How to Build and Paint a Wood Sign
Get all the details on how to build stain and paint a wood sign below.
Like many of you, I love the look of a worn wood sign. My home and decor are not rustic, more modern to be exact, but a touch of rough wood here and there adds so much character.
However, I cannot bring myself to find, deconstruct, and build a sign from an old pallet. So I made my own out of nice new clean lumber.
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Watch the full video series on how to build and stencil DIY wood signs on YouTube.
Before I begin I should tell you what I have against pallet wood. It's free and easy to come by, but it's also dirty and could contain mold, termites or who knows what else. I am not comfortable bringing that type of wood into my home. So for just a few dollars I make my own DIY wood signs, here's how I do it.
Start with these Materials:
- 1x4 piece of pine, total length of 96 inches
- Wood strip, around 1x2 inches
- Miter saw
- Drill and bits
- Screws, 1 ¼ inch
- Clamps
- Gray stain and brush or cloth - this is my go to gray stain and it is beautiful. Get yours here!
- Cricut or Silhouette
- Vinyl
- White paint and brush
This sign measures 16x24, so cut the 1x4 into 24-inch inch lengths using a miter saw. You can use these tips and techniques to make a sign of any size. The larger the sign, the more support you will need on the back.
To assemble the 1x4 boards into a pallet sign, cut the wood strip into 12-inch lengths to screw into the back. These strips can be found in the lumber aisle at a hardware store, they are rough and inexpensive and perfect for back supports of a wood sign.
Line up the 1x4 boards in the way you want the sign to look. I like a staggered look on the edges, so my boards are not even as you can see in the photo above.
Once they are all in place, clamp the 4 pine boards together then place the 2 wood strips on the back and drill holes through the strips into each of the 4 boards. Place screws in each board then remove the clamp.
Now that the sign is built, that was really easy right? It's time to stain the wood and prepare it for stenciling.
This is my go-to gray stain for just about every sign I make. It's light and you can use just about any color of paint over it.
Use a sponge brush or clean rag to apply a very light coat of stain to the wood. I like to be able to see the wood grain and have a rustic uneven finish to my sign. When done applying the stain, take a paper towel and remove any excess stain from the sign by wiping from one end to the other.
Watching my staining technique in the wood sign video series.
Let the stain dry according to the stain package directions. For this gray stain, I let it dry overnight. This step is key in ensuring the stencil and paint you put on top will stick and hold up well.
Now that the stain is dry it's time to stencil a wood sign.
3 Ways to Stencil a Wood Sign
I used my Silhouette to create a stencil that reads "Gather here with grateful hearts". You can create a script font stencil from any font on your computer. Once you master this technique you'll be making signs left and right!
Stenciling is a huge part of wood sign making, it allows you to create something custom with crisp lines that look professional.
You can also use a Cricut to create a stencil. Cricut Design Space has many premade options you can size appropriately and cut for your project.
When the font was ready I widened my design space to 16x24 to lay everything out on the computer, then moved the words around to cut on a 12-inch wide piece of vinyl.
I prefer Oracle 631 vinyl to create stencils because it is repositionable, you can also use contact paper. Be sure to watch the above video for 2 other stenciling methods, including how to make a reusable stencil at home.
Now that the stencil is cut from vinyl it's time to transfer it to the sign. I cannot stress enough how important it is to ensure the stain is dry before applying the stencil! Skipping this step will lead to paint bleeding and chipping down the road.
Transfer the stencil to the sign using contact paper or transfer tape. Smooth down to remove any gaps or bubbles, then pull back the contact paper or transfer tape to reveal the stencil.
There are a few other ways to add lettering onto wood, you can learn how to transfer letters onto wood or how to create a sign without a stencil. Try each method out and see what works best for you.
Now it's time to paint this wood sign!
Load up a small amount of paint using a stencil brush or sponge brush then wipe off most of the excess. Very little paint is required to stencil a wood sign.
Using an up and down motion, apply paint to the stencil. A light first coat is ideal. Once the first coat is applied, repeat the process with just a small amount of paint and apply a second coat. Do this until you have your desired amount of coverage.
When the painting is complete, remove the stencil right away and allow the paint to dry. Pull back slowly and use a small pick or tweezer to pull up any vinyl pieces left behind. Crisp clean lines every time when stenciling with a Silhouette and vinyl.
That is how to make a sign! A process that once you get used to you will want to do over and over again. Make wood signs for your own home, or give them as gifts. You can even teach others how to make wood signs!
If you love making wood signs, watch this video to learn how to turn this fun hobby into a small business.
In my opinion, you do not need to seal a wood sign at this point. If you follow these steps and keep the sign indoors, it will hold up well for many years to come. If you choose to keep a sign outside then it does need to be sealed. Sealing a wood sign can also give it a certain look that you are after. Whatever your motive, learn exactly how to seal a wood sign here.
Other types of wood signs
There are many ways to make a wood sign.
- Learn how to make a simple framed wood sign using a piece of plywood and 1x4 boards.
- Create a framed canvas and turn it into a bold piece of art.
