How to Build a Framed Wood Sign for Christmas
Learn how to create this custom Christmas decoration and how to build a framed wood sign.
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If you like wood signs you'll want to check out my post with everything you could ever want to know about building and stenciling a wood sign. I even have a wood sign video series devoted to the topic.
Today I'm adding something a little different to this wood sign collection I have created, a simple framed wood sign with a Christmas stencil and vinyl words. This projects combines a few techniques to create a lovely seasonal decoration.
Supplies for a DIY wood sign
Being with a piece of plywood 12x24 inches. This should be a flat piece that is not warped and without too many blemishes. You want an even surface for your stencil and vinyl.
A 1x2 board, 72 total inches in length for the frame.
Gray stain and white chalk paint to cover the board and frame.
Cutting machine to but the words from vinyl and the tree stencil. I used my Silhouette for this project, you can learn more in the video with this post. You can also use a Cricut to cut a similar design.
Paint the plywood white and let it dry completely, then head to your design software to cut the words and tree stencil.
I cut a stencil of Christmas trees and painted them with an array of green to create a pretty forest. This gives the sign some texture and compliments the black vinyl words well.
There are a number of ways to create a stencil with a cutting machine. You can make one time use adhesive stencils with vinyl or contact paper like I did for these trees. Or you can create reusable stencils.
Watch the video and learn how to build a framed wood sign
How to Build a Framed Wood Sign for Christmas
Learn how to build a framed wood sign and make this pretty Christmas sign.
Materials
- 12x24 piece of plywood
- 72 inch long 1x2
- Paint - green, white and black
- Gray stain
- Black vinyl
- Silhouette
- Contact paper
Tools
- Saw
- Sandpaper
- Paint brushes
- Rag for stain
- Clamp
Instructions
- Cut and sand the wood. Cut the 1x2 into pieces that will frame the board. This should be 2 24 inch pieces and 2 pieces just over 13 inches.
- Paint the plywood white and stain the frame pieces gray, let dry completely.
- Cut the words from black vinyl using a Silhouette and apply them to the plywood. Watch this tutorial for more details on applying vinyl and cutting stencils.
- Cut a tree stencil from Contact paper and add it to the center of the plywood.
- Paint the tress with green paint varying the color for each tree.
Frame
- Dry fit the frame around the plywood
- Apply a thin line of wood glue to the bottom edge of the two longest frame pieces and place them onto the outer edge of the plywood. Use a clamp to hold them in place until dry.
- Repeat this step for the side pieces.
Notes
Be sure to watch the video for detailed instructions.
If you like this framed wood sign be sure to pin it
Looking for more wood sign inspiration? Check out these projects.
This post was originally published in 2018, updated with more detail in 2020.
This turned out so cute! Those trees are adorable!
I absolutely love everything about this! I also love that you can use this tutorial for any sign! We have to make a sign for over our bed (eventually maybe hahah) and I see us being able to use this tutorial! Well done! :)
I'm glad you found it helpful Carmen, once you have the technique down you'll be making all the signs!
Gorgeous!
I love the varying Christmas trees!
The sign turned out so good and your tutorial was spot on, great job!
Thank you Brooke!
Your Christmas sign is so cute! Thanks for sharing a video with the process.
Looks great! I love it!
I love the way this turned out!
Cute, and it looks pretty simple to make. I love how colorful you got with your stencil.
What a fun sign! And, your timing is perfect. My daughter is coming over this week for a "craft night" and she wants to make a sign just like this! Now I have a tutorial to follow!
I love a good sign and this one is too cute for words!!!
This is absolutely adorable! I love the tree line. Nicely done!
This is adorable! I have been wanting to make one of these for myself. Thanks for the inspiration!
The sign turned out great and I love how you used the 2 greens to add some extra dimension. Great job!
This looks like you could buy it in a store!
Sarah,
You did such a fabulous job making your Christmas tree sign. It really look professionally done.
Thanks for inspiring me.
Thank you so much!
Sarah you make this look so easy! I am always struggling with signs which seems silly now... I'll have to look at your whole series.
Thank you so much for this video, I was using the same type of wood, but struggling while trying to frame a thinner piece of wood for a chalkboard.
1) I was afraid to use wood glue, I thought it would show in my final product
2) When using my clamps it didn't even occur to me to clamp all the way across, I was clamping the corners.
You saved my Christmas project!
Thanks again.
Oh that's so good to hear, glad this was helpful for you. Merry Christmas!