How to Make a Reversible First Day of School Sign with Chalkboard Paint

• 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 

I took some square wood panels that I got at the craft store from the canvas/painting section. These were the perfect size for what I wanted. I painted each side with chalk paint- the first coat on each side was horizontal and the second coat was vertical.

 

 

 

Once dried, I flipped the board and did the other side.

 

 

 

Prep your chalkboard with chalk. This just involves rubbing chalk all over the surface. I recommend using a chalk color that will look nice against the paint color you chose. In the video I used a cloth to hold my chalk because (shudder) I can’t even with rubbing chalk across a surface. 

 

 

Method 1: Using Permanent Vinyl 

Now you can print your base words on permanent adhesive vinyl and use transfer paper to add it to your boards. I used the “first day of school” images for the front and the “last day of school” images for the back.

 

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.

 

Method 2: Using Indoor Vinyl as a Stencil to Paint

After getting frustrated with weeding the permanent vinyl, I decided to try reverse weeding and using the vinyl as a stencil. I found this easier. I did use permanent vinyl initially to do this, but I think indoor vinyl would be a better option.

 

Once you’ve weeded it all, you use transfer paper to apply it to your 12×12 board.

 

Then you can use the vinyl as a stencil, applying a coat or two of paint.

 

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

 

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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