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

Wedding signboards are a great way to personalise your wedding day, tie the overall look together, create a lasting impression on your guests, and provide information to guests so your day flows smoothly. Creating your own DIY wedding signboard is a great way to make your decor feel extra special from the moment your guests arrive.

There are many ways to get good wedding welcome signs and other signage for your big day. You can DIY, get a paper goods provider to print them, or check out Etsy, which has over 5,000 results for wedding sign board.

If you're looking to DIY, there are many options to consider. You can use a mirror, a wooden base, acrylic, or foam insulation board. You can also print your design on paper and put it in a frame, or adhere it to a foam board yourself.

Using a Cricut to make stencils

Step 1: Design your stencil

Use a program like Cricut Design Space or Adobe Illustrator to create your stencil design. You can also use free online tools like Canva to create your design and then export it as an image file. If you're using a Silhouette cutting machine, you can design your stencil using Silhouette Studio. Remember to include any desired fonts, graphics, or other design elements that you want to appear on your wedding sign.

Step 2: Cut your stencil material

Once your design is ready, it's time to cut your stencil material. You can use a variety of materials such as vinyl, adhesive silkscreen, or stencil paper. Load your chosen material into your Cricut cutting machine and follow the instructions in the design software to send the design to the machine for cutting. Ensure that your design is properly aligned and sized to fit your wedding sign.

Step 3: Weed the stencil

After cutting, remove the excess material from around your design. This process is called "weeding." Carefully remove the unwanted pieces of vinyl, adhesive silkscreen, or stencil paper, leaving only the parts of the design that you want to appear on your sign. If your design includes letters or intricate shapes, use a weeding tool to remove the material from smaller areas.

Step 4: Apply transfer tape

Transfer tape will help you apply your stencil to the wedding sign without messing up the placement or alignment. Place a layer of transfer tape on top of your weeded stencil design. Smooth it out with a scraper tool to ensure there are no air bubbles. Then, carefully peel back the backing of the transfer tape, exposing the adhesive side of your stencil.

Step 5: Apply the stencil to your wedding sign

Now, you're ready to apply your stencil to the wedding sign. Position the stencil in the desired location on your sign, making sure it's straight and aligned correctly. Use the hinge method for larger projects, where you apply a piece of painter's tape or masking tape vertically across the middle of the stencil. This helps you align the stencil and remove the backing without disturbing the placement. Gently press the stencil onto the sign, using a scraper tool to smooth out any air bubbles.

Step 6: Paint your design

Once your stencil is securely in place, it's time to add paint. Choose a paint colour that contrasts with your wedding sign for a bold look. Gently dab paint through the stencil openings with a small amount of paint and gentle pressure. Be careful not to use too much paint or apply too much pressure, as it can cause the paint to bleed under the stencil and ruin your design.

Step 7: Remove the stencil

After the paint has dried completely, carefully remove the stencil from your wedding sign. Start by peeling back the transfer tape, and then remove the individual pieces of your stencil design. If there are any small vinyl pieces left behind, use a weeding tool to remove them carefully.

Printing a poster and sticking it to a foam board

Wedding sign boards are a great way to personalise your wedding and can help tie the overall look of your wedding together. Printing a poster and sticking it to a foam board is a good option for a wedding sign as it is durable, lightweight, and portable. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create a wedding sign by printing a poster and sticking it to a foam board:

Step 1: Choose your design

Firstly, you will need to decide on a design for your poster. You can either create your own design or use a template. If you are creating your own design, you can use programmes such as Canva to ensure that your design is print-ready. When designing your poster, you may upload files in the form of a JPG, PNG or PDF. We recommend setting your document's resolution to a minimum of 300 DPI and using CMYK colour mode.

Step 2: Choose your foam board

Foam boards come in various sizes and shapes, including arches and half-arcs. You can select a standard size, which typically ranges from 12" x 18" to 36" x 48", or request a custom size. The foam boards also come in different shapes, usually rectangle or square, but some companies offer more options, including arches and half-arcs.

Step 3: Print your poster

Once you have your design and foam board selected, it is time to print your poster. You can do this by going to a print shop or using an online printing service. Some companies offer same-day printing, while others may take up to 10 business days. When printing, make sure that your poster is printed on matte-coated foam board, as this will give it a more professional look.

Step 4: Stick your poster to the foam board

After your poster is printed, it is time to stick it to your foam board. You can use an adhesive suitable for paper and foam, such as spray adhesive, or ask the printing company to mount the poster for you. Make sure that your poster is centred and stuck down smoothly, removing any air bubbles.

Step 5: Display your sign

Finally, it is time to display your wedding sign! Foam board posters can be displayed in a variety of ways. You can prop them up on a table, lean them against a wall, place them on a standing easel, or hang them using grommets and suction cups or an adhesive easel.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful and personalised wedding sign to display at your wedding!

Using a projector to project a design onto a board and hand-painting it

Step 1: Choose your design and projector

First, decide on the design you want to project onto your board. This could be a quote, the wedding date, the couple's names, or even a custom crest or illustration. Keep in mind that simpler designs with fewer details will be easier to trace and paint.

Next, choose a projector. You can use a digital projector or an opaque projector. Digital projectors are more versatile and can project photos and videos from various sources, but they tend to be more expensive. Opaque projectors, on the other hand, are cheaper but require a printed image or sketch to project and need a darker room to operate.

Step 2: Prepare your board

Get a board that is large enough for your design and easy to work with. Foam insulation boards are a popular choice for wedding signs as they are lightweight and can be cut to size. Cut the board to your desired size and shape, being careful not to create any indents or scratches on the surface. Sand the edges of the board to smooth out any rough cuts, and fill in any cracks or dents with spackle. Prime both sides of the board and then paint it with your desired colour, using a matte paint to disguise any flaws or dents.

