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How to Make a Large Wooden Sign

Last Updated: November 10, 2020 | By: Laura 60 Comments | Filed Under: DIY Projects, Fall, Popular Posts, Silhouette This post may contain affiliate links.

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This detailed tutorial on how to make large DIY wood signs will walk you through each and every step with clarity. Using a few supplies from the home improvement store, stencils and paint, you can create any DIY project your heart desires!

Large DIY Wood Signs Tutorial

How to make wooden signs is what we’re all about today. I don’t know about you, but I find myself drooling over all of the large, hand painted signs that adorn the gorgeous homes on Instagram.

The problem is, I’m not willing to fork over the $300+ for those signs. It’s just not happening. 😜

This post contains affiliate links for your convention. See my disclosure policy here.

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It’s especially not happening when I can make one myself for less than the cost of plywood, some 1×2 boards, paint and a vinyl stencil.

I will say that I used my Silhouette Cameo for this project. It’s not cheap, but it is so worth the investment if you think you’ll make more than one DIY wood sign. (See my other Silhouette projects here.)

The cost of the Cameo and the rest of these supplies is still about the cost of one sign. So, if you do end up making just two signs (or a lot of signs), then the investment will be well worth it.

NOTE: You’ll want these tools in your arsenal before you start to make your own DIY signs!

When I envisioned my fall mantel this year, I just knew I wanted a super large wooden sign with a saying up there. I didn’t want any of those cute fall sayings, like “hello fall” or “it’s fall y’all.” I wanted something a little more inspirational and subtly fall.

So, I chose this scripture verse and designed it out in Picmonkey (a super easy online design tool) before I did anything else! I’ll walk you through all of the steps to make your very own.

Supplies for How to Make a Large Wooden Sign with a Saying

  • Large piece of 1/2 inch plywood, customized to the size you need.
  • 2 Paint Colors (one for the background color and one for the letters)
  • Paint brush
  • Silhouette Cameo (I’ve outlined other options below if you don’t have one, yet. But I highly recommend getting one! 😉)
  • Contact Paper or Adhesive Vinyl – (If you use contact paper, I find that Duck brand contact paper works best.)
  • Silhouette brand transfer paper
  • Mod Podge
  • Brad nailer – Hot glue will also work if you don’t have a brad nailer!
  • 1 x 2 board in the length you need to frame your plywood

Steps for Making DIY Wood Signs

Time needed: 3 hours

Step 1. Get your plywood.

I had a leftover 2 x 4 piece of plywood from another project. And it was perfect for my sign! But if you don’t have an extra piece laying around, just head down to the hardware store and pick one up!

You will want a 1/2 thick piece, because mine was 1/4 inch thick, which I wouldn’t recommend since it was hard to nail the frame into the board. Cut down the size you need from the large board with a circular saw or jig saw. Or even easier – ask the home improvement store to cut it for you!

Step 2. Paint your sign.

If you make yours like me using a stencil, then you will want to paint the board the color you want your letters. If you are going to paint the letters onto the board, you’ll want to paint the board the background color. I chose Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore for my paint color of my letters.

Paint the DIY wooden sign

Step 3. Create Your Design

I took the dimensions of my board and then used PicMonkey to create my design. Since my board was 2 feet by 4 feet, my graphic was 1000 pixels by 2000 pixels.

I used a pretty script font (Midnight font) and wrote everything out exactly how I wanted it. I saved it as a jpg file. I shared my design as a free printable HERE!

Stencil Design for DIY Wooden Sign

Step 4. Import the Design into the Silhouette Studio & Create a Cut File

I opened the Silhouette Studio software on my computer, then opened my jpg design in the software. I used this video to convert my design to a cut file. Watching that is much easier than my trying to explain anything. 😊

Once you have your cut file, you will arrange it the way you want it to be cut. I ungrouped my design and cut out one line at a time, except for the last line and the scripture reference. I could fit them all on one line.

TIP: You’ll want to size your cut file to match the size of your board. I knew that my board length was 4 feet long, so I needed to cut my stencil to be long enough to cover the board. And since my Silhouette can only cut a 12-inch wide piece, I had to cut just 1 line at a time, like I said before.

I’m not going to get super technical about the Silhouette, because honestly mine is a very old model. There are newer cutting machines and different machines than mine, so if you don’t know something, just search on Google. There are tons of video tutorials out there.