- Make a large outdoor welcome sign for your front porch
- How to make a wood sign without a stencil
How to Build a Wood Sign
Learn how to build a wood sign
Materials
- 1x4 pine boards - 96 inches total
- Wood Strip - 24 inches total
- 1 ¼" screws
Tools
- Miter Saw
- Sand paper
- Clamps
- Drill
Instructions
- Cut 4 pieces of 1x4 pine into 24 inch pieces.
- Cut 2 pieces of wood strip, 12 inches each.
- Sand down any rough edges.
- Lay the 4 1x4 pine boards into the shape of a sign, stagger the edges if you prefer.
- Lay the 2 wood strips on top of the boards.
- With everything in place, clamp the wood together to secure it.
- Drill holes through the strip into each board, 4 holes per strip.
- Screw the stips to the boards.
Notes
This basic wood sign can be used as a base for any home decor you choose to make.
If you liked learning how to make a sign, be sure to pin this and save these tips for your next project.
You might also like these wood signs
Thanks for visiting!
What a beautiful fall sign! I love the stain color you used. Thanks for the Silhouette inspiration!
I love how your sign turned out! And I agree with you about pallet wood; I'd rather use fresh, clean wood from the hardware store - and my husband would rather me, too!
Looks awesome!
Love this wood sign! Especially you make it look so easy to make :D Thanks for the tutorial!
Awesome sign! One of my favorite things to make with my Silhouette is signs. The possibilities are endless and it is soooo much fun! I love the look of yours with the farmhouse rustic-ness. Perfect for fall!
I am looking into getting a silhouette machine and was wondering if you have any recommendations on a brand? Thank you in advance!
Hi Lauren. The Silhouette is a name brand for an electronic cutting machine. There are others like the Cricut, but I have never used one so I can't speak to how it works. I would visit the Silhouette website and check out the machines to see which one would work best for you.
Hey Sarah! What type of clamps do you suggest?
Hi Amanda, I like bar clamps because they can slide as wide as you need to accommodate your sign. https://amzn.to/2OQMv5q
Can you tell me how you make the stencil? I tried cutting out a saying in vinyl but then I ended up with just the outline of the letter (for instance an e) and not the middle of the letter so you couldn't tell what the letter was - what am I doing wrong?
You need to reverse weed. Just remove the part you want to paint. So you would take out the letters and other design you would want to paint on your sign.
I love your tutorial about how to build a wood sign! I've included it in my recent blog post "Christmas Gifts You Can Make"! Thanks so much for the wonderful and clear instructions! Please, visit me to see the post! https://talesfromwalnutstreet.wordpress.com/2016/11/14/christmas-gifts-you-can-make/
So glad you liked it, thanks for including me in your post.
Love this sign! I just received my Silhouette Cameo (using my gift card - THANK YOU!) and am getting busy on my long list of projects! I am getting ready to try the stencil technique and your ideas & tips are very helpful.
How do you make a large stencil? Do you have to remove and reposition the vinyl?
Hi Brittany
When I make a stencil for a large sign like this, I make it in pieces. Sometimes just one word at a time. I typically can apply all the pieces of the stencil vinyl to the wood at one time, but sometimes I have to do it word by word.
Hope that helps, thanks for reading.
@Sarah, if you do one word at a time for large signs, do you just set the font to a certain size each time?
I create the whole sign in my Design software first to make sure the sizing is correct, then just cut the stencil in parts as needed.
I love this sign! Thanks for the tips!
What a pretty sign! I've been wanting to make a sign, but wasn't sure what type of wood to use. Is the pine board inexpensive? I know you said the sign cost $2. Did you already have this wood on hand? I'd like to find a light weight wood, but I'm not too familiar with it all!
Thanks Andrea, yes pine board is very inexpensive. You can pick up a plank at a hardware store for around $2. I hope you'll give this a try, have fun!
On the duralar do you use the .003 or .005??
Hi Adrienne, I use the .005
Can the stencis be used more than once?
Yes they can, just be sure to clean them with soap and water and let them dry.
What do you use to hang the sign on the wall? Do picture frame hooks, like a sawtooth, hold this sign up?
I use wire and d-rings to hang mine. I think these signs are too heavy for a typical saw tooth hanger. You can get a small spool of wire and few hooks for just a couple dollars, they are typically sold as a set. I have 2 ring hooks near the top 2 corners then I strung the wire between them and hang my signs from a screw anchored in my wall. Thanks for reading!
Thank you! Looking forward to making my first one this weekend!
I have searched for so long a step by step to making signs. I finally found yours and found it to be very easy to follow. I am more confident now in starting my first sign. Thanks for sharing all your great tips.
I am so glad you found this helpful. Enjoy your sign making and thanks for reading.
Great tutorial. Did you have rounded edges on your 1x4 board? I do and where the boards connect there is a groove and I think the paint may bleed down those grooves. I have already had one project bleed and trying to avoid another fail.
The wood I use for these signs does not have rounded edges. That may cause your paint to bleed, I would do a test spot first, maybe on the back of the sign to see how it works.
After the painted letters dry, is there any sealant or final step you perform to make sure it’s protected from scratches, etc.?