Step 3: Project and trace your design

With your board ready, it's time to project your design onto it. Place your printed image or sketch into the projector, or load your digital image if using a digital projector. Position your canvas securely on a wall and adjust the projector so that the enlarged image fits correctly within the size of your canvas. Make sure the canvas is straight and flat, and the projector is stable and resting flat on its surface to avoid any distortion.

Once you're happy with the positioning, carefully trace the projected image onto your board. Take your time and make sure to capture all the details. If using a digital projector, you may be able to adjust the size and composition of your drawing by moving the projector closer or further away.

Step 4: Hand-paint your design

Now it's time to bring your design to life with paint! Using your traced outline as a guide, carefully fill in the different elements of your design with your chosen paint colours. Take your time and consider using different painting tools like brushes, sponges, or spray paint to create unique textured effects.

If you're painting text, consider using a paint pen for a neat finish. You can also add extra details or embellishments by hand to give your sign a personal touch.

Step 5: Finishing touches

Once your paint is dry, step back and admire your hand-painted wedding sign! You can add some final touches like a clear coat to protect your design or some decorative elements like flowers or ribbons.

And that's it! You now have a beautiful, hand-painted wedding sign that you created using a projector. This technique is a great way to achieve precise and detailed designs, and it's also a fun and creative project to work on.

Using a mirror as a sign

Using a mirror as a wedding sign is a great way to add a unique and elegant touch to your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to create a beautiful mirror wedding sign:

Choosing the Right Mirror:

• Select a mirror that fits the overall aesthetic of your wedding. You can opt for a vintage or baroque-style mirror for a more ornate look, or go for a simple, modern mirror for a contemporary feel.
• Consider the size of the mirror. You can choose a large mirror to make a statement or smaller tabletop mirrors for a more subtle approach.
• Look for mirrors with interesting shapes, such as arched or geometric designs, to add a creative touch.

Preparing the Mirror:

• Source your mirror from a local thrift shop or home décor store. This is a great way to find unique mirrors at affordable prices.
• If desired, spray paint the mirror frame to match your wedding colour scheme. For example, you could choose a metallic gold or a hue that complements your theme.
• Ensure the mirror is clean and free of any dust or fingerprints before adding any text or decorations.

Adding Text and Decorations:

• Use a white paint pen or a vinyl lettering decal to write your chosen text on the mirror. You can include a welcome message, the schedule of events, a favourite quote, or even your wedding menu.
• If you're confident in your handwriting, you can write directly on the mirror. Otherwise, consider purchasing customizable decals from sites like Etsy.
• Add floral decorations or other embellishments to the mirror to tie it into your wedding theme. For example, you could attach small flowers or greenery around the frame.

Displaying the Mirror:

• Prop up your mirror sign at the entrance of your ceremony or reception venue.
• Use an easel or sign stand to display your mirror, especially for smaller tabletop mirrors.
• If using a large mirror, you can lean it against a wall or place it on a table with a decorative cloth.
• For outdoor weddings, consider attaching the mirror to a sturdy base or stand to prevent it from falling over.

Remember, your mirror wedding sign can also serve as a functional piece of décor. Your guests can use it to snap selfies, adding an interactive and memorable element to your celebration.

Using pressed flowers as a sign's base

Pressed flowers are a beautiful way to add a natural, romantic touch to your wedding sign board. Here are some steps to create a stunning, floral sign board using pressed flowers:

Planning and Preparation:

Firstly, decide on the size and dimensions of your sign board. This will depend on the placement of your sign and the information you wish to include. Consider whether you want a tall, narrow board or a wider, more square shape. Keep in mind that larger boards will require more flowers to cover the surface.

Next, source your flowers. You can use fresh flowers and press them yourself, or you can purchase pre-pressed flowers. If you choose to press your own, gather flowers in a variety of sizes and colours to create an eye-catching display. Roses, baby's breath, and greenery are all popular choices for wedding florals.

Pressing Your Own Flowers:

If you decide to press your own flowers, you will need some time and the right materials. Here are the basic steps to press flowers:

• Place the flowers between two absorbent pieces of paper, such as newspaper or printer paper.
• Put the flowers and paper inside a heavy book or use a flower press. You can make your own flower press by clamping two pieces of wood together and tightening them with bolts and wing nuts.
• Leave the flowers to dry for at least a week. The drying time will depend on the type of flowers and the humidity in your area.

Creating the Sign Board:

Now for the fun part—assembling your sign board!

• Prepare your board by sanding down any rough edges and giving it a coat of paint. Choose a colour that complements your flowers and wedding theme. You can even add a custom touch by using crackle paint for a unique, aged look.
• Plan the layout of your flowers on the board. You can create a collage effect by overlapping the flowers or leave space between them for a more minimalist look.
• Use a small amount of glue to secure the flowers to the board. A thin paintbrush will help you apply a precise amount of glue to the back of each flower.
• Consider adding a clear acrylic sheet over your floral arrangement to protect it. This will also give your sign a sleek, modern look.
• Finally, attach your sign board to a base. A simple wooden base can be easily cut to size and stained or painted to match your colour scheme.

Finishing Touches:

Add your chosen text to the sign using vinyl lettering or paint. Include a warm welcome message, your names, and your wedding date. You can even add a cute quote or your wedding hashtag!

And there you have it—a beautiful, floral wedding sign board that will wow your guests and make a lasting impression. Enjoy creating this unique piece of decor for your special day!

Frequently asked questions