat.

For painting, select a colour that complements your wedding theme and aesthetic. Acrylic paint is a good option, as it is durable and comes in a wide range of colours. You can apply the paint with a paintbrush or a roller, depending on the size of your sign. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly between coats, and consider applying multiple thin coats rather than a single thick coat for a smoother finish.

If you prefer a more modern approach, you can use a cutting machine like a Cricut to cut out vinyl decals with your desired design. Transfer these decals to your plywood sign using heat transfer vinyl (HTV) and a heat press or iron. This method ensures precise and crisp lines for your design.

Feel free to add additional decorations to your sign, such as flowers, string lights, or wedding theme details. Just remember to keep the overall design cohesive and classy.

Adding text

Once you've gathered your materials and cut your plywood to size, it's time to add text to your wedding sign.

Planning your text

Before you start writing on your plywood, you should plan out your text. Decide on the words you want to include, and what font you want to use. Choose a classy font in a size that will be easily readable from a distance. If you're creating your design digitally, you can use a word processor or graphic design software to create your text.

Transferring your text to the plywood

There are several ways to transfer your text to the plywood. One way is to use graphite transfer paper, placing it beneath your text and tracing over the letters with a sharp pencil. You can also use masking tape to attach your text printout to the plywood, then trace over the letters. If you're confident in your artistic abilities, you can also freehand the text directly onto the plywood with a pencil.

Painting your text

Once you have your text transferred to the plywood, it's time to start painting. You can use a variety of paints, including chalk ink markers, acrylic paint, or latex paint. Carefully paint over the letters, using a small brush for finer details. You may need to apply multiple coats of paint to get a smooth and even finish.

Adding extra decorations

After your paint has dried, you can add extra decorations to your sign. Consider adding flowers, ribbons, string lights, or other wedding-themed details. You can also add a waterproof coat on top if your sign will be placed outdoors.

Decorating

Now that you have your design on the plywood, it's time to decorate it!

If you're going for a rustic look, you can sand the plywood with a 100 to 180 fine-grit sandpaper. This will give the wood a smooth finish. If there are any tough spots, start with a 60 to 80 medium-grit sandpaper, then follow up with the fine-grit sandpaper.

If you want to add some colour to your sign, you can use paint or paint markers. Chalk ink markers create bright, white lines that can match well with other decorations. You can also use acrylic paint and a roller to give your sign an even coat of colour.

For a more natural look, you can stain the wood with a commercial wood stainer or a DIY mixture of apple cider vinegar, steel wool, and black tea. This will give the wood a darker, refined colour.

To add some extra flair to your sign, consider adding some decorations like stickers, ribbons, flowers, string lights, or other wedding theme details. You can also try painting on flowers or other designs by hand.

If you're using vinyl letters or stencils, make sure to paint over them carefully so that the words remain easy to read.

Finally, you can finish the sign by creating a stand. You can use lumber or metal frames, depending on the wedding venue. Screw the stand to the back of the sign, or lean the sign against a stable structure if that works better for your space.

Frequently asked questions