How To Make A Sign Without A Stencil 

Today I made a Fall farmhouse sign without using a stencil. I don’t own a stencil machine which makes it difficult to make signs but this method is super easy and you don’t even have to paint the letters.  I used this old chippy window frame that I love and my husband added these wood pieces to the center using our nail gun. I painted the inside of the frame using my chalk paint recipe. I also scraped out the crevices where the paint seeped with a toothpick right away after painting to keep the shiplap look.

For the lettering, I typed the words into a word document and then chose the sizing in comparison to how large the center of my frame was. I actually took my laptop over to my sign and made sure the lettering wasn’t too large before printing it. After I had the lettering in the size and font that I desired, I went to print it and changed the setting in “layout” to “flip horizontally” (some computers may say mirror image). This made the lettering in a mirror like image or “backwards” so that they looked correct when I put them onto my board with the transfer method. I just used regular printer paper and I have an ink jet printer. Make sure that you have pretty new ink cartridges or the ink will not print out dark enough to transfer to your sign. I then cut the lettering apart and laid it into the position of where I wanted it. I’m not much of one for measuring so I eyeball where the lettering should be. Sometimes I use my finger for measuring or my pencil to measure the area. I know, I’m real professional.

 

 
I then took the end of an unsharpened pencil and rubbed each letter until it transferred onto my board. Make sure during this process that your paper does not move while transferring. I just held mine down while transferring but you could also use painters tape to make sure they stay in place. I had to press pretty hard while rubbing to get it to be a darker color transfer. The harder you press the darker the ink will transfer over. And can you believe it? That’s it! Once the letters are transferred over, your sign is finished. I chose to distress mine a little with 100 grit sandpaper. I love how the sign turned out and that if I wanted to that I could paint over it and change it for Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would love to hear what you think about my sign and this method. Leave me a comment below if you would like. I’m getting an early start on Fall even though it’s still 100 degrees here in Tucson. Have a wonderful day!

 

Affiliate links used to assist you in finding home decor or products were used in this post. I always give my own and honest opinion when reviewing products.