By making your own signs is the best way to make a wedding.Place a big sign in front of the venue to let people know about the event.The signs should point out where to sit and leave gifts.Make the wedding a day to remember by adding your own personal touch to the signs.
Step 1: Purchase plywood at a store.
Plywood boards are cheap and are often used for homemade signs.It's not necessary to prepare the wood, but you can refine it by sanding it with a 60 to 80 medium-grit sandpaper.It should be stained to give it a unique color for a formal celebration.If you want your sign to be a specific size, you can use a handsaw or circular saw to cut the wood.It is good for preserving wood.Use a paintbrush to paint the wood.
Step 2: You can use a word processor to create your design.
You can type the words you want to appear on your sign from the drop-down menu.If you need the words to be on your sign, use the size settings.Try flipping the page to landscape mode using the settings tab in the upper-right corner of the screen.Make your sign big so people can read it.
Step 3: Design components can be printed on paper.
You can print the whole design in one document for smaller signs.Break the design into smaller pieces if you are short on space.If you print it one word at a time, it will look as big and impressive as it needs to be for a wedding.If you want to print 1 word at a time, move the other words to separate word processor files.Print the files.Leave a few spaces between the words in the document.You can separate the words by cutting the paper.
Step 4: Attach the design to the sign.
Put your sign down on a flat surface and arrange your design pages on top of it.Before you start drawing, make sure the words are the right size.Put the paper down with masking tape.It is possible to make the design transfer show up better with the help of transfer paper from a craft store.Beneath the design, place the side face-down.
Step 5: Use a sharp pencil to outline your design.
When you remove the paper, the pencil should push the lead into the wood so that you can see the words.It's a good idea to trace around the letters in your design.Don't let the pencil tear through the paper if you hold it down.
Step 6: The papers need to be removed from the sign.
To see your design in action, peel back the tape.You should be able to see the outline.Retracing your design as needed until it looks perfect is what you should do.
Step 7: The design can be colored with markers.
The bright, white lines created by chalk ink markers match the other art on display, like cake or the bride's dress.It's a good way to outline the letters a second time.Paint or paint markers can give you more color.Most art supply stores have these supplies.
Step 8: There are more decorations on your sign.
Take a look at your work.If your sign seems empty, you can modify it further.You could use the same process to trace an image onto the sign.Paint flowers or other decorations to add your own flair.
Step 9: The sign should be spray painted with a background color.
Plywood is the main choice for sign material.Pick up a can of spray paint that is pleasant to look at, such as black.In a well-ventilated area, spray the paint across the wood in short, even strokes.
Step 10: Wait 5 minutes for the paint to dry.
The manufacturer's instructions say to wait until the paint is dry.Since you'll be applying multiple coats, the paint doesn't need to be fully dry.
Step 11: The sign can be painted up to 5 times.
A few coats of spray painting is what it means.Wait at least 5 minutes for the paint to dry after you go over the sign.The sign's coloring will look smooth and even if you repeat.
Step 12: Allow a day for the paint to dry.
The sign should be left in an area where it won't be disturbed by you, a pet, or the elements.
Step 13: Place the stencil over the board.
Before removing the backing and pressing the stencil onto the sign, make sure it looks the way you want it to.Ask a friend if they can read from afar.Purchase art supplies at your local store.You may be able to use non-adhesive stencils.Use masking tape to hold these down.You can make a design on a computer or cut stencil paper with a craft knife if you can't find a stencil.
Step 14: Paint over the stencils.
If you get paint under the stencil, it could ruin the words.Wait until the stencil is completely covered.If you want to protect the space around the stencils, use painter's tape or spray paint.You can use spray paint instead of stenciling.Place the stickers on the sign with spray paint.It's a quick way to make a sign.
Step 15: After painting them, remove the stencils.
Remove the stencil as soon as you are done paining.If you can't keep them, wash them in the sink with warm water and whatever dish soap you have on hand.If you need them again, set the stencils aside.You can always throw the stencils away if you don't plan on using them again.
Step 16: Add more decorations and stickers to the signs.
Now comes the best part.You can come up with ways to personalize the sign once you have the basic design in place.There are stickers, ribbons, photos, and other decorations that you can glue on.Try holding them in place with something.Special pictures or messages can be painted on.You can make your own sign.
