Pallet signs and signs in general are all the rage in decor and especially farmhouse decor. I have really gotten into making them and perfecting my process with each one I attempt.
I started out with my husband deconstructing a pallet and sanding the boards down with an electric sander. Not all boards will be ususable but a fair amount will be, depending on which pallet you choose. I bought two different size tip chalk markers and sponges at the craft store. I had hubby pick up Rustoleum ‘Chalked’ paint in ‘Linen White’ and Minwax Classic Grey stain (use any shade or finish of your choosing) at the hardware store.
This was the first one I made. Yes, it’s a bit iffy but I am proud of it.
The next one I did was a Christmas gift for my mother in law and is her favorite Bible verse.
The next one I did was for my Mom and Dad’s house. My brother still lives at home when he’s not at college and he has a ‘menagerie’. The home has turned into a farmette of sorts. He raises chickens and ducks. I surprised them with it for Christmas. I was really proud of that one…
And then the one I was sweating. The one my mom ‘commissioned’ for me to do for her church. This picture does not do it justice at all…
This one I got smart with. As a recommendation of my brother’s girlfriend, I used carbon transfer paper. You can get this on Amazon or any craft store. Lifesaver! It worked so well and sped things up for me.
I placed and spaced all the letters as my mom wanted them and cut the carbon paper to fit. Then I used a pen that had a sharper tip. You could probably use a pencil or something else with a precise tip. It just needs to ‘impress’ the carbon on the surface you are working on.
Next I used my chalk pen to go around the outline that I made with the carbon transfer paper. Then I went in with a few different brushes and filled in the letters with chalk paint. I used Rustoleum ‘Chalked’ paint in ‘Linen White’. The wood that I was working with this time was a rustic style and it took some time to fill in.
And that’s it. Some signs I spray with a Rust-Oleum clear coat sealer. This time I didn’t because of the texture.
This is my most recent project…
For the grey signs:
- I swipe either one or two coats of the stain and cover the board in the front and on the signs. I typically leave the back bare. I let that dry over night.
- You can patch the holes that are left in the pallet wood if you choose and then sand it down before staining.
- Then I decide what font I want to use and typically look that up online and install it to my computer.
- Then I adjust for size (you can go bigger than the computer says, I typically use around 200 or above).
- I print them out and place them where I want them
- I cut the carbon paper to fit and tape them down on either side to keep them steady.
I would LOVE to get a Cricut machine and be able to whip these signs out fast as lightening, well not quite that fast. But I need the funds for that and a tutorial and a newer computer. Details, details.
See super easy! So try your hand at making them. It’s really fun and rewarding.
