How to Make Chalkboard Signs with Silhouette Vinyl

Who loves chalkboard signs as much as I do, but wishes they had better hand-lettering skills? I’m going to show you an easy way to make your own chalkboard signs with Silhouette Vinyl! That’s right, you don’t even need chalk for this, although it does help a little. Now some of you may already have a cutting machine or maybe you’ve been toying with the idea of getting one but not sure what to make with it. We have got you covered! Today, I’ve teamed up with several other crafty bloggers to bring you some of our favorite Silhouette projects so you’re sure to find some inspiration here.

Be sure to check out all the other great projects at the end of this post!!

Now, let’s get started on a vinyl no-chalk vinyl chalkboard sign, shall we? 🙂

The chalkboard sign I’m creating is a hot chocolate bar sign, and the great thing about using the Silhouette vinyl is it can be removed any time you are ready for a change. Just be sure you are using the removable indoor vinyl.

Time to decide on a quote for my chalkboard. It’s not quite Springtime and crisp cool nights keep us cozied up by the fire with our steaming cups of homemade cocoa. Some of the best times are shared making a good cup of cocoa and enjoying every sip together. That’s how I came up with this design, “All you need is LOVE and a little hot cocoa!”

First things first fellow crafters! We need a chalkboard and we need to prep it. Now you can find chalkboards like this one at every craft store, or you can make your own with a little wood and chalkboard paint like I did here and here. To prep my chalkboard for this project, I clean it with a damp cloth to get all that chalk dust that would make it difficult for the vinyl to adhere to. While that’s drying, lets get busy cutting the design!

In my Silhouette software, I set the page and cut settings for vinyl. This vinyl I’m using is a 9” x 24” piece leftover from a sheet I have of Silhouette White Matte Vinyl so I know I will have to get creative to fit all of the design onto this one sheet. That’s okay, I try to waste very little vinyl and we can just apply this design in pieces and it will all come together in the end.

I’m a visual person and need to see the whole picture of the design before I cut it, so I create my design off the page which let’s me see proportions I wanted for each word and illustration.I use fonts that I have previously downloaded for free and you can too! The fonts I’m using in this design include: A Love of Thunder and  KG Second Spaces Solid. I’m also using this cute design from the Silhouette Store that I downloaded into my library and modified just a little.

Now I’m satisfied with my design and it’s time to put it to the vinyl and get this baby cutting!

Remember this small piece of vinyl that I’m using? I’m setting my page measurements to the 9″ x 24″ piece I have so I can see my cut lines. I’m going to ungroup all of these words and move them individually into the cut area to squeeze it all in. It takes some adjusting and once I’m finished, it’s ready to cut. Here’s how it ended up:

Nevermind that it now says “Is all you need a little hot love & cocoa” 🙂 That’s just how the vinyl cut y’all!!  Hey, whatever works for you!

Back to the Silhouette machine! After cutting the vinyl, now it’s time to weed the design and get it ready for application. You can use the weeding tool that comes with the Silhouette Machine or you can just use the closest Xacto knife like I do. I’m putting each piece on separately so I’m going to cut each word out and lay them out on the chalkboard to get a good feel for spacing and the big picture here.

Anytime I work with vinyl I apply the design using the transfer tape method. If you’re fresh out of transfer tape, good ol’ clear contact paper works great!! Just be sure it’s contact paper and not transparent film. Some of us learn the hard way, and that’s okay! 🙂 A little tape, a little patience to get it straight and then it’s time to unveal the design. There’s nothing like peeling that transfer tape off and seeing a hint of what’s to come!!

After transferring the vinyl, it’s time to rough up the chalkboard a little. Remember I said you didn’t even need chalk to make this chalkboard? I use a chalkboard eraser that is already loaded up with chalk dust (complimentary of my 4 year old artist). Lightly run this over the chalkboard… gently… making sure not to peel the vinyl off. This gives it a more authentic look of real chalk. If you don’t have the chalkboard eraser, you can use a piece of chalk and lightly season the board by using the flat side of the chalk to cover the board, and then erase it. Y’all ready to see the final product?

That little steamy cocoa mug just puts a smile on my face!!

We’ve recently moved into a new house! More to come on that later, but for now I’m hanging this chalkboard sign in the kitchen where I’ve set up a small table with cocoa powder, marshmallows, sprinkles, and chocolate chips… all the things to make a hot chocolate bar. It’s the perfect height that my daughter can reach it and fix her own cup (with mommy’s assistance of course).

There you have it! An easy way to make your own chalkboard signs without the need for artsy handwriting or even one piece of chalk!! The best thing about this is when we are ready to change it out in a few weeks, I can just peel the vinyl off and start a new design. In fact, I think I better restock my transfer tape and white Silhouette Vinyl next week!! Thanks for stopping by and if you have a favorite vinyl project, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!! And be sure to check out all these other great Silhouette projects from my friends! They’ve got some awesome talent y’all!!

Hobnail House – Spring Cutout Banner

Pig and Rabbit – Princess Party Favor Bags

Pocketful of Posies – DIY Paper Olive Plants

DIY Passion – Wood Shim Wreath with Paper Flowers

C’mon Get Crafty – Sleeping Baby Delivery Sign

Tried and True – Easter Bunny Carrot Plate

Holly Craft – DIY Custom Phone Case

My Life from Home – Easter Candy Bucket

Knock It Off Kim – Bunny Paper Cut Vase

Dwell Beautiful – Harry Potter Accio Coffee T-shirt

Morena’s Corner – Custom Flocked Birthday Card

Simply Darrling – Upcycled Nautical Anchor Serving Tray

Green With Decor – Making Food Party Labels Using Silhouette Machine

Creatively Southern – How to Make Chalkboard Sign with Silhouette Vinyl

Craving Some Creativity – Print and Cut Silhouette Closet Organization Tags

Vintage Romance Style – How to Create Your Childs Silhouette