If you don’t have a Silhouette machine, you can draw something free hand, if you’re good at that. You can also use a projector, like this one, and project the image in your board and trace, then paint. Or have an etsy shop (like this one) cut out a design for you with vinyl and use my method. There are definitely ways of wood sign making without a cutting machine.

Step 5. Cut your Stencil.

I use Duck brand contact paper to create my stencil, but you can use any type of vinyl that has an adhesive backing.

Make a DIY Large Sign with stencils

I used the cut settings for the Silhouette brand vinyl and it worked great. But always do a test cut to make sure.

Again, if this is the first time using your Silhouette machine, just search for whatever tutorial you need and it’ll be there!

Step 6. Weed Your Stencil

This just means that you remove the parts of the contact paper that you’re not going to use. In this instance you’ll want to keep the letters in tact on the paper and remove the outside paper.

Make a DIY Large Wooden Sign

Step 7. Place transfer tape over your letters, then place on the board where you want them.

Take your transfer tape and remove the non-sticky backing. Place the sticky side down on your letters and rub them with a credit card or other hard object to get it to stick well.

Remove the letters from the contact paper sheet and place it on the board where you would like the letters to be. This is always a little time-consuming because you want to get it just right.

How to Make a Large Wooden Sign using stencils and transfer paper

The contact paper wasn’t super sticky, and some of the transfer paper I had was very sticky, so I was having trouble getting it to stick on the board. I ended up just using my Silhouette brand transfer paper, because it worked the best.

Step 8. Paint over the words with Mod Podge

I paint over each letter with clear, matte Mod Podge. This seals the edges of the contact paper and helps prevent bleeding under the letters while I paint over them.

Mod Podge seals in the letters | DIY Large Wooden Sign

Step 9. Paint over the letters with a different color paint.

I chose a chalky type pant called Amy Howard’s One Step Paint in Bauhaus Buff and applied one light coat of paint.

Once the paint has dried, remove the adhesive letters to reveal the paint color underneath! This is my favorite part.

How to Make a Large, Wooden Sign

Step 10. Build the Frame

I used 1×2’s to create the frame. I cut the two sides and then the top and bottom pieces to fit. You could also use lattice for a smaller profile frame.

Don’t attach it just yet! You’ll want to stain it first.

How to Make a Large, Wooden Sign

Step 11. Stain or paint the frame.

I chose to stain it in Early American by Minwax stain. Let it dry before trying to add it to your beautiful sign. (Ask me how I know… 😊)

Step 12. Using a brad nailer and wood glue, attached the frame to the board.

You could also try to use hot glue to attach the frame if you don’t have a brad nailer. I think it would work, but you just couldn’t hold the sign by the frame.

Yay!!

Sing a happy dance because you’re done and your sign looks absolutely stunning!!! I love this sign!

What do you think? Would you like to make a sign like this for your home? Want to add it your fall mantel this year?

How to Make a Large Wooden Sign

This is from my fall mantel a few years back. You can see it here!

Grab your “Be Joyful Always” .studio File for FREE

If you want to make this exact sign, you can grab the .studio file right here!

Enjoy!!

If you’d like to save this for later, then don’t forget to pin it!

This tutorial is so easy and I made this sign with mostly items I had around the house. LOVE how it turned out! | How to Make a Large Wooden Sign
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Comments

  1. sharon says

    November 6, 2017 at 10:17 pm

    Hi,
    So I’m confused. If you can only cut up to 12″ long how do you cut an entire line? How many inches are each of your letters? I have also had difficulty uploading your svg file but decided to create my own. I am also working with a 2×4 board and trying to fit the words.

    Thank you,
    Sharon

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 9, 2017 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Sharon! I turn my letters sideways when I print on the Silhouette. The tallest letter is about 8.5 inches tall and the longest line is about 3 feet long. So I cut one line on a 12″ x 3′ piece of contact paper. Hopefully that makes sense! Have fun!!

      xo, Laura

      Reply
  2. Cindy Gray says

    October 31, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Rather than using Modge Podge, you can also paint over the letters with your original color first, as this will seal the stencil, then paint your background color once that has dried. Peel off your stencil, once the paint is dry. This will also help prevent bleeding. I mention this because some people have had issues with the paint coming off when they remove the stencil when they have used the Modge Podge method. I suspect it’s because they used too much Modge Podge.
    Your sign is lovely.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      November 9, 2017 at 11:41 pm

      Yes! That will work, too! And a great idea. I’ve never had the paint peel off, but if I did, I’d definitely switch to using the background paint instead of Mod Podge. Thank you for sharing!!

