I’ve gotten a lot of nice comments about my laundry room reveal. Thanks everyone! I’ve also gotten some questions about the sign that I made for the shelf, so today I’m going to share a few more details about how to make a sign using vinyl letters. It’s an easy project!
HOW TO MAKE A SIGN USING VINYL LETTERS
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MATERIALS
Vinyl decal
Board – mine was a 1″ x 8″ that was long enough for the decal
Sander or sandpaper
Tack cloth
Paintbrush
Primer
Paint – white and black
Instructions:
- I looked for a fun sign for the laundry room for a long time. I finally found this decal that says “The Laundry Room loads of fun”. I just needed to find a way to make it into a sign.
- Prep the board-
- I always seem to have leftover pieces of wood from drapery projects, so I looked over my stash, and found a board that would work great for making the sign. It’s a 1″ x 8″ (which really measures at 7 1/2″) board, and the length was perfect for the decal.
- I sanded the front and all four side edges of the board with my sander. (I love this sander – I’ve put it through a lot during the last couple of years, and it keeps on working great!) After sanding the board, I wiped it down with a tack cloth.
- Then I primed and painted the board white.
- I also painted the edges of the board black.
- Apply the decal to the board – I’ve created a video to show how to apply the decal to the board, and I’ve also written out the instructions below.
- Peel off the backing that the decal is stuck to.
- Center the decal on the board, and press down just on the corners.
- Press down using your fingers in the center of the decal, then press from the center to the top and center to the bottom and each side. Making a plus sign.
- In each of the four sections, press from the plus sign to the outer edges.
- Press down on each of the letters again to make sure they are adhered to the board.
- Starting in one corner, peel off the transfer tape and leaving the black letters on the board. Work slowly and carefully. If a letter wants to come up with the transfer tape, then press it back down and try to peel off the transfer tape again.
I love how it turned out!
This was a fairly simple project, and inexpensive. I did have to buy the decal, but I had everything else on hand.
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Kristen says
January 25, 2016 at 11:43 amSuch a cute and simple idea! Thanks for sharing
Jann says
January 25, 2016 at 11:58 amThanks Kristen! It really is so simple to do!
tina says
January 15, 2017 at 5:11 pmSo I watched your video on making the laundry sign. I understand you need a circuit cutter and/or a Silouett machine in making vinyl signs?
Jann says
January 15, 2017 at 9:22 pmTina, you can use a Cricut or Silhouette to make vinyl signs, or you can simply buy the vinyl decals. If you click on the link under Materials Needed that says Vinyl Decal, you can purchase the decal from Amazon.
jACKIE says
December 29, 2017 at 10:46 pmI am interested in making monogram initials to put on my back window on my suv….how do you print this monogram off on vinyl and do you have to have a circut cutter….someone had suggested that the library might have one. Thanks in advance for your guidance ……….
Jann says
December 30, 2017 at 12:25 pmJackie, you would probably have to have a Cricut machine to do this project.
Kimber Edens says
June 8, 2018 at 3:57 pmI am a neeeewwwbeeeee to the Vinyl used on Wood to make a sign world. Scared but would really like to get into making them for my home and for family. Which do you suggest with your experience. Circuit or Silhouette?
Jann says
June 10, 2018 at 6:20 amKimber, I have only used a Cricut. You can read about my experience with it in this post: https://www.newtoncustominteriors.com/how-to-make-a-diy-sign/
Joanne says
January 25, 2016 at 11:52 amThat looks amazing! What a simple and cheap idea!
Jann says
January 25, 2016 at 11:59 amThanks Joanne!
Allycia says
January 25, 2016 at 12:02 pmI love that!
Jann says
January 25, 2016 at 3:16 pmThanks Allycia!
Mia says
January 25, 2016 at 4:23 pmThanks for sharing this idea; it’s one even I could do. And will. A nice touch for your laundry room–well done!
Jann says
January 26, 2016 at 9:14 amThanks Mia! It was a fun project to make!
Jennifer says
September 22, 2016 at 11:11 amSuch a great idea. Where did you find the laundry decal?
Jann says
September 23, 2016 at 6:38 amJennifer, if you click on the link under Materials Needed. Vinyl Decal – it will take you to Amazon, and you can order it there. Good luck with your project!
[email protected] says
February 3, 2016 at 5:43 pmThis is great! I have a Cricut that I haven’t learned to use yet…this sure would be easier! 🙂
Jann says
February 3, 2016 at 7:28 pmThanks Crystal! Yes, it’s so easy!
RandiG at FrugElegance says
February 3, 2016 at 8:08 pmThat looks fabulous! LOVE IT!!
Jann says
February 4, 2016 at 6:29 amThanks!
Laurie says
February 5, 2016 at 7:00 pmI love how you made the outside edges black, and the decal is great. Cute little sign for the laundry room. Thanks for sharing!
Jann says
February 5, 2016 at 9:28 pmThanks Laurie!
