![Easy DIY Reversible First Day of School Photo Signs How to make back to school photo signs.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/backtoschoolsignforphotos.jpg.webp)
How to make reversible first day of school signs that flip for the last day of school. These can be made easily with chalkboard paint, a piece of wood, and the Cricut Air 2.
This post may contain affiliate links. Using these links helps support my blog. I am part of the Cricut Blogger Program which means that I received my machine and often supplies for free. Thank you!
We start school here in September and G has his first year of elementary school. It’s crazy how time flies! I wanted to make a sign for photos for school this year- something they can use each year and preferably something that was reversible so it would work for the last day of school too. I love how these came out. I made one for his brother who is in preschool too.
Supplies Supplies listed below may include affiliate links to the products.
- Chalk paint
- Chalk
- 12×12″ board (I found these in the painting canvas section at Michaels)
- Paint brush
- Black Outdoor Vinyl or Indoor vinyl, depending on which method you want to use
- Cricut Air 2
- Transfer paper
Tutorial
![Some of the supplies for an easy back to school sign. 1st Day of School Sign Supplies](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign.jpg.webp)
![Painting chalkboard signs for back to school. Painted chalkboard signs.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-2.jpg.webp)
![Prepping back to school chalkboard signs. Don't forget to prep 1st day of school chalkboard signs.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-3.jpg.webp)
Method 1: Using Permanent Vinyl
![Permanent vinyl to use for First Day of School Chalkboard Signs. 651 Vinyl to use on the Back to School Chalkboard Signs.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-4.jpg.webp)
It was really hard to weed… I’m not sure if it was my font choices or what, but ugh. And all the dots! Phew. I think it’s doable if you really work at it and take your time, but my patience was running low so I decided to try method 2 for the other sides.
But I do love how it came out! I’m a little concerned that the lettering or smaller pieces may come off… normally I’d seal with mod podge, but in this case that would make the chalkboard area unusable, defeating the purpose.
![Back to school chalkboard sign made with permanent adhesive vinyl. DIY Chalkboard sign using 651 vinyl.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-5.jpg.webp)
Method 2: Using Indoor Vinyl as a Stencil to Paint
![Using permanent or removable vinyl as a stencil for a back to school sign. Removable or permanent vinyl can be used as a stencil for a 1st day of school chalkboard sign.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-6.jpg.webp)
Once you’ve weeded it all, you use transfer paper to apply it to your 12×12 board.
![Transfer paper used to place the vinyl onto the chalkboard sign. Transfer paper used to place the vinyl onto the First Day of School chalkboard sign.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-7.jpg.webp)
![Using vinyl as a stencil for a back to school chalkboard sign. DIY stencil using permanent or removable vinyl for a First Day of School Chalkboard Sign](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-8.jpg.webp)
Then you can use the vinyl as a stencil, applying a coat or two of paint.
![Black paint over a stencil for a chalkboard Back to School photo sign. Stenciling lettering for a 1st Day of School Chalkboard Sign.](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-9.jpg.webp)
Once the paint dries, just peel off the vinyl. This is where the removable vinyl would probably be a better option. I felt like the permanent vinyl wasn’t gentle on the paint when I removed it. It didn’t do a ton of damage, but it might have been easier and less worrisome with indoor vinyl.
I think both methods achieved pretty much the same look so go with what seems easiest to you!
Video Tutorial
Love it? Pin it!
Yes, I know I photoshopped the words in when I should have written them with chalk, but I’m an asthmatic lefty who is better at photoshop than writing neatly so…. photoshop it is! Haha.
![How to make a reversible First Day of School Sign using chalkboard paint and vinyl. DIY Back to School Sign: Reversible for the Last Day of School too!](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-1st-day.jpg.webp)
![This last day of school sign has a surprise! It's reversible so it's a first day of school sign too! How to Make Reversible First and Last Day of School Chalkboard Signs!](https://diydanielle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/reversible-back-to-school-sign-13.jpg.webp)
Use the Discount Code DIYDANIELLE on cricut.com for 10% off any cutting machine or heatpress (no minimum). Excludes: materials/accessories/mystery boxes/etc. Applies to US/CA only, code expires 12/31/23.