      Reply
    • Ashley says

      December 16, 2019 at 8:53 am

      Yes this just happen to me last night on a Christmas present (cry). I always use the background color and it works out perfect. Well I ran out of the background color so I grabbed this matte modge podge that o had only tried once and it didn’t work lol. Well it didn’t work again (really cry). So I’ll stick to the background color. I did use two coats which might have been the problem. I always get so worried on that last step. I don’t want bleeding when I’ve put in so much work already. Live and learn. I haven’t tackled a large sign yet but now I’m dying to!!

      Reply
  3. Carole says

    October 28, 2017 at 11:08 am

    Mine would need to be hand painted, or stenciled, which I’m capable of doing. I don’t have one of those machines.

    I came across someone making signs out of foam core board the other day. They looked like the real deal, and would be light to hang. lol

    Reply
  4. Janelle Trentham says

    October 26, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    I have tried three times and cannot get the file to send to me. Would you be able to help?

    Reply
  5. TIFFANY says

    October 17, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    HI! Looks beautiful! What mounting hardware did you use?

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 21, 2017 at 9:50 pm

      Hi Tiffany! I used these large sawtooth hangers —>>> http://bit.ly/sawtoothhangers – I always have some on hand!

      Good question! Hope this helps!

      Laura

      Reply
  6. Katherine Hew Len says

    October 15, 2017 at 1:59 am

    Hi would you be willing to sell your vinyl precut the same size u made yours. I don’t have a cricut or a silhouette. Thanks

    Reply
    • Laura says

      October 21, 2017 at 11:33 pm

      Hi Katherine, I wish I had the time to make and sell the vinyl, but I just don’t right now. I know there are people out there who make vinyl decals for people, though. Maybe a store like this on etsy?? —>>> http://rstyle.me/n/ctgx7kx85w

      I hope this helps!

      xo, Laura

      Reply
  7. Rebecca Platt says

    October 7, 2017 at 7:17 am

    Hi,

    I love this sign and would like to make one. Hosayingwever, I don’t have a Circuit machine. You mentioned you would list other ways to make it without one but I don’t see it.. Could you send me a download of the saying so I can print and make it another way? Thanks so much.

    Rebecca

    Reply
  8. Adele says

    September 21, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    i also use your method when making signs, but i have trouble pulling up the vinyl once i have painted over it with mod podge, and paint , do you have any tips or tricks for doing this?

    Reply
  9. Cheryl says

    September 20, 2017 at 10:51 am

    Hi There!
    Great tutorial! I too have a cricut. Would you be so kind as to share the file with me as well so I can convert into an svg file?

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      October 19, 2017 at 4:59 pm

      can you share the name of the font you used? I love the font!

      Reply
  10. Krista says

    September 14, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    Looks fabulous Laura!

    Reply
  11. Angie Barrett says

    September 13, 2017 at 5:00 pm

    I was also going to ask what fonts you used. I too have a Cricut so would need to convert to a jpg or png file. It’s beautiful!

    Reply
  12. Stephanie S. says

    September 12, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Very nice and great instructions. I love it.

    Reply
  13. Danna says

    September 12, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    Hi Laura. I absolutely love your sign. I don’t have the silhouette machine but I have the cricut explore. Would I be able to use this stencil with that or is just for the silhouette?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Laura says

      September 12, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      Hey Danna, I think that you have to convert the file to a .svg file and then you can use it. I’ll e-mail you the one I have, but I’m not able to open it in my Silhouette software, so I can’t check it. Hopefully it’ll work for you! xo, Laura

      Reply
      • Jacqueline says

        October 1, 2017 at 10:31 pm

        Can you email me the file too?
        I also was wondering how did you get the letters up after you painted and Mod Podge it?

        Reply
      • Kara says

        November 5, 2017 at 12:30 pm

        would you be willing to email me the file too? I also need it to be a file I can convert onto my Cricut! Thanks love following your blog

        Reply
        • Laura says

          November 9, 2017 at 11:35 pm

          Hi Kara, please e-mail me at [email protected] exactly what type of file you need. And we’ll get you hooked up. Thank you!

          Reply
  14. Kara says

    September 12, 2017 at 3:50 pm

    What font did you use?

    Reply
    • lynn says

      December 15, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      I ADORE this sign! Can you share the font, please? Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Laura says

        December 20, 2017 at 1:34 am

        Hi Lynn, it’s called Midnight. You can get it here —>>> https://crmrkt.com/11731z

        Reply
Newer Comments »

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