These DIY faux chalkboard signs are easy to make using your Cricut and the Cozy Christmas Handlettered SVG designs!
Post originally published November 2018, updated November 2022
If you’re preparing for the holidays like I am, these faux chalkboards are the perfect craft to get you into the Christmas spirit and ready for gifting! I created two, one for myself and one for gifting- but you could create as many as your patience cares to ;)
I made these faux chalkboards using some SVG files I lettered and illustrated. As per usual, I made a few hand lettered phrases to go in the bundle, but I also added some holiday greenery to the pack as well. I think they pair really nicely together to make signs (like I’m making here) but they also look so sweet on their own!
I made these DIY faux chalkboard signs and I’m super happy with how they turned out. These ones are holiday but the tutorial could be used for any season or just every day signs. I love that you get the look of chalkboard (because black and white is my faaaave) BUT you don’t have to worry about the chalk rubbing off and ruining your hard work. If you were someone who makes signs for craft fairs or just wants to make something for all their neighbours… this is the perfect craft for you.
Cozy Christmas Hand Lettered SVG Bundle
These designs were originally available as part of the November 2018 Fresh Cuts Bundle. Those bundles were only available for a limited time. You can now purchase the files from this bundle separately from each artist.
I found these signs in a bundle at Michaels for a total steal. I can’t even remember how much it was for a pack of them but it worked out to just a couple dollars per sign. If you wanted to make your own, you could just cut wood to size and spray it with a black chalkboard paint or even black paint for that matter to make a great base for these faux chalkboard signs.
Before you get started crafting, you’ll need to choose your files for your project. You can get my hand lettered designs here or you can use any designs you already have.
To make the design, I used Cricut Stencil Vinyl. Cricut doesn’t make it any more (I’m using up an old stash) so I would opt for this stencil vinyl or something similar.
To do this, I uploaded the designs to Cricut Design Space and spent some time playing with the arrangement. I paired each hand lettered phrase with a greenery illustration. When you have them arranged how you want them, select the files and ‘weld’ which is in the right hand panel. This will make them into ONE file so when you cut them out they will be arranged exactly how you’ve put them.
If you’re cutting out multiple stencils, when you are on the mat preview screen, just make sure to space out the designs enough that you will be able to stencil without super thin edges.
I cut mine out using my Cricut Maker but since this is a standard vinyl, any of the Cricut machines would cut it out perfectly. Once it’s cut out, just weed it and use transfer tape to apply it to your sign. If you’re new to transfer tape, this post will be helpful for you! I used paper transfer tape for this one, I find it so much easier to work with for most materials.
Take time to really smooth out all the bubbles and make sure the edges (around where you’ll be painting) are really adhered to prevent bleed of the paint. If you wanted to just use this to stencil regular chalk, you could do that but remember it’ll rub off (we have a lot of little fingers in our house that would mean it wouldn’t last a day)… using paint to make a ‘faux chalkboard’ will help it stay beautiful all holiday season long, and for years to come!
Now it’s time to paint! Use the TINIEST amount of paint possible for this. I used Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement and really love how matte this dried. I used a foam brush and just barely dipped it in. I dabbed it off on some paper before starting to dab on my design to make sure that I was getting a chalky look and not super even coverage. You could totally just paint it on if you wanted thicker more even coverage but I love the way that this looks chalkboard-like. Dabbing will also help to eliminate any bleed under the stencil.
Then you can peel back your stencil! I did this while my paint was still wet. I used my standard weeding tool to get the little pieces inside the ‘e’s and such. It was such a simple DIY and I could see making a whole bunch of these faux chalkboard signs for gifts would go so quickly. Plus… they’re beautiful!
I’m such a big fan of how these look with modern home decor- black and white and wood with holiday greenery… it’s such a killer combo! We gifted one of these signs to a neighbour and he hangs it by his mail box each Christmas, it makes me so happy to see it’s being loved.
If you love these handlettered christmas designs, you can grab them right here! I’ll be adding more handlettered SVG bundles to my shop over the coming months, if there’s a specific theme you’d love to see- make sure to let me know!
Cozy Christmas Hand Lettered SVG Bundle
LIKE IT? PIN IT!
Looking for some of the other artists’ files from the Cozy Christmas Fresh Cuts bundle?
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