If you love farmhouse signs but don’t have money for fancy equipment like a Silhouette or Cricut, I have GREAT news for you! You don’t need one! Today I’m sharing 6 different ways you can make amazing farmhouse signs without a big machine! And they look amazing! Take a look and see which method works for you!

Cheap DIYs that Don’t Look Cheap? Sign Me Up

People decide to take up crafting and DIY for all different reasons: they need a creative outlet, they need to decorate the home and don’t have a lot of money, they like to learn and try new things.

For me, it was probably all of the above, but I’d say the second one fits me best: I needed to decorate our new home and I didn’t have a lot of money. I would browse Hobby Lobby and love what I saw, but it just wasn’t in the budget. And neither was buying a Cricut or Silhouette to make all the cute things I was seeing.

Because of that, I had to learn some new techniques for signs and decor that didn’t require fancy equipment. It was going to have to be by hand, and maybe have that ‘imperfect charm’ to it, but I was fine with that. And, in the end, I was really, really proud of the results.

Signs for Everyone

Signs are a big trend these days in home decor, and personally, I love them. I know there are those Karens out there who are sick of the words and signs, but hopefully, they’re in the minority. And if they’re not – doesn’t matter. We all get to do what WE love in our own homes because WE are the ones who live there. So do what you love, sister.

Today, I want to share with you 6 (yes, six) different ways you can make signs without using a Cricut or Silhouette. You might just choose one from the get-go and stick with it, or you might experiment with all 6. Up to you. There’s no right or wrong – just pick the method or methods you like best.

My goal is to help out moms (or dads or whoever) who don’t have the special equipment but still want to use their creativity to make decor they love.

I’ve read tutorials, watched videos, and did my own trial-and-error. Hopefully, you can learn from my mistakes and come up with a beautiful sign you love! I’ve included an instruction card for the ones that might need a little more detail, but some are easy enough that just a few pointers are all you need!

1| Tracing Method

This one is fairly easy and can be done on almost any kind of material – wood, foam board…I’ve even done it on coffee mugs and drink containers. (You can find more specific details on how I made the sign in the above picture here!)

The idea is that you find a saying online – either a printable or create one yourself. Once you print it out, color firmly on the backside of the printed sheet with a pencil.

Then, you lay the pencil-side down on the material you want the saying on, in position. You may need to trim and arrange it so it’s laid out how you want.

Secure it in place with some painter’s tape, and then trace over the outline of the letters and words with a pen, using firm pressure.

When you’re done, you should have a pencil imprint on your object that you can outline and fill in with Sharpies, paint pens or paint.

***You can also do this with chalk instead of a pencil, if you have a darker surface. And you can try this with other types of surfaces – like painting pumpkins!

Tip: I recommend using thicker fonts with some roundness to it. Thin and straight lines are very hard to get just right, and you can see those imperfections much more!

Tracing Method Sign

Print

Materials

• Sign board (wood, posterboard, etc.)
• Paint for background
• Printout of saying
• Fine point Sharpie or paint pen
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Painter's Tape

Tools

Instructions

1. If needed, paint your sign.
2. Decide on the saying you want to put on your sign. Create the saying on the computer or print out a printable. Be sure to measure the width and height of the area for the sign, to make sure your words fit.
3. To create the saying, on the back of your printed-out paper, use your pencil to color with a good amount of pressure over the areas where the letters are.
4. Arrange saying where you want it on the sign (cut if needed) and use painter's tape to hold it in position.
5. Pressing firmly, trace the outline of letters with a pen. Check early on to make sure the pencil outline of letters is transferring to the box.
6. Using the fine-point Sharpie, outline letters of saying and fill in to blacken.
7. Clean up any mistakes with your original color paint.

Notes

Thicker fonts with curves are easier to create using this method, than thin straight lines! Choose wisely! 🙂

2| Sticker Method

This is probably the easier of the bunch. You can buy many types of letter stickers. All you have to do is lay them out where you want them, and then Mod-Podge over them to secure in place. So, so easy. You can intermix fonts, use decals,  and add rub-ons! If you have other decals you want to embellish with, have at it!

Here’s a sign I made using decals from Dollar Tree for my sons’ room!

Tip: Lay painter’s tape down to make sure your letters are straight!

3| Stencil Method

Stencils are another great way to make a sign. Basically, you purchase a stencil that says what you want or with a design you want, in the size you want, and just paint away!

This is another super-easy craft! You can use paint pens or paint to fill in the stencils, depending on how big or small your stencil is. And you can use multiple colors.

I’ve found that using a make-up sponge is the best way to apply the paint. Also, self-adhesive stencils are easiest to work with, but I’ve used other kinds and secured them with painter’s tape, no problem.

Tip: After you paint your background, paint your stencil design with the same color as your background. This helps prevent bleeding, since most bleeding occurs from the first coat. The first coat will be the same as the background, so you will get minimal bleeding when you fill in with your chosen colors.

 

 

Stencil Sign Method

Print

Materials

• Sign board
• Chosen Stencil
• Painter's Tape (if not using adhesive stencil)
• Chalk paint for background
• Paint for stencil colors
• Paint brush (sponge brush, fine detail brush)
• Make-up sponge

Instructions

1. Paint sign with chalk paint and allow it to dry.
2. Place stencil on the sign where you want the design. If you're not using an adhesive stencil, place with painter's tape, cutting to arrange, if necessary.
3. Dip make-up sponge in paint and fill in stencil area with the same color as the background. This will prevent the letters from bleeding. Allow to dry.
4. Paint additional coats with your chosen color (or colors) until stencil areas are fully filled in.
5. Remove stencil. Fill in any missed areas with a fine detail paintbrush or paint pen. Clean up any areas using a fine detail brush.
6. If desired, seal with a coat of Mod Podge or clear spray sealer.