Vineta @ The Handyman's Daughter says
April 11, 2016 at 6:21 pmVery cute! I want to make one for my laundry room!
Jann says
April 12, 2016 at 6:39 amThanks Vineta! Give it a try!
michelle james says
April 16, 2016 at 5:40 amI love that green! The sign is really cute and is soooo perfect in the space. You always do such a nice job! I am in love with the whole room!
Jann says
April 16, 2016 at 6:34 amThanks Michelle! You’re so sweet!
Amy says
April 18, 2016 at 12:21 pmThis is so cute! I love creating vinyl things with my cricut…maybe I should make some signs/decor for the house! Thanks for the inspiration!! 🙂
Jann says
April 19, 2016 at 11:45 amThanks Amy! The Cricut would be great for making signs!
Melinda says
May 18, 2016 at 6:10 pmWhat is the name of that green paint color? I love it.
Jann says
May 19, 2016 at 6:05 amMelinda, the green paint color is Fern Glow from Pittsburgh Paints.
Rodney Abel says
June 29, 2016 at 12:49 amJan – Super Post. Where can a person order/buy the vinyl lettering to make a sign similar to this?
Thanks,
Rod
Jann says
June 29, 2016 at 7:48 amRod, I bought my vinyl lettering on Amazon. If you go back to the Materials section of this post, there’s a link for vinyl decal. I’m sure Amazon has other vinyl lettering available.
Megan says
August 31, 2016 at 8:03 pmThanks for sharing. This was my first project with my Silhouette Cameo and I love it.
Jann says
September 1, 2016 at 7:19 amGreat Megan! I’m glad this tutorial was helpful!
Toni Wilson says
November 6, 2016 at 4:27 pmLove this project! Did you use any type of sealer on it? If so, do you seal it before you put the vinyl on?
Thanks
Jann says
November 7, 2016 at 7:26 amThanks Toni! I did not use a sealer.
Hero Dezign says
January 16, 2017 at 1:45 amThank you for sharing. I’ve been wanting my husband to try this.
Chris says
February 3, 2017 at 8:24 amDid you put any type of sealer over this once it was finished?
Jann says
February 3, 2017 at 9:38 amChris, no, I did not put any type of sealer on the sign once it was finished.
Ivory says
May 13, 2017 at 6:55 pmI love your lundry room sign and your designs over the washer and dryer.
Jann says
May 14, 2017 at 5:54 pmThanks Ivory!
Courtney says
June 10, 2017 at 9:22 pmlove it! what kind of transfer paper are you using? all the ones i find are super sticky and make it hard to put the decal on just right. this one looks great!
Jann says
June 12, 2017 at 8:04 amCourtney, you can click the link in the materials list – vinyl decal to see the decal that I used and where I purchased it from. Thanks!
Rebecca Boetticher says
July 16, 2017 at 9:02 amDid you use a specific type of paint? Acrylic or a water based paint? THX!!
Jann says
July 21, 2017 at 8:58 amI just used some leftover latex paint that I already had. Good luck with your project!
Katie says
August 28, 2017 at 10:00 pmIf I wanted to make a sign for outside, what would you seal it with?
Jann says
August 29, 2017 at 6:26 amKatie, I have never made a sign for outside, so I can’t help you with how to seal it.
Miller says
October 22, 2017 at 9:49 amDid the letters hold up? I stained my wood then pressed a wall art sticker on mine and I’m scared that it will come off after a while…trying to figure out whether I should mod podge it or not
Jann says
October 25, 2017 at 8:27 amMine has held up well. If you’re concerned you could apply a couple of coats of polycrylic.
Joe says
January 11, 2018 at 10:17 pmWith all the time put into this sign. How much could you sell it for and how did you come up with that price.
Jann says
January 14, 2018 at 3:19 pmJoe, I did not make the sign to sell, so I’m sorry, but I have no idea.
Barbara Corell says
January 14, 2018 at 10:19 amThank you for sharing your projects and videos. Picked up lots of ideas. Your laundry room looks terrific?
Jann says
January 14, 2018 at 3:17 pmThanks Barbara!
Maria says
March 21, 2018 at 10:43 amHow bi is the sign. I know it says 1”x8” in the post but that seems really small. It such a cute sign I can’t wait to make it.
Jann says
March 21, 2018 at 11:44 am1″ x 8″ is the type of board. You need to cut the board to fit whatever size vinyl decal you choose. Good luck with your project!
carol lutza says
May 27, 2018 at 1:19 amwhat font is this?
Jann says
May 29, 2018 at 7:32 amCarol, I didn’t create the vinyl transfer, so I don’t know what font it is.
Bob says
February 26, 2019 at 7:41 pmI like your tip about peeling back the decal. My wife and I are thinking about making signs for my daughter’s bedroom and we don’t know where to start. I’ll have to consider your tips so that we can make great signs.
Jann says
February 28, 2019 at 9:13 amGood luck with your project.