Hi Michelle, thanks for reading. I personally do not seal my signs, I keep most of them indoors and they have held up really well. If you want to use a sign outdoors or are worried about scratches I would use an acrylic clear sealer. It can be found at a hardware store in the paint section in either a spray or a can that you can brush on.
Life has gotten busier than I prefer so just on a whim, I decided to tool around online and see if there might be something quick and easy - yet creative - that I can do to relax and refocus....and there you were!! Thank you so much for the wooden sign tutorial - I am excited to make my first one. I know what to do with the gift card to Hobby Lobby now!! Anxious to see what else you can teach me! - lori
That's wonderful, so glad I could be of help! Have fun with you signs.
What fonts did you use for this?
Hi Coni. The closest font I can find to this is Brush script. I no longer have the original font I used for this sign and don't remember the name of it. Thanks for reading, I hope this helps a bit.
Looks great! What type of adhesive did you use for the stencil? Thank you!
I use basting spray, it's intended for quilting and has a temporary hold. You can find it at a fabric store, or even the fabric section of a store like Walmart. Works great for stencils.
what did you use to "seal" it when you were finished?
I do not typically seal my signs unless they are going to be outside. The paint and stain hold up beautifully without a sealer.
Hi how do you make the letters look good and not messey in the crack of the wood where the piceces of wood come together?
It's all about a good stencil. There is a video in this post that walks you through what I use. I like reusable stencils with a temporary adhesive. Or you can use vinyl as a stencil. No matter what you use be sure you are not using too much paint. Wipe off your brush and use a very small amount. You can always go back and add a second coat of paint.
Wow, its beautiful / great job. I would NEVER use pallet wood because of the "chemicals" the wood is treated with. So much of it is imported from other countries and has to be sprayed with a spray to kill any living thing so not to transport any bugs into our country. I cringe when I see people with coffee tables or beds made for there kids...the wood might be "free" as in not having to pay for it. But definitely have concern about the contents in the wood.
Wonderful video, thank you! You had mentioned making a stencil cutting video. I looked for one but didn't see one. Did I miss it?
What is the color you used for the letters?
I used a white paint with a chalk finish, similar to this one. http://amzn.to/2HCQygq
Hi, what kind of paint did you use? I'm wondering if acrylic paint will adhere to an oil based stain.
Thanks!
I used acrylic paint, the kind you can get at a craft store. Be sure to let the stain dry completely before painting and it will adhere just fine.
What kind of paint do you use to paint your design over the min wax stain?
I use acrylic craft paint most of the time, I have also used chalk paint. As long as the stain is completely dry craft paint will work really well.
Is one of the 3 methods better than others for stencilling on a curved surface?
My boyfriend has a piece of stockade fence that we never used for the backyard, and each picket(?) has a slight curve to it. We gave up the idea of using a pre-cut stencil from the craft store, since they're too firm and inflexible -- besides, our son has his "new toy" Cricut, that he uses to make car decals and iron-on T-shirt designs. So now I've been charged with coming up with a design. I believe that with his machine, and your suggestions above, we can make a beautiful, personally meaningful first wood sign.
This sounds like a fun project. You can design and cut just about anything with a Cricut. I would start with vinyl for this stencil, you should be able to cut and place a design on a slightly curved surface. Just be sure to really press the vinyl into the wood so you get a good seal before painting. Good luck and have fun!
Hi Sarah!
Thank-you for the great video about signs! It has been very helpful to help me as I make my first sign. I made a stencil using the Dura-Lar film; however, can't get it to stick using the temporary adhesive I have. I have the 202 temporary adhesive. Do you have any advice for how to get it to stick? I am trying to paint the stencil on a stained wood board.
Thanks for your video and your help!
I use a similar adhesive, I typically spray it on the back of the stencil and let it become tacky for about 30 seconds. Then press it onto the wood. I would make sure the stain is completely dry first, that helps the stencil stick as well. Hope this helps. Good luck with your sign.
Thank-you Sarah!
I really enjoyed your every detail on how to stencil and what works and where to buy.
Thank you very much.
Connie
Did you use water or oil based stain?
I have used both, I actually prefer oil based but either will work. The key is letting the stain dry fulling before moving on to your stencil.
Thank you for a very clear and inspiring project. I just love the use of wood and beautiful lettering which you make look like a breeze to do.
Very frustrated I took all this time cutting piecing wood, staining and now I stenciled and it stinks! Some of my letters bleed.
My stencil still bleed after going up and down. Can i fix it after dry? what do I do? The letters are not crisp.
Can you help me?
I understand, that can be frustrating. It's hard to fix afterwards, you can try going back around the letters with a fine tip paint brush to smooth out some of the line. Other than that there isn't much you can do. Hope you are able to salvage your sign, best of luck!
I love this idea Sarah, especially how to host a sign painting party, such great and simple steps! Thank you!
I've been loving all the signs I see at Christmas craft shows and other events, but have never tried making one. It looks pretty easy and they are so cute for lots of areas in the home.
Instead of painting why not just use the vinyl lettering?
I do that for a lot of signs and it's definitely an option. You get a different look with paint vs. vinyl.