Notes

* Painting stencil in background color first helps with bleeding!

*Adhesive stencils are easiest to use!

4| Reverse Stencil Method

This is another method that looks amazing when done right…but you need to do it right. The idea is that you paint your board the color you want your letters to be. Then, you get letter stickers and place them how you want.

Once they are in place, paint over the whole sign, letters included.

When it’s dry, SLOWLY & CAREFULLY peel them off, and there’s your sign!

A few mistakes I made, so make sure you follow these…

Tips:

1. Let the paint fully dry. That includes your base layer and the top layer. I’m impatient, so I created a lot of extra work for myself! But give the paint time to fully dry as per the instructions on the container.

2. Spray paint works great for the top layer. It really allows you to cover it neatly and fully. You can paint by hand, but there’s more of a risk of accidentally shifting the letters.

3. Use brand new letter stickers; avoid reusing them. I did reuse them and it definitely impacted the results. They don’t stick down as tightly, and you’ll require a lot more touching up. I used Mod Podge to hold the recycled the stickers down, which can be done, but much more paint peeled up when I pulled the stickers off.

4. Be sure the letter stickers actually have cut-outs for the letters with ‘blank spots’ in them. For example – make the inside of an ‘A’ or ‘R’ is actually cut out and not just the outside border of it.

5. I’ve also used chipboard letters for this project and Mod Podged them down. That worked well, too. It did pull some of the bottom layers of paint off, which was acrylic (not spray paint), so it needed to be touched up by hand. But it’s still very workable and came out great. You can see that one below:

Here’s a sign I made with letter stickers (Script) and chipboard (middle word). I chalkpainted the bottom layer (white) and spray painted the top layer (black).

Reverse Stencil Sign Method

Print

Materials

• Sign board
• Letter stickers or chipboard (if using chipboard, you'll need Mod Podge as well)
• Paint for letter color (chalk paint or spray paint)
• Paint for background (chalk paint or spray paint)
• Sponge paint brush (if not using spray paint)
• Painter's tape
• Ruler or tape measure
• Fine detail paintbrush

Instructions

1. Paint sign using the color you want your letters to be. ALLOW PAINT TO DRY!
2. Arrange letter stickers or chipboard where you want it to be. Use painter's tape and ruler to ensure straightness (or sometimes, I just hook a tape measure across the sign to make sure it's straight). If using chipboard letters, you'll need to Mod Podge them down (on back of letters).
3. Paint over the entire sign with background color, even over the letters. Use 2-3 coats to make sure the sign is fully covered. Check to make sure edges around letters are fully painted.
4. ALLOW PAINT TO DRY FULLY!
5. Once the paint is dry, gently and slowly remove stickers or letters. Stickers remove pretty cleanly; the chipboard might bleed a little bit.
6. Using a fine detail paintbrush, clean up any bleeding or any paint that may have been pulled off with the stickers.

Notes

**Be sure the letter stickers actually have cut-outs for the letters with 'blank spots' in them. For example - make the inside of an 'A' or 'R' is actually cut out and not just the outside border of it.

**If you'd like to add a frame, you can get thin wood pieces at Hobby Lobby for about $1 each, cut and stain them, then glue them on with E6000. Use clamps to let fully dry.

Speaking of chipboard…

5| Chipboard Sign

If you like using chipboard letters, Thickers, or some other material, this is another easy way to make a sign. Similar to the other methods, paint your sign the color you want it. Paint your chipboard letters (or leave them if you want). Mod Podge the letters down and that’s it! Make sure you Mod Podge the whole sign so it looks uniform!

 

I almost did the ‘pantry’ sign using this method. Here’s how it looked laid out, before I used the reverse stencil method:

Tip: Chipboard letters are pretty big, so be sure they fit on your sign. I had an 18×18″ canvas, and the word GRACE (5 letters) fit across perfectly. You might have to choose smaller words or mix-and-match with other letters if using chipboard. Just make sure they are all to scale!

6| Mix and Match Techniques

I made this fall porch leaner using 2 different methods – the tracing method (with a chalk outline) for the ‘hello’ part and the chip board letters for the bottom!

No rules against using more than one technique together!

7| Printables

Printables are another way to get great signs. It’s as easy as printing them out to your computer and popping in a frame. I do that all the time!

 

And if you want to add a little DIY to the mix, get a canvas from Dollar Tree, unstaple the canvas, stain the frame, and glue your printable to a piece of foam board or poster board cut to the same size (I found a glue stick is easier to use for this versus Mod Podge).  You can even just print out on cardstock if you want. Then, glue it to the back of the frame with E6000 glue, clamp it and let it dry. LOVE this project!

Tip: If you use foam board for the backing, you can stain or paint the sides brown to match the frame, depending on where you’re placing it.

Basic Signs that Don’t Look Basic

You don’t have to be at the mercy of fancy equipment to create beautiful signs for your house. And you don’t have to have fancy handwriting. These are doable methods that look amazing! I’ve made signs using each, and I love knowing I’m looking at my own handiwork! Some are more involved than others, but depending on the look you’re going for, each one has its place and value!

More Crafts and DIYs

IF you’re looking for more creative hacks, here are some Dollar Tree farmhouse DIYs that are easy and can be done in one sitting! And these are Dollar Tree projects are especially for Valentine’s Day. If you do have a Silhouette or Cricut, try this one: 2 Easy Ways to Make a Hat with HTV and a Mini Heat Press.

If you are wanting some free printables, here are some printables for spring, and some more spring printables in minimalist farmhouse style. This is one of my favorite printables for Christmas! And here are adorable printables for Valentine’s Day, too!

I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections or leave a comment on Pinterest!

Thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!