Step 17: The plywood should be sanded down with a fine-grit sandpaper.
Pick out a solid piece of plywood from a home improvement store.It's a good idea to smooth it out before painting it.Rub the entire surface gently with a piece of sandpaper.If you want to wear down tough spots on the wood, start with a 60 to 80 medium grit sandpaper.The fine-grit sandpaper is used to follow up.If you want to make a sign out of glass or metal, you can.The steps are the same, but skip the sanding.
Step 18: The sign needs to be painted with a roller and chalkboard paint.
Load the paint onto the roller by putting it in a tray.You can coat the sign once.To apply the paint evenly, cover the sign.
Step 19: Wait 2 hours for the paint to dry.
To find out how long to wait, read the instructions on the label.Within 2 hours, the paint should be dry.If you wait longer, the paint will settle completely.
Step 20: After the paint has dried, sand it.
The fine-grit sandpaper should be used again.To smooth out the paint layer, go over the sign.The first thing to do if you find difficult spots is to use the medium-grit sandpaper.
Step 21: Sand and paint up to 5 times.
Roll on another layer of paint and let it dry for two hours.The paint needs to look thick and even.Once you're done, you shouldn't be able to see any wood.
Step 22: The sign needs to be dry for 72 hours.
The sign should be put aside for a few days.It should be in a location where it won't be disturbed by an accidental passerby, pet, or the elements.If your sign is ruined while it's drying, you can paint and sand it again.
Step 23: To protect your sign, Rub chalk over it.
Rub a piece of chalk on the sign's surface until you've completely covered it.Simply remove it with a clean rag and your sign is ready.It's possible to repeat this every time you erase your chalkboard.
Step 24: You can draw your design with chalk.
A quick but temporary design can be created with the chalk stick.You can also use chalk ink pencils and markers.These are not permanent, but they come in a variety of colors you can use to make brighter signs.
Step 25: The wood needs to be cut to size.
After obtaining a piece of plywood, cut it to the width you want your sign to be.The employees at your local store can help you with this.If you know how long you want the sign to be, they can cut the wood to length.You can use a hand saw or a circular saw to cut the sign.Wear gloves and goggles if you want to take safety precautions.
Step 26: To make the arrow shape, trace and cut lines on the end of the wood.
The diagonal lines should be drawn from about 5 in (13 cm) down the longer ends to the center point with a pencil.Before you cut, erase and adjust your arrow lines.At your local home improvement store, you can cut your arrow lines.Depending on the sign, the measurements vary.To make them even, adjust your lines.You can draw an arrow on the sign if you don't want to cut wood.
Step 27: The wood should be sanded with 120 to 180 fine-grit sandpaper.
A single piece of fine-grit sandpaper is all you need.Rub the entire board.It should feel good to the touch.If you notice any rough spots, you can use a 60 to 80 medium-grit sandpaper.
Step 28: Use a wood stainer to color the wood.
Before handling a wood stainer, you should put on rubber gloves.Attach the stainer to the wood with a brush.Go over the entire surface.Stainer gives wood a dark, refined color that goes well with lighter colors.
Step 29: The stainer should be dry for 2 days.
To find out how long you need to wait, read the instructions from the manufacturer.Make sure the sign isn't disturbed by setting it aside.
Step 30: If you want a darker sign, apply a second coat of stainer.
You should paint the stainer the same way you did before.It will take another 2 days for the sign to dry.Use your down time to assemble your design by setting it aside in a safe spot.
Step 31: If you want a stenciled look, print your design on a computer.
The printed transfer method can be used to create a pointed sign.A word document is used to create your design.Directional signs usually use one word.The word should be the same size as your sign.
Step 32: Use a sharp pencil or stencil to draw your design on the sign.
Attach the design paper to your sign.The only thing you need is a sharp pencil.Take a look at all the letters.Don't allow the pencil to break through the paper.
Step 33: The letters can be colored using a chalk marker.
White chalk markers contrast well against stained wood, but you can try other colors.Use the marker to trace around the letters after removing the papers from the sign.To finish the design, color them in.Your sign will look better now.You don't usually need to add more decorations here.The sign is guiding them so keep it simple.